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

Wednesday, 22 September 2021

BBC News

• Metrolink: Manchester tram strikes called off after improved pay offerThe Unite union is recommending Metrolink tram drivers accept a
• Mask-wearing on public transport sees big dropOnly 20% still wear masks at train stations now it is no longer compulsory, according to Network Rail.
• 'No clear end to HS2 cost and delays' say MPsThe Public Accounts Committee is

Financial Times

• HS2 cost saga has ‘no clear end in sight’, MPs warnPublic accounts committee ‘increasingly alarmed’ by Covid cost pressures, slow progress at Euston and ‘lack of clarity’

The Guardian

• British Rail logo designer appalled by green makeover messGerry Barney says updated branding, to be used by Great British Railways, uses too many colours. The designer of the familiar British Rail logo has warned against government plans to revamp the symbol and dismissed an attempt to give it a green makeover as a 'load of old bollocks'. The transport secretary, Grant Shapps, has said his plans for the new Great British Railways will involve updated versions of the classic ˜double-arrow logo when the system is launched next year.

Birmingham Post

• New body to assess rail investment needs in Wales but no Barnett consequential from HS2The UK Government said the body of senior executives will be up and running by year end

London Evening Standard

• Northern Line extension: 20,000 journeys made on first day as passengers flock to Tube expansion More than 20,000 journeys were made on the Northern line extension as passengers flocked to the first Tube extension this century.

Kent Online

• Rail delays for Kent commuters into London prompts apology from Network Rail boss responsible for Southeastern, Southern and Thameslink servicesA top railway boss has apologised to commuters for suffering unacceptable delays on their return to the office.

Business Live

• Momentum grows for Great British Railways HQ to be built in the East MidlandsGBR is the new government body which will oversee running of UK rail network and ticketing
• Momentum grows for Great British Railways HQ to be built in the East MidlandsGBR is the new government body which will oversee running of UK rail network and ticketing

New Civil Engineer

• Northern Line Extension grand opening marred by station accessibility issuesQuestions have been raised over the accessibility of the new Northern line stations as part of the line's extension (NLE) which opened earlier this week.
• Arup unveils vision for ‘future mobility hubs’ to connect fragmented transport systemsArup has unveiled its vision for future mobility hubs designed to connect fragment transport systems, encourage commuters to use public transport and be more accessible for everyone.

Rail Technology Magazine

• First tram track stretch deployed under Wolverhampton Metro extensionThe Wolverhampton City Centre Metro extension project has reached a milestone, with the first section of tram tracks installed outside the city’s renovated railway station.

Railnews

• Rail industry goes green to mark car free day WEDNESDAY BRIEFING: Rail industry goes green to mark car free day ++
• 'No clear end in sight' to HS2 costs or delays with 'many difficulties ahead' A House of Commons committee is warning that the HS2 crisis is deepening, saying that there 'is no clear end in sight' and that the programme will 'literally run out of time' if a key decision about the size of the high speed station at London Euston is delayed any further. It has also said that 'This project cannot simply keep sinking more taxpayer funds without greater clarity on the later phases.' The Public Accounts Committee is responding after the government provided 'a clearer explanation of costs than we have previously seen'.

Railway Technology

• Cambridge-Oxford railway connection edges one step closerFollowing the recent appointment of a new commercial partner- Arcadis - the creation of a new railway connection, to directly link Oxford and Cambridge, has edged another step closer towards becoming a reality.
• First tram track stretch deployed under Wolverhampton Metro extensionThe Wolverhampton City Centre Metro extension project has reached a milestone, with the first section of tram tracks installed outside the city’s renovated railway station.
• Cambridge-Oxford railway connection edges one step closerFollowing the recent appointment of a new commercial partner- Arcadis - the creation of a new railway connection, to directly link Oxford and Cambridge, has edged another step closer towards becoming a reality.