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

Wednesday, 28 February 2024

BBC News

• Reading-London Paddington route set for overhaulA spate of failures include broken rails, signal faults and passengers stranded due to damaged cables.

The Scotsman

• Lumo: Cut-price train operator plans to extend London-Edinburgh services to GlasgowProposal comes despite rival LNER axing its last services on route

Transport Committee

• Transport Committee launches new inquiry to scrutinise draft Rail Reform BillThe Transport Committee launches its pre-legislative scrutiny of the draft Rail Reform Bill and invites experts to share their views on its proposals.

Rail Delivery Group

• Rail travel is almost nine times greener than by car on the Top 100 business routes new figures showThe next phase of Green Travel Pledge carbon emission passenger data shows journeys along 100 of Britain’s busiest business routes create significantly less carbon emissions by rail compared to travelling by car.

Yorkshire Post

• Rishi Sunak reviews Haxby station plans and announces new transport fundingPrime Minister Rishi Sunak has visited Haxby and looked over plans to reopen a train station in the York town.
• A united transport vision for Yorkshire that focuses on outcomes for communities is needed - Russell JacksonIt’s time for a rail reset. The North’s transportation system seems stuck in a vortex of plans and policies, with the cancellation of Phase 2 of HS2 the latest missed opportunity. It’s no surprise that people are left wondering if they will ever see the new rail lines and infrastructure the region so desperately needs.

Bucks Free Press

• Machine digging HS2’s longest tunnel breaks throughThe machine digging HS2’s longest tunnel has completed its 10-mile journey under the Chiltern Hills.

Other Regional Press

• Government-run Transpennine trains urged to build new fleet in the northMayoral candidate, Kim McGuinness urges Transpennine to build new fleet in the north
• GWR launches new community fund in Bristol and SomersetGreat Western Railway (GWR) has announced a fresh round of bids for its Customer and Community Improvement Fund in Bristol and Somerset.
• HS2 tunnelling machine breaks through years after Maple Cross launchThe machine digging HS2’s longest tunnel has completed its 10-mile journey from a site near Maple Cross.

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Revealed! Draft Rail Reform Bill, new urban transport ambitions and rebranded Overground linesWith the Draft Rail Reform Bill published by the UK Government for scrutiny by the House of Commons Transport Committee, Christian and co-presenter Mark Walker discuss just what this says about the direction of travel after six years rail reform in Great Britain and ask whether any of the proposals will ever be implemented [01:30]. The centrepiece of this episode is Christian's interview with Jason Prince, recently-appointed Director of the Urban Transport Group, who sets out his organisation's agenda for delivering major improvements in sustainable transport across the UK's cities and towns [15:44]. Finally, Christian celebrates the rebranding of London's Overground rail network with individual names for lines reflecting the history and heritage of our capital city [42:03].

Rail Technology Magazine

• Unlocking rolling stock potentialNetwork Rail has highlighted that, according to the Rail Delivery Group, more than half of all passenger trains around the country have been either replaced or upgraded, opening the door for further improvement in the future.

Other News Sources

• A new leasing model for Europe?Siemens’ decision to set up a subsidiary dedicated to short-term leasing of multiple-units could herald the start of a new way of procuring rolling stock.
• Transpennine Express urged to bring train production to DurhamTranspennine Express has been told it should rebuild its reputation in the North by bringing train production to Durham.
• Network Rail gaffe as Scottish town mistaken for English cityAN official sign on a new railway bridge between Perth and Inverness appears to have confused an English city with a Scottish town.