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

Monday, 20 April 2020

BBC News

• Coronavirus: Future connectivity 'vital for economic recovery'Questions remain about what support is going to be available for vulnerable companies in NI.
• Coronavirus and sport: Danish club plan football drive-inWhen football is being played behind closed doors, being on the other side of that door is the next best thing, right?

Financial Times

• Uber to revive goods-delivery service in hunt for new revenue sourcesDrivers to transport items ranging from medical supplies to pet food
• US oil price plunges to 20-year low as coronavirus hits demand WTI benchmark drops on concerns fuel storage facilities might be overwhelmed 

The Telegraph

• Ferry operators to be given aid to help keep routes up and running [subscription]Many ferry companies have been discussing reduced schedules with ports, which have furloughed workers

Times Online

• Hans Zimmer says he will make electric cars sound beautiful [subscription]When BMW’s latest electric car hits the roads next year pedestrians should make sure to listen out for a sound that makes their lives “less chaotic and more beautiful”.
• Rail passengers could be capped on the commute [subscription]Restrictions are likely to be imposed on the number of people travelling by train when the coronavirus lockdown lifts to maintain social distancing, according to the head of Network Rail.

City AM

• Coronavirus: Travel industry in line for £4bn support packageThe government is set to underwrite cancellation refunds given out by the travel industry as a part of a £4bn relief package.
• Sadiq Khan to blame for Tube overcrowding, says transport watchdogsSadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) are to blame for overcrowding on the Tube during the coronavirus lockdown, according to the UK’s two largest transport watchdogs.

Birmingham Post

• Rolls-Royce forms alliance to spearhead global economic recoveryThe Emer2gent alliance will use its findings to help businesses and governments

Yorkshire Post

• Falling emissions but radical response still needed, Yorkshire scientists sayThe public's pandemic response is cutting greenhouse emissions and air pollution but a radical response after the pandemic subsides will be key to deciding the event's impact on climate change, Yorkshire scientists have said.

Cambridge News

• This is what is happening with the Cambridge train washNetwork Rail has said it is confident the train wash qualifies as permitted development, and so the certificate would be unnecessary

North Wales Live

• Thousands of Airbus Broughton staff returning to work today after nearly a monthMore than 5,000 workers at Broughton and Filton were sent home for an early 'summer' shutdown last month

Other Regional Press

• Tube station’s £18m revampAn expanded and step-free Leyton Underground Station is due to open in March 2023, with work set to begin in August next year.
• Beautiful rainbow pictures taking pride of place on buses in CoventryChildren from all over the region have been colouring and painting at home
• Coventry's smart motorway works completedThe smart motorway is finally up and running after years of work

C.N.N.

• How Australian airline Qantas is taking care of its grounded planes amid Covid-19Qantas has shared a video revealing how its planes are being maintained and cared for while grounded during Australia's Covid-19 lockdown measures.

New Civil Engineer

• HS2 | ’Plenty to do’ for contractors before construction beginsOne of High Speed 2’s (HS2) main contractors has told NCE that “there is still plenty to do” before main construction gets underway, despite “notice to proceed” being handed down.

Rail Advent

• M&GN Joint Railway Society purchase DMU from North Norfolk RailwayThe Midland & Great Northern Joint Railway Society has announced that they have acquired Class 101 Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) set (Formed of Power Car No.E51228 and Trailer Unit E56062) from the North Norfolk Railway (NNR).
• Greater Anglia announces 34 ticket office closures due to CoronavirusGreater Anglia is temporarily changing ticket office arrangements from today (Sunday 19th April 2020).

Railnews

• Monday essay: could the Great Central be used for HS2? Construction of HS2 is going ahead, after the Government authorised the issuing of Notices to Proceed to the main contractors for Phase 1 between London and Birmingham. But alternatives to the route, or details of it, are still being urged by some transport campaigners. Sim Harris considers the possibilities offered by the trackbed of the former Great Central Railway.

Other News Sources

• Firm appointed for 10-year city council highways contractEngineering and professional services consultancy, WSP, has been retained as sole supplier for Leeds City Council’s Highways and Transportation Civil Engineering Core Contract.
• Supporters Donate £30,000 To Mid Wales RailwaySupporters of the world’s first first preserved railway in Mid Wales have contributed more than £30,000 in three weeks to an appeal for funds.