Breaking News
Chris Stokes Column - Today’s rail reformers could learn to take a faster track
Implementation of the Williams/Shapps White Paper is proving to be grindingly slow. The development and implementation of rail policy used to proceed at a much faster tempo. John Major’s government was re-elected in May 1992 with a manifesto commitment to privatise British Rail. Although at the time Ministers were not yet clear on the way the industry would be privatised, the policy was seen as a clear government priority.
Crossrail: Transport for London confirms Elizabeth Line opens May 24 - see maps, stations and stops
London's long-delayed Elizabeth Line project will finally open on Tuesday, 24 May, Transport for London has confirmed.
Thursday, 05 May 2022
Cogitamus
- Chris Stokes Column - Today’s rail reformers could learn to take a faster trackImplementation of the Williams/Shapps White Paper is proving to be grindingly slow. The development and implementation of rail policy used to proceed at a much faster tempo. John Major’s government was re-elected in May 1992 with a manifesto commitment to privatise British Rail. Although at the time Ministers were not yet clear on the way the industry would be privatised, the policy was seen as a clear government priority.
BBC News
- BA to reduce Inverness-London flights over summerInverness Airport said the change to the popular Heathrow route appeared to be temporary.
- Crossrail: Elizabeth line due to open on 24 MayThe over-budget project was meant to open in December 2018 but will now begin running on 24 May.
ITV News
- Crossrail: Transport for London confirms Elizabeth Line opens May 24 - see maps, stations and stopsLondon's long-delayed Elizabeth Line project will finally open on Tuesday, 24 May, Transport for London has confirmed.
Financial Times
- VW sells out of electric cars in Europe and USWorld's second-largest electric vehicle manufacturer hit by supply chain bottlenecks
- UK ports want recompense for white elephant post-Brexit borders£300mn facilities risk standing empty after full controls were delayed for fourth time
- Maersk issues warning over stagflation and Chinese factory closuresWorld's largest shipping group by profits foresees risks building up in global economy
- Uber's ride-hailing business recovers as rival Lyft struggles San Francisco-based companies that have been hit by Covid curbs on movement post contrasting results
- Uber: newfound profitability will not roll on for longA driver shortage, rising fuel prices and stiff competition all threaten the taxi and food delivery company's recovery
- Airbus and Qatar battle signals balance of power shiftAircraft manufacturers now have more sway in negotiations with customers as airline industry recovers
The Guardian
- Crossrail: much-delayed Elizabeth line to open on 24 MayTunnelled section of £19bn project through centre of London finally ready for passengers London's Elizabeth line is to open on 24 May, it has been announced, with the long-delayed tunnelled central section of the £19bn Crossrail project now ready for passengers.Transport for London (TfL) said the line would open, subject to final safety approvals, the week prior to the Queen's jubilee celebrations.
The Independent
- Crossrail opening date revealedFirst Elizabeth Line train will arrive 41 months late – and won’t initially run on Sundays, nor stop at Bond Street
The Telegraph
- Grant Shapps refers Sadiq Khan to Electoral Commission over Crossrail opening [subscription]Mayor of London accused of 'breathtaking political cynicism' ahead of local elections
Times Online
- Lifting alcohol ban on ScotRail trains would be a disaster, says union [subscription]A transport union organiser has revealed that antisocial behaviour on trains has worsened since alcohol was banned on ScotRail services but insisted that lifting the order would be an “absolute disaster”.
- At last, Crossrail’s Elizabeth line has an opening dateIt has been 20 years in the making, is three and a half years late and billions of pounds over budget. It is also an engineering work of art that will wow tourists and commuters.
City AM
- Crossrail is (almost) complete but the battle for TfL funding is far from overThe ‘Lizzie Line’ is good news for London – but it might be the last for a while without a funding settlement for the transport network It says something that the relationship between London’s mayoral leadership and Westminster is now so toxic that both sides are attempting to claim credit for a project three years [...] The post Crossrail is (almost) complete but the battle for TfL funding is far from over appeared first on CityAM.
i News
- Crossrail route map: New Elizabeth line stations, full list of stops and journey times explainedTransport for London has released an official map showing the route of the new Elizabeth line, which should open in time for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee
The Mirror
- Virgin Atlantic plane forced to turn back mid-flight to US due to untrained pilotA Virgin Atlantic flight had to U-turn on its way to New York after it was discovered that the co-pilot was still in training, leaving passengers furious with the delay
Network Rail
- Midlands’ longest railway bridge to be installed this weekendFinal preparations are underway to install a new landmark railway bridge in Birmingham which will become the longest single-span railway structure in the West Midlands.
Bradford Telegraph & Argus
- Transport Secretary to have final say on Batley rail schemeTransport Secretary Grant Shapps could have the final say on rail improvements planned for Batley.
