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

Sunday, 23 October 2016

BBC News

• Severn Tunnel reopens after �10m electrification workThe Severn Tunnel reopens on Saturday after closing for six weeks for rail electrification works.
• Why not both?Theo Leggett looks at the case for expanding both Heathrow and Gatwick airports

Department for Transport

• £4 million boost to help businesses switch vans and trucks to electricThe government is committing an additional £4 million to the Plug-In Van grant scheme extending the eligibility to larger electric vehicles.

The Guardian

• Anger as Northumberland rural bus service shuts while big players prosperResidents of Northumberland and Cumbria – where bus budget is now zero – decry system that takes away their vital routes

The Telegraph

• Tory MPs pledge to help sue Government if Heathrow’s third runway is approved

Times Online

• Glasgow leader demands devolution of powers from Holyrood [subscription]Glasgow needs greater devolution from the rest of Scotland, with power over health, transport and business rates, the council leader has told The Times.
• The £60,000 dream job: thousands chase chance to be a train driver [subscription]“When I grow up, I want to be a train driver.” It’s one of those childhood dreams that usually fades when the reality of adult life bites, a bit like making a fortune out of professional football, blasting into space or taking to the stage.

Daily Record

• ScotRail goes from bad to worse despite promises from Abellio to improveTHE crisis-hit train service has been under fire from commuters and the Sunday Mail can reveal it has failed to improve.

The Mirror

• Rail unions demand halt to £700m cuts to London's underground after 'bomb scare'Union chiefs now want new Chancellor Phil Hammond to reverse the cuts next month - with the RMT calling them 'an act of criminal irresponsibility'

Liverpool Echo

• New Merseyrail station moves a step closer after city region bosses back schemeMaghull North station will be between Maghull and Town Green stations on the Ormskirk line

London Evening Standard

• Transport bosses under pressure after spate of deaths on notorious A23 through StreathamTransport bosses today came under pressure to improve safety on one of London's most notorious roads after a spate of deaths.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Suffolk-based transport company Turners ‘well placed’ for further growthSuffolk-based logistics company Turners (Soham) Ltd has reported increased annual revenues and profit, and says it is “well placed” for further success despite competitive market conditions.
• Westley Bridge in Bury St Edmunds to be closed for six weeks as repairs are undertakenMotorists face a six-week road closure on one of Bury St Edmunds’ busiest roads as works to repair a broken bridge enter their third year.

Reading Evening Post

• Reading Buses passengers see fare cut by 30pThe fare reduction has been made on a selection of Reading Buses routes

Other Regional Press

• Campaigners call for speed limit to be slashed on notorious road CAMPAIGNERS are launching a fresh appeal to slash the speed limit on a notorious Hampshire main road.
• New £13m railway station on Ormskirk to Liverpool line approvedWork to start next year but transport bosses "frustrated" as cost of scheme doubles

Railway Gazette

• World rail infrastucture market October 2016Brazil: A consortium of Tiisa and Comsa has been awarded a R$858�7m contract to build the second...
• World rail market October 2016Canada: KWG Resources has appointed Canarail to provide specialised professional services and data...

Other News Sources

• Transport for the North submits formal proposal to DfTTransport for the North (TfN) has submitted a formal proposal to the Department for Transport to become a statutory Sub-National Transport Body.
• Eighth wonderLiverpool has two Caverns. Well, for the purpose of this contrived introduction it does. One bills itself as the cradle of British pop, having claimed legendary status in the Sixties courtesy of John, Paul, Ringo and George; the other, half-a-mile across the city, has temporarily hosted the Eighth Wonder of the World in 2016 thanks to a chap called Dave. How’s that for a claim-to-fame?
• Award nomination for Xplore Dundee and Safe Zone BusXplore Dundee and the city’s Safe Zone Bus partnership have been shortlisted for a prestigious national award.
• UK DfT wants trains with public WiFi but commuters could face ransomware attacksThe DfT is offering train operators funding to implement public WiFi on trains but no mandatory cybersecurity guidelines have been imposed.
• MP urges minister to back Waterloo to Heathrow rail linkA West London Labour MP has used a House of Commons debate to urge the Government to back proposals for a direct train service between Waterloo and Heathrow Airport.
• Green calls to extend 20 mph to every city street THE CITY’S 20 mph zone should be extended to all off Brighton and Hove to reduce accidents and injuries, a councillor has claimed.

EIN News Subscription

• From Andy to Chris: the city’s new and (very) experienced transport leader … safety, railway management, bus/rail interchanges, … ’s transport committee, representing Railways’ chief … EU, which gave me the opportunity to see progressive transport services and best-practice cycling infrastructure in several leading European …
• Heathrow expansion will boost air quality … be delivered in accordance with EU air-quality limit law, and would have … for sustainable transport and the opportunity to introduce an airport emissions charge … that the airport’s contribution will not delay compliance with EU air quality …