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Tuesday, 08 July 2014

BBC News

• More cash for bus projects announcedThe Scottish government announces a second round of funding worth a total of £3m for bus projects across Scotland.
• Eurostar cancels Tunnel trainsEurostar passengers face further cancellations on Tuesday after a train broke down in the Channel Tunnel.
• UK airports give charged gadget adviceHeathrow and Manchester airports tell travellers to the US they must charge any electronic devices carried as hand luggage ahead of checks.
• Network Rail in record £53m fineNetwork Rail is fined £53.1m by the regulator for falling
• Vauxhall announces 550 new jobsCar manufacturer Vauxhall announces the creation of 550 new jobs at two factories.
• Jobs and transport funding announcedAlmost £500m of government funding is awarded to improve transport and create jobs in Birmingham and the Black Country over the next three years.

Financial Times

• Network Rail fined £53m for late trainsUK railway operator fell well short of its goal of 92 per cent of services arriving ‘on time’ – within five minutes of their scheduled time
• Six-hour delays after Eurotunnel breakdownDelays are expected throughout the rest of Monday, with Eurostar advising people to cancel their journeys if at all possible
• Gadgets must work to get on flights to USDevices that cannot be powered up at security will not be allowed on to US-bound aircraft after Washington toughened its requirements
• Airbus to step up challenge to BoeingChief executive hints the group will challenge Boeing’s dominance in the lucrative long-range passenger jet market by overhauling its A330 aircraft

The Guardian

• The most congested cities in Europe and North America – in picturesTraffic jams increase pollution, drive up stress and decrease productivity. The Inrix Traffic Scorecard interprets real-time speed data for cities in Europe and North America to establish annual measures of congestion. The results are surprising
• How much authority does the TSA have over foreign airports?US authorities have announced enhanced security measures, but the TSA's power at airports outside the US may be limited
• Eurotunnel passengers face further delays due to broken-down trainRepair work on overhead power lines to affect services into the morning, following rescue of nearly 400 peopleEurotunnel passengers are facing more delays after a broken-down train forced an evacuation and caused major disruption for travellers on Monday.Almost 400 passengers had to be evacuated in the Channel Tunnel when a France-bound shuttle train came to a halt after a problem with the overhead power line. Continue reading...

The Herald

• 500,000 use trams in the first month but critics have doubts Nearly half a million ­journeys have been taken on Edinburgh's tram system in its first month of service.
• Gadgets must be charged at airportsTravellers at two UK airports have been warned to ensure that their electronic gadgets are charged up before they proceed to boarding flights for the US.
• Hundreds evacuated in Channel TunnelHundreds of passengers had to be evacuated from a broken-down train in the Channel Tunnel in an incident which led to long delays to travellers.
• £3m fund could help improve bus servicesA £3 million fund can help improve the standard of bus services in Scotland, the Transport Minister has said.

The Independent

• BA will ground passengers who cannot turn on their phones British Airways passengers who are unable to turn on electronic devices when asked risk being immediately banned from their US flight and having to reschedule, even if they offer to abandon the item or send it on separately, it has been reported.

The Telegraph

• Airport security: you won't fly to the US if your mobile phone battery is deadBritish Airways says it will turn away passengers booked on US-bound flights if their electrical devices will not switch on
• Eurotunnel passengers face further delays after breakdownEurostar said the resultant damage is ''unresolved and ongoing'' as more trains are cancelled

Mail Online

• London bus crash on Putney Bridge injures 3 people The incident at Putney Bridge in south-west London involved a number 424 bus and a car, with the bus believed to have mounted the pavement.
• Now BA bans passengers from US flights if mobile isn't charged: Airline announces tough new security measures The harsh new security measures go further than the recommended guidelines amid fears terrorist networks are planning to bring down an airliner.
• Transport Secretary rejects proposals to reduce speeds on motorways Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary, will announce today that he wants the speed limit on motorways to stay at 70mph and to be reduced only when necessary.

This is Money

• Rolls-Royce sales accelerate up by 33% in the first half of the yearLast year full-year sales were 3,630 vehicles, but Rolls-Royce Motor Cars declined to put an exact number on the current sixth monthly figure.

