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

Sunday, 15 January 2017

The Guardian

• Silk Road route back in business as China train rolls into LondonAfter 16 days and 7,456 miles, the locomotive’s arrival heralds the dawn of a new commercial era
• Aslef rail union boss Mick Whelan: ‘I'm not a great fan of glorious defeats’After months of strikes causing transport chaos across the south-east, Mick Whelan is fast becoming Britain’s most-hated union leader. But the stakes are so high he won’t be backing down, he says‘Interesting times,” Aslef boss Mick Whelan says, with an understated smile. It’s 11am on Thursday, and he’s already had a session with his legal team. Earlier this week the train drivers’ union was on strike, bringing Southern rail – and a fair bit of the south-east – to a stop. On Wednesday night, Southern announced it would take Aslef to the supreme court to try to have upcoming strikes declared ill...

The Herald

• Rail operators slam controversial British Transport Police merger

The Scotsman

• Frank McAveety urges SNP to borrow for big city projects In addition to the resurrected plan for the airport rail link, McAveety wants to see money invested in the Buchanan Quarter retail project around the famous galleries and Queen Street Station.

The Telegraph

• Fifty MPs demand anti-strike laws to stop further misery from transport unions

Times Online

• RMT fights trains that might have saved girl [subscription]Leaning with both hands on the side of the train, Georgia Varley turned to look at the guard poking his head out of a door. It was almost 11.30pm and the 16-year-old had been drinking at a house party in Wirral before heading into Liverpool with friends.

Daily Record

• ScotRail passengers in uproar as modern trains are replaced with 38-year-old carriages Some of the trains on the busiest commuter routes don't even have toilet facilities.

Bolton News

• Mum of disabled boy slams 'disgusting' train conditions as readers share commuting horror stories PANIC attacks, pregnant women unable to sit and paying customers left on the platform, are among readers’ shocking stories about commuting aboard Bolton’s overcrowded trains.

London Evening Standard

• Cyclists' anger over Finsbury Park bike store shutting for a monthCyclists are up in arms over the temporary closure of a much-needed bicycle storage lock-up near Finsbury Park Tube station.

Manchester Evening News

• Work has started on the Trafford Centre tram line - and the new route's map has been revealedThe plans had faced opposition from Coronation Street and Manchester United

Wales Online

• No guarantee that British steel will be used in massive HS2 rail scheme The UK Department for Transport  will not promise to buy the two million tonnes of steel needed for the vast project from UK suppliers

Other Regional Press

• Rail safe initiative at Waterloo stationTHE dangers of train travel or even if you only live near a railway line were highlighted in a survey carried out by South West Trains and St John Ambulance when they asked passengers to “stay safe” at an awareness day at London Waterloo before Christmas.
• Worcestershire County Council votes to fight Cross Country over plans to cut services from Bromsgrove Railway Station
• Muir of Ord £3.3m rail bridge replacement on track for completionWORK on the new £3.3 million railway bridge in Muir of Ord is on target to be completed by the end of May.

Other News Sources

• Tory MPs urge tougher anti-strike laws amid Southern Rail chaosFifty Conservative MPs have called on ministers to introduce legislation to ensure the “widespread misery” suffered by commuters on Southern Rail cannot be repeated.
• Steam railway to get brand new two-storey visitor centre after winning £25,000 fund Winchcombe railway station will soon be home to a brand new visitors centre.
• South West Trains introduces 'massive' weekend fare hikes and two-tier pricing structure“We were promised cheaper ticket prices when the railways were privatised more than 20 years ago but fares have continued to spiral out of control"
• MP and campaigners secure meeting over Brighton Main Line 2 proposals TRANSPORT secretary Chris Grayling has given campaigners hope of a long-term solution to the county's rail woes by agreeing to discuss their ambitious project.