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

Tuesday, 25 July 2017

BBC News

• 'Responsible customers' can take licensed firearms on SleeperRupert Soames tweeted on the matter after the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) raised concerns about ScotRail's ban on guns.
• Working overnight at one of London’s busiest Tube stationsThe Travel Show goes behind the scenes at Oxford Circus Tube station in the early hours.
• Crossrail 2: City mayors criticise government backingGreater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says the go-ahead for London will cause

Financial Times

• London’s £30bn Crossrail 2 project moves a step forwardGovernment to support railway line as long as private sector pays half construction cost
• The UK government is losing ambition and drive in the northUpgrading rail infrastructure is vital for rebalancing the economy, writes Sebastian Payne

The Guardian

• UK’s rail network suffering from lack of joined-up thinking [Letters]Readers respond to news of scrapped rail electrification plans and the folly of HS2
• Transport secretary's backing for Crossrail 2 sparks anger outside LondonChris Grayling’s support for rail line prompts claims government has abandoned ambitions to rebalance economyThe transport secretary, Chris Grayling, has declared his support for Crossrail 2, alleviating fears in London that the project could be shelved but sparking anger outside the capital after he announced last week that rail electrification schemes would be cut elsewhere.

The Independent

• Why Northerners are in a huff about London’s Crossrail project It is more than 180 years since Stephenson’s Rocket – with its smokestack chimney and wooden wheels – began carrying passengers from Liverpool to Manchester on the world’s first first inter-city train line.

City AM

• Channel tunnel operator Eurotunnel remains positive on post-Brexit UK prospectsChannel tunnel operator Eurotunnel reiterated a target for underlying profit of €530m (£474m) for this year as it revealed an optimistic view on business in the UK.

Daily Record

• Rail bosses slammed for targeting children with unbearable high pitch noiseOpponents says the anti-loitering device discriminates against under 25s because it affects all young people, not just those causing trouble.
• Troon train booze ban as cops and rail bosses fear repeat of teen beach chaos as Scotland sweltersWith temperatures soaring to 25 degrees in Glasgow, police want to avoid similar scenes to last week's when 6,000 teenagers descended upon the beach.

Mail Online

• Backlash in Hong Kong over China rail linkA plan for mainland border staff to be stationed on Hong Kong soil as part of a new rail link to China sparked a backlash Tuesday as concern grows about Beijing's reach into the city.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Fresh fears for prospects of electrifying Transpennine and Calder Valley rail lines as schemes face the axeTHE Government's North-South divide on transport spending has been branded a "national scandal", after the future of a key trans-Pennine rail upgrade was plunged into doubt.

London Evening Standard

• RMT union demands inquiry into 'disastrous' job cuts on London Underground after man dies at stationThe RMT union is calling for an independent inquiry into "disastrous" job cuts on London Underground following the death of a passenger.
• Waterloo station delays: Travel chaos continues through rush hour as unfixed track problems cripple servicesTravel chaos for passengers travelling through Waterloo mainline station continued on Monday evening after an ongoing track fault crippled services during the morning peak.

Manchester Evening News

• Billions for London, uncertainty in Manchester - Tory broken promises over rail are an insult to our cityTwo years ago ministers promised a fully electrified Manchester to Leeds rail line would be ‘at the heart’ of the Northern Powerhouse.
• When will Metrolink stop breaking down? New operators promise a brighter future following their first weekend of chaos

The York Press

• Train move ‘slap in face’ for York YORK rail passengers will lose out after it emerged that part of the TransPennine route will not be electrified, an MP has claimed.

Yorkshire Post

• Government credibility will be shattered if it breaks its promises on northern transport links “We have no intention of suddenly throwing away all the commitments we have made. There will be a new flavour to the manifesto when it comes, of course there will be, but the reality is that we’ve made promises and we endeavour to keep our promises.”

Cambridge News

• New technology to reduce fatalities on Cambridgeshire's level crossingsThe new technology will alert people using mobile phones they are approaching the tracks

Sleaford Standard

• Crossrail funding angers North mayors after electrification cutsGreater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham says the region won't take the decision to cut rail electrification plans "lying down".

Other Regional Press

• Teesside rails electrification plans 'at risk', claims MPPlans to scrap the electrification of key lines could have 'ramifications' for the Northallerton to Teesport line, claims Andy McDonald
• Longer train journeys ‘not good news for passengers’, says West Norfolk MP Passengers are being urged to back up criticism of plans for longer rail journeys between West Norfolk and London before a public consultation closes this week.
• Does Virgin Trains have a platform to extend London service to Cleethorpes?Talks have signalled that there could be a possibility of Virgin Trains running a London to Cleethorpes service by extending at least one service from Lincoln
• The newly refurbished TransPennine Express trains that could be heading to Middlesbrough soonTransPennine Express will eventually refurbish all 51 of its trains, some of which run from Middlesbrough Station
• South West Norfolk MP Elizabeth Truss urges public to join consultation on new Fen Line timetablePassengers are being urged to have their say on changes to the King’s Lynn to London rail timetable, which could see 10 minutes added to the journey.
• Rail services between Newport and Cardiff to be reduced for up to two months RAIL services between Newport and Cardiff will be reduced for over two months to allow for electrification upgrades.
• Crossrail 2 to go ahead after backing from Transport SecretaryCrossrail 2 will go ahead after a “productive meeting” between the Transport Secretary Chris Grayling and the Mayor of London last week.

Buying Business Travel

• First class could be axed on commuter trainsTransport secretary wants to reduce the number of first-class carriages

Rail Technology Magazine

• RSG partners with RDG to give supply chain clearer and more independent voiceA new partnership between the Rail Supply Group (RSG) and the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) has today been announced with the aim of co-ordinating shared objectives and giving the supply chain a stronger voice. The move will strengthen relationships between the two organisations and will look to...
• Devolved rail bodies boast better performance and satisfactionDevolved rail networks have driven improvements in performance, reliability and passenger satisfaction since transport powers were handed to local regions from Whitehall, it has been claimed. Based on these findings, a new report released by the Urban Transport Group, called Rail Devolution...
• Five more Class 319 bi-modes expected in Wales next yearThe Welsh government has this week announced that it will add five extra four-carriage trains to boost rolling stock provision and capacity in the country. The Class 319 flex bi-mode trains have been funded with £1.9m investment from the Welsh government, supported by £1m of extra...

Railway Gazette

• Studies still underway for trans-Pennine electrificationUK: No decision has been taken on the scope of the project to electrify the trans-Pennine route from Stalybridge near Manchester to Leeds, York and Selby, the Department for Transport told Railway Gazette on July 24.

Railway Gazette

• Work begins to electrify CaltrainUSA: California Governor Jerry Brown was among those present at a ceremony at Millbrae station on...

Other News Sources

• TRAIN STATION COFFEE GROUNDS RECYCLING BRANCHES OUT FURTHER TO FUEL HOMESA coffee recycling partnership between Network Rail and bio-bean which reprocesses the waste from coffee into Coffee Logs, a fuel for the home, is set to expand across the UK, and has received a Highly-Commended award for the Circular Economy Project of the Year at the BusinessGreen Leaders Awards, and was also shortlisted for recognition at the National Recycling Awards.
• Crossrail 2 construction to be fair for taxpayer claims Chris Grayling London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Secretary of State Chris Grayling will work together in making sure a Surrey rail line will remain 'affordable'