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

Saturday, 11 October 2014

BBC News

• Ebola airport screening: Will it work?The UK is to begin screening some passengers who have travelled from Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea for signs of Ebola virus disease.
• Rail conductors hold 24-hour strikePassengers face disruption after conductors on Arriva Trains Wales rail services in north Wales hold a 24-hour strike from midday.
• Seaside rail posters go under hammerA collection of vintage railway posters is expected to fetch £9,000 at an auction in New York on Tuesday.
• Pupils compete in electric car raceSchool pupils design and build electric cars to drive in race
• Train firm offered new franchiseFirst Great Western is to be offered a new franchise which could last up to four-and-a-half years, the Department for Transport announces.

Financial Times

• National Express FD jumps to CrodaJez Maiden steered bus and rail group through rights issue

The Guardian

• Reality check: will 'Crossrail for bikes' bring gridlock to central London?London could soon be home to the longest continuous, substantially segregated urban cycleway in Europe – but lobbyists are raising concerns about the impact on congestion, pedestrians and businesses. Do they have a point?
• Cyclists v lobbyists: gloves are off in the battle for London’s cycle lanesBoris Johnson’s ambitious plans for 21 miles of cross-London lanes by 2016 could spark a transport revolution in the capital, but powerful City and business interest groups remain opposed
• FirstGroup wins Great Western contract extensionDfT confirms it wishes company, which lost ScotRail franchise, to run rail line for further four years after current contract runs out
• National Express loses finance director but FirstGroup poised to keep Great WesternContrasting fortunes for transport groups as National Express executive joins Croda

Times Online

• FirstGroup reverses run of rail losses [Subscription]There was some good news at last yesterday for FirstGroup after months of train franchise losses.

Lincolnshire Echo

• Work to start on Lincoln High Street level crossing footbridgeThe launch of work starting on the new level crossing footbridge on Lincoln High Street took place today.
• Lincolnshire commuters to have their say on railway policingPassengers who use the train in Lincolnshire are to be given the chance to comment on how the county's railways are policed.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• North East Combined Authority takes another step toward controversial bus contractsNorth East Combined Authority's transport committee endorsed plans for more control over bus services, which are bitterly opposed by companies

Londonist

• Video: New Bus Technology Spots Available Seats UpstairsEver wanted to know if there are seats available upstairs on a bus, without making that slightly awkward exploratory climb? Well, TfL is currently testing out a new piece of technology which allows passengers on the lower deck to see exactly how many seats there are upstairs — and where they are.

Plymouth Herald

• Government will talk to First Great Western about extending franchiseThe Secretary of State for Transport Patrick McLoughlin has confirmed that the Department for Transport intends to negotiate with First Great Western to run the Great Western rail franchise from next October until March 2019, with an option to extend the franchise for a further year.

The Shields Gazette

• Passengers group backs London-style bus contractsA PASSENGERS group has spoken out in favour of London-style bus contracts across Tyne and Wear.

Western Daily Press

• Bus stop's too small – but at least it's spelt rightBungling workmen have created Britain's smallest bus stop – which is only big enough for a car.

Other Regional Press

• Boris faces campaigners' wrath after Crystal Palace tram 'betrayal'BORIS Johnson has been accused of treating the people of Crystal Palace with contempt, after it emerged a much-promised tram extension has yet again been put on the back-burner.
• Kirklees Council wants to know if its 18 bus lanes are really cutting journey timesFears the lanes are just adding to congestion - what do you think?
• Residents react to Heathrow ending flight trials two months early A TRIAL of new flight paths that caused misery for residents across Bracknell and Ascot will finish earlier than planned following an outpouring of anger from residents.
• EU rules have derailed the direct rail serviceRESIDENTS of this area are right to be concerned about the future of the Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport direct rail link; however, few have thought to ask why the link is under threat. The answer is that the three traditional parties are using the usual "cost cutting" argument to mask an inconvenient truth!
• Structural damage 'worse than expected' at Middlesbrough Railway StationPeople can next week meet with the manager to discuss the situation
• First Great Western welcomes Network Rail apology after cancellations and delays to services to London Paddington this weekTrain firm First Great Western has welcomed an apology from railway operator Network Rail, after signalling problems caused hundreds of cancellations to services this week.

News from Europe

• Ministers discuss 4th railway packageDelegations asked to comment on need to open markets, transition and proposed measures for guaranteeing non-discrimination