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

Monday, 11 August 2014

BBC News

• Heathrow passenger numbers hit record high in JulyHeathrow said passenger numbers hit a record high in July as it reiterated its argument for expansion.
• Shottle railway station reopens to passengersA countryside railway station has reopened to passengers for the first time in more than half a century.
• Henley-in-Arden station £2m revamp due to finishNew lifts and a footbridge at a Warwickshire railway station will be working "early next week" after months of delays, London Midland has pledged.
• Yorkshire's Grand Depart Tour de France signs stolen as souvenirsRoad signs marking the route of the Grand Depart of the Tour de France through Yorkshire are being stolen as souvenirs, North Yorkshire Police said.

Financial Times

• Iranian aircraft crashes in TehranAntonov An-140 took off from city’s Mehrabad Airport and crashed immediately, reportedly killing 39 passengers and crew, with nine taken to hospital
• Malaysia Airlines seeks change of fortunesThis year’s double tragedies have left carrier’s future in serious doubt but it was already in financial trouble

Times Online

• Insurance bill is putting off young drivers [subscription]The number of teenage motorists on Britain’s roads is shrinking as the cost of owning a car becomes prohibitive.

This is Money

• Revealed: How 'discount' travel websites end up costing you MORE than buying tickets direct from budget airlines Service fees, taxes and charges for extra baggage are among the extra costs that hike up the 'bargain' prices listed on popular flight comparison websites.
• Struggling Monarch in talks with outside investors to raise £60m lifeline Monarch, whose roots lay in the charter industry, is seeking to transform itself in a low-cost leisure carrier focused on short-haul routes.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Reopening Caernarfon to Bangor train line 'would be cheaper than the planned £100m bypass'Ex transport chief says revived network would draw in tourists and boost economy
• A483 traffic: Missed weddings, events, and ferries on a day of roadworks misery - with more to come Motorists held up for hours by roadworks at the Posthouse roundabout that result in tailbacks for miles

Liverpool Echo

• Transport minister agrees to meeting with Liverpool High Speed Rail campaign backed by ECHOCase for superfast link right into Liverpool to be put to government

Manchester Evening News

• Our airport is landing new opportunities for region Andrew Cowan is chief operating officer of Manchester Airports Group and says the airport has been working hard to attract the airlines and destinations that north west businesses need

Nottingham Evening Post

• Bus companies join forces for new offerTWO bus companies have teamed up to offer passengers a free ride.
• Reader's letter: Beeston bus station plans are sheer fiascoREGARDING your story about buses terminating in Beeston being unable to use the new tram-bus interchange, I must express my disgust that Beeston will not be having such an interchange point in the centre of the town (due to the fact that there's no room for the bus station to remain in its present position).

Sheffield Star

• Call to axe HS2 in favour of reopening Woodhead line from SheffieldCampaigners fighting HS2 have urged the Government to ditch the plans and reopen a closed route between Sheffield and Manchester instead.

This Is Local London Network

• PICTURES: Cyclists brave the storms to take part in RideLondon event Thousands of cyclists have braved the storms today to endure the RideLondon 100 bike event.

The Shields Gazette

• South Tyneside MP tracking Siemens train orderJARROW MP Stephen Hepburn got on track for a major train contract set to create 300 jobs in South Tyneside.

Other Regional Press

• 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.
• Full steam ahead for rail electrification?The campaign to upgrade Calder Valley’s rail line has been given a major boost after it was revealed that the task force considering electrification projects in the North has confirmed that the line is now being seriously looked at by Network Rail..
• Letter: Why weren’t we consulted?I am writing to you with regard to the demolition of the signal box at Deeping St James.
• Relocation for Diss bus station in considerationSouth Norfolk councillors are considering relocating the main bus station in Diss in the hope that it could solve the safety concerns and practicality issues brought about by the placement of the current site.
• New bus shelter for Probus branded "the most dangerous" in the UKA RETIRED schoolteacher has branded a bus shelter being built in a village square as the "most dangerous in the UK".
• £160,000 boost for transportCounty Hall is to get £160,000 from the Government for projects to improve transport and tackle congestion.
• Parish discusses its priorities for transport planMembers of North Sunderland Parish Council are again highlighting the need for an improved link road from the A1 to the coast.

Bus and Coach.com

• First consults on Yorkshire BorismastersAs the public inquiry into a planned trolleybus route in Leeds drags on, First West Yorkshire has launched consultation on its plans to introduce New Routemasters – a New Bus for West Yorkshire - to services in the region.
• London takes electric MetroCitysFour battery-electric Optare MetroCitys are now in operation with London United on Transport for London route H98 between Hayes and Hounslow.
• Centro consults on Sprint BRTConsultation on a £15million bus rapid transit service in Birmingham has been started by Centro, the West Midlands PTE.
• Electric Versas for ManchesterThree battery-electric Optare Versas have been delivered to Transport for Greater Manchester for the free Metroshuttle services in central Manchester.

Other News Sources

• Car crashes into security barrier at Gatwick Airport A car crashed into the security barriers of Gatwick Airport in the early hours of this morning.
• Brighton railway pioneers awarded with blue plaques Two men who helped put Brighton on track to becoming a tourist haven have been honoured.