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

Wednesday, 13 August 2014

BBC News

• Airport-row Stanwell fights fresh Heathrow campaignResidents who opposed plans for a third Heathrow runway in Surrey before it was taken off the table are now fighting the airport's plans for an incinerator and car park.
• The North tunnelling to prosperity with HS3?It is a simple idea aimed at boosting the economy of the North. Dig an expensive tunnel under the Pennines and run lots of high-speed trains through it carrying commuters and goods between Yorkshire and Lancashire.
• Workington multimillion-pound transport hub plannedImprovements costing up to £3m have been proposed for Workington railway station.
• Northern Rail axes off-peak ticketsOff-peak train fares on some services across West and South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester are axed by Northern Rail.
• Troubled Serco makes loss of £7.3mOutsourcing firm Serco, which recently lost the Docklands Light Railway contract in London, makes a loss after
• Car hire prices 'unfairly vary'Drivers are being charged different prices online for the same car rental based on where they live in Europe, the European Commission says.

Financial Times

• Network Rail debt move goes off trackMinisters are exploring ways to reverse the accounting changes that will next month see Network Rail £34bn of gross debts added to Britain's national debt

The Guardian

• Serco chief says firm set for recovery after share price almost halvedThe boss of Serco said he was confident the sweeping changes he was making would restore the fortunes of the outsourcing firm after a disastrous first half, when profits plunged 59%.
• Heathrow and Gatwick bosses clash over rival expansion plansExecutives at Heathrow and Gatwick have clashed over rival expansion plans after both airports seized on record passenger numbers as justification for building new runways.

The Herald

• Airport's bid to win customers from west

Times Online

• Serco’s miserable year is capped by slide into loss [Subscription]It has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of a drive by successive government to privatise, or "outsource", a range of public services.
• French staff get on their bikes — for a small fee [subscription]Thousands of French employees are being paid to pedal to work, under a government plan to take cycling beyond the Tour de France.

Reuters News

• Fraport given building permission for Frankfurt airport expansionThe city of Frankfurt has approved airport operator Fraport's (FRAG.DE) building application for a much-debated new Terminal 3 at Europe's third-largest airport, the company said on Tuesday. Airport expansion is a hot topic in Europe at present. A long-planned new airport in Berlin has been beset with delays and accusations of fraud, while in Britain, Heathrow and Gatwick are competing for the right to expand.

Daily Express

• Join the Daily Express crusade: Hospital car park rip-off must endTODAY the Daily Express is launching a crusade to help the sick, the elderly and their families by calling for an end to unfair hospital car park charges.

The Mirror

• Trains delayed after reports of a NAKED man on the tracks A number of passengers travelling with Virgin Trains tweeted that a naked man was on the line close to Milton Keynes and Bletchley shortly after 4pm
• Rubber-necking motorists to be prosecuted for taking mobile phone pictures of motorway crash They will be charged with either driving without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other road users

Network Rail

• Update on the reopening of the Teignmouth to Smugglers Lane walkwayThe reopening of the walkway between Teignmouth and Smugglers Lane in Dawlish has been delayed until next week, after stormy weather at the weekend damaged the temporary works used to construct Sprey Point ramp.
• Batteries included: Network Rail begins on-track trials of prototype battery-powered trainBritain's first battery-powered train is being put through its paces in a series of on-track trials a move which could ultimately lead to a fleet of battery-powered trains running on Britain's rail network which are quieter and more efficient than diesel-powered trains, making them better for passengers and the environment.
• Investment to transform Hamilton Square stationHamilton Square station in Birkenhead is to be redeveloped as part of ongoing investment in the railway in Merseyside.
• Railway bridge maintenance means diversions in DarwenRoad diversions will begin in Darwen later this month when Network Rail starts essential railway bridge maintenance work.
• Next generation of London rail engineers start their training on unique Thameslink apprentice schemeAn unemployed teenager from Dartford is among 12 young people recruited from the greater London area to work on the government’s £6.5billion Thameslink Programme.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph published More women training to become bus drivers in DerbyshireTHERE has been an increase in the number of women wanting to drive buses following the introduction of a new apprenticeship by bus operator Trent Barton.The passenger carrying vehicle driving apprenticeship, at the company's driving academy in Langley Mill leading to a diploma, is resulting in an improvement in customer service and reduced vehicle accidents.Guy Gibson, Trent Barton's head of training, said: "In partnership with Access Training, we have been pleased to be able to help 43 of...

Journal Live

• Demonstration to make case for Hexham bus stationA demonstration is to be staged at Hexham today by opponents of plans to move the town's bus station
• The major transport decisions that could get the North East movingThe business case for North East transport improvements has never been stronger. Adrian Pearson looks at what we have won, and what we still need

London Evening Standard

• One in three wants Congestion Charge to be higher at rush hour One in three Londoners wants to see tougher congestion charging in the capital, according to a new poll.
• Bus driver investigated after seizing girl's bus pass and abandoning her miles from home Transport chiefs today apologised to a 16-year-old girl after a bus driver left her miles from home in the early hours and sparked a missing persons hunt by police.

