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

Tuesday, 21 September 2021

BBC News

• 'Stunning' finds on Scotland's earliest railwayArchaeologists uncover three wooden railways, each one laid immediately on top of the last, on the Tranent Waggonway.
• Northern line extension: Two new Tube stations openThe Northern line extension serves new stations at Nine Elms and Battersea Power Station.

Financial Times

• Europe's lorry driver crisis to deepen next year, warns haulage bossShortages expected to disrupt Christmas, with new EU rules set to put further strain on supply chains

The Guardian

• Khan and Shapps try to put differences aside as Northern line extension opensLondon mayor and transport secretary talk up teamwork for project that has come in under budget and on time

The Independent

• Bakerloo Line extension and Crossrail 2: How London’s transport networks could expand even moreThe map of the London Underground has gained a new branch and two extra stations.

The Telegraph

• HS2 is worse value for money than improving existing rail network [Subscription]The economic benefit of investing in the UK's existing railways outstrips the returns from High Speed 2, according to a new report seized on by critics of the near-£100bn project.

Times Online

• No cameras on most roads to guard Edinburgh’s anti-pollution zone [subscription]Critics have ridiculed Edinburgh’s low emissions zone as “full of holes” after it emerged only a third of entry points into the city centre district will be monitored by number plate recognition cameras.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham needs massive increase in electric vehicle charging pointsThe sale of new petrol cars will be banned from 2030 but Birmingham has far fewer charging points compared to London

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• ‘There is an opportunity to build a New North after the pandemic’ say region’s leadersThe future of transport in the north will be discussed in a meeting today with the region's political and business leaders.
• West Yorkshire currently short of 250 bus drivers - around 10 per cent of the workforceA LOCAL Councillor and bus driver has told a committee that there is a

Bristol Live

• Bristol Temple Meads train disruption expected as major works near completionA number of train services will be affected
• Uber looking to recruit 900 new drivers in Bristol and BathDemand for the service has 'ramped up'

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Snowdonia project to start in weeks will see roads and rail dug up and cause years of disruption The cables between the Dinorwig power plant in Llanberis and an electricity substation several miles away are to be replaced after 40 years of use

London Evening Standard

• Londoners back on buses as record number of trips made over weekendLondoners made a record number of bus journeys over the weekend as the capital continued to bounce back from the pandemic.
• Addison Lee pledges to run all-electric cab fleet by 2023Addison Lee has pledged it will operate only electric vehicles from 2023.

Northern Echo

• LNER plans to cut opening hours at ticket offices in Darlington and DurhamCONCERNS have been raised about passenger safety and accessibility following proposals to cut the opening hours of ticket offices at railway stations in the region.

Wales Online

• Drugs and weapon crime increases increase by 60% on Wales' railway networkThe increase is a mark of successful policing according to British Transport Police

Yorkshire Post

• York vaccination centre installs e-scooters as part of city's environmental transport drivePeople going for covid vaccinations in York will be able to use the city’s e-scooters to attend their appointments.

Carlisle News & Star

• Andy Burnham calls for cheaper bus and train fares in NorthBUS journeys in the North of England should cost no more than £1.55, with a cap on the maximum you can spend.

Other Regional Press

• Tory MP’s dig at Labour council in HS2 debateTORY Alexander Stafford couldn’t resist a dig at Rotherham Council as he spoke out against HS2 in parliament.
• Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen wants full debate in Commons over future of HS2Ashby MP Andrew Bridgen is set to request a full debate in the House of Commons over the future of HS2 - which he says has pushed up the cost of housebuilding and is damaging “more worthwhile” infrastructure projects.
• 'Even the bus drivers think I should go by car': West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin 'incredibly frustrated' as car use rises above pre-pandemic levelsCounty's broken bus system means people still only use public transport as a last resort

