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

Friday, 19 March 2021

ITV News

• Dartmoor rail service to return after almost 50 years thanks to £40.5m schemeThe railway line between Exeter and Okehampton is to open all year round for the first time in almost 50 years.

The Guardian

• London council ignites safety row as it rejects cycle lane plansCalls for government intervention after Kensington and Chelsea leadership team’s decision

The Herald

• Alan Simpson: Nationalising Scotrail is a public cash risk too farANYONE who ever had the pleasure of eating a British Rail pork pie during a long journey on a late and freezing cold train will no doubt have shuddered at the news that ScotRail is going to be nationalised.

Times Online

• The Times Scotland view on rail renationalisation: Changing Trains [subscription]Passengers will expect much when Scotland’s railways are back in public hands
• ScotRail sets up great expectations for nationalised service [subscription]Passengers can expect better catering, more services on the most scenic routes and flexible ticketing products when Scotland’s rail operator is nationalised in April next year, bosses say.
• Dartmoor rail service reopens this year in reversal of Beeching cuts [subscription]A largely redundant Victorian railway line will be reopened this year as part of plans to resurrect routes closed in the infamous Beeching cuts.

The National

• Scotland could have a world class railway system after nationalising ScotRailGOOD news seems hard to come by at the moment. But the Scottish Government’s decision to bring the Scotrail franchise into public ownership is good news indeed.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford MUST have a Northern Powerhouse Rail stop, leaders urge THE LEADER of the council, candidate for West Yorkshire Mayor and Bradford Labour MP have come together to call for the Government to ensure there is a Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) stop in the city centre.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Bid to save Llangollen railway as assets are put up for sale after operator went bustLlangollen Railway PLC announced this year it is not legally able to continue to trade after becoming insolvent

The York Press

• TransPennine Express hits lockdown milestoneA TRAIN company that operates services through York has delivered their one millionth customer making an essential journey during lockdown safely to their destination.

Yorkshire Post

• Transport Minister insults North with ‘playing games’ jibe – The Yorkshire Post saysTRANSPORT MINISTER Andrew Stephenson did himself no favours with his belligerent and disrespectful tone towards Hull North MP Dame Diana Johnson during the pair’s Commons debate.

Kent Online

• Isle of Sheppey could get direct line between Sheerness and London Victoria as new rail strategy approvedProposals for the hourly train between the Isle of Sheppey and London Victoria could be approved in the future after Kent County Council adopted a new Kent Rail Strategy for the next decade.

Other Regional Press

• Wakefield's MP wants to build a monorail and conference centre 'the size of a small town' in the heart of the cityWakefield’s MP has revealed plans to build a monorail system and a conference centre ‘the size of a small town’ in the middle of Wakefield.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail completes West London station transformation for Elizabeth lineNetwork Rail engineers have completed work at Acton Main Line station.
• HS2 received more than 1,400 construction complaints last yearMore than 1,400 complaints were lodged with HS2 Ltd last year in relation to construction of the UK’s new high speed rail line.
• Millions saved and time slashed on West Coast Main Line workWork on 34 projects along the West Coast Main Line will be accelerated and a £13.8M cost saving delivered, as a result of the reduction in passenger numbers during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Rail Business Daily

• Devon communities to be better connected as railway line set to reopen for first time in 50 yearsCommunities and passengers in Devon are to benefit from the reopening of the railway between Okehampton and Exeter as a result of the Government’s ‘Restoring your Railway’ initiative.