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

Tuesday, 11 November 2014

BBC News

• Firms' disability access 'unlawful'The government is writing to a string of high street chains urging them to improve after a BBC London investigation revealed a "depressing" failure to accommodate disabled people.
• Stansted Airport expansion 'would create 10,000 jobs'Ten thousand jobs could be created if Stansted Airport is allowed to accommodate an extra 10 million passengers a year, it has been claimed.
• Heathrow and Gatwick new runway costs 'underestimated'Plans to build new runways at Heathrow and Gatwick will cost substantially more than the bidders have estimated, a report says.
• Bus service cuts consultation startsBus service cuts are being planned in Denbighshire as the county council looks to save £17m in its budget over the next two years.
• VIDEO: Swan brings Heathrow runway to a haltA swan has caused a queue of aircraft at Heathrow, leaving passengers waiting while staff tried to escort it from the runway.
• Date set for Aer Lingus court caseA £20m legal action involving Aer Lingus and Belfast International Airport is due to heard in April.

Financial Times

• New Heathrow runway backed by commissionA new runway at Heathrow could deliver significantly greater economic benefits to the UK than at Gatwick, although all options being considered by the government's independent airports commission will cost billions more than previously estimated.

The Guardian

• Gatwick and Heathrow square up as airports expansion battle beginsAs the debate over new runways goes to public consultation, the choice before the Airports Commission is far from straightforward

The Herald

• Rail strike threat over toilet wasteRAILWAY passengers are facing potential disruption to services after the UK's largest transport union threatened industrial action over human waste being flushed on rail tracks.

The Telegraph

• The four myths politicians employ to keep airport expansion groundedFailing to act on our lack of airport capacity would seriously jeopardise the economic recovery
• Parties accused of lack of transparency over airports policyPressure is mounting on Labour and the Conservatives to spell out whether they favour expansion at Gatwick or Heathrow
• All change please: the rise of the run-commutersA new study highlights a three-fold increase in the number of employees swapping the commuter train for a pair of trainers, writes Rob Kemp

This is Money

• Heathrow boss John Holland-Kaye says he's relaxed about future expansion plans, so long as it is picked over GatwickThe boss of Heathrow said he is ‘relaxed’ about which of two proposals to expand his airport is chosen by the Government – as long as it is picked in preference to Gatwick’s plan.

Network Rail

• VIDEO: Brighton to London Bridge - stunning new helicopter footage shows improvements taking shape thanks to massive Thameslink railway upgradeAerial footage showing the huge amount of work taking place to improve journeys on one of Europe’s busiest rail routes has been captured by helicopter.
• Birds' eye view of London Bridge tracks lead to national photography competition winA striking black and white aerial image looking down onto people boarding and alighting trains at London Bridge station, which is undergoing one of Britain's biggest station redevelopments, has won the Network Rail Lines in the Landscape Award at this year’s Take a View’s Landscape Photographer of the Year competition.
• Lift off for improvements at Bingley stationNew lifts are providing improved access for rail passengers at Bingley station.
• Exhibition charting the railway’s role in World War One arrives at Liverpool Lime Street stationAn exhibition telling the story of the vital role Britain’s railway and its staff played in World War One is on show at Liverpool Lime Street station.

London Evening Standard

• Mayor met Gatwick Airport bosses after ‘Boris island’ plan was rejected Boris Johnson met Gatwick bosses to discuss aviation expansion shortly after the Airports Commission ruled against his Estuary airport plan, the Standard has learned.

Northern Echo

• Government urged not to skimp on A1 improvements THE Government has been urged not to skimp on long-awaited upgrades announced today (Monday, November 10) to the region's road network.
• Experts and politicians to debate future of region's rail network THE future of the region's rail network will be debated at York's National Railway Museum next week.

Wales Online

• M4 relief road: Welsh Government has already spent £12m buying property around controversial Newport routeThe Wales Audit Office is being asked to look into concerns that the Government has bought property along what is known as the 'black route'

Bucks Free Press

• Cyclists celebrate opening of new £500k cycle scheme CYCLISTS can now enjoy a safer environment in and around a South Bucks town after a £500,000 improvement scheme was officially unveiled this week.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Even a Manchester passenger is making the case for an upgrade to our rail linkEven a Manchester passenger has been making the case for a Norwich to London rail upgrade, transport secretary Patrick McLouglin has revealed.

Other Regional Press

• Lancashire drivers set to benefit from £39m road improvementsDrivers in Lancashire are to benefit from £39 million worth of road improvements over the next few years – with some significant improvements to the county’s motorways and major A road network over the next few months.
• Wheels in motion for bus campaign BUS users are on board a new campaign group to fight rural service cuts.

Aviation Industry

• Bombardier CSeries flight testing gains momentumThe first Bombardier CSeries airliner returned to flight Nov. 6 after its wing was repaired and engines were modified. read more
• Flybe signs codeshare agreement with Aer LingusDeal gives travellers access to transatlantic services on Flybe ticket
• Emirates and Starwood to launch joint loyalty scheme‘Your World Rewards’ allows members to earn points across both programmes
• Aviation sector worth £52bn to UK economyStudy finds aviation supporting almost 1 million jobs

Other News Sources

• A27 campaigners expecting upgrade CAMPAIGNERS are confident that plans to expand the A27 have moved a step closer following an announcement by the Prime Minister.