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

Friday, 25 July 2014

BBC News

• Single carriageway speed limits for lorries to riseThe speed limit for lorries on single carriageway main roads in England and Wales will rise from 40mph to 50mph, the government has announced.
• 'Boris bikes' for New Forest to be discussedA public cycle hire scheme, similar to "Boris bikes" in London, could be introduced in the New Forest.
• M4 relief road paper not publishedWelsh ministers are criticised for deciding not to publish a document on the conclusions of a consultation on the planned M4 relief road.
• Bombardier: 1,800 jobs cut globallyThe aerospace firm Bombardier has announced a reorganisation that will lead to 1,800 job losses across its global operations.
• Alstom charged with corruptionAlston Network, a UK subsidiary of the giant French engineering group Alstom, has been charged with corruption by the Serious Fraud Office (SFO).

Financial Times

• Carillion in merger talks with Balfour BeattyIf deal is agreed it would create a £3bn construction giant that could compete for infrastructure and support services projects worldwide
• Fiat checks out Peugeot as partnerAny potential deal would bring together two struggling, middle-ranking carmakers with ambitions of becoming a strong, global player
• Iberia to cut another 1,400 jobsSpanish airline’s latest redundancies takes the total number of job cuts to more than 4,500 as parent IAG looks to drive through restructuring plan
• US and EU lift bans on Tel Aviv flightsRestrictions eased after review of situation on the ground as Israel takes steps to ensure security at its main international airport
• Air Algerie jet wreckage found in MaliParis says the aircraft has been ‘clearly identified in a state of disintegration’ after the Boeing MD-83, operated by Swiftair, disappeared on flight from Burkina Faso to Algeria
• EasyJet slips as outlook disappointsLow-cost carrier expects to grow full-year pre-tax profit 14% to £545m-£570m, slightly below analysts’ estimates, as it warns over capacity concerns
• Gatwick adds £256m sweetener to runwayWinning community support will be important to the airport’s efforts to secure backing for a £7.8bn second runway, rather than expansion at Heathrow

The Guardian

• Balfour Beatty and Carillion in £3bn merger talksHuge construction and services company likely to be created if boards recommend it decision must be made before 21 AugustA £3bn construction and services company is likely to be created after Balfour Beatty and Carillion revealed that they are in talks about a merger.Carillion, one of Britain's biggest support services companies with annual revenues of more than £4bn, made an approach to Balfour Beatty, which has been under pressure since Andrew McNaughton departed as chief executive in early May after just a year in the job amid a profit warning. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Warning rail safety compromised by cutsRAIL safety is being compromised because of Government cutbacks, according to a TUC report.
• Minister promises Scotland £3bn boost from high-speed rail HIGH-speed rail will benefit Scotland by bringing it closer to England's main cities, with an economic boost of £3bn, according to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

The Independent

• Cyclist films moment car crashes into him...and he lands on his feet For one incredibly fortunate London cyclist, it is not just cats that always land on their feet.
• London Underground is hotter than maximum legal temperature for transporting cattle Even with a bottle of water, a hand-held fan and minimal clothing, the London Underground at this time of year can feel like Dante’s hell.

The Telegraph

• Fareham named as Britain's most car dependent townFareham in Hampshire heads list of towns and cities in Britain where the car is king

London Evening Standard

• Commuters hit by 'brutal' heat on London's transport network that it would be illegal to transport livestock in Commuters are feeling the heat as temperatures on London’s busy Tubes and buses hit “brutalâ€� highs that it would be illegal to transport livestock in.
• Gatwick promises £256m in local benefits if second runway is allowed to go ahead Gatwick today pledged £256 million in local benefits if it were allowed to build a second runway.
• Louis Vuitton to open first airport shop at Heathrow French luxury brand Louis Vuitton will open its first European airport shop at Heathrow’s Terminal 5.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Siemens' jobs boost is the start of a 'rail renaissance', manufacturers claimA 'rail renaissance' is underway in the North East as parts for the new London Thameslink trains go into production today

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post published Transport link work beginsArticle

Sheffield Star

• Last chance to have say on Sheffield gritting cutsMore than 1,000 people have signed a petition opposing plans to cut the number of roads gritted before snow in Sheffield.

Sheffield Telegraph

• Support to help Sheffield reap HS2 benefitsThe Government has committed to working with Sheffield to help the city reap the full benefits of HS2.

Yorkshire Post

• Transport policy on fast track to environmental disasterAn article describes how two leading environmental groups claim a new runway at Heathrow or Gatwick would mean capacity being cut at Northern airports, to meet climate targets.

East Anglian Daily Times

• East Anglia: New rail campaign aims to build on work of task forceThe campaign to see major improvements on the main line between East Anglia and London is taking a major step forward today with a bid for widespread public support.

Plymouth Herald

• Plymouth's “poor” road links and “fragile” rail need addressing - Shadow Transport Secretary PLYMOUTH has “poor” road links and “fragile” rail links which need to be addressed – according to a top transport politician. Mary Creagh, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of Plymouth this afternoon as part of a fact-finding visit.

Sleaford Standard

• Two weeks of rail changes during upgrade to line to Spalding and PeterboroughRail passengers are reminded of a fortnight of changes to train travel in the Sleaford and Spalding areas as the next stage of improvement work to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line start this Friday (July 25). Fifteen modernised level crossings and 15 miles of new signalling will be brought in to use during July and August as rail engineers carry out the next phase of investment to transform the GNGE line which runs between Peterborough and Doncaster via Spalding and Sleaford.

Other Regional Press

• ‘Doing nothing is not an option’, leader tells transport meetingTHE leader of the county council addressed residents about his plans for the county’s transport system in the last of a series of public meeting.

The Economist

• The legacy of AttleeEVER since Britain’s railways were privatised under a Conservative government in the 1990s successive Labour leaders have flirted with the idea of taking them back for the state. Last week Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, outlined plans which edged towards part-nationalisation of the network.

Other News Sources

• Why Aren't Women Interested in Rail?As women we have fought for years for equality. We read constantly how as a gender we are striving to break the glass ceiling and change perceptions. But what if a whole industry was actively crying out for more female CEOs, managers and employees, but very few were accepting the offer?
• Bus boss leaves behind colourful fleet and a new attitude to passengersIt is all about the people as far as James Freeman is concerned and it is that principle which has helped Reading Buses become a multi-award-winning operator with an enviable record for customer satisfaction