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

Saturday, 12 July 2014

BBC News

• £14k bus lane fines to be refundedJust 233 fines are to be refunded to motorists caught driving in bus lanes in Birmingham despite thousands caught in areas where signs were
• DfT in England geography blundersThe Department for Transport defends the geographical knowledge of its staff after several blunders appeared in an official announcement.
• Safety fears over A470 crashesA politician calls for government action over a stretch of road in Gwynedd after three people are injured in a crash which follows two deaths in recent weeks.
• Train fire halts services at stationAround 30 passengers are evacuated during a train fire at a railway station in Conwy.
• Rail stations sport fun Games signsScottish rail stations are given 'fun' new, sport-related names to coincide with the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
• Airport reaches passenger milestoneEdinburgh Airport announces that it has become the first Scottish airport to handle more than 10 million passengers in a year.
• VIDEO: Hidden waterways: Britain's lost canalsAt the height of the Industrial Revolution, thousands of miles of canals were built to transport goods and raw materials around the country.
• Farmer jailed for red diesel fraudA farmer described as the leader of a gang which organised and ran a
• Untaxed foreign cars 'cost millions'The government is urged to clamp down on untaxed foreign vehicles, as the RAC warns they are costing the UK millions of pounds a year.
• Lords committee launches HS2 inquiryA House of Lords committee launches an inquiry into the proposed £50bn High Speed 2 rail scheme, which could cut journeys between London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds.
• Motor racing on public roads planMayor of London Boris Johnson strongly backs the idea of more street races.
• Rail unions refused franchise reviewUnions have failed to force a judicial review into the consultation process for the awarding of rail franchises.

The Guardian

• London grand prix chances boosted as PM announces motor sport planA long-held dream by the veteran Formula One billionaire Bernie Ecclestone to stage a London grand prix have taken a step forward as David Cameron announced plans to ease the rules for staging motor sports events on public roads. Local authorities will be given new powers in the deregulation bill to open up public roads for motor racing and for events like the Isle of Man TT motorcycle race.
• Boris Johnson's indifference to pollution is killing usThe news that Oxford Street is the world's most polluted place comes as no surprise to those people who work in or visit central London. What will surprise them, however, is the scale of death caused by London's air quality.

The Independent

• Hopes leap for London Grand Prix: Cameron aims to open British roads to motor races Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button could soon be thrilling the crowds as they race around Parliament Square and accelerate up the Mall.

The Telegraph

• Forget high-speed rail, we need a Tube system in the north High-speed rail will play a key role in spreading growth beyond London but there is an even more compelling economic case to build a “mega metro” to dramatically improve transport links between Britain’s major northern cities. Next week, the Cities Growth Commission, which I chair, will publish a new report outlining the need for better transport infrastructure linking the former powerhouses of Britain’s manufacturing economy: Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds.
• British Airways owner IAG announces further job cuts International Consolidated Airlines Group is looking to axe a further 1,581 staff at its Spanish carrier Iberia in addition to the 3,100 already announced. The group, which also owns British Airways, said the latest round of redundancies would be voluntary. It said in its statement it had been one of the options discussed during previous negotiations on salaries and working conditions.

This is Money

• David Cameron helps F1 race specialists Williams put cars on roadsThe aim is to spin-off the cutting-edge technology developed for use on the Grand Prix circuit for use in mainstream vehicles driven by motorists on ordinary roads.

Birmingham Post

• Gallery: Snow Hill railway station through the ages Take a fascinating look at old black and white photography from yesteryear

London Evening Standard

• Boris Island Thames Estuary airport dead in the water after cost estimates soar The Boris Island airport plan suffered a potential death blow today as three reports said costs may soar billions of pounds above the Mayor's estimates.
• 'Driverless' buses and 10mph zone on Oxford St could be the future for central London Automated vehicles could cut the number of deaths and injuries on London’s roads by 90 per cent, a major study on the future of transport in the capital claimed today.
• Film tracks BMX stars from Peckham to the world championships A film following young BMX stars from a small Peckham track to world championship success is released today.
• Not going anywhere fast in the city Do you sometimes feel that your commute through London is taking longer than ever... and that there’s somehow even more traffic on the roads? You could well be right.
• Road test: Volkswagen Golf SV 2.0 TDI SE When is a van not a van? When it’s a Volkswagen Golf Sportsvan, or SV. Despite its name, there is nothing remotely van-like about this car, which replaces the Golf Plus; a taller version of the Golf hatchback.

