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

Sunday, 24 August 2014

BBC News

• Passengers warned of rail disruptionRail passengers are warned of severe disruption over the weekend between Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton, Stafford and Telford.
• London Bridge rail station closesLondon Bridge rail station partially closes for nine days for building work.

The Independent

• Ensuring safe passage for 500 years: The need for lighthouse operator Trinity House is undimmed in the modern world On a sunny August afternoon, the sea off the southernmost point of the Isle of Wight looks calm enough. The shipwreck map at St Catherine's lighthouse tells a very different story, though; the busy sea lanes to the south are dotted with wrecks.
• Continued rail disruption certain without urgent action, says reportBritain's crumbling rail network is not built to "modern standards" and is at risk of a repeat of the severe disruption of last winter unless urgent action is taken, according to a major new report being considered by ministers.
• Government facing four challenges in bid to tackle climate change, think-tank claims The Government should carry out an urgent assessment of how a rise in global temperatures will affect Britain's transport infrastructure, homes and energy resources, including pre-empting a repeat of the flooding crisis of last winter, a report by the IPPR think-tank proposes today.

The Observer

• As fares go up again, what do Britain's rail users get for their money?Before commuters have kissed summer goodbye, the chill winds of January's fare rises are blowing down the tracks. The latest inflation figures mean ticket prices will rise by 3.5% in 2015, more than double the rate of consumer price inflation and nearly six times as fast as growth in wages. It has once again raised the question of whether travellers and taxpayers get value for money on the railways. Just what are Britain's passengers paying for?
• Stop picking passengers' pockets and bring trains back under publc controlFor 30 years, privatisation of public assets has been portrayed as an easy win-win. The state gets a much-needed one-off boost to its revenues and the now privatised business gets all the dynamic benefits of private ownership. It will be more efficient, prices will be lower, subsidies reduced and a regulator will act as a long stop to ensure that the public interest is protected. What could be better than that?

The Scotsman

• Report reveals near miss between helicopter and jetA helicopter and a RAF jet came close to a “potentially disastrous” crash above a Scottish island, the report of an official probe released today has revealed.

The Telegraph

• Airline shares are still too turbulent despite recent gainsThe commercial airline industry was born on New Year’s Day 1914, when a single passenger paid for a 23-minute flight across Tampa Bay in Florida. One hundred years later, the industry is now global, but profitability remains on a knife edge. Are airlines simply too risky for the average investor?
• Cruise operator's first leap for outside crash River cruise operator Riviera Travel is embarking on a new journey as it looks to bring in outside investment for the first time. The Burton-based company, started by the entrepreneur Michael Wright almost 30 years ago, has brought in advisors from PwC after receiving approaches from private equity firms.

Daily Express

• FBI agents to guard UK airports against jihadi fanaticsDOZENS of FBI agents are to be posted at UK ­airports amid fears that Britain’s anti-terrorism efforts are failing to keep track of jihadi fanatics.

This is Money

• How to beat a rail fare rip-off Commuters and travellers have just four months to work out how to pay for train fare rises due to take effect from next January. Student Matt Evans has a 16-25 Railcard.

Manchester Evening News

• Aviation bosses monitor Icelandic volcano fall out as 'red alert' issuedIceland's Met Office this afternoon reported a subglacial lava eruption at the Bardarbunga volcano, which has been rattled by thousands of earthquakes over the past week.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Watch: North East bikers stage protest ride over dangerous car driversMore than a hundred bikers ride over the Tyne Bridge in protest over car drivers risking their lives on roads across the North
• Mr Justice: Ryton mum fights for her son after easyJet admit flights blunderAirline easyJet admitted responsibility for handing out wrong information about a cancelled flight from Belfast International Airport

Sheffield Star

• Bikers gather in Sheffield for justice protestMore than 300 motorcyclists took to the roads in Sheffield today as part of a justice and awareness demonstration.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds nostalgia: Station with rhubarb special came full circleIn the concluding part of his look at the history of Bramley Railway Station, Denis Angood tells how the station fell foul of Beeching’s cuts and how, years later, it was revived…

Sunderland Echo

• Dentist left in limbo for 10 years over new Sunderland bridge plansA DENTIST said his business in on hold as he lives under the threat of moving to make way for Sunderland’s new bridge.

Other Regional Press

• Final Year of Newport Vintage Car Rally VINTAGE car lovers across the country will be eagerly anticipating the 34th and final Annual Vintage and Specialist Car Rally in Newport this September.
• Trip of a lifetime for Newport world cycle duo TWO Newport cyclists are having the trip of a lifetime as they pedal 18,000 miles around the world for Cancer Research UK
• Virgin boss to name plane in honour of cabin crew member killed in road crash VIRGIN boss Sir Richard Branson has paid an emotional tribute to a Southampton cabin crew member who died in the Caribbean – by naming a plane in his honour.
• Roadworks are killing businessTraders in Preston’s Fishergate fear they could go out of business because of the major roadworks outside their premises.
• BREAKING NEWS: Sheep Street and Drapery reopened after multi-vehicle collision in NorthamptonThe Drapery and Sheep Street have reopened fully following a four-vehicle collision in the town centre, which involved two buses.
• York City fans planning charity bike ride to Northampton in memory of Cobblers fanA group of York City football fans are planning to cycle to Northampton in February as part of a tribute to a Cobblers fan who died after a match between the two clubs in January.
• Manston airport: US group RiverOak Investment Corp tell Airports Commission that Thanet airfield could solve UK capacity problems An American group which wants to buy Manston airport has told a Government-appointed commission the airfield could solve the UK's capacity problems.

Other News Sources

• Railway bridge work put back by six months to relief of residents Work to replace a railway bridge on the Farncombe/Compton border - which would involve closing a major road - has been put back by six months