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

Friday, 10 January 2025

BBC News

• Businesses call for Lower Thames Crossing approvalA group of 80 businesses is calling for the government to approve the Lower Thames Crossing, to relieve congestion caused by the Dartford Crossing.
• Road users fed up with poor conditions - surveyThe majority of people were dissatisfied with the condition of the roads where they live, a study analysing transport habits found. Almost 4,000 residents across Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex were surveyed by Transport East in spring 2024 about how they travel.
• Extra night flights at Birmingham Airport approvedSolihull Council agreed to increase the number of night flights between 23:30 and 06:00 GMT by 2.3%.
• Belfast traffic congestion 'doubled journey times' in Christmas run-upOn some occasions fewer than a quarter of Metro bus services arrived on time, figures show.
• Runways reopen after fresh snow grounds planesIt is the latest in a series of runway closures at Manchester Airport as 2025 begins with a big freeze.
• Travel agents demand probe into airport road floodThe A555 was completed in 2018 and has repeatedly flooded during heavy rainfall.
• Rise in jobs and homes near Elizabeth line - TfLTfL says there is an increase in housing growth and employment within one kilometre of stations.
• Boeing and Google give $1m each to Trump's inaugurationThe major US businesses donating to the fund also includes energy firm Chevron and tech giants Meta, Amazon and Uber.

Financial Times

• US dock strike deal wipes $5bn off three biggest listed shipping groups Industrial action was due to start next week at three dozen ports from Maine to Texas
• London’s airports test Labour with plans for rapid growth Luton and Gatwick ruling to come this year, while Stansted and City expansion already approved

The Guardian

• RMT union boss Mick Lynch announces retirementFirebrand leader says he is proud union stood up to 'wholesale attacks' on rail industry by Conservative party

The Independent

• Mick Lynch to retire as RMT general secretaryThe firebrand leader said he was proud to have served the Rail, Maritime and Transport union

The Telegraph

• Every weekend of Labour train ticket sale hit by bus replacementsTrack closures for repairs and upgrades will see every weekend of the Government's planned Great British Rail Sale hit with bus replacements.
• Mick Lynch retires as RMT union boss [subscription]General secretary, who was elected in 2021, says: "It has been a privilege to serve this union for over 30 years in all capacities"

Times Online

• Mick Lynch: RMT chief with a cult following announces retirement [subscription]Union boss who oversaw two years of industrial action and commuter misery on the railways steps down saying "it is time for a change"

City AM

• RMT union boss Mick Lynch to step down Mick Lynch, the RMT general secretary who gained national notoriety during a series of train strikes in recent years, is to retire. Lynch, 63, was elected general secretary in 2021 after previously serving two terms as assistant general secretary and another two on the union’s national executive committee executive. The union boss has become a [...]

Mail Online

• State-run railways have been a 'fiasco' in Scotland - but we'll STILL do it in England, says Transport Secretary Heidi AlexanderThe Transport Secretary yesterday admitted that rail nationalisation in Scotland has been a 'fiasco' - but vowed to press ahead with ending privatisation in England.

The Mirror

• Using mobile phone at the wheel could become legal again - but it depends on the carDepartment for Transport commissioned Loughborough University and University College London to investigate road safety, which it says remains "our absolute priority" despite the development

Sky News

• Welsh first minister expecting more money for railways from PM as she slams 'unfair' HS2 fundingThe first minister of Wales has revealed she is expecting more money from the prime minister for rail infrastructure in the country.

Birmingham Mail

• Drivers issued warning over electric cars being 'banned' from ferriesIt follows a study by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) which states that if an electric vehicle has a charge lower than 30 per cent, the rate of thermal runaway is dramatically reduced.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Divers to check out Conwy Valley Railway after floods wash out 2.5 mile sectionBy following a new 'resilience not resistance' strategy, Network Rail still hopes repairs will be completed quickly
• Holyhead port worker's fear over rusted walkways sees Stena say safety is 'highest priority'Ferry services remain suspended at the port after damage caused during Storm Darragh

Liverpool Echo

• 'Merseyrail, sort it out!' Major rail disruption sparks widespread angerMultiple train services have been delayed or cancelled following a week of snow and ice

London Evening Standard

• Elizabeth line hits 500m passenger journeys landmark as wider benefits of £20bn link are revealedShorter journey times and fewer interchanges are top two reasons for using the Lizzie line

Manchester Evening News

• 'If this was Heathrow or Gatwick, it would have been put right years ago'Flooding of the A555 'highlights serious design flaws and raises questions about competency of its designers'

Other Regional Press

• Another round of cash to improve transport links?TRANSFORMATIONAL funding which has already paved the way for Barnsley's highways and public transport infrastructure to be improved for the longer term is set to be increased following the success of a series of schemes across the town.
• House of Lords told of "heartache and distress" caused by school transport changesThe House of Lords has been told of the "heartache and distress caused to thousands of families" by controversial changes to home-to-school transport in North Yorkshire.
• 'Cash cow' claims as Newcastle Airport increases parking costsStopping for up to 10 minutes in the drop-off zone has increased to £5 at Newcastle Airport
• Parents fume as ‘packed’ school bus service cancelledAngry parents have branded a bus company “irresponsible” after it axed a service used by “herds of children”.
• A46 bypass to close for weeks due to essential HS2 worksThe closure will last for two weekends in February and three weeks in spring

Railnews

• RMT leader Mick Lynch announces retirement RMT general secretary Mick Lynch is to retire in the spring. Mr Lynch, who is 63, will step down in May when his successor has been chosen.

Transport Scotland

• National Speed Management Review consultationA series of in person engagement events has been announced as part of the consultation on proposed changes to speed limits in Scotland.

EIN News Subscription

• Europe’s aviation regulator issues new warning for Russian airspaceThe European Union Aviation Safety Agency issued a new alert on Thursday warning non-European carriers not to fly within western Russia airspace due to the risk of being unintentionally targeted by its air defence systems.
• Air Cargo Sees Strong Growth in November 2024 Despite Global Challenges, IATA ReportsGlobal air cargo demand surged by 8.2% in November 2024 compared to the same month the previous year, marking the 16th consecutive month of growth, according to the latest data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).