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

Saturday, 27 September 2014

BBC News

• Emergency landing at Glasgow AirportA Dreamliner plane travelling from the US to Poland with 260 people on board makes an emergency landing at Glasgow Airport.
• Air France sticks to low-cost planAir France says it will develop its low cost airline, Transavia, within France, despite objections from striking pilots.
• Ford recalls cars with airbag faultUS car giant Ford announces it is recalling about 850,000 cars in North America for a
• Vauxhall warns over Corsa steeringVauxhall warns owners of 3,000 Adam and Corsa cars registered from May 2014 not to drive them due to a steering problem.
• Mobiles cleared for use on flightsThe European Aviation Safety Agency has cleared the way for airlines to allow passengers to use mobile devices on flights.

The Guardian

• The Petite Ceinture: the battle over Paris's abandoned railwayA unique 19-mile belt of neglected green space in the very centre of the French capital is sparking debate among environmentalists and entrepreneur around the future direction of development in the city

The Herald

• Jet in emergency stop at GlasgowA DREAMLINER jet carrying 284 passengers was forced to make an emergency landing at Glasgow Airport after a computer glitch left the crew fearing there was a fire on board.

The Independent

• TFL launches #HomeSafeSelfie campaign urging women not to travel in unbooked minicabs Transport for London (TFL) has launched a hashtag campaign to raise awareness about the dangers of travelling in unbooked minicabs.
• Londoners warned to be 'vigilant' on the Tube by Boris Johnson warns as MPs vote over air strikes in Iraq Boris Johnson has urged Londoners to remain “vigilantâ€� on the Tube and on public transport as Britain votes to join US-led air strikes against Isis in Iraq.

The Telegraph

• Women shouldn't have to celebrate getting home safe with a selfieTransport for London has launched a campaign, #HomeSafeSelfie, to encourage young women to publicly announce they've got home safe. Sadly it's missed the point, writes Radhika Sanghani
• Drivers a third less likely to pay attention while on the phone - even handsfreeDrivers' concentration dips just as much when using a hands-free kit as when pressing the phone to their ear, study finds
• Bizarre cases of driver distractionEating an apple, brushing your teeth or just sitting with your hands behind your head - all can earn you a driving penalty
• Rural areas lose 900 petrol stationsCompetition from major supermarkets will force more closures and leave rural communities in
• Vauxhall issues warning over Corsa steering problemVauxhall said that around 3,000 Adam and Corsa/Corsavan models registered since May 2014 had been manufactured with a steering system part that did not meet the company's specification

Daily Record

• Transport Minister Keith Brown and Dundee MP Stewart Hosie launch rival bids for SNP Deputy Leadership NICOLA Sturgeon yesterday stood down as SNP deputy leader as she declared herself as a candidate to succeed Alex Salmond as both leader and First Minister.

Mail Online

• European airlines relax rules to let passengers use phones during flights Cologne-based European Aviation Safety Agency has issued new guidelines that state passengers can use electronics, including phones and tablets, at any time on flights.
• I was kicked off Eurostar... for wanting an extra tea bag: Police called after buffet car bust-up Financial expert Daniel Confino was unceremoniously thrown off the Eurostar near Kent earlier this month after asking for an extra tea bag to strength his tea

The Mirror

• After commuter races Tube train between stations, wheelchair user takes on the challengeFour million people watched city commuter James Heptonstall beat the London Underground, so Anthony Ince decided to give it a go

Network Rail

• Technology broadcaster Maggie Philbin and Network Rail team up to show girls how tech and trains can lead to a great careerBBC Tomorrow's World presenter and technology broadcaster and TeenTech founder Maggie Philbin has joined forces with Network Rail to help dispel myths about working in IT and encourage more girls to pursue a tech-related career.
• Passengers to benefit from major investment for Brighton Main Line - but check before you travel this autumnA multi-million pound investment in the one of the country’s busiest rail lines is planned for this autumn, bringing new track, new signalling, better drainage and even a new footbridge.
• Update: Malton rail upgrade – reduced road closuresNetwork Rail is reducing the amount of times the road across the level crossing in Malton is closed during upcoming essential improvements to replace 2,410 yards of track in the Malton area.

Birmingham Post

• City filmmakers wade into cycling debateFilmmakers Michael B Clifford and Pip Piper who are behind a Birmingham-based movie have waded into a debate about whether a £23 million plan to revolutionise cycling in Birmingham is discriminatory.

