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

Thursday, 12 October 2023

BBC News

• Full Weston-super-Mare bus route to be reinstatedA council leader says he is "confident" an important bus route will return.
• Liam Gallagher voices Manchester Metrolink tram announcementsHis distinctive tones will be heard on Greater Manchester's Metrolink tram network.
• Luton Airport flights resume after blaze rips through car parkCommercial flights restart after a huge fire ripped through a multi-storey car park.

Financial Times

• UK’s Luton airport reopens after car park blazeThousands of passengers affected by cancelled flights as fire service battled for 12 hours to extinguish flames

The Herald

• Aberdeen transport group makes progress despite inflationShares in Scottish transport giant FirstGroup have risen four per cent after the company said its rail and bus operations performed better than expected in the first half despite the challenges posed by the surge in inflation.

Times Online

• How Heathrow airport can land real success [subscription]Not every company can hope to land a “transformational CEO”. So, think of the loss to Heathrow airport now that John Holland-Kaye is flying off after almost ten years.
• Strong summer of travel adds shine to FirstGroup. [subscription]Britain’s largest privately owned train and bus-operating contractor has lifted its annual profit forecast after being boosted by a strong summer of travel.
• Heathrow flies away from Covid lows. [subscription]Heathrow airport’s traffic volumes have finally lifted back above pre-pandemic levels, three and a half years since the first lockdown and 18 months after international travel restrictions were relaxed.

Reuters News

• Planned Eurostar competitor Evolyn to buy 12 trains from France's AlstomEvolyn said on Wednesday it agreed to purchase 12 trains from Alstom (ALSO.PA) for its planned high-speed rail service under the English Channel, which aims to challenge Eurostar's monopoly on the connection.

i News

• Scrapping HS2 a ’body blow’ to the North, Government’s own levelling up tsar Andy Haldane saysRishi Sunak’s decision to scrap HS2 in the North of England is a “body blow” to attempts to level up the country, the Government’s own levelling up tsar has warned.

Sky News

• Cross-channel rail competitor Evolyn buys 12 trains ahead of 2025 launchThe company says that competition on the route should improve fares and destinations for passengers once its services begin.

Birmingham Post

• Clarification sought on Hull rail electrification after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's conference pledgeCity council leader has written to Transport Secretary as Chamber of Commerce awaits meeting with rail minister
• 'Driverless' public transport system explored as part of Northumberland developmentThe initiative is led by Consett developer Dysart which is taking part in a feasibility study

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Dismay as 'not a penny promised' from HS2 for Skipton-Colne lineSKIPTON and East Lancashire Rail Action Partnership (SELRAP) chairman Peter Bryson has responded to the HS2 cancellation news.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport third worst in the UK for lost luggageA study has shown the worst airports in the UK for lost luggage, with Manchester Airport coming third after London Heathrow and London Gatwick

Wales Online

• The multi-million pound new bus station which doesn't have any busesVale of Glamorgan Council has confirmed that there are still no buses set to service a new multi-million pound transport interchange in Barry. Barry Transport Interchange, situated outside Barry Docks Railway Station, was developed to improve connectivity in the Vale and so far includes a taxi rank, bike shelters and bus stops.

Yorkshire Post

• A strong commitment from all parties to a new station for Bradford is needed - Zahir IraniIt’s often said that a week is a long time in politics. Recent events rather prove the point. Since the summer of 2022, we have had three prime ministers, three chancellors, three transport secretaries, and first a ’yes’, then a ’no’, then a ’let’s have another look’ and now a ’yes’ again in response to our calls for a new city centre hub railway station in our great city of Bradford.

Get Surrey

• Full list of more than 60 Surrey stations affected by possible scrapping of TravelcardsPassengers from train stations including Guildford, Dorking and Staines would be impacted by the changes

Peterborough Telegraph

• National Express to run new service between Peterborough and Heathrow AirportNational Express is set to launch a new service between Peterborough and Heathrow Airport this month.

South Wales Argus

• Labour to bring rail network back under public ownershipLabour's Louise Haigh has committed to a crackdown on “rip-off” petrol station prices and car insurance fees as well as promising "radical" railway reforms.

