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

Tuesday, 20 June 2023

BBC News

• Govia Thameslink trials app to help blind and visually impaired passengersAn app to help blind or partially sighted rail passengers is being trialled at Stevenage station. The Aira wayfinding app guides passengers via a remote operator who looks through their smartphone camera.
• Arriva accused of holding councils to 'ransom' over bus cutsA bus operator that is set to axe multiple services has been accused of holding councils to "ransom".
• Bus cuts: Franchising would be easier with tram network - mayorBringing buses back under public control would be easier if a tram network had been built, says the West of England metro mayor.
• Ely rail junction upgrade will take lorries off roads - reportImproving a rail junction would take about 100,000 lorry journeys off the road per year, a report said.
• Croydon tram crash: Driver not guilty over fatal derailmentAlfred Dorris was tried at the Old Bailey over a derailment in Croydon in which seven people died.
• Greater Manchester Metrolink tram workers accept pay offerTram workers in Greater Manchester will receive a pay rise of 6.5% after a deal was agreed.
• New record for Inverness-Glasgow cycle routeKerry MacPhee completed the 210-mile route along trails and tracks in under 20 hours.
• IndiGo: Record aircraft purchase announced at Paris AirshowThe deal between the Indian carrier and Airbus is the largest single order by any commercial airline.

Financial Times

• Airbus strikes record deal to sell 500 planes to India’s IndiGoMultibillion-dollar deal for A320 series of jets is largest in history by aircraft numbers

Times Online

• Islanders blame SNP government for ferries debacle — not CalMac. [subscription]Islanders have written to Scotland’s new transport minister demanding taxpayer support as a survey found that CalMac’s “failing ferry service” had cost businesses almost £1.5 million on only two islands.
• Croydon tram crash driver not guilty over seven deaths. [subscription]The driver in the Croydon tram disaster that killed seven passengers has been cleared of wrongdoing.
• Polluting drivers face parking charges double that of newer cars [subscription]London borough of Lambeth adopts new parking fee model despite 59 per cent of people objecting in consultation, other councils likely to follow suit

City AM

• We need to talk more about lithium – UK risks supply shortfall to feed its electric car ambitionshe future of Britain’s electric vehicle (EV) sector is far from certain. Automakers were overjoyed this month to read reports that said the UK had likely pipped Spain in the race to secure a multi-billion dollar ’gigafactory’ in Somerset, built by Jaguar Land Rover owner Tata – touted as vital in changing the fortunes of Britain’s nascent EV industry.

Daily Record

• Proposals for a new transport interchange in East Kilbride have been submittedProposals to create a new transport interchange in East Kilbride have been submitted to South Lanarkshire Council.

Network Rail

• Network Rail launches masterplanning at Bow Goods YardNetwork Rail is launching its masterplanning process at Bow Goods Yard, East London, which will see the regeneration of over 30 acres of brownfield land.

Birmingham Post

• Airbus secures biggest plane order in the history of commercial aviationIndiGo has placed an order for 500 A320 Family aircraft in a big boost for Airbus Broughton

Bristol Live

• Axed bus routes to cut-off Bristol areas could be reinstated after government U-turnThe government has relaxed rules about spending cash on bus routes which are socially important but unprofitable

Cambridge News

• Coach service set to link Cambridge and Amsterdam with tickets from £30FlixBus passengers will be able to get from Cambridge to Amsterdam for £27.99 one way from July 13

Other Regional Press

• Top transport minister announces £30m plan to transform Stoke-on-Trent's bus servicesRichard Holden was in the city last week to meet with bosses from First Bus as well as council officials and local MPs
• Wirral residents speak out on late-night cross-river public transportPeople have voiced their frustration at having to cut their nights short and high taxi fares due to a lack of public transport at night.

New Civil Engineer

• New £140M South Lancs road halted and money returned to governmentLancashire County Council has ordered the pause of work on a £140M scheme to build a new road off the M6 as it re-evaluates the proposals.
• Ebbw Vale line reopens as £70M transformation nears completionA £70M transformation of the Ebbw Vale railway line by contractors Amco Giffen and Siemens is nearing completion as the railway reopens to passenger train services.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Transport committee writes to Transport secretary demanding concise plan for electrificationThe transport committee has written to Transport Secretary, Mark Harper demanding a long-term and concise rail electrification strategy.

Other News Sources

• Council called 'deceptive' and 'mean-spirited' in bus rowA local government funding row over who should pay for bus services erupted into a war of words between top regional politicians on Friday (June 16).
• Scottish Government must get back to the table on ferry funding - as Orkney Ferries staff praisedThe Chair of Orkney Ferries has praised the company's staff and crew for their practical response to ferry challenges this weekend - and issued a plea for the Scottish Government to 'get back to the table' for discussions on future ferry funding.
• Port Salford railway, airport tweaks approvedCity council planning officers said the extension of a rail container terminal would necessitate alterations to two runways at City Airport, but would ultimately lead to a modern, efficient container terminal hub.
• Birmingham bus fares to increase - all day tickets & weekly passes to see price riseNational Express West Midlands has announced that bus fares are rising in Birmingham and across the region