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

Thursday, 21 November 2024

BBC News

• Northern's service improvements 'could take years'Plans submitted by an under-fire rail operator to improve services by 2027 have been described by regional politicians as "vague" and "still not good enough".
• TfL resumes refund processing and Zip applicationsTfL also said it can now process refunds for all customers who have paid more for to travel whilst systems have been down.
• No restrictions to extend Tube to Clapham JunctionThe council is carrying out a public consultation to see if there is local support for the extension.
• Northern Rail passengers hit out at 'rubbish' serviceThe struggling rail firm has come up with a plan to help it improve services.
• Ford cuts 800 jobs claiming weak demand for electric carsThe move is part of a wider restructuring programme, which will see 4,000 posts closed across Europe.

Financial Times

• Tokyo Metro brought in to run London’s Elizabeth LineJapanese subway operator is part of consortium that will take over from Hong Kong’s MTR
• Dispute over London depot threatens plans to break Eurostar monopolyRichard Branson’s Virgin Group is among challengers seeking to offer new rail service between UK and European mainland
• Italy puts brakes on ‘reckless’ e-scooter use with new helmet and insurance rulesCompanies including Lime, Dott and Bird say requirements will slash demand
• Northern Rail to cut Christmas timetable to improve reliabilityUK’s largest train operator outside London has breached its contract three times this year due to cancellations

The Guardian

• The Guardian view on the politics of buses: Labour's winning ticketCheap, better-run public transport can transform people's everyday lives. The government should be more ambitious in its plans to deliver it

The Independent

• Railways set to come back into public ownership after Lords pass nationalisation billLabour's first big reform in reversing the 40-year legacy of Margaret Thatcher is set to come into place with the legislation to renationalise the railways passing through parliament

Times Online

• Relax electric vehicle rules, carmakers urge as Ford cuts 800 jobs [subscription]Hours before executives met ministers to discuss increasingly ambitious targets for zero-emission vehicles, Ford announced sweeping cuts in the UK

City AM

• How London can reclaim its spot as a global shipping capital     London was once a global leader in maritime and shipping, it still has unique advantages that can propel it back to number one, says Adrian Beciri

Birmingham Post

• UK faces 800 Ford job losses as company adjusts for electric vehicle marketThe cuts will take place by the end of 2027

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Campaigners put forward alternative bridge design in bid to save treeCampaigners fighting to save a historic oak tree have made a last-ditch attempt to put forward an alternative bridge proposal for the town.

Manchester Evening News

• Northern's train woes won't be fixed until 2027, rail operator warnsTrain cancellations have come down but rail bosses admit it's still 'not good enough' - and it will take as long as three years to fix
• Rail operator Northern reaches 'interim agreement' with union over Sunday conductors workingThe potential short-term breakthrough comes ahead of a key rail meeting on Wednesday

Nation. Cymru

• Council hopes to bring station back to Welsh village after 60 yearsThe leader of a Welsh council said her local authority is still working towards bringing a railway station back to a village where people haven't been able to catch a train for 60 years.

Sheffield Star

• Why Sheffield bus ticket prices are set to rise as other cities maintain £2 fare capThe £2 bus fare cap is set to end on December 31, with the maximum price for a single ticket in England rising to £3.

The York Press

• LNER travel perks supporting businesses of all sizesLondon North Eastern Railway is one of the UK’s leading long-distance train operators with services linking London to yorkshire, the North East England and Scotland. Our dedicated range of business and group travel offerings means we are your ideal sustainable travel partner, offering more than just a seat to your final destination. So, whether travelling for business, meetings, conferences, events and even team travel, we have a solution to suit you.

Wales Online

• Cardiff considers a 'Land Rover' tax on the biggest most polluting vehiclesThe city council is asking people their views on whether those who own larger cars should pay more for permits

Yorkshire Post

• Northern Rail's nine years of decline described as 'betrayal of the North'Northern Rail bosses have admitted that the operator's performance has been declining since 2015, and claimed it will take another three years to get services up to a respectable level.
• Grand Central: Rail operator submits bid to extend Yorkshire operationsRail operator Grand Central has announced that it has submitted an application to the rail regulator to extend its track access rights in Yorkshire and the North East beyond 2027.

Cambridge News

• New 20mph zone for small village where some drivers speed through at over 90mphMany shared support for the 20mph zone in Wicken, with one person saying they wished it had come forward sooner

Get Surrey

• Guildford's controversial £6m walking and cycle scheme rumbles on as Surrey Cabinet told to think againSurrey County Council's cabinet had originally rejected the £6m London Road Active Travel scheme

Oxford Mail

• New East West Rail route from Oxford lacks platform capacityA group campaigning for better rail services has welcomed the Oxford to Milton Keynes route operating from next year although extra platform capacity has yet to be built here.

Other Regional Press

• MP Tim Farron calls for intervention on Cumbrian railAn MP has called on the transport secretary to intervene over rail services in Cumbria.
• MP's safety and cost fears over plan to replace axed HS2 legA Cheshire MP said he does not believe current plans to resurrect a high speed rail link are safe or affordable, as local mayors continue to push for a replacement for HS2.
• Lack of platform capacity for new Oxford railway route identifiedA group campaigning for better rail services has welcomed news that the Oxford-Bicester-Milton Keynes route will start operating next year
• Anger as parents and teachers lash out over 'stupid' new school transport ruleMore than 2,000 people have signed a petition against the move - but the council says it will help claw back £4.8m
• MP to lobby government over controversial rail crossing planA DORSET MP has stepped into the row over a pedestrian crossing across the rail lines at Wareham.
• Network Rail says 'as quickly as possible' over flood-hit Nuneaton cemetery There have been ongoing issues with flooding from the railway track into Attleborough Cemetery for years

Train Operators

• EMR use noughties classic to highlight speed and convenience of Luton Airport ExpressEast Midlands Railway (EMR) has adapted a noughties rap classic to highlight the fast and convenient service the Luton Airport Express offers its customers.

Rail UK

• Grand Central applies to extend long-term operations across Yorkshire and the North EastGrand Central has submitted an application to the Office for Rail and Road (ORR), to extend its track access rights in Yorkshire and the North East beyond 2027. If approved, this will secure Grand Central's long-term future in the region.

Aviation Industry

• London Gatwick proposes Airport Economic ZoneRegional businesses leaders and local authorities have met at London Gatwick's annual Economic Summit to discuss opportunities to unlock economic growth through a new Airport Economic Zone (AEZ).

Other News Sources

• Network rail and SWR join forces to tackle slippery tracksA NEW initiative between Network Rail and South Western Railway (SWR) has introduced a sand application system to improve rail safety this autumn.
• The Rail Revolution: How UK rail can push for net zeroWorking procedures to increase the current railway system's efficiency must be undertaken to drive wholesale change for tomorrow, says Richard Moss, head of civils at Instarmac.
• TSSA heralds passing of landmark Railways Public Ownership BillRail union TSSA has hailed as a landmark the passing of the Passenger Railway Services (Public Ownership) Bill which will see the transfer of passenger rail services in Great Britain into public hands.
• Heathrow's 5 busiest flight routes revealed - only one outside EuropeHeathrow's busiest flight routes this November include four European cities.
• Campaign group labels latest Bristol Airport expansion plans as 'the height of stupidity'ENVIRONMENTAL campaigners are opposing Bristol Airport expansion plans to accommodate 15 million passengers per year which it describes as the height of stupidity

News from Europe

• European business travellers call for German rail investmentEurope-wide alliance of business travellers wants a German rail infrastructure fund, lower track access charges and expansion of the rail network