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

Saturday, 13 November 2021

Cogitamus

• Chris Stokes - Perhaps now is the time for North Wales and Chester to join the HS2 network?Chris Stokes' latest Keeping Track column was published earlier this week by Cogitamus Limited. Essential reading for rail sector professionals and stakeholders, the column can be viewed here. Connect with us on Linkedin or Twitter to be sure to receive notification of future columns as well as other features and articles.

BBC News

• Oxford station's £69m expansion plan backedA £69m plan to build a fifth platform and a new entrance at Oxford station has been supported by councillors.
• Midland Metro tram services suspended after cracks foundWest Midlands Metro estimate the repairs will take at least four weeks to complete.

Network Rail

• Here to help – our mobility assistance teamsOur mobility assistance teams are here to help you on your journeys – and you'll find them at our biggest railway stations across Britain.

Sky News

• HS2 extension to Leeds could be mothballed as rail review published next weekRegional leaders are braced for delays to key rail improvements with HS2's eastern leg likely to fall victim to Treasury concerns over cost.

Yorkshire Post

• HS2: Abandon Leeds, Sheffield and Yorkshire at your peril, Prime Minister – The Yorkshire Post saysTODAY Leeds and Sheffield Council’s leaders make an unprecedented joint appeal to Ministers to build the eastern leg of HS2 in full – or abandon this region at their peril.

Other Regional Press

• Rail line vital following traffic chaos, council leader statesA councillor leader has stated that the Leek to Stoke rail connection is absolutely vital following last week’s road chaos at Endon.
• North Wales business & council leaders seek urgent meeting with UK Transport Secretary in bid to unlock investmentBusiness and local authority leaders from North Wales, the Wirral and Cheshire West and Chester in the Growth Track 360 partnership are seeking an urgent meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps to find ways to accelerate investment in cross-border rail links.
• Dartmoor Line set to reopen ahead of scheduleFor the first time in almost 50 years, regular passenger services will run on the Dartmoor Line connecting Okehampton to Exeter.
• Council challenges HS2 on six 'detrimental' lorry route decisions including roads in WendoverThe council says HS2 plans would have an 'enormous' impact on Aylesbury Vale roads.
• Why Cheshire East Council wants to scrap school buses across the regionThe council is working on getting more children walking to school, removing the need for the bus

The Economist

• How trains could replace planes in Europehe centrepiece of this year’s European Year of Rail was the “Connecting Europe Express”. Between September and October its cars whisked eu officials across the continent on a whistle-stop tour promoting the future of railways. But the train itself was a nostalgia trip: most of its wagons were built in the 1980s, since more recent models were less likely to be certified by the rail-safety boards of all 26 countries it visited. Without arm-twisting by the European Commission, said Alberto Mazzola of the cer, a rail-industry group, the trip would have been impossible.

Business Live

• 'Urgent meeting' wanted with Transport Secretary over rail links between North Wales and North WestBusiness and local authority leaders from North Wales and the North West of England want an urgent meeting with the UK Secretary of State for Transport to find ways to accelerate investment in cross-border rail links.

Construction News

• UK fabricators in fresh swipe at HS2 over French steelHS2 has defended its work with the UK steel market after a trade body criticised its “lack of proper engagement”.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail set green targets for suppliersNetwork Rail’s Commercial and Procurement (C&P) team has reached an important climate milestone by partnering with suppliers agreeing to reduce their carbon footprint.

Other News Sources

• RAIL CALL Rail upgrades and end to costly ‘slow coach’ trains needed to help tackle climate change, says Alba’s Kenny MacAskillA FORMER Holyrood minister called for rail service improvements to tackle climate change - as analysis revealed UK fares and journey times are “vastly” higher than in other European countries like Spain.
• A Look at What is Happening to UK Rail Freight in a Week in Which it Has Had a Chance to Show OffCop26 Provides a Backdrop for New Freight Service Ideas, Track Analytics and Environmental Works
• A spark of rail freight at COP26 in GlasgowA convincing speech advocating rail freight was held by CEO of Lineas Geert Pauwels at the climate summit in Glasgow this Thursday morning. “To achieve the climate targets, rail transport is an indispensable link.” Pauwels presented five technologies to improve rail transport and is asking governments for support.
• Improvements to Eastern Road path set to beginCyclists and walkers are set to have a safer and improved route along part of Eastern Road in Portsmouth.