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

Monday, 21 April 2014

BBC News

• VIDEO: Warning to River Thames usersAs the boating season gets under way, river users are being urged to take extra care on the Thames because of higher than usual water levels.

The Telegraph

• Rail franchise turmoil loomsWith seven major rail franchises due to be awarded this year, the first since the West Coast Main Line crisis of 2012, will the Government avoid another fiasco?
• Driven to distraction by road signsThere are apparently twice as many road signs on our roads as there were 20 years ago. Are drivers being treated like idiots?

Mail Online

• Transport Secretary to axe pointless traffic signs that clutter the roads as it's revealed they've more than doubled in number in 20 years to 4.5million Patrick McLoughlin has called for an end to ubiquitous and uninformative signs proliferating across the roads - saying that they actually make driving more dangerous.
• Wave goodbye to car keys... lights, indicators and doors will soon be operated by 'gesture control' Car manufacturers are working on a system that will allow drivers to many of the internal controls by moving their hands close to sensor panels.

The Mirror

• Malaysia flight MH370 April 1: Recap as transcript is released revealing the co-pilot's final words Read on for events as they unfolded April 1 in the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane

Bolton News

• Life at the sharp end of dealing with problems on our motorways REMOVING a staircase from a motorway and being the first on scene to a serious car crash can be a typical day for The Highways Agency’s traffic officers.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• MP calls for action over opening new railway stationsAn MP is calling on transport bosses to take bids to re-open railway stations at Arthington and Horsforth Woodside seriously.
• Road safety plans in wake of tragic Bradford deaths Steps are set to be taken to improve safety on a Bradford road where three pedestrians have been killed since 2010.

Sheffield Star

• The disgusting state of Darnall railway station [Letter]On Thursday morning, March 20, I caught the 06.43 Northern Rail service from Sheffield to Darnall. On arrival at this sad lone island platform affair, the train soon departed for its next stop and I was left alone to negotiate the off putting and intimidating subway for exiting the station. Voices could be heard in the darkened passage and a group of about eight youths were congregated, no way back now I thought and on down I went through a disgusting carpet of spit, broken glass and the aroma of some illegal substance, just to confirm it was 06.50 in the morning!

Wales Online

• Significant public support for ban on smoking in cars carrying childrenExclusive research revealed 81% of people in Wales would support a ban on smoking in cars carrying under 18s

Bucks Free Press

• M40 junction would "destroy" 30-year-old family home and business A NEW M40 junction in Flackwell Heath would “destroyâ€� a family home and business of over 30 years, it is feared.

Carlisle News & Star

• Rail passengers hit by engineering work Northern Rail is reminding passengers that services in Cumbria are affected by engineering works this weekend.

Sunderland Echo

• Anger as rail bosses fell trackside trees in SunderlandPEOPLE living near railway lines have hit out after trackside trees were felled. Residents of Hunter Terrace in Hendon said the trees made the street more attractive and brought wildlife into the area all year round.

Other Regional Press

• Stoke-on-Trent City Council to award eight HS2 bid contracts for £240k CONSULTANTS in rail connectivity, environmental issues and public relations are being recruited to boost the city's HS2 bid. Stoke-on-Trent City Council is looking to award eight separate contracts – worth more than £240,000 overall – to experts to help it build the case for the 'Stoke Route'.
• Rattlers given comfort boostRail travellers around Lancashire are set for a comfort upgrade as part of a £130,000 revamp by Northern Rail. The company, which operates local routes across the county, has started improvement work on some of the oldest trains on the rail network.
• Bridges across Greyfriars smashed down ahead of demolition of former Northampton bus stationWork to remove the two vehicle bridges across Greyfriars in Northampton was completed on Sunday.
• Are you fit to tow? The Highways Agency has urged drivers to ask themselves ‘Am I fit to tow?’ Last year the South West had 1019 incidents involving a caravan, trailer or other towed vehicles on Highways Agency roads.

Other News Sources

• Anger as contractors leave behind signs and rubbishSurrey County Council apologises after discarded signs after left by the roadside
• Plans for 'monstrous' footbridge withdrawn by Network RailNetwork Rail has agreed to consult with residents again after the community and MP Sam Gyimah opposed to a proposed footbridge