Train lines reopening unlocks new frontiers for the housing market

For the people of the Blyth Valley, it’s payback time. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has announced a £34million fund to start to reinstate the passenger rail line between Newcastle and Ashington. This is seen by many as a reward for being the first constituency to breach the ‘red wall’ of seats extending across the Midlands … Read more

Smart motorways UK: Roads bosses vow to speed up safety push after coroner’s ruling

Road chiefs have pledged to accelerate the rollout of potentially lifesaving safety measures on smart motorways following crisis talks with Transport Secretary Grant Shapps. The minister ordered Highways England to bring forward the deadline for installing vital technology which can detect when vehicles are marooned and prevent collisions. More CCTV is to be rolled out to … Read more

‘Smart’ motorways are ‘inherently unsafe’ and ‘should be abandoned’, Yorkshire police chief says 

Smart motorways are ‘inherently unsafe’ and ‘should be abandoned’, a police and crime commissioner says. Dr Alan Billings, PCC for South Yorkshire, has written to the Government saying the abolition of the hard shoulder should be ‘abandoned’ before more people die.  In a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, Dr Billings accused Highways England of … Read more

Two rail lines shut in 1960s will reopen as transport officials pledge £800million

Two rail lines shut in 1960s will reopen as transport officials put £800million towards Bicester-Bletchley and Newcastle-Ashington projects Department for Transport said £760m will support next phase of East West Rail Reinstates services between Bicester, Oxfordshire and Bletchley shut in 1968 £34m boost is also going to old line between Newcastle and Ashington  By Daily Mail … Read more

Post-Brexit shoppers are paying a third more for EU goods as red tape confuses Continental retailers

Post-Brexit shoppers are paying a third more for EU goods as red tape is confusing Continental retailers amid chaos at the ports. Tens of thousands of internet buyers are checking out without realising they will be asked to stump up extra VAT and customs duties when their parcel arrives. Delivery company DPD asked one shopper … Read more