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

Friday, 05 August 2022

BBC News

• ScotRail strike threat as union rejects 5% pay offerMembers of the RMT working for ScotRail voted against the deal 60% to 40%.

ITV News

• London Underground's future is driverless says Transport Sec Grant Shapps as Tube deal drags onLondon Underground trains won't need drivers in years to come meaning fewer frustrating strikes for commuters, according to the Transport Secretary.

The Guardian

• Two more unions to join rail strikes across Great Britain in AugustThousands of TSSA and Unite members to join RMT in Network Rail strikes on 18 and 20 August

Times Online

• Foreign firms’ increased bid signals change at rail operator Go-Ahead [subscription]An operator of commuter rail and bus routes in London is set to be taken over by two overseas companies with no experience of the British market.

Daily Record

• ScotRail strike looms after union members reject latest pay deal RMT organiser Mick Hogg said failure to reach a better deal during meetings next week could result in a ballot for strike action.

Liberal Democrat Party

• Welsh Lib Dems call for free train travel as cost of living crisis bitesThe Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh government to take a leaf out of Spain’s book on public transport. The party is calling for the Welsh Labour government to consider introducing a scheme similar to the one introduced this month in Spain which will see free train journeys for commuter and medium-distance trains between 1 September and 31 December.

Birmingham Post

• Transport body casts doubt on Government's Yorkshire rail pledgeA Parliamentary committee has become the latest body to question how a rail scheme to cut journey times between Bradford and Leeds would work.

Other Regional Press

• Fears cut price rail scheme won't improve West Yorkshire journeys after government scraps major new lineIt was supposed to be one bright spot in the plan that ditched much of the other promised investment
• Calls for Wales to follow Spain’s example and offer free train journeys to combat cost of living crisisThe Welsh Liberal Democrats have called on the Welsh Government to take a leaf out of Spain’s book on public transport.
• Swansea Bay Metro: Ideas for regional transport improvements discussedEarly ideas on potential rail and bus service improvements for passengers throughout the Swansea Bay City Region have been discussed.

New Civil Engineer

• Blockchain trial by Amey aims to slash cost of rail worksAmey is to trial a technology based on cryptocurrency trading sites in a bid to improve the efficiency of rail works. The firm’s engineering advisory arm will implement a blockchain platform on a railway upgrade project in Wales.
• Assessment of bridges must focus on quality, not just quantityOnce again, the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) is browbeating Network Rail over timely delivery of assessments as though going through processes were the important issue.
• ORR raises concerns over HS1 asset renewals deliveryThe Office of Rail and Road (ORR)'s annual assessment of High Speed 1 Ltd (HS1 Ltd) has highlighted concerns over how the company is managing its asset renewals.

Rail Business Daily

• “High Speed Rail essential to levelling up Britain”The High Speed Rail Group has released its latest report – High Speed Rail: Levelling Up Voices – bringing together influential voices from across politics, business and academia to make the case for the benefits of rail infrastructure investment, which include:

Railway Gazette

• National Train Control Systems framework aims to develop UK signalling marketUK: Network Rail is planning to establish a multi-supplier National Train Control Systems framework for the delivery of major enhancements and renewals, including ETCS and conventional signalling.

Other News Sources

• UK mega-project Northern Powerhouse Rail back on track?A project to connect major cities in the north of England with a dedicated high-speed railway, vastly increasing capacity for freight and passenger traffic, could be back on the agenda, but only if members of the Conservative Party vote for the right leader. That is the intriguing – or preposterous – state of affairs, depending on your political point of view.
• Metrolink tram route from Oldham to Bury has date setA new deadline has been set for the completion of a tram route from Oldham to Bury via Rochdale and Heywood.