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

Thursday, 07 August 2014

BBC News

• Queensferry Crossing reaches construction halfway stageConstruction of the new bridge over the Firth of Forth has reached the halfway stage.
• Debate over rail or tram system for south Wales [video]Should the electrification of the railway line between the south Wales Valleys and Cardiff be scrapped in favour of a tram system?
• New Belfast flights to LithuaniaBudget airline Wizz Air is to begin flights from Belfast International to the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius.
• Crossrail extension plans consideredProposals to extend Crossrail to Hertfordshire are to be considered by the government, the transport secretary is expected to announce.
• VIDEO: Fine threat over running enginesA council in north London has threatened to hand £20 fines to drivers who refuse to switch off their diesel engines while parked.
• China 'to punish' Audi and ChryslerChina says it will

Financial Times

• Q&A: Moscow set to squeeze western airlinesRussia is mulling retaliatory measures against international sanctions including a possible ban on western airlines using Siberian airspace

The Guardian

• The great diesel scandal: how cheap fuel is choking our citiesDiesel's popularity with motorists has surged, but its green image was an illusion. Now concern is growing over the damage caused by emissions, with children particularly vulnerableStand at a busy road junction on a bright day and chances are you will see it: a Wacky Races cloud of black smoke left hanging in the air after a car pulls away. These clouds are actually particles of soot partially burnt fuel from diesel engines and they are arguably the worst environmental menace facing city-living Britons and children in particular.Diesel vehicles have enjoyed a surge in popularity on our road...
• Cycle couriers: my life as one of the dwindling band of urban cowboysBike messengers were once the fastest way to get a document across a city until the arrival of email. Yet even today, in a world with superfast broadband, a few of us still eke out a living, writes cycle courier Emily ChappellEveryone says work was better five years ago. Five years ago they were saying exactly the same thing. Ever since I first strapped a radio to my bag, people have been warning me that the cycle courier is an endangered species. The internets been steadily chipping away at our workload for the last 15 years, and the recessions only made things worse.Over in the US, the cour...
• London gets 24 times as much spent on infrastructure per resident than north-east EnglandIn the week when George Osborne claimed he was championing investment in the north, analysis of spending shows that Londons population receive far more than anybody elseThe size of the investment gap between London and the rest of England was made stark by new analysis showing Crossrail alone is earmarked to receive nine times more funding than all the rail projects from the Norths three regions combined.Figures derived from a research report by IPPR, show Londoners receive £5,203 more per head on capital investment than people in the north-east a discrepancy sure to reignite a long...

The Herald

• Osborne warns of choice between welfare and big transport projectsGeorge Osborne has warned voters they face a choice between welfare cuts and major transport projects of the kind that could revolutionise the economy of the North of England.

The Telegraph

• Drivers hit by motorway lane closures all year roundSome major British motorways did not operate at full capacity on any day last year - and there are more motorway closures to come

Mail Online

• Sales of new cars speed towards a 10-year high: Number of vehicles leaving showrooms in July up by 7% as 2.45milion are set to sold this year  New car sales are now up by 10per cent for the year so far and on course for their best year since 2004.
• Order groceries on holiday... then pick them up at Gatwick: Waitrose plans ten locations where families will be able to collect food when they return home The chain says it wants to install the lockers in ten locations, including the long stay car parks at Gatwick airport terminals as well as London underground stations and other travel hubs.
• So THAT'S where your lost luggage ended up: MARIANNE POWER visits the auction house that sells off unclaimed airport bags - and finds far more than she bargained for If you’ve ever wondered what happened to that forlorn suitcase you saw going round and round on the airport luggage carousel, the chances are it came here to Tooting, south London.

Network Rail

• 'Orange army' continues its work at DawlishNetwork Rail’s ‘orange army’ is continuing to work hard at Dawlish to repair the damage caused by the storms at the beginning of the year and to put in place measures to protect the area against any future extreme weather.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Grand Central's London to Bradford service extended GRAND Central Rail has been awarded the contract to run trains between London and Bradford for another decade.

Manchester Evening News

• Aviation expert praises airport's 'perfect handling' of Qatar Airways bomb dramaAn aviation expert has praised Manchester Airport’s ‘exemplary handling’ of the mid-flight ‘bomb’ crisis - but warned costs will run sky high

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post published Do you want to try out Nottingham's new trams?Article

Sheffield Star

• Union protest planned at Sheffield railway stationCampaigners are to hold a protest outside Sheffield Railway Station tomorrow over fears Government plans for changes to services will result in job cuts and increased fares.

This Is Local London Network

• 'Norbiton gap' at train station to be fixed by early 2016, South West Trains says The gulf between the train and the platform edge has proved dangerous for passengers and especially the elderly, the disabled and parents with small children.

Wales Online

• Transport expert Stuart Cole on a Welsh Government transport success story in TrawsCymruSuccessful public transport business model, such as that of TrawsCymru and Bwcabus ,can achieve increased demand says Prof Stuart Cole

Yorkshire Post

• Rail service 'not fit for purpose'Yorkshire train services are not meeting the region’s needs and need a radical transformation, a top transport official has admitted.

Blackpool Gazette

• Rail campaigners in ‘carve-up’ protestCampaigners are set to stage a protest at Blackpool’s main railway station later this week over concerns at plans for the future of the Fylde’s two main train operators.

Bucks Free Press

• Confusion reigns after new parking system installed CHANGES to car parking in the district appear to be causing confusion as baffled motorists get their heads around the new system.

Burnley Express

• Shadow Minister slams Todmorden Curve trains delayThe Shadow Minister for Railways has slammed the Government for the delay in putting trains on Burnley’s new Todmorden Curve rail route.
• Bus fares rise after ticket price reviewFares on bus routes subsidised by Lancashire County Council have gone up following an annual review of ticket prices.

North Wales Live

• Peel Ports signs £100m deal with Chinese supplier of cranes for Liverpool2Executives travel to Shanghai to seal agreement with engineering firm ZPMC

Other Regional Press

• Date for Middlesbrough Railway Station car park full reopening expected this monthSome spaces - including disabled bays - are set to re-open next month :: Car park has been closed for completion of repairwork to arches
• Renovated Transporter Bridge gondola starting to take shapeTees Transporter Bridge’s distinctive gondola is enjoying a facelift as part of ongoing £2.6m works.
• Three-door London buses could hit Huddersfield streetsTransport bosses come up with bold plan to speed up bus services
• East Coast Rail boss on track for IoD AwardsYorkshire business people are among the contenders for top prizes in the Institute of Direrctors' natilonal awards

The Business Desk

• Rotala to continue growth strategy as H1 profits increaseBIRMINGHAM-based bus and coach group Rotala has said it will continue with its growth strategy despite a fall in half year revenue.

Other News Sources

• ‘Save our signal box’, protestors tell rail bossesThe fighting spirit that helped the Deepings community to scupper plans for the axing of their library has now been turned to saving a 19th century signal box.
• Uxbridge Says Boris Must Rethink Heathrow PlanBoris Johnson may have to re-think his views on London's airports if he wants to be an MP in Uxbridge.
• Network Rail ramps up weather resilience following UK floods The rail operator is developing new weather resilience and climate change adaptation plans for all of its routes following the floods that hit numerous services earlier this year.
• Station piano strikes chord with travellers AFTER a weekend in place the piano at Brighton station is still striking a chord with rail passengers.