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

Sunday, 31 October 2021

BBC News

• Southampton-Bournemouth rail line closed for five daysThe railway line between Southampton and Bournemouth is to close for five consecutive days for engineering work. Tracks and wiring will be replaced, bridges repaired and drainage improved during the work starting on Monday.

The Scotsman

• Transport Scotland official in ‘extraordinary’ outburst at agency halting high-speed rail workA Transport Scotland official has vented his frustration as it emerged the agency has halted joint work with the UK Government to bring high-speed rail north of the Border despite ministers clamouring for years for faster progress from Westminster.

Sky News

• Commuter rail journeys still at just 45% of pre-pandemic levels, new figures showCommuters appear to be staying at home or using other transport, but train journeys for leisure purposes are increasing in popularity.

London Evening Standard

• Avanti pledges £117m investment in Welsh electric trainsvanti West Coast is set to invest more than £100 million to replace 20 old polluting diesel trains in Wales with greener alternatives, its co-owner has said.

The York Press

• Northern in train ticket fraud crackdownNORTHERN Rail say they have saved more than £10 million in fraudulently claimed refunds on train tickets in the last 18 months.

Other Regional Press

• Re-open Amman and Gwendraeth railways to get Wales’ climate change ambitions on track, says Plaid MSCalls are being made for the reopening of the Amman Valley and Gwendraeth railway lines to be included as part of the Welsh Government’s ambitious plans to tackle carbon emissions.

Rail Advent

• Huge upgrade on Cambridge train depot will mean fewer trains this DecemberA huge upgrade by Govia Thameslink Railway will be carried out on Cambridge’s train depot and will bring both servicing facilities and stabling for the new fleets of Thameslink, Great Northern and Greater Anglia trains.
• New rail safety project launched by South Western RailwaySouth Western Railway has invested £40,000 in an initiative with leading charity UK Youth in an attempt to raise awareness of rail safety in young people.

Other News Sources

• HS2 new train station in Leeds to be constructedThe construction of a new train station in Leeds is also part of the government’s plans for the High Speed 2 (HS2). Despite claims that the eastern leg of the railway would significantly get scaled back. It seems the government has now backpedaled on the idea that it would axe the whole eastern leg, but will still be making notable cuts.