Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Wednesday, 04 November 2020

BBC News

• Covid: £62m needed to keep Transport for Wales afloatA further £62m of taxpayers' money will be needed to keep Transport for Wales trains going during the Covid pandemic, the economy minister has said.
• London's transport network tests negative for Covid-19Imperial College London scientists checked the Underground and buses for evidence of coronavirus.

The Independent

• Lockdown 2.0 rules on travel within England and WalesThere is no general warning against using buses, trains, trams or, in London, the Tube

Times Online

• HS2 ‘on track to cost taxpayer £170bn’ [subscription]HS2 could cost three quarters more than was estimated and set the exchequer back by £170 billion, according to the deputy head of a government review of the project.

Senedd Cymru

• Oral Statement: Future of Rail - Details of the new arrangements - Ken Skates MSI would like to provide more information to Members on the new arrangements for the Wales and borders rail service and the delivery model Transport for Wales will be implementing.

Mail Online

• Rail union boss Mick Cash QUITS the RMT blaming a 'campaign of harassment' against him after months of internal clashes The leader of the biggest rail worker's union has announced his retirement, blaming a 'campaign of harassment' against him of internal clashes.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Grand Central to suspend Bradford to London train service and furlough staff A TRAIN operator that runs direct services between Bradford Interchange and London will suspend all services from the end of Friday.

London Evening Standard

• RMT’s Mick Cash retires blaming a ‘campaign of harassment'Mr Cash went on extended sick leave after suffering stress and had only recently returned to work

Northern Echo

• Full steam ahead for 26-mile rail line routeA LOCAL authority developing plans to celebrate the bi-centenary of the world’s first passenger railway looks set to press ahead with a proposal to develop a walking and cycling route along 26 miles of the historic line.

The York Press

• York train company Grand Central to suspend all servicesYORK train operator Grand Central has decided to temporarily suspend all rail services after the new lockdown is launched.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Normal train services to run during second lockdownUnlike the first lockdown, Greater Anglia is not making changes to its rail timetables this time around – although government advice is once again that people should only travel for work, to get to school or college, or other essential trips like caring or medical appointments.

Other Regional Press

• Welsh Government challenge for innovative ideas in response to coronavirus pandemicThe Welsh Government is making funding available to support businesses with innovative products and services that will help communities and the public sector adapt to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus pandemic.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• New funding for accessibility as government reports progress for disabled people across transport networkInnovative ideas to improve travel for disabled passengers could be made a reality thanks to government funding announced. The Department for Transport (DfT) is marking Purple Tuesday by launching the first-of-its-kind Accessible Technology Research and Innovation Grant (A-TRIG), which will invest up to £500,000 in projects that can improve access to services or inspire more confidence to travel. These projects could provide a range of practical solutions that remove physical barriers, make it easier to access information, automate processes or see better support for travellers. They c...

New Civil Engineer

• Transport for the North boss Barry White to step downTransport for the North (TfN) chief executive Barry White will step down from the role next year.
• HS2 civils and stations contractors to reveal supply chain opportunitiesThe four main works civil contractors and two station construction partners working on Phase One of High Speed 2 (HS2) are encouraging supply chain partners to join a virtual event to find out about upcoming opportunities.

Rail Magazine

• Tram-train operation to continue in Sheffield as new systems proposedTram-trains will continue running in South Yorkshire beyond the end of the two-year trial period, with the Government believing it could act as an inspiration for similar schemes elsewhere.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Why is the East Coast Main Line Upgrade so vital to passengers?The East Coast Upgrade. One of the biggest programme’s our railway has ever undertaken. With £1.2bn being spent on the revolutionary upgrade to allow for more trains to run and deliver quicker, more reliable journeys across the route.

Other News Sources

• Contractor named for £56m railway station projectA contractor has been named to transform a major railway station in Birmingham.
• HS2 expects 95% of jobs to go to UK firmsClose to 400,000 contracts will be handed out on £100bn project HS2 is expecting 95% of the 400,000 contracts that will be up for grabs on the £100bn project to go to UK firms, according to the minister in charge of the project.
• Rail company stops all trains to and from Milton Keynes during lockdownGrand Central has made the decision to temporarily suspend all its rail services from the end of the day on Friday.
• Start-ups to pitch at Transport for Wales virtual demo dayWALES’ leading rail-dedicated innovation programme is about to see its second batch of ambitious and creative candidates pitch their ideas.