Manchester Evening News

• Boy, 15, hit by TWO cars as he crosses road... then gets 'threatening' texts saying HE has to pay for the damageTeenager needed hospital treatment after being hit by two cars near Cineworld in Ashton. His mum says she was 'appalled' by the reaction of passing motorists. And then things got even worse...

Northern Echo

• Councillors agree to refund 60,000 motorists fined for crossing Lendal Bridge COUNCILLORS have decided to refund money to almost 60,000 motorists fined for driving over a North Yorkshire bridge.

The York Press

• Yachtsman found safe and well A Scarborough-based yachtsman is feared missing at sea after setting off from northern Germany last week.
• Electrification of York rail route could be in jeopardy, MPs warned RAIL chiefs have refused to guarantee that electrification of the line between York and Manchester will go ahead – warning that the cost is still unknown.

Wales Online

• 'Worrying' increase in road traffic collisions in South Wales over the past 12 monthsThe number of accidents across South Wales have risen in the past year, newly released data has revealed

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Big rise in traffic on M6 TollThe M6 Toll is on track for its 160 millionth vehicle as usage soars – as its boss today vowed that his road will stay in private ownership.
• £1.5m crash repair bill for West Midlands emergency vehiclesMore than £1.5 million was spent repairing emergency services' vehicles involved in crashes, figures reveal today.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• YEP reporter takes to the skies to test out a career in aviationBudding pilots will descend on Leeds tomorrow for one of the biggest careers events in Europe.The YEP sent a reporter on a flying lesson to see what the fuss is about.
• Bike thieves pushed cyclist into River Aire in LeedsA CYCLIST has condemned the thugs who pushed him into the River Aire before stealing his bike as he rode home from work.

Carlisle News & Star

• 'Outstanding' award for Cumbrian rally boss Malcolm Wilson Cumbrian rally legend Malcolm Wilson has received an award for his Outstanding Contribution to the Motorsport Industry during a special ceremony at the House of Lords.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Ipswich: Anger rises over fears of Orwell Bridge safety as speed limit reduction is delayedWork to improve road safety on the Orwell Bridge has been delayed – prompting anger from local politicians and the business community.
• Colchester: View’s wanted on Northern Gateway Development plansExhibitions are being held as part of a consultation into plans for a cycle park in north Colchester.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Nearly £1m funding boost for green transport in PeterboroughFriday, noon: A funding boost of almost £1 million will be used to encourage even more people in Peterborough to leave their cars at home and walk, cycle or get the bus.

Reading Evening Post

• Transport minister takes time to talk to Reading business leaderThe Parliamentary under secretary of state was a guest of Reading East MP Rob Wilson at his monthly Portcullis Club at Vehicle Weighing Solutions, in Caversham

Other Regional Press

• Disruption on the railways Railways in Oxfordshire will be disrupted by works next spring.
• Rail services in Weymouth on the right track as a tourism draw WEYMOUTH is welcoming a range of special day-trip rail excursions this summer providing an extra boost for the economy.
• Thousands sign petition calling for Thanet council to make compulsory purchase of Manston Airport An 8,000 name petition has been handed to Thanet council - calling for it to compulsorily purchase Manston Airport.

Other News Sources

• Road works to be carried out on M3 near Winchester ESSENTIAL road works are to be carried out on the motorway near Winchester.
• JV chosen for £600m Northern Line ExtensionBreaking: A Ferrovial/ Laing O’Rourke joint venture has been named preferred bidder for the huge Northern Line Extension contract.
• Aer Lingus appoints new Chief Financial Officer and new Chief People Change Officer Aer Lingus Group plc ('Aer Lingus' or 'the Group') today announces the appointments of Mr Bernard Bot as its Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Mr Federico Balzola as its Chief People amp; ...