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Saturday, 17 April 2021

BBC News

• HS2: Tree-felling at 'Roald Dahl wood' paused by High CourtThe felling of trees in the path of the HS2 rail link has been paused after the High Court gave protesters the right to apply for a judicial review.

STV

• Tories vow to reverse Beeching cuts to reopen lost railway linesScottish Conservatives leader Douglas Ross said his party’s infrastructure plans would create ‘tens of thousands of jobs’.

The Telegraph

• Scottish Tories propose reopening of decades-old train lines to boost economy [subscription]The Tories also propose a smart travel card that would work on public transport across Scotland, akin to an Oyster Card in London

i News

• Warnings of packed trains from Wales as people travel to England for first weekend of pubs openingRail bosses are concerned that trains from Wales will be packed as people cross the border in order to take advantage of pub garden’s being open in England, with forecasts of good weather for the weekend. 

London Evening Standard

• Flexible rail season tickets will offer 15% discount – reportPassengers in England will be able to purchase French-style carnet tickets from June, it has been reported.
• London Overground lines to be renamed as Sadiq Khan expands plans to reflect capital’s historic diversityLondon Overground lines are to be renamed by Sadiq Khan if he is re-elected mayor as part of his plan to ensure the capital’s infrastructure better reflects its diverse history.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Planned new Northumberland rail line is being cut back before work has even begunPlanned Blyth Bebside station is likely to be axed as part of Department for Transport drive to cut costs

Wales Online

• Train security increased as bosses expect people to head to the pubs in EnglandConcerns have been raised about packed trains as people from Wales travel across the border to make the most of the first weekend of beer gardens being opened in England and a forecast for good weather.

Blackpool Gazette

• Rail warning for Lancashire passengersWorks planned in the region to disrupt services

Other Regional Press

• Grantham railway bridge reopening after £2.7m projectA major railway bridge in Grantham – Springfield Road – reopened on Friday afternoon following the completion of a £2.7 million project by Network Rail that took seven months to complete.
• Weymouth rail station revamp plans submittedRevamp plans for Weymouth rail station have been officially submitted to Dorset Council and are now open for public comments.
• Unique Shropshire railway 'bible' saved from rubbish pileAn invaluable "bible" of railway operations in the 1920s in Shropshire and further afield has been saved from a rubbish heap by a member of the Shrewsbury Railway Heritage Trust.
• Weymouth rail station revamp plans submittedRevamp plans for Weymouth rail station have been officially submitted to Dorset Council and are now open for public comments.

Railway Gazette

• ‘Monster’ freight train in regular serviceFINLAND: VR Transpoint has begun regular operation of 7 000 tonne trains carrying Russian transit freight to the port of Hamina. The 1 km long trains with 80 wagons and the capacity of 92 lorries have been branded Mörkö, meaning a giant monster or ogre from fairy tales.

Transportxtra

• Ten-year direct award for West Coast railThe DfT plans to give train operator First Trenitalia West Coast Rail Ltd a ten-year direct award contract for the West Coast Partnership rail franchise.
• Treat historic railway estate as assets, not liabilities, say MPsThe House of Commons transport committee is calling on the Government to regard 3,200 bridges, tunnels and viaducts across Britain that make up the Historical Railways Estate as assets rather than liabilities.
• Covid and net zero drive new bus financing modelsThe challenges of Covid-19 and the Government’s net zero carbon dioxide target are prompting new thinking about how bus investment is financed. Transport Scotland has just published a paper looking at potential solutions

Other News Sources

• HS2 ordered to stop felling trees at Jones Hill Wood near WendoverControversial work to fell trees in woodland which inspired Roald Dahl in Buckinghamshire has to stop for now.