Bristol Live
- Air pollution in areas home to some of Bristol's biggest attractionsThe area around Clifton Suspension Bridge has some of the highest levels of air pollution in the country
London Evening Standard
- Elizabeth Line: London Crossrail opening date finally announcedThe long-awaited Elizabeth line will start running through central London on Tuesday May 24
Other Regional Press
- Kent port attracts record number of lorriesA record number of unaccompanied trailers are now using Sheppey to get to France, according to latest figures.
- Batley rail footbridge gets green light despite crime concernsBut a footpath diversion still offers hope to objectors
C.N.N.
- London's new 'Super Tube' launch date revealedLondon's new 'Super Tube' launch date revealed
Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport
- Elizabeth line to open on 24 May 2022Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed that, subject to final safety approvals, the Elizabeth line will open on Tuesday 24 May 2022. The Elizabeth line will initially operate as three separate railways, with services from Reading, Heathrow and Shenfield connecting with the central tunnels from autumn this year. In the coming weeks, Elizabeth line signage will continue to be uncovered across the network in preparation for the start of customer service. The updated Tube and Rail map will also be released later showing the new central section stations connected with the rest of the TfL n...
New Civil Engineer
- Crossrail | TfL finally announces Elizabeth line opening dateTransport for London (TfL) has announced that Crossrail aka the Elizabeth line will open to the public on May 24.
Green Miscellany
- ‘Just a minute’ protest targets drivers blocking cycle lanesWhen drivers park illegally – even for just a minute – it has a knock-on effect on other road users. Pavements may become impassable for wheelchair users, pedestrians may find it difficult or dangerous to cross and, in the case of cycle lanes, cyclists may be forced into traffic. Inspired by the excuse ‘I’ll just be a minute’ that’s often… The post ‘Just a minute’ protest targets drivers blocking cycle lanes appeared first on ETA.
Other News Sources
- Council to invest £35m in Telford and Wrekin’s highways and transport infrastructure Telford and Wrekin’s highways and transport infrastructure is set to benefit from more than £35m as announced in Telford & Wrekin Council’s latest capital programme
- Brighton council leader calls on National Highways to clean up A27 and A23THE COUNCIL leader has called on National Highways to take over responsibility of cleaning the A27 and A23.
Recent Archives
- Wednesday, 04 May 2022
- Tuesday, 03 May 2022
- Monday, 02 May 2022
- Sunday, 01 May 2022
- Saturday, 30 April 2022
- Friday, 29 April 2022
Latest News
Useful Links
Conferences & Expo's
- Adapting Railways for a Sustainable Future: Rebalancing, Resilience, and Realisation - 30 April 2024 - London
- Annual Rail Station Development and Regeneration - 25 June 2024 - London
- Coach and Bus UK - 12-14 November 2024 - Birmingham
- Encouraging Sustainable Transport - 4 June 2024 - Oxford
- Innovation and Technology in Transport Hub 15-16 May 2024 - Farnborough
- Interchange - 4-5 March 2025 - Manchester
- International Transport Forum - 22-24 May - Glasgow
- MaaS Scotland - 6 June 2024 - Glasgow
- Multimodal 2024 - 11-13 June 2024 - Birmingham
- National Cargo Bike Summit 2024 - 10 May 2024 - London
- Rail Industry Forum - 1 May 2024 - London
- Rail Infrastructure Networking - 12 September 2024 - Derby
- Rail Live - 19-20 June 2024 - Long Marston
- Rail Partners - 6 July 2023 - Derby
- Rolling Stock Maintenance & Depot Optimisation Europe - 25-27 June 2024 - London Hybrid
- Smart Transportation - 30 September 2024 - Virtual
- UK Ports - 22-23 May 2024 - London
All Transport
- Department for Transport
- European Commission (Transport)
- Greater London Authority - Transport
- Merseytravel (Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive)
- Metro (West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Exectutive)
- Nexus (Tyne & Wear Passenger Transport Executive)
- Plymouth Transport
- South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive
- The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK)
- The Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation (CIHT)
- Transport East
- Transport for All
- Transport for Cornwall
- Transport for Greater Manchester
- Transport for London
- Transport for the North
- Transport for the West Midlands
- Transport for Wales (Trafnidiaeth Cymru)
- Transport Scotland
- Urban Transport Group
Bus and Coach
Campaign Groups
- Airportwatch
- Aviation Environment Federation
- Campaign for Better Transport
- Friends of The Earth
- Gatwick Area Conservation Campaign
- HACAN ClearSkies
- London City Airport Fight the Flights
- Railfuture
- Save Our Buses
- Stop Stansted Expansion
Friends of TransportInfo
Logistics
Passenger Representatives
Trades Unions
- ASLEF (Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen)
- BALPA (British Airline Pilots Association)
- RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Union)
- TSSA (Transport Salaried Staffs' Association)
- Unite
Aviation
Motoring
Rail
- Freight on Rail
- Heathrow Southern Rail
- Network Rail
- Rail Freight Group
- Rail Partners
- Railway Study Association
Shipping & Waterways
- British Ports Association
- Canal & River Trust
- Chamber of Shipping
- Marine Traffic (tracker)
- UKMPG (United Kingdom Major Ports Group)
News Media