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

Thursday, 18 April 2024

BBC News

• Alstom: Potential new orders for struggling train firmStruggling train firm Alstom says it is in "intense discussions" with the government and Transport for London about a potential order for the Elizabeth line.
• Changes to 20mph speed limit policy promisedNew transport minister says 20mph zones should be targeted at schools, hospitals and nurseries.
• Cost of Grand Central Station rises to £340mThe infrastructure minister John O'Dowd says the rise in cost is because of
• United Airlines says Boeing blowout cost it $200mThe firm had to ground its Boeing 737 MAX 9 fleet after a mid-air blowout on an Alaska Airlines flight.
• Boeing whistleblower says he was put through 'hell'Lawmakers voice concerns over claims that Boeing threatens staff who raise safety concerns.

ITV News

• There will be 'changes' to 20mph speed limit in Wales says new Transport Secretary Ken SkatesThe new Transport Secretary has said that there will be changes to 20mph zones to ensure that they’re “targeted” in areas “where children and the elderly are at risk.”
• Government respond as gap in orders at Hitachi rail factory prompt concerns for its futureThe Government say it is committed to securing the future of the Hitachi train factory in Newton Aycliffe amid concerns over its future.

Department for Transport

• £1.3 million to back cutting-edge transport projectsOrganisations and academics can apply for TRIG funding to research innovative ideas to improve transport in the UK.

Financial Times

• Alstom close to securing new train order for UK plantFrench manufacturer nears deal with British government that could prevent job losses at Derby factory
• Boeing engineer says safety concerns are ignored inside plane makerWhistleblower says he was told to ‘shut up’ after raising questions about 777 and 787 aircraft

Times Online

• Lifeline for Alstom train factory with new order. [subscription]The transport secretary has secured agreement from the Treasury to build ten more trains for London’s Elizabeth Line at the Derby plant
• ‘Share-price obsessed’ Boeing execs ignored safety, says senator. [subscription]Commerce Committee say aircraft-maker still needs to do more to improve its quality control culture

City AM

• Alstom in ‘intense discussions’ over new Elizabeth Line trains to save Derby plantTrain manufacturer Alstom is in “intense discussions” with the government over possible new train orders to save its struggling Derby plant.
• Highest monthly car insurance rates very hard to justify, industry boss admits A boss at the trade body for British insurers told MPs today that the highest rates paid by motorists for monthly cover are very hard to justify, as the industry faces criticism for hiking prices amid the cost of living crisis.

Daily Express

• The UK's biggest train factory that has been saved from closure by last-minute dealAlstom has been saved from closure through a last-minute deal from the Department for Transport.

Birmingham Post

• Advert banned over 'misleading' complimentary food and drink claims on train servicesTrain operator said it had faced 'exceptional disruption' from strikes and weather

Bolton News

• Why Bolton railway station has a high pitched noiseA high-pitched noise can be heard ringing out around the platform, with no obvious source for unsuspecting passengers.
• Bolton's buses have a dirty problem, and some aren't happyBolton's buses are picking up a lot of dirt. This is why.

Bristol Live

• Passengers 'jumped on tracks after being held for 10 hours on train without toilet'Labour peer Lord Berkeley told the House of Lords that passengers on a Great Western Railway train were held for around 10 hours without access to a toilet

Nation. Cymru

• Transport for Wales ‘best performing operator’ in Wales – First MinisterThe First Minister has been criticised for claiming Transport for Wales (TfW) is the “best performing operator” in Wales “by some distance”.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• "Chaotic" East Coast Mainline decision 'strengthens case' for Leamside Line The reopening of the line between Gateshead and County Durham is a high priority for the region

Northern Echo

• Pressure on government to save Hitachi after Alstom Derby dealThe Government was last night facing mounting pressure to save Hitachi’s Newton Aycliffe factory after it was close to stepping in to save a train factory in Derby also facing closure.

Other Regional Press

• Haverfordwest transport interchange set for private talksThe contract for the second stage of Haverfordwest’s contentious £19m transport interchange is expected to be made behind closed doors next week by senior councillors.
• Work well underway to avert port traffic hell ahead of new EU checksPlans to avert major disruption at the Channel ports caused by new EU biometric checks are “well underwayâ€� despite continued warnings of long delays.

Train Operators

• ‘Bug hotels’ coming to three railway stations on the Bentham Line to support biodiversityNorthern is set to open ‘bug hotels’ at three stations on the Bentham Line between Leeds and Morecambe as part of a project with local schools to support biodiversity.

New Civil Engineer

• Transport Scotland engages market on £155M contract for next A9 dualling segmentTransport Scotland has started market engagement for the £155M design and build contract for the Tay Crossing to Ballinluig section of its £3.7bn A9 dualling upgrade.

Railnews

• New hope for Alstom Derby, while RMT calls for summit The Alstom works in Derby is in line for an order of up to 90 cars for the Elizabeth Line, according to reports. Such an order for more Aventra vehicles would not be a new contract, because an option for enlarging the TfL fleet already exists. Meanwhile, the RMT is calling for an urgent summit to discuss the threat to the Derby works, where closure would mean the loss of thousands of jobs.

Other News Sources

• Why metro mayors should lead on transport policyPublic awareness of mayoral transport policies is high, but metro mayors have limited powers to deliver. The Government should expand and deepen devolution to give London-style transport powers to mayors across England.
• Political Opinion: Ben Bradley MP applauds intense discussions to secure future of Alstom in DerbyThis item has been submitted by Ben Bradley MP, on behalf of the Conservative Party.Ben Bradley MP, the Conservative Mayoral Candidate for the East Midlands has welcomed the recent developments concerning Alstom's rail factory in Derby.

News from Europe

• Air passenger transport - data by monthThis article describes the recent monthly development of commercial air flights and passenger transport by air in the European Union (EU), as well as in the EFTA countries Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and in the Candidate countries Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye. A distinction is made between national (domestic), intra and extra-EU transport, while looking at the evolution of airport traffic.