London Evening Standard

• BA's 'business class only' service to New York is flying high five years on The last surviving “business class onlyâ€� airline service between London and New York next week celebrates its fifth anniversary, despite being written off as a massive gamble when it launched during the recession.
• Car journeys to take up to 16 minutes longer because of bike highways Car journey times across London will increase by up to 16 minutes as motorists make way for the Mayor’s £48 million cycle super-highway, according to official data published today.
• Putney Bridge reopens to road traffic two weeks ahead of schedule Putney Bridge has reopened this morning following a £1.5 million refurbishment.
• London needn’t fear us, says new RMT rail union boss Mick Cash The new boss of the RMT rail union today told London and the travelling public they have “nothing to fearâ€� from the militant organisation — but warned:  “The right to strike is a fundamental human right.â€�

Sheffield Telegraph

• Business rues airport’s lossBulldozers have moved in at Sheffield Airport six years after its closure - prompting a business group and residents to rue the loss of the facility.

The York Press

• Steam engine event is on track for train fans A LOCOMOTIVE that hauled trains carrying children on the first day of the Second World War evacuations of London will be among the star attractions of an autumn steam gala.
• York MP in bus aid pledge A YORK MP has sampled for himself what it's like to travel on the bus as a blind person.

Burnley Express

• Major work on Brierfield road/rail linksMajor work on both road and rail links in Brierfield has seen one of the town’s main thoroughfares closed – but it should be open by the end of next week.

Carlisle News & Star

• Possible rescue package plan for Cumbrian bus routes Bus firm bosses are looking at potential rescue packages for routes facing the axe.

Doncaster Free Press

• UKIP pledge to axe HS2 to save money at Doncaster conferenceUKIP has opened its party conference in Doncaster with a pledge to ditch the planned HS2 rail link, due to go through Sheffield.
• Consultation date for Doncaster rail proposalsOne of Doncaster’s rail companies has announced a consultation event in the borough.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Harwich: Ferry firm Stena Line warns sulphur directive will push up freight costsA ferry company operating out of Harwich has slammed a new directive on sulphur emissions, describing it as one of the largest negative political decisions taken since duty-free shopping was discontinued.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Strike action to cause Peterborough rail service changesIndustrial action will affect East Midlands Trains services including routes through Peterborough for a week from this Sunday (28 September).
• Bus passenger fell when driver forced to slam on brakes but got ‘no apology’A Peterborough bus passenger who broke her leg when a bus driver had to “slam on the brakes suddenly” is asking why Stagecoach has not had the courtesy to even apologise.

Other Regional Press

• Port of Dover will remain open today says Kent Police as far right groups plan blockadeKent Police says it is “prepared for a number of scenariosâ€� as far-right groups plan to blockade a port today.
• Tie a red ribbon to save signal boxProtestors in Deeping St James are this weekend urging readers to help stop Network Rail from demolishing a signal box in the village.

Bus and Coach.com

• Creagh backs quality contract bidsA commitment to extend a “London-styleâ€� bus franchising system to other cities by shadow transport secretary Mary Creagh has been welcomed by one of the areas considering the introduction of a quality contract.
• Key Cities calls for bus regulationA group of 24 English Cities has issued a Charter for Devolution in the wake of the Scottish referendum vote with a call for extra powers to regulate buses.
• Environment centre stage at Euro BusEnvironmental issues are due to take centre stage at this year’s Euro Bus Expo with a series of presentations and case studies taking place during the event.
• Fast route between Liverpool and ChesterA new express bus route between Liverpool and Chester has been launched by Stagecoach.
• Rally returns to Alton Towers in 2015The UK Coach Rally is returning to Alton Towers resort for the third year running with the 2015 event planned for 18-19 April.
• Front-mounted cycle rack trial plannedA Bath-based cycle campaign group is planning a trial of front-mounted cycle racks and claims to have had DfT approval for the process.
• More consultation on TfGM prioritiesA further public consultation is taking place on Manchester’s planned bus priority improvements in the city centre.
• £6.5million investment in CambridgeStagecoach is investing £6.
• Government backs Bristol’s MetrobuBristol’s proposed rapid bus network Metrobus has been backed with £34.
• Lothian signs up to access charterLothian Buses has become the first major Scottish operator to sign up to the RNIB’s accessibility charter which commits operators to improve their services for blind and partially sighted passengers.

Aviation Industry

• EU safety agency lifts mobile phone restrictions on flightsDecision means travellers allowed to leave devices switched on and in any mode
• Etihad unveils new livery designEtihad Airways has unveiled its new livery design which will be introduced across its fleet