Other Regional Press

• Heathrow Airport withdraws plans for staff park and ride outside ULEZHeathrow Airport has withdrawn its application to set up a park and ride for staff outside the London Ultra Low Emission Zone.
• The potential rebirth of Doncaster Sheffield Airport, Lincolnshire’s air travel dreamsNews of a potential reopening of Doncaster Sheffield Airport would allow Lincolnshire to “fulfil its potential” according to a senior county councillor.
• Sadiq Khan raises concerns about HS2 Euston plans in letter to Rishi SunakSadiq Khan has written to Rishi Sunak with concerns over his plans to finish the HS2 rail link at Euston.
• Portsmouth railway station ticket office closures up for debate as city councillors express their concernsCity councillors will debate controversial proposals to close staffed ticket offices at railway stations when they meet on Tuesday (October 17).
• Major funding shortfall jeopardises St Clears train stationPlans to reopen a train station that has remained closed for over 60 years once again hang in the balance as a result of a substantial escalation in costs resulting in a shortfall of nearly £6 million.
• Proposal to build 'international' train station near Northampton gains momentum as HS2 phase two is scrapped“It would transform the lives of thousands of residents that commute to work every day,” says Northants Tory MP
• Cash ticket machines at major London Underground station to be closed for 2 yearsThey have been rendered unusable due to works at the stop
• The government’s HS2 decision opens door to twice-hourly train service for NewmarketThe Government’s decision to revamp major rail junctions at Ely and Haughley has been hailed as a significant step forward towards Newmarket getting a half hourly rail service.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government launches Network North after HS2 cancelationThe Government has announced the launch of Network North, branding it a new approach for transport in this country after it was announced the HS2 extension would be scrapped. According to the Govt, every region will receive investment in the modes of transport that matter to residents most. Billions of pounds will be invested into these regions to reform transport across the country.   North West: £19.8 billion North East: £19.8 billion Yorkshire & Humber: £19.8 billion West Midlands: £9.6 billion East Midlands: £9.6 billion East of England: ...

New Civil Engineer

• Road chaos in Argyll and Bute amidst severe landslides and unstable 70t bouldersArgyll and Bute in Scotland has suffered from severe landslides closing many roads and leaving the council fearful that large boulders, some over 70t, are “unstable”.
• NI Department for Infrastructure calls for contractors to join £83M road asset management programmeNorthern Ireland’s Department for Infrastructure (DfI) has published a tender seeking contractors for an £83M contract to provide professional services for its Transport and Road Asset Management (TRAM) programmes.
• AmcoGiffen signs partnership deal with tunnelling start-up hyperTunnelTunnelling technology start-up hyperTunnel has signed a deal with engineering firm AmcoGiffen to use its systems in the UK rail sector.

Rail Advent

• East Midlands Railway’s travel booking platform sees a boost in business bookings The rail operator has reported that business bookings via its travel platform have grown by a massive 60%
• LNER celebrates 100 years by dining through the decadesA special event that celebrates the 100th anniversary of the LNER brand will be held in York on Monday, 6th and Tuesday, 7th November with a unique, pop-up restaurant titled “The LNER 1923 Restaurant”.
• West of England Line to see improved timetable as South Western Railway introduces changes this DecemberThe rail operator has added more direct services to and from London as part of its new timetable, which comes into effect on the 10th of December

Rail Technology Magazine

• Rail freight left with little options after HS2 Phase 2 cancellationThe Rail Freight Group (RFG) has condemned the government's decision to cancel HS2 construction north of Birmingham, describing it as the "worst possible outcome" for the industry.

Railway Gazette

• Evolyn to launch Paris – London trains in competition with EurostarEUROPE: High speed rail start-up Evolyn has announced plans to launch passenger services to compete with Eurostar on the ’strategic and high demand’ route between Paris and London.

Aviation Industry

• London Heathrow Airport pax exceeds pre-pandemic pax for first time in Sep-2023London Heathrow Airport reported (11-Oct-2023) it handled 7.1 million passengers in Sep-2023, an increase of 22.4% year-on-year

Other News Sources

• Labour 'to put communities in the driving seat'Labour's shadow transport secretary has pledged to nationalise the railways as she set out a transport plan focused on supporting drivers, passengers and communities with more consumer protections, public ownership and devolution.
• The HS2 train arrives at Labour conferenceThe Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham challenges Keir Starmer to commit to “true” Northern Powerhouse Rail.
• HS1 launches nine-point manifesto for rail in BritainManifesto includes actions to make high-speed line to Channel Tunnel fit for the future.
• England-Scotland rail still struggling after bridge damage near NewcastleThe East Coast Main Line, the route of the famous Flying Scotsman, which suffered the effects of the weekend storms that hit the north of the UK, has a new challenge. The line, which also carries hundreds of mixed traffic movements every day between England and Scotland, remains severely disrupted due a structural failure on a historic bridge.

News from Europe

• ’Long and expensive detours’: Italy-France rail tunnel closure set to disrupt winter travelAuthorities are warning of much heavier traffic on roads and increased demand for flights.