In The News: 28th May

Click here to listen to the latest news on Thursday, 28th May 2020

We start with the news today of the plans to build one of Britain’s biggest transport hubs on the site of a 160-year-old rail depot for the HS2 project.

The article in The Times says Toton sidings, between Nottingham and Derby, would be transformed into potentially the country’s busiest transport interchange outside London.

The £2.7 billion proposal would create new rail, bus, road and tram links to a ‘mega-station’ being built to serve the HS2 line.

Sir John Peace, chairman of Midlands Connect and Midlands Engine says the arrival of HS2 is a watershed moment for the region and an opportunity that must be grasped with both hands.

Click here for more details.

A former head of New York’s public transport system will be London’s next transport commissioner.

The news of Andy Byford’s appointment features in several of the papers, including The Herald which says the 54-year-old starts his new role on June 29th.

He says in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, all transport authorities will need to reimagine how their services and projects contribute to the safe and sustainable re-start.

A prolific graffiti vandal must pay more than £4,000 to a rail firm for spray-painting trains.

The Sun says 32-year-old Don Midasoni has travelled Europe to ‘tag’ locos.

Cops found photos and videos on his phone of attacks on Rhymney Station.

He’s been given a nine-month suspended jail sentence plus the order to pay Arriva Trains Wales compensation.

Finally, and Bombardier Transportation UK has revealed future train interior concepts more compatible with social distancing.

Among the designs being drawn up by teams in Derby include side visors, one way carriages, anti-bacterial grab handles and hand gesture door controls.

See the designs here.

Photo credit: Midlands Connect

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