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

Sunday, 19 April 2020

BBC News

• Coronavirus: Plane carrying PPE kits arrives in Scotland from ChinaThe cargo includes face masks, virus kits and infusion pumps for intensive care units.

The Scotsman

• Vive la différence! Women outnumbered 11 to one by men in motoring offencesA huge disparity between the number of men and women convicted of motoring offences is revealed in new Scottish Government figures.
• My beloved uncle the transport visionaryTim Baynes was a transport visionary and a campaigner for social justice who helped develop the work of industrial chaplains.

Times Online

• Bus and rail firms to get a lift with €150m transport subsidy - Ireland [subscription]Public transport companies are to get an increased subsidy from the National Transport Authority (NTA), which could exceed €150m over three months.

City AM

• Boeing shares jump after it says it will restart aircraft productionShares in Boeing climbed more than 10 per cent today after it said it would restart aircraft production next week The post Boeing shares jump after it says it will restart aircraft production appeared first on CityAM.

Belfast Telegraph

• ’Trainbows’ bring message of hope across Northern Ireland rail networkTranslink has given two trains very special makeovers in support of the #ChaseTheRainbow movement sweeping the country.

Birmingham Post

• Norton Motorcycles bought by Indian firm TVS Motor CompanyThe historic UK bike maker has been bought out of administration

Bristol Live

• Airport's message to people breaking lockdown rules to watch planes"What idiotic behaviour"

Edinburgh Evening News

• Borders Railway to star in Channel 5 TV show about lost railway linesOne of Scotland’s most loved lost railways will feature on Channel 5’s Walking Britain’s Lost Railways.

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport share lockdown update as small number of flights continueThe current lockdown in the UK means nobody should be travelling expect for in essential circumstances. Last week the Foreign Office changed its travel guidance, advising against all non-essential global travel indefinitely.

Manchester Evening News

• From Deansgate to Piccadilly Gardens - some of Manchester's busiest roads could be closed to motorists for good after lockdown is liftedMore than 50 per cent of people say they think the air is cleaner with fewer cars on the road, a poll found this week, many want it to stay that way
• Moving stories of bus drivers lives in Greater Manchester's coronavirus crisis Fear, gratitude... and frustration at the passengers 'abusing the rules': As London mourns the death of 26 transport workers, we spoke to bus drivers on Greater Manchester's front line

Metro

• TfL to furlough staff as Tube use drops by 95% Transport for London is furloughing some of its staff, with the number of Tube journeys dropping by 95% and bus trips by 85% during the coronavirus outbreak.

Cambridge News

• TUI changes refund policy for cancelled holidays in update to customersCustomers were updated on the latest position by TUI as the company deals with the impact of coronavirus and some are unhappy with the situation

Other Regional Press

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport flight path consultation closing date delayedThe changes will affect the airspace above Cheshire - but more time has been granted to allow stakeholders to comment on the proposals in light of the COVID-19 outbreak
• Lockdown doesn’t derail plans for better access to Biggleswade train stationBiggleswade is making tracks towards step-free access for its train station following an online meeting amidst the coronavirus crisis to discuss its future.
• Bracknell data shows people are starting to return to using public transport despite lockdown extensionPEOPLE in Bracknell have been tempted back onto public transport despite the continuing lockdown, data from Google suggests – but journeys are still below normal levels.
• Eerily quiet Cornish train station where only birdsong can be heardPlatforms at Bodmin General train station should now be busy with visitors and passengers hoping to get on board some vintage trains and enjoy a scenic trip through Cornwall.
• Platform manager stamped on worker's footAn employee at a busy station was dismissed after he stamped on his colleague's foot to 'test' his safety boots

Transportxtra

• Covid-19 ’could alter the terms of UK bus franchising debate’Covid-19 could alter the debate about bus franchising, according to a consultant. The industry in England had appeared to be on the verge of a renaissance before the virus struck, with the Government announcing new funding streams such as for bus priority, ’Superbus’ networks, demand responsive transport, and also promising a national bus strategy.
• Treasury studies DfT’s case for light rail emergency cash potThe treasury is considering whether to financially support light rail and tram systems in England outside London that have been hit by massive passenger losses because of Covid-19.
• Seize the moment and shift the dialWe asked one of the discussion contributors to develop his case for reinventing approaches to infrastructure planning
• Pandemic: an opportunity for change – or soon back to normal?LTT’s first online discussion tackled post-pandemic issues and the prospects for a permanent recasting of the transport landscape. There was quite a range of views and a lively debate
• UK transport remains in deep freeze as lockdown extendedLegal restrictions on movement were extended for a further three weeks by the Government this week, amid signs they are helping slow the rise in Covid-19 cases.
• Peer’s plan for Euston is nonsense on stiltsIt seems that Lord Berkeley has but one letter, which he writes to ministers every fortnight regardless of the issue of the day! You report that he has written a letter flogging the idea of HS2 and conventional services sharing tracks into Euston – apparently a reheating yet again of his ’Euston Express’ wheeze, feeding HS2 trains onto existing lines at Queens Park (’Euston development partner may be about to quit – Berkeley’ LTT 03 Apr).

Other News Sources

• Bristol Airport remains open with reduced serviceBristol Airport remains open, despite the pandemic, with a reduced number of commercial and scheduled flights and continues to assist with repatriation, medical, military and other essential services.
• Funds sought for two Devon rail revivalsTwo sections of a long-closed railway through north Devon are candidates for reopening to passengers via the Government’s new Restoring Your Railway fund.
• Taxi and transport firms delivering to vulnerable during coronavirus crisisA BIG-HEARTED army of taxi and transport firms is playing their part in the emergency operation to support vulnerable residents with food and other provisions during the coronavirus pandemic.