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

Wednesday, 16 July 2014

BBC News

• Ban on smoking in cars in WalesSmoking in cars when children are present is to be banned in Wales, the first minister announces.
• Spaceport Britain: 'No challenge is insurmountable'The UK's Civil Aviation Authority says the prospect of launching to space from mainland Britain is a practical possibility by 2018.
• Embassies fail to pay £82m road billForeign embassies in London have failed to pay more than £82m in congestion charge over the past decade, figures reveal.
• 'Heathrow City' designs unveiledAbout 190,000 new homes, parklands or even a factory could replace Heathrow Airport in west London if it closes, designs unveiled by architects show.
• 'Chronic' underinvestment in NorthLack of infrastructure investment in regional cities costs UK 5% lower growth a year, according to a report.

Financial Times

• UK space industry poised for lift-offMinisters want a spaceport in the UK by 2018, which would act as a base for tourists using spaceplanes and where commercial satellites could be launched

The Guardian

• Model railways: how to make co-operative train travel a realityThe Co-operative Party's transport expert suggests a co-operative rail model could end high ticket prices and bad service
• Space race: eight sites shortlisted for UK's first commercial spaceportBid to transform the UK into a leading space nation, with six of the proposed venues lying north of the Scottish borderNever mind Cape Canaveral, we could soon be talking about Cape Campbeltown or Cape Cornwall. Britain's own space race got under way on Tuesday with the announcement of eight sites that will now vie for the right to build the UK's first commercial spaceport.Plans to build a dedicated launch facility were unveiled at Farnborough airshow as an ambitious bid to transform Britain from a nation that has never seen a spacecraft launch from its own soil into a leading space nation. Co...
• Seoul by subway: 25 stations, 25 neighbourhoods in picturesSeoul's underground system is a great way to see firsthand the city's remarkable urbanist legacy, from royal tombs to markets and 'moon villages'. Join Seoul Suburban, whose book about Seoul's neighbourhoods is out now, for a tour by tube Why Seoul shows us the future of cities Continue reading...

The Herald

• Congestion a bigger worry than crashes Car drivers are more concerned about congestion than having a crash or breaking down, according to an AA/Populus survey.
• Airline unveils plans to launch new direct flights from Glasgow to Las VegasVIRGIN Atlantic will launch Scotland's first scheduled flights direct to Las Vegas from next year.
• Boom in cycling leads to big rise in journeysTHE huge rise in the popularity of cycling has resulted in an extra seven million journeys being enjoyed on recognised pathways in a year.
• Prestwick among six Scottish sites for a spaceportIT was once Scotland's only departure point for transatlantic flights, but within four years Prestwick airport could become Europe's space tourism hub after it was named among six possible sites in Scotland for a new spaceport.

The Telegraph

• Penalty for using mobile whilst driving could be doubledPatrick McLoughlin, the Transport Secretary, says he is considering increasing the penalty from three points to six

Mail Online

• Euro cash machines installed in 70 London Underground stations Travellers will soon find they can't buy a ticket from a manned ticket office on the Tube - but they will be able to get some foreign currency.
• Britain takes on SPACE: Potential sites for UK's first spaceport officially announced Six of the sites are in Scotland, including Glasgow Prestwick Airport and RAF Lossiemouth. Newquay has been selected in England and Llanbedr in Wales.
• Six points for using your mobile at the wheel: Minister's plan to double penalty for calling and texting while driving Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has said the death toll from accidents caused by motorists texting or making calls has prompted the crackdown.
• Welcome to Heathrow City: Architects reveal 190,000-home town that would spring up if UK's current main hub airport closes Three designs for the proposed redevelopment of the west London airport - if plans for the Thames Estuary airport are approved - include new park land, scientific research centres and self-build homes.

The Mirror

• This is what airplane seats of the future could look like - OUCH!If you thought the cramped seats of your favourite budget airline were bad, check out these skimped seat designs

This is Money

• Britain's new Mini named Auto Express Car of the Year 2014The car is built in Oxford with engines made in Hams Hall near Birmingham and body panels coming from Swindon.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Yobs who threw furniture, a brick and a bike from Bradford railway bridges 'put lives at risk' POLICE have warned that rail passengers could have been killed by a spate of incidents that included a three piece suite being thrown onto a rail line in Bradford.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New North Wales to Manchester train services launched in £1.2m deal Passengers and local businesses on the popular routes between Llandudno and Holyhead to Manchester and Birmingham to benefit

London Evening Standard

• Stansted airport turnaround sees Manchester Airports Group's profits get off the ground The turnaround at Stansted airport saw profits begin to take wing at owner Manchester Airports Group on Tuesday.

Sheffield Star

• Rethink on plan to run new Sheffield to Manchester railway line through woodPlans to build a new railway track through woodland to provide more Sheffield to Manchester services have been put on hold.

The York Press

• New £5 billion East Coast rail vision unveiled AMBITIOUS plans to boost York's economy by improving the East Coast Main Line will today be unveiled.

Yorkshire Post

• Eight sites in line to be 
Britain’s first spaceportSPACE TOURISTS could be blasting off from one of eight sites named as possible locations for Britain’s first spaceport in just four years’ time.

Blackpool Gazette

• Tram safety warning as teen taken to hospitalTransport bosses today stressed the importance of taking care around tram tracks after a teenager became trapped beneath a moving tram.

Carlisle News & Star

• Date set for Cumbrian airport decision STOBART Group’s £20m plans to redevelop Carlisle Airport are due to go back before city councillors on August 8.
• Aircraft landing sparks airport emergency A scare surrounding an aircraft landing at Carlisle Airport triggered an emergency alert.

Doncaster Free Press

• High speed rail college bid is given another boostThe bid to base a High Speed Rail College in Doncaster has been given another vote of confidence.

Other Regional Press

• ‘20mph speed limit will make us safer’ A FAMILY’S appeal to slash the speed limit on the road where their 10-year-old son was killed is a step nearer to success.
• £1m to get wheels moving with sustainable transport COUNCIL leaders have welcomed a £1m boost in transport funding to help improve links between major employment sites in southern Oxfordshire.
• Council awarded share of £168m of funding for pothole and road repairs to be spent by next March - including the new ‘volicity patcher’Central Bedfordshire Council had been awarded a share of £168million of government funding allocated to pothole and highway repairs - it will receive £592,075 to be spent by March 2015.

Railnews

• Railfreight terminal decision greeted with dismay Planning permission for a new railfreight terminal on the Midland Main Line near St Albans has been granted by the Government after an appeal, but the news has been greeted with dismay in the local area. Communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles has allowed the appeal by developers Helioslough, who wish to build on the former Radlett airfield site. One local councillor said it was a 'terrible day for St Albans', while the city's MP has forecast a possible judicial review. However, the grant of planning permission at Radlett has been welcomed by the Freight Transport Association....

Aviation Industry

• Buyers ‘concerned’ over info on devices after airport rulingFears raised over loss of proprietary info if devices are not allowed on a flight
• Baggage reclaim delays expected at GatwickStaff shortages at baggage handling firm

Other News Sources

• Boeing, Intrepid Aviation announce first 777-300ER order Leasing company places first direct Boeing order for up to 10 airplanes.
• Multi-million pound cash injection for Guildford's one-way systemAlmost £3 million of a £15 million pot will go on the town's gyratory, with around £4 million more to go on further transport improvements
• UK on track to miss carbon targets, climate change advisers warn Government's flagship energy efficiency schemes are found wanting in report by Committee on Climate Change.
• MPs get a taste of life on the trains TWO MPs took to the train yesterday morning to try out the London commute.