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

Saturday, 19 July 2014

BBC News

• Could Birmingham end its car addiction?Could kayaks be the answer?
• Road tunnels closed for second yearRoad tunnels through Birmingham City Centre close for six weeks for the second summer in a row.
• Islands airports report growthPassenger numbers at Scotland's regional airports grew by almost 8,000 during the last quarter, with island airports driving growth.
• Airlines change Ukraine flight pathsAirlines have been told to divert flights away from eastern Ukraine following the crash of a Malaysian airliner, amid allegations it was shot down.
• MTR wins £1.4bn Crossrail projectThe £1.4bn contract to run the Crossrail service through London from 2018 has been awarded to Hong Kong-based MTR Corporation, Transport for London (TfL) announces.
• Malaysia Airlines' future in doubtShares in Malaysia Airlines closed down 11% following the crash of flight MH17 on route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, raising questions about the airline's future.

Financial Times

• Twin blow worsens Malaysia Airlines woesThe downing of another Malaysia Airlines jetliner puts carrier’s reputation and finances at risk only four months after the disappearance of MH370
• Hong Kong metro operator to run CrossrailMTR Corporation, which operates Hong Kong’s metro system, awarded £1.4bn contract to run London’s east-west Crossrail link, beating clutch of UK companies
• Airliner was flying in approved airspaceWhen it disappeared from radar, the aircraft was flying at 33,000ft, just above a 32,000ft ceiling the Ukrainian authorities set on July 14
• CBI questions Labours rail interventionJohn Cridland, head of the business lobby, has said the private market is working and asked: ˜What is the current system not delivering?
• Airlines face rise in insurance costsAnalysts expect fallout from Malaysia Airlines jet crash to be contained, apart from war cover where premium increases could be more pronounced
• Aer Lingus in quest for chief executiveUnexpected departure comes as Irish airline grapples with pension deficit, disputes with trade unions, and the issue of Ryanair’s near 30 per cent stake

The Guardian

• Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash: what we know so farFollowing new developments and global reaction overnight, here is a roundup of what we know about Thursday's crash in the UkraineFollow today's live blog on the MH17 crashAuthorities have updated the death toll to 298 people killed when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, near the Russian border, to include three infants not counted earlier.A strong smell of aviation fuel and burnt rubber hung in the air as dozens of pro-Russia separatist fighters milled around to control access to the area in which workers from the emergency services were sifting through the wreckage. So...

The Independent

• Boris Johnson: Oxford Street being the most polluted street in the world is 'bollocks' London mayor Boris Johnson has dismissed research conducted by King's College London which found that Oxford Street has the world's highest levels of pollutant nitrogen dioxide, saying the idea it is the most polluted street in the world is a
• Crossrail contract worth £1.4bn handed to Hong Kong firm A Hong Kong firm has been awarded the £1.4 billion contract to run Crossrail.

Reuters News

• MTR Corp wins 1.4 billion pound deal to run London's CrossrailLONDON (Reuters) - Transport for London (TfL) said on Friday it had awarded a 1.4 billion pound contract to run Britain's Crossrail rail service to MTR Corporation, the Hong Kong Metro operator.

The Mirror

• Live: Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash updates as British experts fly to Ukraine to join probe Father of British victim accuses President Putin of

Network Rail

• Euston station development to provide more space and choice for passengersPassengers at Euston can look forward to a bigger, better station with more shops and a wider choice of food and drink as Network Rail begins a £12.5m development of the station this month.
• Dauntsey Lock and Ladbrook Lane bridges are reopened to the publicTwo bridges over the railway at Dauntsey Lock and Ladbrook Lane have reopened to the public today, Friday 18 July, after work on both bridges was completed ahead of schedule.
• Birmingham New Street milestone reached as atrium roof begins to take shapeThe first strips of material which will cover the roof of the new atrium at Birmingham New Street station and allow the concourse to be filled with natural light have been fitted into place.
• Sun European Partners’ Flood to join Network Rail as non-executive directorNetwork Rail announces today the appointment of Sharon Flood as a non-executive director following the departure of Mike Firth. Ms Flood, 49, brings with her extensive financial experience having previously served as finance director for John Lewis department stores for five years.
• Baroness Kramer officially opens James Cook stationMinister of State for Transport, Baroness Kramer, has officially opened a new £2.2m Tees Valley rail station that is vital to the area’s transport infrastructure.

