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

Tuesday, 25 January 2022

BBC News

• Crossrail: 'A journey from embarrassing farce to shiny railway'I remember when coming down in the Crossrail tunnels involved helmets, steel boots, a safety briefing and you had to carry your own breathing apparatus in case there was a gas leak.
• Transport minister Graeme Dey steps down due to ill healthGraeme Dey is to be replaced as transport minister by Jenny Gilruth after he quit citing ill health.
• Covid travel tests axed in England and Scotland for fully vaccinatedFrom 11 February, arrivals in England and Scotland will no longer have to take a test within 48 hours.
• Flying car wins airworthiness certificationAirCar is issued a certificate of airworthiness by the Slovak Transport Authority.
• Bill extending HS2 to Manchester laid in ParliamentOfficial approval for the high speed line to Manchester is a

Financial Times

• Boeing pumps extra $450m into self-flying air taxi start-upUS manufacturer’s Wisk investment is latest sign of investor appetite in emerging sector
• The true flaw of driverless cars isn't the techRobotaxis risk becoming a gimmick they'll cost the same as an Uber, arrive no faster and decline to speed up when you're in a rush
• Lufthansa and MSC consider taking majority stake in Alitalia successor German carrier and shipping group’s interest in ITA marks start of possible post-pandemic shake-up of air industry

The Independent

• New Transport Minister as Scottish Government makes changesThe First Minister of Scotland has announced two changes to her government, including the appointment of new Transport Minister Jenny Gilruth.

Times Online

• Opposition fumes as Edinburgh’s ban on dirty cars goes ahead [subscription]Council leaders in Edinburgh intend to press on with an unchanged proposal for a low-emission zone despite having been forced to review the plan.
• Bus pass form asks Scottish teenagers’ sexuality [subscription]Young people are being questioned about their sexuality and gender identity when applying for free bus passes to ensure LGBT teenagers are not avoiding public transport due to harassment.

Daily Record

• MSPs hit out at transport blueprint for 'glossing over' A77 improvements in AyrshireBrian Whittle and Sharon Dowey have responded to Scottish Government report which laid out investment plans.

The Mirror

• Cars flying from London to Paris could be a regular sight in the skies from next yearThe AirCar, which transforms from a slick four-wheel motor to a sleek aircraft in two minutes, has passed rigorous safety tests with flying colours and could be launched by next year

Birmingham Post

• Andy Burnham calls on Government to 'show some ambition' over HS2 plansThe mayor of Greater Manchester criticised the current plans at a press conference on Monday

Bolton News

• Taxi drivers stage second slow go protest in Bolton Town Centre against Clean Air Zone policies- Taxi Drivers are staging their second go slow protest in Bolton town centre - Taxis are off the road in Bolton until 1pm -The protest is taking place in Le Mans Crescent - We will bring you the latest from the protest here

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Claims that electrification of Bradford/Leeds rail line 'won't work'MAJOR rail works designed to improve travel times between Bradford and Leeds “won’t work” and could make journeys worse for passengers - Councillors have claimed.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Holyhead sea port sees 30% fall in traffic due to BrexitStena Line have pledged a long-term commitment to the Anglesey port and expect the situation to improve

Manchester Evening News

• Northern leaders still don’t have the detail behind government’s cut-price rail planTransport officials, mayors and council chiefs are yet to receive the evidence underpinning government’s decision to scale back Northern Powerhouse Rail, slashing its budget in half - or the axing of the eastern leg of HS2
• New Highway Code rules say drivers and cyclists have to let pedestrians cross wherever and wheneverPedestrians can cross the road wherever and whenever they want, and won't need a zebra crossing or traffic lights to do so

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Wolverhampton Metro extension 'must be complete by Commonwealth Games'
• Midlands Connect hails HS2's latest step as vitally importantHS2's expansion to the north will be of huge benefit to the West Midlands, a lobby group claimed today.

Other Regional Press

• Council to spend £150,000 keeping an eye on HS2 work in NorthamptonshireMarshall will have 'feet on the ground' to make sure communities affected by rail line construction are cared for
• MP urges transport secretary to reject bridge toll increaseWARRINGTON North MP Charlotte Nichols has called on the transport secretary to reject plans for a toll rise on the Warburton Toll Bridge.
• 'I'd prefer a direct Weymouth to London train service'I read your article about the railway station revamp with interest.
• Residents to give views to transport bosses on blockages in Seven Acres Road, WeymouthBUSES are not always able to get down a busy Weymouth street due to cars parked on both sides blocking the access, according to residents.

New Civil Engineer

• Network Rail begins year-long repairs to Victorian-era Border Bridge in NorthumberlandNetwork Rail has begun a year-long project to repair and restore the Grade-I listed Royal Border Bridge, which spans the River Tweed in Northumberland and has been in operation since 1850.
• Work continues on restoration of abandoned Scots rail linkWork is now underway to install fencing along the line of the Levenmouth rail link.

Railnews

• HS2 Manchester Bill begins journey through Parliament MONDAY BRIEFING: HS2 Manchester Bill begins journey through Parliament ++ Another town enters Great British Railways race ++ Class 175 refurbishment completed ++ Hull Trains restores services ++

Other News Sources

• Weston Williamson reveals plans to ’save Manchester’ by burying HS2 stationArchitect backs mayor’s call to reconsider underground station or risk ’destroying much of the city’
• Go-Ahead's Govia rail franchise under threat after accounts delayGo-Ahead said this week it expects to publish its accounts for the year to July 2021 by the end of February.
• Crossrail | Canary Wharf station handed over to TfL with Bond Street ’catching up fast’Nine of Crossrail’s 10 Central London stations have now been successfully handed over to Transport for London (TfL) as the opening of the Elizabeth Line draws ever closer.