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

Wednesday, 09 July 2014

BBC News

• Who, what, why: What's happening to wi-fi on trains?The UK government is promising to improve wi-fi connectivity on trains, while making services up to 10 times faster. What will happen, asks Justin Parkinson.
• A £100m bypass to ease congestion in Lincoln has been rejected by the transport secretary.The city's long-awaited Eastern Bypass was rejected by Patrick McCloughlin MP because of a lack of pedestrian access.
• Bike link targets tourism boostA bridge built between a Borders village and a popular nearby biking route hopes to provide a tourism boost for the area.
• Station works prompt traffic changesWork on a new station in Galashiels as part of the Borders to Edinburgh railway sees a new one-way system introduced in the town.
• 60mph motorway limit plan shelvedPlans to impose a 60mph speed limit on parts of the M3 and M1 motorways to cut air pollution have been shelved.
• Device check advice for any UK flightAll passengers flying into or out of the UK are advised to make sure electronic devices carried as hand luggage are charged before they travel.
• New plans for £40m London bridgeAn architect is being sought to design a new cycle and pedestrian bridge across the Thames under plans announced by Wandsworth Council.
• Easyjet announces three new routesNo-frills airline Easyjet announces three new routes for Scottish airports, starting from the autumn.
• Air France-KLM warns on profitsFranco-Dutch airline group Air France-KLM shares fall over 5% on Tuesday after it issues a profit warning.
• Rolls-Royce car sales up by a thirdEngineering firm Rolls-Royce sees a record 33% rise in luxury car sales in the half year to June compared with last year.
• Airport wildlife move 'to cost £2bn'Experts predict it could cost up to £2bn to provide alternative habitats for wildlife if a proposed Thames Estuary airport is built.

Financial Times

• Air France-KLM: extra baggageChief executive experiences queasy feeling after profit warning, but it is restraining the urge to increase capacity on competitive Atlantic routes

The Guardian

• Train contracts may not be best value, says National Audit OfficeDepartment for Transport 'sowed confusion' with handling of bids for Intercity Express Programme and Thameslink trainsThe handling of two big train contracts by the Department for Transport sowed confusion in the industry and potentially missed out on better-value alternatives, according to a report from the National Audit Office.T

The Herald

• Most drivers on A9 say they speedMORE than half of motorists driving on the A9 have admitted to speeding, according to a survey.
• Cycling boom for rush-hour routes in the north-eastCYCLING rates in the north-east have increased by more than one-third in six years, according to the latest regional transport figures.

The Telegraph

• British Airways climbdown over mobile phonesAirline abandons its hardline stance on security as it announces passengers whose mobile phone batteries are flat will be able to travel after all
• HS2 blight on homes 500m from lineHomes as far as 500m from the HS2 line could be blighted by the project but are not automatically entitled to compensation

This is Money

• Airline shares lose altitude as Air France-KLM issues profit warningThe Franco-Dutch airline giant blamed overcapacity pushing down prices, weak cargo demand and currency restrictions in Venezuela.

London Evening Standard

• New £40m pedestrian and cycle bridge across Thames may be named after sponsor A planned £40 million Thames bridge between Nine Elms and Pimlico could be the first in London to take the name of a commercial sponsor.
• Market Report: Airlines skid off course after shock warning by Air France Airlines were sent into freefall today after a shock profit warning from Air France.
• Super-wealthy help Rolls-Royce sales motor on Demand from the world’s super wealthy for fast, expensive cars helped Rolls-Royce Motor Cars glide noiselessly to a 33% increase in sales in the first half.

Sheffield Star

• Revised bus timetable for four services over summerBus operator Stagecoach is changing the timetable on several Sheffield services this month.

Sheffield Telegraph

• Sheffield festival-goers urged to use public transportOrganisers of Sheffield urban music festival Tramlines are encouraging festival-goers to use public transport to get to this year’s event.

Wales Online

• Spending watchdog rebukes the Department for Transport over new intercity contract that will supply trains for the South Wales mainlineThe National Audit Office said the department had 'created confusion'

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds bus firm launches upwardly mobile ticketing schemeThe biggest bus firm in Leeds has launched an initiative that is all geared up to suit passengers who like living life on the move.

Blackpool Gazette

• Anger at rail delay figuresA Fylde coast transport campaigner says there is an “unacceptable” lack of punctuality on the nation’s railways after new figures were released by the industry regulator.

Doncaster Free Press

• Robin Hood Airport link road cash boostFunding has been announced to complete a multi-million-pound link road that will slash journey times to Doncaster airport.

Other Regional Press

• Most London firms prefer Heathrow expansionA MAJORITY of London businesses (54%) would prefer Heathrow to be expanded, compared with 30% backing Gatwick.
• Jaguar Land Rover received almost 40 applications for every graduate job this year Company was among a string of big-name firms which reported a rise in vacancies
• Boost for Bedford as £23.5m work on bypass and new link to Milton Keynes due to start later this yearA new £23.5m scheme which will see Bedford's Western Bypass and a dual carriageway linking Bedford and Milton Keynes has been approved.

Aviation Industry

• Pilot Buys Pizzas for Passengers Grounded by StormA Frontier Airlines pilot treated his passengers to pizza when storms diverted a Denver-bound flight to Cheyenne, where the plane was stuck for a couple of hours.
• Etihad announces Google flight search partnershipEtihad Airways has announced a partnership with Google to display the airline’s flight schedules and fares on the search engine’s flight search tool.
• Virgin Atlantic pays out £47,600 in delay claimAirline settles after Huzar Jet2 ruling last month
• Ethiopian Airlines receives eighth DreamlinerAfrican carrier to add aircraft onto its Addis Ababa-Heathrow route
• Easyjet trials iBeacon technologyAirport navigation technology to ‘light the way’ for travellers