Birmingham Post

• National Express loses out on £1.4bn Crossrail tenderBirmingham transport group remains upbeat about future projects after 'disappointing' decision
• Birmingham Cycle Revolution tells business leaders to get on their bikes Birmingham City Council and BPS hosted a business breakfast at The Library of Birmingham.

London Evening Standard

• Six passengers injured and hundreds evacuated from pleasure cruiser after it crashes into barge on River Thames Six people were injured as a pleasure cruiser dramatically collided with a barge on the Thames today.
• London buses will be unable to break speed limit in drive to improve road safety Some of London buses will be unable to break the speed limit in a bid to improve road safety in a trial to start next year.
• Hong Kong firm is awarded the £1.4bn contract to run Crossrail Hong Kong rail experts MTR were today awarded the £1.4 billion contract to operate Crossrail services when the line opens in 2018.
• Network Rail bosses set to pick up thousands in bonuses despite £53m fine for late trains Bosses at Network Rail (NR) are set to receive bonuses worth thousands of pounds a year just days after the company was fined £53 million for failing to meet punctuality targets.

Manchester Evening News

• 'The next stop is Trafford Bard' - Commuters get Shakespearean surprise on MetrolinkTudor costume-clad thespians were spotted on Metrolink trams in Chorlton

Northern Echo

• Transport Minister officially opens railway station at James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough IMPROVEMENTS to rail links across the Tees Valley were on track at the official opening of a new £2.2m railway station by Transport Minister Baroness Susan Kramer.

Sheffield Telegraph

• Have your say to improve the Hope Valley lineIf you live in or near the Hope Valley there is a strong possibility that you have used the Hope Valley Railway line.
• City cycle plan moves up a gearA 19 point plan to encourage more people to cycle in Sheffield is due to be stepped up a gear.

The York Press

• Rail firm apologises after waking residents with noisy work on tracks NETWORK Rail has apologised to York residents who were woken in the middle of the night by noisy engineering work without any prior warning.
• Sign up for free bike ride CYCLISTS inspired by the Tour de France’s visit to York are being offered the chance to go on a free guided bike ride this summer.

Other Regional Press

• Railway users must use busesPassengers will be without a rail service this summer as part of electrification upgrades to the railway line.

Bus and Coach.com

• Perryman’s takes final CheetahPerryman’s Buses has taken the final Vario-based Cheetah to come off the production line, bringing an end to a 30-year chapter for the model at Plaxton.
• Sliding scale for low-carbon supportCapital support for low-carbon buses should be awarded on a sliding scale, with more money being allocated to those vehicles with the lowest carbon emissions, according to a study by the Low Carbon Vehicle Partnership.
• Buses important for city centre spendingThe latest research from Greener Journeys reiterates the importance of buses to the economy.
• New TrawsCymru service backedA new bus service between Carmarthen, Lampeter and Aberystwyth will start on 3 August.
• £64million for sustainable transportThe Department for Transport is providing local authorities in England with £64million to support 44 sustainable transport schemes in the latest round of its Local Sustainable Transport Fund.
• Sapphire expands with three more routesArriva has introduced three more high-quality Sapphire routes.
• Johnson brothers mark 35 yearsJohnsons of Henley-in-Arden is celebrating this month as it marks 35 years of working together for directors PETER and JOHN JOHNSON.
• Glasgow Games bonusIn what looks like a move to avert planned strike action by its engineers, First Glasgow is to pay all of its staff a £120 bonus if they work all of their rostered shifts until the end of the Commonwealth Games.
• Mental health training guidanceA training DVD, One in Four, to help bus drivers deal with passengers with hidden mental health conditions has been produced by CPT in conjunction with the Department for Transport, Mental Health Action Group, People 1st, the Association of Trainers and bus operator Trent Barton.
• Micro-Hybrids for ScotlandFirst Scotland East is to take delivery of 27 Wrightbus StreetLite Micro-Hybrids.

Railnews

• Crossrail operator named by TfL TRANSPORT FOR LONDON has announced its intention to award the concession to operate Crossrail services to MTR Corporation (Crossrail) Limited. The £1.4 billion contract will be for eight years, with an option to extend to ten years. MTR operates the Hong Kong metro and is also a partner with DB on the present London Overground concession. Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: œThis is great news for passengers across the capital and marks a significant milestone in the project.

Aviation Industry

• KLM Offers Customer Service Through LinkedInEffective as of July 16, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines will offer 24/7 service via LinkedIn .
• Easyjet to 'lower fares' with Amsterdam base openingAirline to open Schipol base in spring 2015
• Aer Lingus CEO to step down in 2015Christoph Mueller to leave airline next May