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

Saturday, 26 June 2021

BBC News

• Covid 19: Airline pilot now helping to make black cabsThe effect of the pandemic on the travel industry means pilots and cabin crew have found new careers.
• Llandeilo bypass exempt from road building freezeThe Welsh government says the Llandeilo bypass will not be part of the freeze on new road projects.
• E10 petrol: What is it and can my car run it?A more eco-friendly petrol is coming to filling stations in the UK - but it's not suitable for all cars.

The Guardian

• Liftoff? US allows Virgin Galactic to take paying passengers into spaceBillionaire space race gathers pace as Sir Richard Branson’s company gets FAA blessing for full commercial launchSir Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic has made another small leap in the billionaire space race after US authorities gave it permission to take paying customers to space.Its licence was enhanced on Friday by the US Federal Aviation Administration to allow a full commercial launch, after a successful test flight last month. Continue reading...

Times Online

• Boris Johnson takes fight for summer holidays to EU [subscription]Boris Johnson will next week attempt to persuade Angela Merkel, the German chancellor, to allow British tourists to travel to EU countries this summer.

City AM

• London has the lowest carbon per capita emissions of any region in the UKLondon has the lowest carbon per capita emissions of any region in the UK, according to the latest government figures released The post London has the lowest carbon per capita emissions of any region in the UK appeared first on CityAM.
• Nissan puts hundreds of factory staff back on furlough after surge in Covid-19 casesNissan furloughs hundreds of factory staff after surge in Covid cases The post Nissan puts hundreds of factory staff back on furlough after surge in Covid-19 cases appeared first on CityAM.

Network Rail

• Changing Places toilet opens at London Euston stationA fully accessible Changing Places toilet facility is now available at London Euston station.
• Railway work made safer as human lookouts to no longer be used in WalesEngineering work on the railway in Wales has been made safer with the end of human lookouts which are used to warn the workforce of approaching trains
• Major investment into Northampton railway depot of the futureA new eco-friendly railway depot has been opened by the Rail Minister in Northampton. Chris Heaton-Harris MP opened the first phase of a new track maintenance depot which serves the West Coast main line.
• Beyond wood – first recycled plastic railway sleepers laid on Network Rail tracksTrains in Wiltshire are now running on top of old bottles, food packaging and other unwanted plastics, with the introduction of the first composite railway sleepers on Network Rail’s main line tracks.

Birmingham Mail

• City loses 1,350 car park spaces for shoppersTwo council multi-storey car parks are being demolished and the NCP site above Grand Central will be shut throughout the festive shopping period
• Stunning fox mural appears at railway stationArtist Annatomix has painted her trademark fox design with a difference at Wylde Green Station bringing a dark corner to life

Bolton News

• Andy Burnham: Take Bolton off Scottish travel ban listThe mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has today made calls for Bolton to be taken off the Scottish travel ban list.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Stena Line's new Holyhead to Belfast service launches tonight - as ferry firm gives bookings updateThe first trip on the route by Stena Estrid leaves the Anglesey port at 11.30pm

London Evening Standard

• Old bottles and food packaging used to make railway sleepersSleepers, which hold up rails and keep them the correct distance apart, are normally manufactured from concrete or wood.
• When is the London Ulez expanding and who will have to pay? The ultra-low emission zone is due to expand from central London to the boundaries of the North and South Circular roads, here is everything you need to know ahead of the major change for motorists in London.

Blackpool Gazette

• More frequent train services on South Fylde Line a step closerMore frequent services on the South Fylde rail line have moved a key step closer, with the Secretary of State for Transport approving the funding grant for a passing loop.

Other Regional Press

• National Bus Strategy: Hampshire joins ‘bus back better’Hampshire County Council has signed up to ‘Bus Back Better’ - the Government’s National Bus Strategy setting out a vision for the future of bus services (outside of London) – with the aim of improving services for passengers and increasing bus use.
• Spalding Bus Station needs wider seats to take people's posteriors says Long Sutton councillorSeating at Spading bus station have been branded as uncomfortable by a councillor.
• Rail track update to start in areaVital work to upgrade track between York and Church Fenton will start this week.
• New £45 million investment to revamp rail signals in Macclesfield and PrestburyAlmost 60 local rail signals being updated in Macclesfield and the surrounding area, as our train line continues to strengthen.
• MP urges council to reopen Selston train station to improve connectivity for residentsA new wave of support has bolstered plans to reopen a disused Selston railway line that was closed to the public almost 60 years ago.
• Full speed ahead for new South Leeds rail stationSenior councillors have given the green light to plans designed to kickstart construction work on a new railway station in South Leeds this autumn.
• Could disused Norwich railway station return to serve new homes?The possibility of re-opening a disused railway station on the edge of Norwich is being considered, as part of proposals for up to 4.000 new homes.
• Wightlink Isle of Wight ferry Victoria of Wight still offWightlink's flagship Victoria of Wight will remain out of service until July 13.

Construction Enquirer

• Balfour hands over latest Crossrail stationCrossrail has handed over the Woolwich Elizabeth line station to Transport for London following its successful delivery by Balfour Beatty.

Rail Technology Magazine

• New proposed rail testing facility to transform western valleysA new rail testing facility is expected to transform western valleys by creating new high-quality jobs. The facility is located on a former opencast mining site at the head of the Dulais and Swansea valleys.

Railway Technology

• Alstom secures $155.21m contract to digitalise Germany’s S-Bahn trainsThe contract has been awarded to Alstom under the Stuttgart 21 rail project.

The Business Desk

• Plan to kickstart £22m new railway station project is approved by councilSenior councillors have given the green light to plans designed to kickstart construction work on a new railway station in Leeds this autumn.

Other News Sources

• Hyundai to test electric bus in MunichHyundai Motor Company will work with bus operators in Munich, Germany, over the coming weeks to run trials of the company’s hydrogen-powered Elec City Fuel Cell bus.
• German rail travellers to get 200Mbps wireless serviceDeutsche Telekom is to ensure German rail travellers can make calls and use the internet by filling gaps in coverage.
• Greater Anglia: Prittlewell Station's new commuter footbridge left in pieces 'for over a year'One local commuter claimed the parts for the new footbridge have been lying discarded at the station for around a year
• New public bike parking standards launched for UKThe Bicycle Association and Cycle Rail Working Group have teamed up to draw up a new set of Standards for Public Cycle Parking.
• Bideford Railway Centre saved as threat to remove train running rights reversedBideford Heritage Railway Centre have announced that the threat to remove train running rights, and possible closure, has been reversed.
• Bideford Railway Centre saved as threat to remove train running rights reversedBideford Heritage Railway Centre have announced that the threat to remove train running rights, and possible closure, has been reversed.
• Bike park plan on hold as people horrified at loss of Roman snailsMole Valley District Council will take some time to do an ecological survey on the site at Ranmore