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

Saturday, 16 November 2019

BBC News

• Milford Haven railway line to shut during Christmas run-upA railway line through Pembrokeshire is closing for five weeks in the run-up to Christmas for maintenance work. Network Rail said it would be working on the line between Milford Haven and Clarbeston Road from 06:00 to 18:00 GMT from Monday until 22 December.

ITV News

• South Western Railway reveals new £895m carriages amid pending strike actionRail passengers face travel chaos in the run-up to Christmas, as union bosses confirm they will go ahead with 27 days of strikes on South Western Railway.

The Herald

• West Coast rail franchise boost for FirstGroupFIRSTGROUP has received a boost after the competition watchdog’s fears about the prospect of the transport giant taking on the West Coast rail franchise appeared to ease following assurances about the impact on ticket prices.

Times Online

• First Group in line to run services on west coast [subscription]A joint venture led by First Group moved a step closer to receiving the green light to operate the west coast main line, one of the busiest routes in Europe, after making concessions to the competition watchdog.

City AM

• Watchdog pauses investigation into First Group's West Coast Rail franchiseThe UK’s competition watchdog has paused its investigation into the decision to award the West Coast Rail franchise to First Group after the company offered to make changes to the deal.
• Average commute increases to 59 minutes per journey, TUC study revealsCommuters are spending around 221 hours on average each year getting to and from work according to new research. The average journey to or from work took 59 minutes last year, a study by Trades Union Congress (TUC) revealed.

i News

• General election 2019: Towns stranded by 1960s railway cuts 'will be reconnected' under a £500m planCommuters in the North, however, might suggest that the money would be better spent improving the creaking Northern Rail system

Birmingham Mail

• 'It's bull****' Birmingham train passenger's fury at measly 10p compensation for delaysFurious rail passenger Scott Edwards said the time it took to pursue a claim for train delays wasn't worth the trouble - after he got sent 10p

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Third of new Northern trains are now operatingONE third of Northern’s fleet of brand new trains is now in service as the company says customers are getting where they need to be each day in more comfort than ever before.
• Road widening scheme and bus carriageway works to be discussedTWO major traffic projects for Bradford are likely to move to the next stagenext month.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Rail unions slam Metro bosses after drivers vote to take industrial action from December 1It was announced on Thursday that Metro drivers had rejected a 15% pay rise that would bring their salaries up to an estimated £46,000 by 2022

The York Press

• York team misses out on NRM's design shortlistFIVE teams have been chosen to create design concepts for a new £16.5 million Central Hall at the National Railway Museum.

Leeds Live

• Trains workers on busy Leeds line could strike in run up to ChristmasThe Transport Salaried Staffs' Association says a strike would cause "massive disruption to Cross Country train services"
• Boris Johnson's HS2 answer casts more doubt over £88 billion rail projectThe Conservative leader was asked to clarify his position on whether he backs HS2, which would see faster transport links between Leeds and London

Other Regional Press

• Bus replacement services for Aberdeen rail passengersTrain passengers travelling between Aberdeen and Glasgow have been warned to expect longer journey times on Sunday.
• Train company Vivarail moving to Southam from Long MarstonA TRAIN company is moving from Long Marston to Southam.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Decarbonisation of the Northern PowerhouseCovering a growing population of 15.3 million, home to over a million businesses and with an economy totalling £329bn, the Northern Powerhouse forms the very spine of the North of England.
• A workforce which reflects societyLoraine Martins MBE, Director of Diversity and Inclusion at Network Rail, joins us in the studio for the third episode of our RTM podcast, talking at length about her role and how it came about – Loraine was the first person to hold her current position – as well as how accessibility...

Other News Sources

• 15% pay rise rejected by Tyne & Wear Metro driversStrike action could be on the cards on the Tyne and Wear Metro after drivers represented by the RMT and ASLEF unions rejected a proposed pay rise of 15% over two years; on top of the usual cost of living increase. In announcing the news of the rejection Nexus, who operate the Metro, said they were astonished at the rejection whilst urging the unions to get back around the table to discuss the offer further.
• Mixed feelings over HS2 plans for CumbriaPlans for a High Speed railway station in Carlisle have been met with mixed reactions, despite claims the city could be ‘like Leeds in 20 years.’