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

Saturday, 30 May 2015

BBC News

• Cyclist dies after lorry crashA cyclist dies after she is involved in a collision with a lorry in London, on the same day a unicyclist is pulled from underneath a bus by bystanders.
• Planned rail strike talks resumeCrisis talks aimed at averting strike action resume as a dispute between National Rail and its workers over pay continues.

The Guardian

• Do 20mph speed limits actually work?Slower cars should mean fewer accidents and less serious injuries – but some studies show 20mph limits only reduce car speeds by an average of 1mph
• Clean, reliable and integrated: all change for neglected rail services in LondonTfL’s Overground network takes over routes from Liverpool Street to towns including Enfield, Cheshunt and Chingford

The Telegraph

• FirstGroup to spend £73m on green buses in boost to UK manufacturingFirstGroup is spending £73m on 355 low emission buses in what the transport company described as the biggest UK order yet for the latest environmentally-friendly vehicles.
• Gatwick threatens legal challenge if Government backs HeathrowThe boss of the West Sussex airport said that Heathrow expansion was "illegal" because it breached EU rules on air quality

Times Online

• Rival airports clash on pollution in battle over new runway plansBritain’s two biggest airports could be heading for a High Court battle after it was claimed that any expansion of Heathrow would be “unlawful”.
• Germans bid to run fastest London-Edinburgh trainsMore than 30 minutes would be shaved off the journey between London and Edinburgh under plans for luxurious tilting trains on the east coast main line.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Fault-spotting train causes 23 rail delays in 3 yearsIt is affectionately known as the “Flying Banana”, a special train packed with hi-tech equipment that tours the network checking for track faults.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Northumberland council terminates contracts with Howard Snaith bus company after court caseNotrhumberland County Council has terminated all its contracts with Otterburn coach company Howard Snaith after staff falsified documents

Burnley Express

• Tod Curve rail link ‘no benefit to Pendle’Reliability problems with train services serving Worthing was raised by one of the town’s MPs with the rail minister this week.

Doncaster Free Press

• Poor bus service is ‘unacceptable’, says Michael DugherAn MP is calling for an investigation in to poor bus services, after many local residents complained that they have been left stranded.

Lancashire Telegraph

• Electric trains bring a new spark to region’s rail linksElectric train services to and from Preston have led to bigger trains and more seats on some of the busiest routes in the North West, it was claimed today.
• Controversial £20m re-development of Rawtenstall town centre stalledThe new plans for the bus station and the redevelopment of the town centre as a whole were put forward by the Rossendale Together Barnfield Partnership.

Other Regional Press

• Reigate MP Crispin Blunt calls on Southern commuters to join work from home protestA WORK from home protest is organised for Monday in a bid to force Southern to compensate beleaguered commuters. Reigate MP Crispin Blunt has organised the day of action against the under-fire rail operator.
• HITACHI RAIL: Rail firm opens new office in Milton KeynesAn initial 25 staff, including the project team working on a new commuter train pictured for ScotRail and the company's Learning & Development division, are setting up at 500 Avebury Boulevard.
• Worthing West MP raises reliability of train services with rail ministerReliability problems with train services serving Worthing was raised by one of the town’s MPs with the rail minister this week.
• Crawley MP raises ‘unacceptable disruption’ to town’s commuters with rail ministerCrawley MP Henry Smith raised the ‘unacceptable disruption’ suffered by the town’s commuters recently with the rail minister this week.
• Residents to be consulted on location of new Telford town centre bus station Telford & Wrekin Council and bus company Arriva Midlands are to consult local residents next week on plans for a new bus station in Telford town centre.

Other News Sources

• Doncaster rail college ‘crucial’ to HS2 schemeA new rail college in Doncaster will be key to ensuring the planned HS2 high-speed rail link is a success.
• Volvo Electric Bus Gets Cute Short Film About LoveA new short film from Volvo showcasing the many advantages of electric buses — dubbed “Route 55″ — was recently unveiled. For those who don’t know, Volvo is currently involved in the ElectriCity Project, an electric bus pilot program in the Swedish city of Gothenburg. Hence the new short film showing off some of the potential of electric buses.
• Silver service Sevenoaks bus set to launch complete with leather seats and wi-fiSevenoaks' poshest bus service is about to launch with a glamorous champagne reception. With two-tone leather seats and wi-fi, the new "silver service" 401, which travels between Westerham and Sevenoaks, has been given a £100,000 investment and will feature Betty Boop at the rear
• First announce £5m investment in 22 new South Yorkshire busesBus passengers will travel in style after a major South Yorkshire operator announced a £5million investment in new vehicles.
• Govan bus station to be movedTHE bus station at Govan will close on Sunday to allow work to be carried out for the new Fastlink bus service.