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

Saturday, 25 April 2015

BBC News

• Changing the signals on Britain's railwaysIs there about to be a cure to 'signal failure'?
• Is Scotland a cycle-friendly country?Is Scotland on road to becoming cycle-friendly country?
• Boat boarded in North Sea drugs raidA boat is being searched at Aberdeen harbour after it was boarded in the North Sea on suspicion of carrying drugs.
• Harley-Davidson recalls 46,000 bikesHarley-Davidson is recalling nearly 46,000 motorcycles in the US because the bikes could stay in gear due to clutches that won't fully disengage.

Financial Times

• Cyber experts warn over railway securityNew technology being tested on trains could be vulnerable to cyber attack say experts

The Guardian

• Network Rail orders removal of NUS anti-Lib Dem postersNational Union of Students says it paid £8,000 for train station billboard space to highlight what it sees as party’s broken pledge on tuition feesNetwork Rail has ordered the removal of posters effectively urging voters not to back the Liberal Democrats.The posters show two clenched fists with the words “liarâ€� spelled out above the knuckles of each and the Liberal Democrat logo above the “iâ€� on the first. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Labour candidate stopped for alleged drink-driving at wheel of Maserati QuattroporteA LABOUR General Election candidate has been suspended after being stopped for alleged drink-driving at the wheel of a Maserati.
• In the saddle: Scottish cycling stars and school pupils get on their bikes to launch 2015 Edinburgh Festival of CyclingCOMMONWEALTH Games double silver medallist Louise Haston and her Team Scotland team-mate Kerry MacPhee were joined by 150 pupils to launch the programme for the 2015 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling.

The Scotsman

• Motorists warned of M8, M74 summer repair delaysDRIVERS were today warned of a “summer of cones and delays” on Scotland’s busiest motorways because of major repairs to the M8 and M74.

The Telegraph

• Hackers 'could hijack new signalling system and crash trains'Rail expert warns a new digital system aimed to make lines safer, could be exposed to malicious software, or malware
• Biker caught on camera 'planking' on motorway at 60mphDriver captures 'learner' motorcyclist attempting Superman stunt on public road

Mail Online

• Andrea McVeigh scarred for life a cyclist on pavement hit her in Southwark The cyclist was being hunted by police after he allegedly ploughed into pedestrian Andrea McVeigh in Bermondsey, south London, sending her crashing face-first into the pavement.
• Crying toddler removed from Transavia Airlines flight and met by police After setting off from Ben Gurion Airport in Israel, bound for London Luton, nineteen-month-old Sarina Aziz became agitated after cabin crew asked that she sit on her parents' lap.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Lorries to be banned from using rat run MOST heavy lorries will soon be banned from using the narrow main street of Laycock as a rat run.
• Details of road closures planned for Tour de Yorkshire ROAD closure signs are springing up on stretches of the Tour de Yorkshire route ahead of it coming to Bradford district at the start of next month.
• More than a third of cabs still fail random vehicle checks in Bradford MORE than a third of cabs are still failing random vehicle checks more than two years after Bradford Council introduced short-notice inspections, it has emerged.
• Bus drivers' strike in Bradford still on after last-ditch talks collapse THOUSANDS of commuters face travel chaos on Monday after talks to resolve a 48-hour bus strike in Bradford broke down.

London Evening Standard

• London Marathon: Road closures and how to get around on the day Road closures will be in place and public transport services reduced when 35,000 athletes take to the streets for the largest-ever London Marathon on Sunday.
• Police hunt for cyclist after 'hit-and-run' which left female pedestrian scarred for life Police have today released CCTV images in their hunt for a "hit-and-run" cyclist who knocked over a woman while riding on a footpath - leaving her scarred for life.
• Road test: Citroën C4 In the fiercely contested market for small family cars, such as the Ford Focus and VW Golf, you have got to be good to survive. More than good — brilliant.

Manchester Evening News

• Neighbours call for HGV ban after lorry topples over near nursery Fortunately, the accident on High Hill Road in New Mills didn't injure any residents, but the driver was taken to hospital

Northern Echo

• Cameron claims SNP MPs could force up air passenger duty SCOTTISH Nationalist MPs could help force up taxes at English airports unless their Westminster voting rights are curbed, David Cameron claimed yesterday (Friday, April 24).

The York Press

• Coppergate decision announced - York transport bosses face £387,000 bill - UPDATED YORK transport bosses have lost a crucial appeal over their fining of motorists who were caught on camera driving through Coppergate when barred.

This Is Local London Network

• Investigation launched after woman dragged under West Wickham train leaving her with 'life changing' injuries An investigation has been launched after a passenger was dragged under a train at West Wickham suffering ‘life-changing injuries’.

Wales Online

• Cardiff Bay parking scheme which cost £99,000 to put in place makes just £1,000They say new measures will be introduced to improve parking in and County Hall including asking staff not to park there one day a week

Bucks Free Press

• Police superintendent: charge drivers for petrol before they fill up A senior police officer says a change in mentality among petrol companies is needed to stop drivers from stealing fuel.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Monster trucks and acts set to star as Truckfest returns to PeterboroughThousands of people are expected to pour into Peterborough with the return of the Truckfest spectacular.
• Traffic lights to remain at West Deeping crossroads after floodTemporary traffic lights will remain in place at the West Deeping crossroads this weekend.