Network Rail

• Network Rail responds to regulator’s performance report for 2009-14Network Rail has today responded to the Office of Rail Regulation’s assessment of the company’s performance in the 2009-14 funding period. While this recognises successful delivery of a multi-billion pound investment programme to build a bigger better railway, safety improvements at level crossings and record numbers of passengers and freight moved by rail, it also highlighted missed punctuality targets.
• Rebuilt railway bridge reopens three weeks early in Ashton-under-LyneA bridge rebuilt by Network Rail as part of a £400m electrification project to provide a better railway in the north of England has reopened three weeks early.

Birmingham Mail

• 'Battle of Balsall Common' over plane noise goes to ParliamentAngry residents protesting to transport secretary about trials launched in May in advance of new flight paths

London Evening Standard

• Louise Mensch: black cabs ‘need Uber-style app to survive’ Louise Mensch has challenged Boris Johnson to beat taxi firm Uber at its own game by creating an official app for London’s black cabs.
• Oxford Street revealed as worst place in the world for toxic pollutant nitrogen dioxide Traders today said urgent action was needed to slash traffic levels after a report revealed Oxford Street has the highest levels of a toxic pollutant in the world.
• London bus almost falls into River Thames after crashing into side of Putney Bridge injuring three people This is the dramatic moment a bus crashed into the side of Putney Bridge.
• Eurotunnel evacuation: Passengers face long delays as train breaks down in Channel Tunnel A train broke down in the middle of the Channel Tunnel causing severe delays and hundreds of passenger’s journeys to become disrupted.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Watch: Dramatic near-miss on runway as two planes almost collide at Barcelona airport Video shows the terrifying moment disaster loomed as the Boeing 767 from Russian airline UTair was making its final approach to land at Barcelona

Wales Online

• Taxpayers pay out £22m on Welsh express train that comes complete with its own travelling chefWelsh Conservatives question the value for money of a route which runs during the week from Holyhead to Cardiff and back again in the evening
• Better rail could lead to a boost in Welsh trade with Ireland and growth for Holyhead, politicians predictAnglesey MP Albert Owen argues that greater rail capacity could take freight off the roads and lead to new trade opportunities.
• 'More could have been done': Network Rail criticised by regulators over trains chaos during Welsh winter stormsRail infrastructure body heavily criticised for its performance in the last year in the Office of Rail Regulation’s annual report
• Welsh Government dodges High Court case after admitting free bus travel cuts were wrongGovernment has now agreed to a less severe cut in the budget for this year and next

Burnley Express

• East Lancs cycle fans angry at full trains heading to Tour de France ANGRY cycling fans took to social networking site Twitter to vent their fury at Northern Rail as space ran out on trains heading to the Tour de France.

Daventry Express

• £6 million of Government cash for Flore and Weedon bypassThe Government has announced today (Monday) a commitment to spend £6 million on the A45 Flore and Weedon bypass.

Doncaster Free Press

• Multi-million pound cash boost for Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport and the Dearne ValleyLocal leaders from the public and private sector have secured a £320 million cash boost for Sheffield City Region, which will create over 28,000 jobs and training for 40,000 people.
• Misery at plans to cut bus service to Doncaster airportA young mum from Harworth in Doncaster may be forced to quit her job because her bus to work is due to be axed as part of cost-cutting measures.

East Anglian Daily Times

• East Anglia: “Now it is our time,â€� says rail boss looking ahead to major improvements on the region’s linesRail passengers in East Anglia should see major improvements over the next 15 years with new trains, improved infrastructure and faster journeys.

North Wales Live

• Arriva to axe cross-river night bus services between Liverpool and WirralN23 Liverpool to Moreton, N37 Liverpool to West Kirby and N450 Liverpool to New Brighton services will be withdrawn
• Liverpool airport bosses call for better Heathrow link to improve worldwide access A new report warns of decline of regional airports will damage local economies and undermine the UK’s competitiveness

Peterborough Telegraph

• Huge investment promised for Peterborough economy and road transport projectsMore than £5 million is to be invested in key road and work skills projects in Peterborough.

Other Regional Press

• Northampton to get new M1 link road as part of £20 million government fundingLong-awaited plans to link two main roads in Northampton could finally go ahead after the Government awarded the county council an extra £20 million for infrastructure improvements.
• Long delays as hundreds of Eurotunnel passengers evacuated after train breaks down in Channel TunnelChannel Tunnel passengers are continuing to face long delays after a power failure on a Eurotunnel train saw almost 400 people evacuated.
• Tour de France in Huddersfield: Amazing pictures from an unforgettable dayHere's all our reports and pictures from a fantastic day - take a look and bring that smile back!
• £23.5million project unveiled to upgrade A421 to dual carriagewayA multi-million pound scheme to upgrade the A421 between Bedford and Milton Keynes has been unveiled.

