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

Tuesday, 21 October 2014

BBC News

• Kissing men told 'get off bus'Two men kissing on a London bus claim they were shouted at by the driver to get off as it was
• Flights axed due to weather warningHeathrow cancels about 10% of flights on Tuesday, as strong winds and rain from the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo hit the UK.

Financial Times

• Airports sue RAF Northolt over expansionLondon’s military base is moving into civilian business to replace lost government funding
• US railroads struggle to collect cropsRail operators including Buffett’s BNSF are grappling with large harvests and shale revolution

The Guardian

• UK flights hit by severe weather triggered by Hurricane GonzaloHeathrow airport predicts disruption as gusts hit much of BritainThousands of UK air passengers face severe travel disruption on Tuesday after flights were cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain.Heathrow staff said 10% of flights with the 20 biggest carriers into and out of the London airport would be cancelled as the remnants of Hurricane Gonzalo arrived in the UK. Continue reading...
• Gay couple thrown off London bus for kissingTransport chiefs investigating incident where driver reportedly shouted: Its disgusting. Get off the bus at kissing coupleTransport chiefs have launched an investigation after a gay couple were reportedly thrown off a bus for kissing.Jack James, 23, said he and his partner were ordered off a number 89 bus near Blackheath in south-east London by the driver, who subjected them to a volley of abuse. Continue reading...
• Gatwick begins Ebola screeningPassengers from west Africa will be questioned and have temperatures checked before being allowed to enter UKScreening for Ebola has begun at Gatwick airport as of Tuesday, Public Health England (PHE) has announced.It will start in the north terminal, followed by the south terminal from Wednesday, then the St Pancras Eurostar train station later in the week. This expands the screening initiated at Heathrow last week, which is going well, a PHE spokesman said. Manchester and Birmingham airports will follow in the coming weeks. Continue reading...
• Total oil CEO Christophe de Margerie killed in Moscow plane crashHead of oil giant and three crew died when private jet hit snowplough during takeoff, say Russian sourcesThe chief executive of the French oil company Total, Christophe de Margerie, was killed when a private jet collided with a snow plough at Moscows Vnukovo international airport on Monday night.Tonight a plane crashed when it collided with a snow-clearing machine, said airport spokeswoman Elena Krylova. Three crew members and a passenger died. I can confirm that the passenger was Totals head De Margerie. Continue reading...

The Independent

• Ford unveils a car seat which detects when a driver is having heart attack A car seat which detects when a driver is having heart attack and is able to take control to bring the vehicle to a safe stop has been developed by Ford.

Mail Online

• Watch the amazing self driving car that can reach 150mph: Audi reveals first smart race car and lets it loose on track  The Audi RS 7 piloted driving concept completed a lap on the Grand Prix track in Hockenheim – at racing speed, without a driver.
• Britain braced for Hurricane Gonzalo as 75mph winds hit the UK Staff at Heathrow said that 10 per cent of flights with the 20 biggest airlines that serve the London airport had been cancelled after winds of up to 75mph battered the country. 

The Mirror

• Armed police called after furious passengers at Heathrow Airport confront staff during ten-hour delayTempers flared as hundreds of passengers were stranded by a mechanical fault on a British Airways Boeing 747 bound for New York

Network Rail

• Final section of work to start on GNGE lineRail passengers are reminded of just-under a fortnight of changes to train travel between Spalding and Peterborough as the next – and final - stage of investment to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line starts this Wednesday (22 October).
• Proposed solution to flooding at Cowley and Stafford bridges in ExeterNetwork Rail has today announced its preferred solution for tackling the problem of continual flooding at Cowley and Stafford bridges in Exeter. This solution involves the removal of three weirs close to the bridges to lower the water level in this part of the River Exe.

Birmingham Post

• Jaguar Land Rover's new engine plant wins national RICS award Car-maker's manufacturing hub crowned country's top regeneration project after beating competition from across the country

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail company's £7.8m investment on track to deliver service improvements between Bradford and London PASSENGERS on Grand Central's Bradford to London services will start seeing changes in the new year as the firm begins a £7.8m investment programme by revamping its trains and stations.

Bristol Live

• Favourite site chosen for new Portishead railway station A CONSULTATION into the preferred site for Portishead's new railway station has been completed – with a favourite location being identified.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Borders Rail line ‘strips residents of privacy’Angry residents living near the Borders Railway line have accused its developers of stripping them of privacy in their own homes. Houses at Hardengreen Lane in the Midlothian village of Eskbank are just five metres from the new rail line, and residents insist noise and disruption has stopped them going out into their gardens.

London Evening Standard

• Only two in five passengers will get seats on new London commuter train Just two in five passengers will get a seat on London’s new generation of commuter trains — highlighting concerns that standing is set to become the norm even on longer journeys.  
• 'My bus, my rules': What gay couple claim driver said before kicking them off 'for kissing' A gay couple told of their anger after they were thrown off a London bus by a driver who gave them a volley of homophobic abuse for kissing.

Newcastle Journal

• Labour's Shadow Transport Secretary says the A1 north of Newcastle may not be dualledShadow Transport Secretary Mary Creagh highlights 2006 study which rejected long-awaited dualling plan

Wales Online

• Arriva Trains Wales conductors to strike again over the dismissal of two union membersThe RMT union said the 48-hour walkout will hit depots in North Wales

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Controversial taxi app Uber sets its sights on LeedsTaxi drivers in Leeds staged a protest yesterday as news emerged controversial car hire app service Uber is planning to launch in the city.

Blackpool Gazette

• Airport’s failure cost £21mThe price of the failure of Blackpool Airport has been put at an astonishing £21m.

Other Regional Press

• ‘Thin end of the wedge’ - fears of more developmentBUILDING a new railway depot could create a dangerous precedent for building on Hayling’s seafront, it has been warned.
• Leeds to Manchester rail link through Huddersfield is key to economy of our region says influential think tankThe report, which has gone to the Department for Transport, finds that in order to support growth in our largest cities, transport links must be improved
• Work starts on vital rail link to Swanage A heritage railway has made an important step in its move to run regular trains to the main line.

Aviation Industry

• CEO: Air France recovering from pilot strikesAir France-KLM Group said the recent 10-day pilot strikes have cost the company around €350 million ($447 million) in the third quarter. read more
• Lufthansa strike extended to long-haul flightsGerman carrier cancels services ahead of latest stoppage
• Indian airlines face US safety auditUS aviation authorities will inspect Indian carriers later this year
• Delta and Virgin to increase transatlantic capacityJoint venture partners will continue to grow UK-US services this winter

Other News Sources

• Update of signal box - Deeping St James A big Thankyou to all for your support so far We have save the signal box
• Ebola screenings begin at Gatwick Airport Ebola screenings will start at Gatwick Airport tomorrow. 21/10