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

Thursday, 15 August 2024

BBC News

• Heathrow rail link project could be 'reopened'Network rail has said plans for a rail link between Great Western mainline and Heathrow Airport could still move forward if funding is found in the future. The Local Democracy Reporting Service recently reported that the project had been put on hold.
• Rise in reports of violence against women on transportThe number of recorded violent crimes against women and girls on the transport network has risen in the past year by 20%, the British Transport Police Authority has said.
• Train strikes near end as union and government agree dealTrain drivers will vote on a new pay deal aimed at ending long-running strike action. It follows talks between representatives of Aslef and the Department for Transport that aimed to resolve the pay dispute between drivers and train companies in England.

Department for Transport

• Major breakthrough in rail dispute could signal end of national strikesThe pay proposal could see an end to 2 years of industrial action, protect passengers from further national strikes and improve the reliability of services.

Financial Times

• Rail strikes in England near end after unions and UK government reach deal Offer of more than 14 per cent over three years agreed by Aslef leadership to end industrial action

The Guardian

• Aslef train drivers reach deal that could end rail strikes after two years of chaosLast long-running dispute between unions and English train companies will be resolved if members back offer. Train drivers and the UK government have reached a deal that could end more than two years of conflict between rail operators and unions during which wide-ranging strikes have led to weeks of misery for passengers.

Times Online

• Tories accuse government of ’caving in’ with 15% rail pay offer. [subscription]The Aslef leader Mick Whelan says drivers should accept the ’good, fair offer’ over three years, which will end the union’s two-year campaign for better pay

Sky News

• Rail strikes could end following 'major breakthrough' as train drivers set to vote on new pay offer There has been a "major breakthrough" in the long-running pay row involving train drivers, which could signal the end of national rail strikes, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Shipley rail depot to be built on former Crossley Evans siteA £100 million rail depot in Shipley has been given the green light by planners.
• Northern to let customers book cheapest tickets twelve weeks aheadFrom next Friday, August 23, Northern will allow customers to book their cheapest tickets up to 12 weeks in advance.
• Bosses reveal when repair work on Bradford railway station lift is due to finishNetwork Rail has revealed when it expects repair work on the lift at Bradford's Forster Square railway station will be finished.

Northern Echo

• Reaction as violent attacks against women on Britain’s trains doublesNorth East Mayor Kim McGuinness says women shouldn’t have to plan journeys around safety after new data revealed violent attacks against women on Britain’s trains had doubled in just two years.

Cambridge News

• Calls for £5million from Government to put Cambridge light rail scheme on trackCambridge Connect has written to Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner to request the funding

Other Regional Press

• Network Rail explains its progress on Botley Road closure worksThe Botley Road rail scheme has moved forward in Oxford as a Network Rail review takes place.

Rail Magazine

• GB Railfreight secures extension at London GatewayGB Railfreight has secured a two-year extension to its contract with DP World to handle freight trains at London Gateway port. The deal will see the rail operator continue to prepare all departing trains from the busy terminal.

Other News Sources

• Hull City strike deal with train companyHull City have partnered with Hull Trains for the 2024/25 Sky Bet Championship season. Hull Trains will have branding across the stadium, social media platforms and matchday materials.
• Banbury’s MP and the Transport Secretary demand CrossCountry resolve unreliable servicesBanbury’s MP and the Transport Secretary have both written to CrossCountry setting out their concerns about the service provided by the train operator.
• Combined Transport performance rebounds by 4,25% in Q2 2024European Combined Transport (CT) performance has rebounded by 4,25 per cent in the second quarter of 2024. The improvement occurred because the sector left earlier disturbances behind in Q1. Whether the positive trend will continue in the near future is uncertain, as many infrastructure work disturbances are expected in summertime.
• Transport for Wales Hails Service to Summer Events a ’Major Success’Transport for Wales trains successfully transported more than160,000 music fans into Cardiff this summer for shows by global music stars at the Principality Stadium.
• South Western Railway partners with military children's charitySouth Western Railway (SWR) has partnered with Scotty's Little Soldiers, a charity aiding military children who have lost a parent.