Global Rail News

• Date set for Gold Coast tram openingGold Coast’s new light rail system is to open on July 20, the Queensland Government has announced. The coastal city’s new fleet of 14 yellow trams – the only trams in[...]
• Kraków orders new tramsThe city of Kraków has signed a contract with Polish rolling stock manufacturer PESA Bydgoszcz for 36 new low-floor trams. The new vehicles, which will be delivered from next year until September[...]
• RZD to double-up high-speed train services between Moscow and St PetersburgFrom August, Russian Railways (RZD) will operate new 20-car high-speed Sapsan services between Moscow and St Petersburg, doubling its current capacity. RZD said the new dual unit trains, which will have[...]
• Network Rail fined for missed punctuality targetsNetwork Rail has told it must pay back £53.1 million for missing punctuality targets between 2009 and 2014. Publishing its CP4 review, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) praised Network[...]

Middle East North Africa (MENA) Rail News

• Rail Connectivity to Improve Significantly Through Central AsiaCentral Asian countries and China are talking of the concept of a ‘Steel Silk Road’ linking Europe with China through the region, speeding up links between the two economic powerhouses and boosting trade in the countries through which the railways lines pass. There are already regular services between Germany, Poland and China which passes through […] The post Rail Connectivity to Improve Significantly Through Central Asia appeared first on MENA Rail News.

Railnews

• Funding boost for trams, new stations and HS2 A funding boost of £18 million pounds is to pay for improvements to Manchester Metrolink, which will include 12 more trams. The announcement came today as part of a £6 billion package of 'Growth Deals' intended to support and assist businesses and local authorities in the English regions.
• ORR identifies Network Rail successes and failures The Office of Rail Regulation has sounded a warning about Network Rail's performance between 2009 and 2014, saying that train punctuality was below target. However, the ORR has also praised many aspects of Network Rail's work in CP4, particularly a major enhancement programme which was carried out 'largely' on time and budget, with only one out of 118 projects being delayed significantly and 98 completed early or on time. The ORR has also highlighted investment in the freight network, improved safety at level crossings and good collaborative working with industry partners.
• Keolis wins new Docklands Light Railway contract Transport for London has awarded the next Docklands Light Railway concession to Keolis, ending a long-standing association with Serco.

Aviation Industry

• Etihad CEO calls for airline consolidationEuropean governments and airlines should embrace investors from outside the continent to strengthen its airline industry, Etihad Airways CEO James Hogan said. read more
• Air France rolls out private jet serviceAir France has launched a new private jet service for its La Première premium customers to connect onward from its Paris Charles de Gaulle hub. read more
• Rolls-Royce Trent family continues to broaden appealNineteen years after the Rolls-Royce Trent turbofan went into service, the engine manufacturer reported the Trent 700 variant is at its highest-ever production rate of 185 a year. read more
• Carry-on electric devices subject to extra checks in stepped-up airport securityPassengers may be asked to power up their carry-on electronic devices as part of stepped up security measures, the US Transportation Security Administration announced Sunday. read more
• Air China, Lufthansa expand strategic partnershipAir China and Lufthansa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to extend their existing partnership and form a commercial joint venture (JV). read more
• Norwegian posts high passenger growth for JuneAirline's direct long haul service to LA is launched
• US-bound air travellers face increased security checksDevices must ‘power up’ to be allowed on flight
• Branson calls for two new runways at Heathrow and GatwickHe says runways needed at each airport so UK can remain 'competitive'

Other News Sources

• Campaign to reopen Winchester-Didcot railway THE re-opening of a long-lost Hampshire railway has come a small step closer, following a public meeting.
• Eurostar delays as passengers are evacuatedHundreds of passengers experience heavy delays as they are evacuated from a broken down train in the Channel Tunnel.
• Network Rail’s £53m fine to fund free train wifiFirm receives record fine for ‘shortfalls in performance’
• Eurotunnel: Technical fault causes six-hour delaysTravellers told to postpone trips