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

Thursday, 02 May 2024

BBC News

• Security staff needed at airport plagued by delaysThe BBC has been told Birmingham Airport needs at least 100 more security agents as delays for passengers enter a third day.
• Landslip blocks main Devon rail lineA landslip blocking the railway track between Axminster and Honiton is disrupting train services in and out of Devon.
• Fewer drivers hit with council bus lane finesMore than 5,000 fewer bus lane fines were handed out in Lancashire over the last 12 months compared to two years ago.
• Former railway line set to become a cycle routeA former East Sussex railway line is set to be transformed into a cycle route, if proposals are given the go ahead by council leaders.
• Kingswood Community Transport calls for more volunteer driversKingswood community transport is calling for more volunteers to help it maintain a "lifeline" service.
• Speed limit cut to 4,000 Glasgow streetsIt is claimed the move will make roads safer and encourage more walking and cycling.
• Tesla staff say entire Supercharger team firedThe division responsible for the car-maker's huge fast-charging network is being axed to cut costs.

Financial Times

• Embraer explores options for aircraft to rival Airbus and BoeingBrazilian aerospace group studies plans for narrow-body passenger plane or long-range business jet
• Uber faces £250mn lawsuit from London’s black-cab drivers Legal action set to revive long-simmering battle between US ride-hailing giant and UK capital’s taxi trade

STV

• Bus station 'could be lost' as owner debates future of leaseCoal Pension Properties have entered talks with the council after suggesting that they may not continue leasing the station beyond 2027.

The Guardian

• ‘You can walk virtually everywhere in England by using the train’: the man connecting rail-based walksA new website aims to offer a wide network of walking routes from British train stations, and is calling on hikers to add their favourites. Our writer accompanies the founder on a ramble to Bath Spa station

The Independent

• Automated Vehicles Bill clears Commons hurdleA proposed law paving the way for self-driving cars to be used on Britain’s roads has cleared the House of Commons.

The Telegraph

• The 40mph ‘death trap’ e-bikes wreaking havoc on Britain’s streets. [subscription]Police accused of failing to tackle scourge of souped-up two-wheelers
• Ministers fear EU fingerprinting plans will cause chaos at borders. [subscrption]Senior Government figures are pressing French counterparts for assurances before October launch of system

Times Online

• Thousands more Glasgow streets will have speed limit cut to 20mph. [subscription]City council hopes expansion of scheme will encourage more walking and cycling

Network Rail

• Major milestone reached in improving accessibility at Llanelli stationNetwork Rail has successfully installed the main span for the footbridge which will provide step-free access between the two platforms at Llanelli station.
• Boosting biodiversity with the help of our treesPart of our work looking after the railway includes caring for the nature around the railway and helping it flourish. And we’re using some of the trees near our lineside to do exactly this …

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Chaos on Bradford's buses for second day in a row amid changesThere has been yet more chaos on the buses in Bradford this evening - for the second day in a row - as First announced long delays.

Bristol Live

• Bristol Clean Air Zone row erupts over expansion prospectMP becomes embroiled in political storm after challenging Greens over their policy

Doncaster Free Press

• "Absolute nonsense": Mayor launches fierce attack on MP over 'pay per mile' misinformationFurious Doncaster Mayor Ros Jones has launched a blistering attack on a city Conservative MP describing his claims that drivers in the city could be taxed on a ‘pay per mile’ basis as “absolute nonsense.”

Leeds Live

• Leeds Bradford Airport has the most delayed flight out of the UKA new report has revealed the damning result after analysing flights over the past year

Wirral Globe

• 'Inaccessible' Wirral station could receive funding for liftsHOPES are rising that a “inaccessible” railway station in Wallasey could be included in the latest access improvements funded by the Department for Transport.

