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

Wednesday, 20 January 2021

BBC News

• Smart motorway death 'treated as PR exercise by transport minister'A widow has accused the transport secretary of treating her husband's death on a smart motorway as a PR exercise. A coroner criticised the roads after hearing Jason Mercer died in a crash on part of the M1 with no hard shoulder. Mr Mercer's widow Claire said Grant Shapps had tried to "manage" her when they spoke.
• 'My car rolled six times after smart motorway crash'Drivers share their experiences of smart motorways after a review found two deaths were avoidable.
• E-scooters must follow rules of road 'same as bus'A woman banned from the roads for drink-driving an e-scooter is told the same rules and penalties apply.
• Vauxhall: Future of Ellesmere Port hangs in the balanceVauxhall's parent company warns it will no longer invest in pure diesel or petrol cars at Ellesmere Port.
• Audi to make electric cars with China's oldest carmaker FAWFAW counts Red Flag limousines, used by China's communist party leaders, among its products.

Financial Times

• Boss of newly merged Fiat and Peugeot warns on UK investmentStellantis chief Carlos Tavares says electric rules and Brexit risk ‘destroying the business model’ of Vauxhall plant
• UK coach sector warns of deepening crisis amid schools closuresOperators told by government minister not to expect any special treatment

The Telegraph

• Smart motorway information campaign postponed by Highways England 'who seem 'determined not to educate public' [subscription]Government-owned company was handed £5m to air public awareness broadcasts, but delay has disappointed road safety campaigners
• EU drivers will escape UK speeding fines unless caught 'there and then', chief constable says [subscription]EU cross-border enforcement directive had allowed information-sharing between UK and EU but is no longer in place

Times Online

• Safety technology covers only 37 miles of smart motorway [subscription]Only 37 miles of smart motorway have been fitted with vital technology used to detect broken-down vehicles, prompting more concerns over safety.

Bristol Live

• Charges that drivers could pay to enter Clean Air ZoneThe council has provided its 'current estimates' for charging drivers

Bucks Free Press

• E-scooters receive a mixed reaction from High Wycombe residents High Wycombe saw the arrival of e-scooters, by Zipp Mobility, late last year and residents of the town already have a split opinion on them.

Other Regional Press

• Drivers face £70 fines for breaking rules in controversial changeLocal authorities will be given more powers to fine people for certain driving faults
• JLR lends fleet of Defenders to doctors in coronavirus fightLand Rover Defenders are being used as part of the vaccination roll-out

New Civil Engineer

• A9 upgrade wildlife protection row resolvedCollaboration has ended several years of dispute from the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) over the dualling of the A9 between Crubenmore and Kincraig, according to Transport Scotland.

Transport Network

• Campaigners call on councils to help cut car useEnvironmental campaigners have called on local authorities to cancel spending on road building and redirect funds to boost public transport and active travel.

Other News Sources

• Hauliers decline to transport goods into UK at record rate, report revealsRecord numbers of hauliers declined to move goods from France into Britain in the second week of January whilst those that did raised their prices significantly