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

Tuesday, 01 October 2024

BBC News

• Second freight rail service to link container portsA second rail service is set to link two of the UK's largest container ports. Port operator DP World announced there would be an additional weekly rail service connecting the London Gateway and Southampton container facilities.
• Network Rail to close line for landslip workA Kent train line will close at the end of October for four days to allow landslip prevention work to be carried out.
• When will ScotRail timetables return to normal?The rail operator is still working on how to reintroduce a full timetable after the resolution of a pay row.
• Railway line to London will shut over ChristmasPassengers are advised to plan now for the nine-day closure in December.
• US ports shut down as dockworkers strikeThe strike is set to significantly disrupt trade, creating uncertainty ahead of the US election.

Financial Times

• Qatar Airways agrees to buy 25% stake in Virgin AustraliaAustralia’s second-largest carrier would return to long-haul flying as part of the deal
• Aircraft owners prepare for ‘mega trial’ in dispute with insurers over planes stuck in RussiaAIG, Chubb and Lloyd’s of London among those facing multibillion-dollar claim
• US dockworkers strike as business warns of ‘paralysis’ at portsStoppage could cost US economy $5bn a day after ‘impasse’ over wages and automation

The Scotsman

• My ScotRail fare has gone up by £20 - I wish the trains here were like PortugalTwo weeks ago I had one of the best train journeys in a long time.

City AM

• Lime bikes not fit for purpose, says rival UK firm Lime has expanded rapidly in London in recent years and now runs the majority of the city's 30,000 rental bikes.

Daily Express

• The £1 billion airport that was the largest in the world – but it never gets usedCanada's Montreal-Mirabel Airport was built with big ambitions in mind but has not seen a commercial flight take off since 2004.

Network Rail

• Pioneering railway partnership celebrates first anniversaryThe first official partnership between Network Rail and a heritage railway is celebrating 12 months of successes and achievements.

Belfast Telegraph

• Belfast bus lane causing congestion and stripping city of life, says angry publicanA Belfast city centre business has claimed a new bus lane has resulted in a city devoid of life after Translink removed parking bays to accommodate it.

Birmingham Mail

• All electric car drivers slapped with urgent warning and 'it's the worst'Matt Galvin, UK managing director of Swedish electric car brand Polestar, warned the UK was the “most poorly incentivised market”.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Train operator Northern says teachers should swap coaches for trainsTrain operator Northern wants teachers to swap coaches for trains, claiming it will save them money when it comes to school trips.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Return of peak fares is costly blow for workers and climate​​​​​​​ - Lorna SlaterA lot of commuters will have had an unpleasant surprise when they paid for their train tickets this week and saw that prices had shot up.

Leicester Mercury

• Leicester Railway Station revamp branded 'another vanity project'Councillors will meet next week to decide whether to approve the £22 million scheme to overhaul Leicester Railway Station

Yorkshire Evening Post

• White Rose station: Pictures show deserted site of £26.5m Leeds train station as potential restart date setIn March, the team behind the much-anticipated White Rose Railway Station announced a temporary pause in its construction.

Wirral Globe

• Wrexham to Bidston line sees large increase in passenger numbersONE of the key rail routes between Wales and England has seen 60,000 extra passenger journeys made and a 27% increase in trains arriving on time over the last year.

Other Regional Press

• Local business leaders appointed to railway boardWARRINGTON and Cheshire have welcomed the official appointment of a new board including two Warrington-based business leaders tasked with improving rail connectivity between Liverpool and Manchester.
• John Swinney claims peak rail trial was not value for money as fares from Perth soarThe first minister was in the city on the day tickets to Glasgow and Edinburgh rocketed above £30 and £40 respectively.
• Renegotiations, transport and Teesside Airport: What was discussed at TVCA meetingAs well as agreement on the response to the Tees Valley Review recommendations, cabinet heard that the entire transport plan may have to be re-reviewed
• Major West Yorkshire bus shake-up as routes to be changedFirst Bus has announced the changes will come into force from October

Construction Enquirer

• Vp lands rail supply deal with Balfour BeattyThe railway maintenance and renewal services arm of Vp plc has landed a major supply deal with Balfour Beatty.

New Civil Engineer

• Transpennine Route Upgrade being reviewed before Autumn BudgetThe completion of the Transpennine Route Upgrade to electrify the Manchester-Leeds rail line is being reviewed by government officials in the lead up to the Autumn Budget.

Rail Business Daily

• Celebration as Bristol's new Ashley Down station gets ready for passengersFor the first time since before astronauts walked on the moon, residents of the West of England and beyond are able to catch trains to and from Ashley Down station.
• Unlocking the full potential of rail in the NorthRail industry leaders and stakeholders will be at the UKRRIN Innovation Hub in Doncaster on Thursday, October 10, for an industry leading conference to discuss the strategic direction of the industry in the North.

Rail Magazine

• End for HSTs edges closer as ScotRail seeks new trainsThe Scottish government has announced that the procurement process is under way for new rolling stock to replace its InterCity 125 High Speed Trains.
• TfL progresses West London Orbital plansTransport for London says it is close to completing a feasibility study for its proposed 11-mile West London Orbital project.
• Scottish HSTs head back northTwo of ScotRail's HST power cars have returned to Scotland, with 43128 taken by road from Loughborough to Haymarket on September 3, followed on the next day by 43169.

Railway Gazette

• TfL appoints Elephant & Castle tunnelling contractorUK: Transport for London has awarded Dragados UK a contract to design and build passenger tunnels to link a new Northern Line station box at London Underground's Elephant & Castle station with the line's existing platforms and overbridge.

Other News Sources

• Inclusive airports: Promoting awareness and positive disability perceptionsFollowing revelations about the treatment of air travellers with disabilities, Chris Jay, Managing Director and Founder of Bascule Disability Training, explores steps airports can take to foster a positive perception of disability.
• Newcastle Airport scoops another big national travel industry awardNewcastle Airport is celebrating after being named UK and Irish Airport of the Year at the 2024 Travel Industry Awards - one of the travel industry's most respected accolades.
• A freight day for Tesco rail as 10th rail service rolls into actionA further 31 million cases of goods a year are set to be moved across the country by the Tesco rail network rather than by lorry, as Tesco continues to roll out its rail service across the UK, with the introduction of a tenth rail service this week.
• 60,000 More Passengers and Improved Timeliness for Key Wales-England Rail RouteOne of the key rail routes between Wales and England has seen 60,000 extra passenger journeys made and a 27% increase in trains arriving on time over the last year.
• Travel expert gives warning as new biometric checks come into force at airportsThe EU has changed its rules to verify their identity