Manchester Evening News

• Anger as Northern Rail axe numerous off-peak fares in Greater ManchesterNorthern Rail has announced that from September 8 off-peak tickets can no longer be used at peak times on certain services.
• Metrolink tram drivers facing daily intimidation, violence and vandalismMore than 1,000 attacks and vandalism incidents uncovered by the M.E.N. have led union bosses to call for action 

Sheffield Star

• Call to improve ‘woeful’ rail services between Sheffield and LeedsCity business bosses have called for major improvements to ‘woeful’ rail services between Sheffield and Leeds.
• South Yorkshire rail ticket prices to increase in peak-time changesRail passengers will see fares increase from next month as new evening peak time prices are introduced - with a commuter group claiming some tickets could more than double in price.
• Pacaage holidays to Isle of Man from Doncaster airportStaff at Robin Hood Airport are celebrating after announcing a deal with an international tour operator to offer exclusive package holidays to the Isle of Man.
• Sheffield bus lane will ‘sacrifice’ treesA furious resident says a new bus lane in Sheffield will cause an ‘oasis of greenery’ to be sacrificed.

The York Press

• Trainspotting tales recalled at launch event TRAINSPOTTERS who responded to the National Railway Museum’s appeal for tales from the tracks were at a launch event for the museum's I Love Trains Week.
• National Railway Museum submits plans for improved miniature railway THE National Railway Museum wants to put a new improved miniature railway into its south yard to attract more paying customers and boost its offer for model railway fans.

This Is Local London Network

• Will this train station be named best in south London? Mitcham Eastfields station is in the running for a Southern Railway award

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 court case dismissed by judge A COURT has rejected a Judicial Review challenge against HS2 - leading to a transport boss telling campaigners

Carlisle News & Star

• £3M TRANSPORT HUB PLANNED FOR OUTSIDE CUMBRIAN RAIL STATIONPlans have been revealed for a £3 million transport hub to be built outside Workington’s railway station.

Doncaster Free Press

• Train travel row goes on at Barnsley stationMore than 80 protesters gathered at Barnsley railway station yesterday to make their voices heard about cuts to free train travel for the elderly.

Londonist

• Contactless On Public Transport: Some More AnswersFollowing our recent updates from Transport for London about how contactless cards are going to work on the transport network, and how you’re finding cashless buses, we had some more questions about contactless that we realised hadn’t been answered so far. We got back in touch with TfL and can now shed a bit more light on the new payment system.

Other Regional Press

• Funding worth £75,000 will save two bus services in Bath Two bus services in Bath will be saved thanks to £75,0000 worth of funding from Bathe and North East Somerset Council.
• Doncaster level crossing closed over safety fearsA level crossing is to be closed down following reports of a number of near misses at the site.
• New crossing cameras will improve safety - Network Rail insistThe national railways authority says that the cameras will help clamp down on motorists who attempt to weave around the barriers when the warning lights are flashing.
• Teaming up to keep rail passengers on the moveWITH more than a million spectators flooding into Glasgow for the ­Commonwealth Games, keeping them all ­moving was always ­going to be a key factor.
• Scunthorpe to Manchester trains: Government promises to listen to concerns service will be cut THE Government will "listen very carefully" to residents' views on plans to cut the region's direct express rail link to Manchester, a minister has promised. Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, made the assurance on a visit to northern Lincolnshire
• Grow Heathrow squatters to be evictedEnvironmental activists squatting at the Grow Heathrow site in Sipson are set to be evicted on Friday. Bailiffs are due to arrive at Vineries Close anytime from 8am onwards. Around 20 people have been living in tents and dorm sheds on the proposed third runway site for just over four years.
• Passenger frustrations at Portsmouth’s park-and-rideBUS passengers faced major hold-ups at Portsmouth’s park-and-ride after a spike in demand.
• MP lobbies for a Bay transport tunnelDavid Morris, MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale is to lobby for a transport tunnel under Morecambe Bay.
• Rail users call for new links between Huddersfield and Calder ValleyPlea to Government over better regional rail links
• ‘Use bus or you’ll lose it’ – Stagecoach threat to Hartlepool residentsA BUS operator is calling on people to use a reinstated evening service or risk losing it forever after a disappointing trial run.

Aviation Industry

• Regus opens first business centre at UK airport Workspace firm makes its debut with lounge at Heathrow
• Indian start-up airline to be branded VistaraSingapore Airlines-backed joint venture due to begin flying in October

Other News Sources

• Network Rail trials battery-powered trainNetwork Rail has begun trialling Britain’s first battery-powered train on a test track in Derby.