Reading Evening Post

• Wokingham level crossing closed on Saturday The Barkham Road level crossing will be closed in the morning on Saturday, April 25.

Other Regional Press

• Western Daily Press published Potential traffic chaos with this list of roadworks on the M32,...M32 Junction 1, Bristol: Resurfacing off networkFull southbound entry slip closure nightly from 8pm Monday 27 April until 6am Saturday 2 May. Diversion will be clearly signposted.A40 Huntley, Gloucestershire: ResurfacingConvoy working in operation nightly from 8pm Monday 27 April (Weekdays only) until 6am Wednesday 13 May.M5 Junction 10: Bridge repairsNarrow lanes with 50mph speed restrictions will be in place on the southbound carriageway until October 2015.M5 Junction 14 – 15:...
• Roadworks, congestion and lack of modern offices driving businesses from city centre ONLY one in 10 business bosses would choose to base their operation in Oxford, according to a new survey.
• Students blown away by supersonic car THE TEAM behind a supersonic car designed to travel at 1,000 miles an hour and break the world land speed record has been inspiring student engineers.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• NI transport remains car-focusedNew research from the Northern Ireland Audit Office has revealed that commuters are still more likely to use cars to travel to and from work now than they were ten years ago. The stagnation has been recorded despite a total investment of £1.1 billion in public transport between 2002 and 2014. During the period, rail journeys doubled, but bus journeys only rose by 1.5 per cent. A possible reason for this is the 20 per cent reduction in rush hour bus speeds recorded in Belfast, which is believed to be due to vehicles spending longer picking up and dropping off passengers. Train journeys ar...
• London airport police to use surveillance dronesPolice guarding London airports will start using drones for surveillance following a review by counter-terrorism officers. An 18-month analysis by the National Counter Terrorism Policing Headquarters, which helps develop police policy, found the technology could be
• Researchers: Wales perfect for driverless carsAcademics from Glyndwr University have suggested that driverless cars could be a good solution to the lack of public transport in many rural areas of Wales. They also claimed that the narrow, winding roads made an excellent location for testing the new technology to ensure its safety. However, driverless cars are unlikely to be available in the near future. Lecturer Barry said:
• Paul S. Winson Coaches see the ‘green’ light with routeMaster fleet controlPaul S. Winson Coaches, one of the leading coach operators in the East Midlands has ‘dramatically improved’ driving standards, cut fuel costs and  improved passenger comfort with the aid of routeMaster from AGM Telematics. With 30 coaches in the fleet, from 29 to 78 seaters, Paul S. Winson Coaches caters for a wide range of requirements including corporate, European group travel, holiday excursions and school services. 'We’ve been in business for 32 years', comments Anthony Winson, Operations Director, 'and as such have learned most of what there is to know about runnin...
• TfL boss criticises suburban rail servicesSir Peter Hendy, the commissioner of Transport for London (TfL), has launched a frank and scathing attack on the capital’s suburban rail services in an interview with Management Today. Mr Hendy claimed that Southeastern trains (which are not controlled by TfL) are “awfulâ€�, and likened their ticket inspectors to the Gestapo, before claiming that there was a “big philosophical differenceâ€� between the two organisations. Southeastern has consistently received the lowest customer satisfaction scores of any English rail operator. He also took the opportunity to criticise his counterpart at Network R...
• First sponsored London Underground station announcedThe Canada Water Underground station is to be renamed Buxton Water for the day of the 2015 London Marathon, Transport for London (TfL) has confirmed. The move is expected to generate £110,000 for TfL from the brand, which is also sponsoring the marathon. It is part of a wider bid on the part of TfL to raise £3.4 billion in non-fare revenue over the next ten years, and is supported by local Conservative officials. The temporary rebrand will involve changing roundels and station artwork, although the exterior signs and maps will remain the same. Information will be displayed to reassure passenge...

Rail Magazine

• Delays to rail services expected over Bank Holiday weekendNetwork Rail to carry out planned maintenance work

Aviation Industry

• British Airways and Avios unveil Apple Watch appsApple to launch product in the UK today
• India poised for business travel boomCountry's forecasted spend to hit double-digit growth next year
• Ryanair unveils Scotland winter scheduleNew routes including Edinburgh to Frankfurt and Santander
• Heathrow: 30 airlines waiting to use airportRenewed calls for swift decision on expansion

Other News Sources

• £5m Blackburn bus station now on target to open in June BLACKBURN’S long delayed new £5 million bus station will open in June, borough regeneration director Brian Bailey has promised.
• UKIP "battlebus" gets parking ticket FORMER SAS soldier Nigel Ely put his hands up to the parking ticket slapped on his UKIP “battlebusâ€�.
• County charity teams up with national car servicing and repair company to support volunteer drivers A CHARITY which provides transport to people in Leominster and Hereford has teamed up with a national car servicing and repair company to support its volunteer drivers.
• East Anglian Air Ambulance flies to new heights with the launch of its new helicopterEast Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) celebrates the arrival of its latest helicopter, the H145 with grateful thanks to the people of East Anglia whose incredible support makes this possible.
• The Air France App already available on Apple Watch!The Air France App for Apple Watch will be available from 24 April. As soon as the watch is connected to the customer's phone, they will be able to find useful information related to their...
• London’s Transport Commissioner to address FTA conferenceLondon’s Transport Commissioner, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, will be making the keynote address at the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA’s) Managing ...