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

Monday, 02 October 2023

BBC News

• Peak ScotRail fares scrapped as six-month trial beginsScotRail ticket prices will fall by almost half on some routes as part of the scheme.
• HS2: Rishi Sunak refuses to commit to Manchester linkThe prime minister again refuses to say if high speed rail link will run from Birmingham to Manchester.
• Scrapped bus services in Cumbria could be reinstatedPreviously withdrawn bus services in south Cumbria could be reinstated after more than £500,000 of funding was given to the local council by government.

The Guardian

• £9bn Thames tunnel faces axe amid fears over Tory infrastructure plansRishi Sunak failure to commit to HS2’s northern leg has raised concerns about the future of several large-scale transport projects

Times Online

• Conservatives promise to bypass Holyrood to build roads. [subscription]Conservative ministers are looking at directly funding the upgrade of key roads in Scotland in another sign of Westminster being prepared to bypass Holyrood.
• HS2 has not made us a laughing stock, Rishi Sunak insists [subscription]Rishi Sunak has insisted the UK is not a “laughing stock” because of the uncertainty that clouds HS2.
• Bus drivers ask for bus pass suspension for antisocial teen gangs. [subscription]Scotland’s transport minister has rejected calls for free bus passes to be confiscated from teenage louts, despite growing outrage over anti-social behaviour linked to the scheme.

Mail Online

• Now marshals are being brought in to police 'charge rage' rows between electric vehicle drivers: Boss of Britain's biggest motorway services reveals long waits for plug-in points are making motorists 'angry and stressed'The boss of Britain's largest motorway services provider, Ken McMeikan (pictured), said long waits for plug-in points were making drivers 'very angry and stressed'.

The Mirror

• Tory transport boss defends plan to shut hundreds of rail station ticket officesCabinet Minister Mark Harper doubled down on moves to shut 974 railway station front counters in a bid to save money, despite the plan triggering a huge backlash

Bolton News

• Bolton bus service to Middlebook could be restoredBus services could be set to be restored on a key route to and from Bolton under the groundbreaking Bee Network system.

Bristol Live

• The 23 main roads in Bristol an overground mass transit system would changeRoads would be closed to general traffic, made one-way or have 'shuttle' traffic lights across Bristol IF the 'underground' stays above ground
• Another key bridge across the New Cut closes for two years todayCouncil chiefs say they won't know exactly how long Vauxhall Bridge will be closed for until they investigate what needs to be done

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• HS2 work in Staffordshire continues despite uncertainty about second phaseWork is currently continuing on the controversial HS2 line through Staffordshire despite speculation on whether or not the project will go ahead north of Birmingham, county councillors have been told.

Other Regional Press

• Councillor calls for residents to use Bluestar buses amid complaintsA Southampton city councillor has encouraged residents to use the bus after passengers complained about delays on the Bluestar service.
• Coventry bus service to be axed as it is not 'value for money'Coventry bus service is to be axed as it is does not offer 'value for money'. Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) has revealed a number of bus services set to change from tomorrow (October 29).

Calling All Stations - The Transport Podcast

• Is the coming UK General Election the one (at last) to be dominated by transport? As the 2024 UK General Election looms ever closer, Christian Wolmar and Mark Walker examine why both the Conservative and Labour Parties are tying themselves in knots over HS2 [2:40] and whether the reform of Greater Manchester's bus network is the precursor to a wave of changes across the country [10:28]. Still with buses, Christian interviews Alex Warner about the 'Great Scenic Bus Competition' which aims to make travel on this mode of transport much more fun [17:44]. Returning to controversial infrastructure schemes, Christian looks into the findings of the inquiry into Edinburgh Trams [30:38]. Finally, Christian asks whether the UK Prime Minister is miscalculating by waging a culture war on behalf of the motorist [36:59].

New Civil Engineer

• Potholes are more than a surface issuePotholes across the UK’s road and highway network are undoubtedly a cause of major concern. However, less is known about the role failing ironwork can play in pothole formation.
• Challenge-ridden £420M Aberdeen Harbour expansion project completedConstruction of the Aberdeen Harbour expansion project have finally been completed after the departure of the original main contractor and other challenges pushed the works to six years.
• TfL ’no longer able to commit the funding’ to long-promised extension of tram to SuttonThe long-promised extension of Tramlink services to Sutton will not go ahead as Transport for London (TfL) is “no longer able to commit the funding” to the project.

Railnews

• Prime Minister refuses to comment on HS2 ‘speculation’ The Prime Minister has refused to say whether the HS2 branch between Birmingham, Crewe and Manchester is to be built, after numerous reports suggested that he is poised to scrap Phases 2A and 2B. Mr Sunak remained tight lipped about the fate of the scheme as the Conservative Party conference got under way in Manchester yesterday (Sunday).

Shipping News

• Net Zero Emissions Targets Will be a ChallengeThe road ahead towards a net zero emissions future is faced with big challenges. In its latest weekly report, shipbroker Gibson said that “last week the IEA published its Net Zero 2050 report,

Other News Sources

• Navigating Towards Sustainability: Wind-Powered Cargo Ships and the Future of the Shipping IndustryThere’s an undeniable demand for transformative solutions in the shipping sector. Shipping is a major emitter of greenhouse gases due to its reliance on cheap heavy fuel, making the industry’s cleanup efforts challenging.
• Talks on ways to improve transport links with North SolihullIMPROVING transport links from North Solihull to the town centre were on the agenda at a roundtable meeting.
• Council bosses back ’disruptive’ Dundee transport plan with more 20mph zones and electric carsDundee councillors have approved a £230 million 10 year plan which focuses on increasing EV infrastructure, adding more 20mph zones and improving bus services.