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

Wednesday, 01 September 2021

Department for Transport

• Green light given for Wigan to Bolton electrificationMajor upgrade, including electrification and longer electric trains, to railway line between Wigan and Bolton announced.

Financial Times

• Activist calls for Canadian National CEO to quit after rail deal hits hurdleChris Hohn says group misjudged US regulator’s review of $34bn bid for Kansas City Southern

The Guardian

• We can’t build our way out of the environmental crisisNew infrastructure projects are all the rage, post-pandemic. But who benefits from a rising tide of concrete?

The Herald

• SNP and Greens warned over lack of transport and farming net zero plansSNP and Green ministers have been told to urgency explain how transport and farming emissions will be cut at a faster rate than the rest of the UK.

City AM

• London Underground halfway back to pre-pandemic levels as Tube passenger returnThe number of passengers using the London Underground has hit about 50 per cent of pre-pandemic levels on weekdays for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

Network Rail

• Network Rail transforms Northamptonshire work compound into first habitat to protect wildlife following major railway upgradesNetwork Rail has transformed a site in Finedon – which was a temporary work compound whilst vital railway upgrades took place – into a specific area to protect wildlife for years to come.
• Key Manchester rail route gets 21st century signalling upgradeA once in a generation overhaul of Manchester’s railway signalling system is complete to improve future journeys for passengers and freight.

Sky News

• Nine cyber attacks on UK's transport sector missed by mandatory reporting lawsThe thresholds set for the mandatory reporting of cyber incidents across the energy, transport, health, water, and digital infrastructure sectors are so high that few if any incidents are actually being reported to government.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Scotrail branded a 'joke' by passengers after confirming new Edinburgh to Glasgow fareScotrail has announced they will be launching a new flexible ticket for customers travelling from Edinburgh to Glasgow but once they revealed the cost, many hit back saying it was too expensive.

London Evening Standard

• Network Rail urges lorries to be more careful after crash delays thousandsA Tesco delivery vehicle caused heavy damage to a railway bridge on Monday, forcing the railway line that connects Cornwall and Plymouth to close.

The York Press

• New look Malton train station unveiled after revampA STATION revamp to improve facilities for rail customers is now complete.

Yorkshire Post

• Northern Oyster Card idea faces major challenges - despite 'outdated' current system, report warnsHopes of introducing an Oyster Card-style system for public transport across the North face multiple hurdles, transport bosses have warned.

Other Regional Press

• John Lamont to meet with ScotRail over proposed service cutsA BORDERS MP has promised to meet with train operator ScotRail after the company announced cuts to the Borders Railway timetable.
• Weymouth rail station gateway facing budget shortfallCUTS may need to be made to the redesign of the Weymouth rail station ‘gateway’ – unless extra funding can be guaranteed by October when work is due to start.

New Civil Engineer

• Newcastle station work continues this monthThe next phase of Newcastle Central Station’s multimillion pound transformation project will begin this month, following the appointment of construction company Tolent to lead the works.
• Cambridge metro delivery company yet to be wound up after new mayor pulls the project’s plugThree directors remain in post at Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) delivery firm One Cam four months after new Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority's (CPCA) mayor Nik Johnson suspended work on the project.

Rail Advent

• Eversholt signs £10m Class 375 modifications contract with LSEREversholt Rail has announced today (31st August 2021) that it has placed a contract with LSER (Southeastern) worth up to Ј10m to carry out modifications to its 112 Class 375 trains.

Other News Sources

• France’s Colas buys Finnish rail and road builderFrench contractor Colas is to acquire 1,600-strong Finnish rail and road builder Destia from family-run Ahlström Capital Group for an undisclosed amount.
• Ministers Urged To ‘Put An End’ To HS2 DoubtsMinisters have been urged by a business organisation to “put an end to any lingering uncertainty” over HS2.
• HS2 expected to require 26,500 construction workers at peakA University of Dundee spinout has published a report which forecasts the labour and skills requirements for the HS2 project.
• TransPennine Express agrees to scrap overnight train storage in Scarborough after residents win noise battleA rail operator has said it will no longer keep trains overnight at a new £7 million depot in Scarborough after local residents complained that the noise was making their lives a misery.