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Plans for £2B investment in tram, rail, bus and cycling set out in Government funding bidThe West Midlands Metro network will be extended in Walsall, Birmingham, Dudley, Sandwell and Wolverhampton under a plan to “revolutionise” transport across the region.    Further investment would see rail stations opened, new rapid bus services launched, lower fares, more zero-emission vehicles, a very light rail line in Coventry and miles of safe cycling routes created to support the region’s economic growth and net-zero carbon targets.    The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) Board has approved bids to the Government’s City Region Sustainabl...
• World's largest container ship leaves Port of FelixstoweThe world’s largest container ship, The Ever Ace, has made its maiden call at Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe.   Operated by Taiwanese line Evergreen Marine, the 24,000TEU capacity vessel arrived at the UK’s largest container port from Hamburg, having commenced its voyage at Qingdao, China in July.   Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Felixstowe, said: “We are delighted to welcome the Ever Ace on its maiden call at the Port of Felixstowe.    “Our relationship with Evergreen dates back to 1979 when Evergreen launched its first Asia...
• Stratford station congestion relief scheme secures DfT development fundingNetwork Rail has secured £2 million in funding from the Department of Transport (DfT) to help develop plans to help relieve congestion at London’s Stratford station.   The DfT funding will help Network Rail to develop plans for the Transport for London (TfL) managed station, maintaining the safety of the station environment for passengers during busy times and improve the overall station experience, particularly as passenger numbers continue to rise.     Subject to approval and further funding, the improvements could help create more room on specific platforms and ar...
• Royal Mail to trial Micro Electric VehiclesRoyal Mail is set to trial two types of Micro Electric Vehicles for letter and small parcel deliveries, in a drive to further reduce emissions associated with its operations.    The Micro Electric Vehicles form part of Royal Mail’s programme of low or zero emission vehicle trials designed to make the UK’s lowest reported CO2e emissions per parcel delivery even lower.   Roughly the size of a golf buggy or a quad bike, the vehicles will be assessed in residential areas as a potential lower carbon alternative to larger vans, which are typically shared by two posties.&nb...

New Civil Engineer

• Northern Line Extension business model could be used elsewhereOpening of the Northern Line Extension yesterday celebrated the completion of the construction but the use of private finance to deliver the project in a timely fashion should also be praised, says the project’s boss.
• Train testing ramps up as abandoned Dartmoor line nears second-comingTrain activity on the formerly-abandoned Dartmoor line between Okehampton and Exeter will increase from this week.
• Call for Stonehenge Tunnel funds to be reallocated to upgrade London to Exeter rail lineCampaigners against the proposed Stonehenge Tunnel have written to prime minister Boris Johnson, urging him to “abandon” the £1.7bn scheme in favour of “less damaging and more sustainable solutions”.
• Philip Hammond’s investment firm in £300M Amey takeover bidFormer chancellor Philip Hammond is reportedly involved in a £300M takeover bid for Amey.
• Blow for TfL as developer pulls out of oversite developments at two London stationsTaylor Wimpey has officially walked away from plans to develop housing above and around High Barnet and Finchley Central stations.

Other News Sources

• Senedd Member calls for canal charging points to drive electric boatsA Senedd Member has called on the Welsh Government to undertake a review of how to support the implementation of shore-side and canal towpath charging points for electric boats.
• Schneider Electric wins funding for two maritime projects as part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition 2021Schneider Electric have secured funding secured for the Dover Clean Ferry Power and Hydrogen in an Integrated Maritime Energy Transition projects as part of The Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition. Funded by the Department of Transport, it will invest up to £20m in 55 maritime and shipping projects.
• Do you want new railway platforms at Cove, Altens and Newtonhill? Time to have your sayA new survey has launched today to find out what north-east citizens think about introducing a series of new train stations south of Aberdeen.
• East West Rail Alliance holds open day at its compound in WinslowPeople in Winslow are invited to attend an East West Rail Alliance (EWRA) event at its B3 compound in Furze Lane, Winslow.
• East West Rail campaigners confront Mayor Dave on his village tourMayor Dave Hodgson’s annual Village Tour has given rail campaigners the opportunity to share their views on the East West Rail’s Route E option, which passes through the north Bedfordshire villages.
• U.K. Bus Group National Express Said to Weigh Bid for StagecoachBritish transport operator National Express Group Plc is exploring a potential takeover of rival Stagecoach Group Plc, according to people familiar with the matter.
• Croydon tram crash: MP calls for legal loopholes to be closedThe inquest into the Croydon crash found that the seven victims of the derailment died as a result of an accident