Other Regional Press

• Third runway threat easing, Heathrow campaigners believeCAMPAIGNERS against a third runway at Heathrow are heartened following the Transport Minister’s comments in a parliamentary debate.
• Work done by Network Rail engineers on Furness Line revealedA LETTER sent out to neighbours living near the Furness Line at Grange revealed the extent of the work the engineers did after the derailment.
• Anger at Suffolk County Council’s ‘betrayal’ over Newmarket railway crossing decisionSuffolk County Council has been accused of betraying the people of Newmarket after ignoring a ruling made by a planning inspector after years of wrangling over the future of a railway crossing which has cost the town more than £40,000.
• ˜Bus cuts are an absolute joke - how will people get to work or see GP?Stagecoach's controversial decision to slash the number of buses serving vital routes has been branded “an absolute joke

Train Operators

• Lord Hendy, Chair of Network Rail visits Belfast Grand Central StationLord Peter Hendy, Chair of Network Rail and previously Commissioner for Transport for London, visited Translink ... to view the development of the new world class Belfast Grand Central Station. It was also an opportunity to discuss the transport projects progressing as part of the Union Connectivity Review.

New Civil Engineer

• Business case for Heathrow expansion under development by governmentThe government is working to support the creation of an updated business case for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Railtech

• New TEN-T: deadlines for ERTMS, unclear vision for rolling stockAs the approval of the new TEN-T regulations by the European Parliament sinks in, more points relevant to rail transport need to be discussed. These include the new deadlines set for the implementation of ERTMS.

Railway Technology

• Germany commits to ‘integral’ Deutschlandticket after pass’ first yearThe country’s federal and regional transport ministers celebrated the success of the pass so far while also highlighting potential areas of expansion.

Route One (Bus and Coach)

• Operators worry over Accessible Information and rail replacementSmaller coach operators have expressed concern that rail replacement work will be within scope for Public Service Vehicles (Accessible Information) Regulations (AIR) when the earliest deadline for compliance is reached on 1 October.
• Passenger makes departure boards available on myTripPassenger has added departure board functionality on its myTrip app, allowing bus users to see live departure information for each stop.
• Report explores info and infrastructure barriers to bus use in WalesSignificant perceived barriers around information provision and infrastructure at stops are putting the public in Wales off bus use, research carried out by Transport Focus on behalf of Transport for Wales (TfW) has found.

Trafnidiaeth Cymru [Transport for Wales]

• Transport for Wales on track for summer events.Transport for Wales (TfW) is gearing up for a busy summer season following the successful movement of over 100,000 fans to recent events in Cardiff.

Other News Sources

• Greg Hands MP for Chelsea and Fulham reporting backAs you will remember from my resignation from the Government in 2018, to vote against the third runway at Heathrow, I always put constituents and our local area first.
• £150m rail testing scheme developers seek deadline extensionDevelopers of a rail testing facility in the south of Powys want more time to be able to produce detailed plans for the £150 million scheme.
• Raising awareness about digital sustainability in railThe European Union aims to make the transport sector and supply chain more eco-friendly, typically focusing on vehicle emissions and infrastructure upgrades. Yet, a crucial aspect often overlooked is digital pollution. At the RailFreight Summit ’24, Willem Jan Groenewoud, CEO of Ab Ovo, shed light on this issue and proposed solutions.
• Leven Rail Link: major delay installing new bridge as contractor goes into administrationPlans to install a new bridge connecting Methilhill to the new Cameron Bridge station as part of the £116m Levenmouth Rail Link have been hit by a major delay after the company building it went into administration.
• New operators First Bus gives Hovertravel's Hoverbus a fresh designHovertravel's Hoverbus service is getting a fresh look and cheaper fares after First Bus won the contract to operate it, starting from May 1.
• Ensuring maritime representation on sustainable transport and climate financeNautilus head of international relations Danny McGowan discusses how the maritime voice is represented internationally on just transition principles for workers' rights, diversity, and training throughout the supply chain's moves to greener transport
• Paddle steamer Waverley is coming back to Sussex in 2024The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer ship will return to Sussex in September.
• Analysis: Mersey welcome for Heathrow 3rd runway revivalAnalysis: Plans for a third runway at Heathrow are being revived and have the potential to have a significant positive economic knock-on effect for Liverpool city region

News from Europe

• Swiss tourist rail makes first move in driverless directionA Swiss rack railway in the St Gallen canton has tested a collision warning system, which is the first stage of its planned change to driverless functionality.