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

Thursday, 01 August 2024

BBC News

• Plaque for island's only original railway stationThe 150th anniversary of the only original steam railway station that remains on the Isle of Man is to be celebrated with the unveiling of a special plaque.
• Cuts raise doubts over return of passenger trainPlans to reinstate passenger rail services on a freight line in Hampshire could be shelved amid cuts government cuts, a councillor has said.
• Railway schemes not affected by government cutsRailway schemes in the West Midlands will not be affected by government cuts to major projects, transport bosses have confirmed.
• Road safety commissioner to be appointed - mayorRichard Parker says the role will be created as part of his plan to reduce road fatalities to zero.
• All-island rail review recommends airport connectionsProposals include a Craigavon station and linking Dublin, Shannon and Belfast International airports.
• CalMac ferries upkeep costs almost triple in five yearsAnnual costs for repairing and maintaining Scotland's publicly-owned ferry fleet are now at £41.2m.
• Troubled Boeing names new boss for 'next chapter'The announcement comes as the firm is working to repair its reputation and financial woes.
• Uber strikes EV deal with Chinese Tesla rival BYDThe two companies say they will offer drivers financial incentives to switch to electric cars.

Department for Transport

• Transport infrastructure reviewAn internal review of DfT's capital spend portfolio will be commissioned to support a long-term strategy for transport.

Financial Times

• Boeing picks Kelly Ortberg to be chief executive as losses widenFormer Rockwell Collins head will replace Dave Calhoun at the crisis-hit aircraft maker
• In new CEO, Boeing gets ‘the kind of person who gives a damn’ Robert ‘Kelly’ Ortberg assumes the top job August 8 at the aerospace manufacturer with no shortage of challenges
• Delta says CrowdStrike IT outage will cost airline $500mnAtlanta-based carrier faces US government investigation over its handling of disruption

The Guardian

• Families of victims in Boeing 737 Max crashes urge judge to reject plea dealRelatives of 346 people killed in 2018 and 2019 crashes say planemaker should face a much higher fineFamilies of some of the 346 people killed in two fatal Boeing 737 Max crashes said on Wednesday a US judge should reject the planemaker’s proposed plea deal with the US Department of Justice and said the government should seek a much higher fine.On 24 July, the global company finalized an agreement to plead guilty to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge and pay between $243.6m and $487m after breaching a 2021 deferred prosecution agreement. Continue reading...

Times Online

• We need a safety tsar to make Scotland’s roads safer [subscription]The Scottish government’s aim to have the safest roads in the world by 2030 won’t be realised while traffic rules are made and enforced by different authorities

i News

• Euston link to HS2 and transport upgrades in the North at risk of axeDepartment for Transport is reviewing all capital expenditure to fill Government funding 'black hole'

Network Rail

• Network Rail and Transport for Wales join forces to cut journey times between Cardiff and ManchesterPassengers travelling between Cardiff, Manchester and Holyhead can now benefit from faster journeys after Network Rail and Transport for Wales (TfW) worked together to remove dozens of historic speed restrictions for trains on the route.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport announces new service that will make security 'stress-free and calm'New service to come into effect for Birmingham Airport passengers from Monday August 5

Birmingham Post

• Wizz Air defends against Which? claims, citing 'misleading' worst airline ratingWizz Air has been named the worst airline in the UK for customer service in a report by Which? - but the budget carrier has hit back at the claims
• Kelly Ortberg to lead Boeing as new CEO, succeeding Dave Calhoun in strategic leadership shiftFormer Rockwell Collins chief Kelly Ortberg, 64, will take the reins on August 8 2024, bringing more three decades of experience in the aerospace sector to the position

The York Press

• York Green Party backs rail not roads including ring roadTransport Spokesperson Andy D'Agorne has said the government's £3.5m contribution towards £24m cost of a new station for Haxby was far more relevant than further dualling of the A64 or the £60m cost of phase 1 of dualling the outer ring road.
• Louise Haigh confirms review of funding of transport schemesMajor transport projects in York and North Yorkshire, such as the dualling of the York Outer Ring Road and upgrades to the A64, remains uncertain after the Labour government announced a Transport Infrastructure Review.
• Northern Trains works on neurodiverse application processYork-based train company Northern has reviewed its recruitment process to better support candidates with ADHD, autism, and other conditions.

Lancashire Telegraph

• Axed rail link scheme labelled 'betrayal' for LancashireThe axing of a prospective new rail link between East Lancs and Manchester city centre has been labelled a ’betrayal’ by the Conservatives.

Other Regional Press

• Ellesmere Railway flats' new energy amendment for planningTransport for London (TfL) has announced that a new bus service will start operating from the end of next month. The 310 will travel between Golders Green and Stamford Hill from August 31.
• Greater Anglia blocks WiFi access to child sex abuse and pornography on trains and stationsGreater Anglia has received a safe Wi-Fi certification, signalling it blocks pornography and child sexual abuse images on its trains and at stations.
• 'We've not given up': Still hope for hope for improved Preston to Blackpool train servicesThere is currently only one train per hour

Rail Magazine

• East Midlands leaders call for rail investmentLeaders across the East Midlands have united in calling for a significant boost to regional rail services. A new report from Transport for the East Midlands (TfEM) has highlighted the region's potential for growth but warned that underinvestment in rail is hindering progress.

Railway Gazette

• Rolling motorway train service launched in SpainSPAIN: The country’s first rolling motorway service for moving lorry semitrailers by rail was formally launched on July 22 following several weeks of tests.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Rail revenue increase in WalesMore new trains, increased use of key bus services and innovation in ticketing are amongst some of the highlights in Transport for Wales’ annual report published today.

Other News Sources

• Network Rail and TfW remove dozens of historic speed restrictions on key routeIt's hoped the changes will improve journey times between Wales and the North West of England
• Rail revenue increase in Wales amid new trains and timetable improvements - TfWRail revenue has increased in Wales amid new trains and timetable improvements, Transport for Wales' annual report has revealed.