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

Tuesday, 30 June 2015

BBC News

• New ferry strike closes French portStrike action in Calais leads to the closure of the port and the cancellation of ferry sailings from Dover.
• City centre trams halted for revampWork starts on the Metrolink in Manchester, suspending all tram services across the city centre for eight weeks.
• VIDEO: 'Radical change' after 7/7 bombingsLondon's transport bosses say
• Double-decker electric bus plannedA double-decker London bus powered exclusively by electricity will be tested in October, Boris Johnson has said.
• New airport boom puts London in the shadowsThe international rivals putting London in the shadows
• Grounded: UK airport expansion plansWhy can't we decide how to expand our airports?
• VIDEO: A better way to carry luggage?A young designer based in London has developed a new system that he thinks will change the way we carry luggage.

Financial Times

• Expand Heathrow to Show UK open for businessA third runway would prime London as the — not just a — global hub for passenger traffic

The Guardian

• Art on the underground: new project aims to electrify Victoria lineCalled Underline, it will incorporate the tube’s first dedicated music commission and a plan to improve one of the most unloved station exitsArtists and architects are to spend a year attempting to improve life for commuters and workers on the London Underground.On Monday, Art on the Underground announced details of a project celebrating the Victoria line, which was the first new tube line to be built across central London in 60 years when it opened in 1969, running between Walthamstow and Victoria. Continue reading...
• French ferry workers' strike shuts port of Calais for second time in a weekFerries were still running to and from Dunkirk and Channel tunnel had not reported disruption, but Dover-Calais crossings were suspendedStrikes by French ferry workers have closed the port of Calais for the second time in a week, blocking ferries on the main route between Britain and Europe. Ferries continued to run to and from Dunkirk, but P&O, DFDS and MyFerryLink services between Dover and Calais, the quickest crossing, were suspended. Continue reading...
• Meet the conductor: London set to trial first all-electric doubledecker busLondon mayor Boris Johnson announces the trial of all-electric bus on route 16 between Cricklewood and Victoria stationThe first fully electric London doubledecker bus will enter service in October, as transport authorities try to reduce the capital’s air pollution levels.Transport for London said the Chinese-built bus would be the the world’s first purpose-built electric doubledecker. Continue reading...
• Cross-channel ferries cancelled as striking port workers close Calais againCrossings between Dover and Calais remain suspended, with travellers advised to switch to Dunkirk ferries or Eurotunnel servicesFerry services between Dover and Calais remained suspended on Tuesday morning, as striking ferry workers continued their blockade of the northern French port.Unlike last week’s industrial action, which saw Eurostar and Eurotunnel also forced to cancel services, only ferry crossings are currently affected. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Ferries quango in bid to develop 'zero emissions' passenger vessel FERRY bosses are to seek European funding for the development of a

The Telegraph

• British cross-Channel ferry travellers face disruption again after closure of Port of CalaisThe closure comes after last week's disruption which saw migrants exploiting a wildcat strike and trying to board UK-bound lorries

Mail Online

• Airbus passenger jet came within 50 feet of a 'catastrophic' collision with a 'drone' A plane, an Airbus A320, and an unmanned drone came dangerously close to colliding in the skies above Heathrow as the passenger jet came in to land, safety officials have revealed in new evidence.
• Bugatti Veyron and Lamborghini Aventador race through the tunnels at Manchester Airport Filmed by a passenger in the vehicle behind, the footage shows a white Lamborghini Aventador taking on a black Bugatti Veyron - the world's most expensive car - on the A538 Wilmslow Road.

The Mirror

• Decision on whether Britain's new airport runway will be Heathrow or Gatwick to be announcedEven after the announcement he Government is expected to take months before deciding whether to accept the proposal
• Japanese bullet train suicide: Two killed after man sets himself on fire in packed carriageThe train, carrying about 1,000 passengers, made an emergency stop on its way from Tokyo to the western city of Osaka after smoke started to fill at least one carriage, fire department officials said

Birmingham Mail

• Revealed: How Brummie men are worse than women on the city's roads Figures show lawbreaking much worse amongst males

London Evening Standard

• Stop dithering on new runway for London, business chiefs warn Cameron Top business leaders today warned David Cameron to end the “ditherâ€� over a new runway or risk serious damage  to London’s future success.
• Fresh travel chaos in Calais amid latest bout of industrial action Brits attempting to return to the UK on cross-Channel ferry services are facing fresh disruption after the closure of the Port of Calais amid fresh industrial action.
• Passenger jet in near miss with drone as plane comes into land at Heathrow A passenger jet is thought to have narrowly avoided hitting a drone above London's busiest airport.
• World first as new zero-emission bus gets London trial The world's first pure electric double-decker bus is to be tested in London as Mayor Boris Johnson steps up the battle against the capital’s killer air pollution.
• Midtown's Cycle Vault: the safest place to lock up your bike in London If you commute by bike, you tend to have three main concerns: safety, security and smell. You fear dangerous drivers, thieves nicking your bike and being the office BO merchant — no one wants the desk next to Stinky Cyclist Steve.

Manchester Evening News

• Dogs on trams: Report to Metrolink says ban should stay amid risk assessment concerns over allergies and foulingThe law has been in place since Metrolink’s launch in 1992
• Highways Agency set to spend £1.5b on seven new 'smart motorways' across the North West regional road networkHighways England announces £1.5 billion plan

Wales Online

• 10 reasons you should catch the bus this weekTraveline Cymru is supporting Catch the Bus Week, aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of bus travel across the UK
• Up to £600m confirmed for the next phase of the Metro transport network for South WalesTransport Minister Edwina Hart will confirm that £600m has been identified for Valley Lines, but no decision yet on whether it will be tram or heavy rail
• How can cycling in the city be improved? Cardiff University calls on over-50s for their views Volunteers over the age of 50 are being recruited in the Welsh capital to lead pioneering new research

Carlisle News & Star

• State-of-the-art buses in Carlisle blasted by passengers Angry passengers say a new £3 million fleet of buses operating in Carlisle are not fit for purpose.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Commuter rail service from Stowmarket cancelled after train fault.A rail service from Stowmarket to London Liverpool Street has been cancelled this morning.

Other Regional Press

• Airport runway expansion: Will it be Heathrow or Gatwick?The Airports Commission is set to reveal its preferred option for increased runway capacity this week
• Plans for £12.5m transport boost in Headington PROPOSALS for a £12.5m package of transport improvements in Headington could see new cycle lanes, pedestrian crossings and bus lanes.

Airportwatch

• Catch the Bus Week - 29 June - 5 July 2015Catch the Bus Week is a unique and fun initiative to show people the benefits of taking the bus and a chance to profile bus services all over the country, which can hopefully lead to long term travel change. Britain has a valuable opportunity to harness the potential of the bus, to make the economy stronger, help the job market work better and to build a more inclusive society.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Govt urged to deliver rail enhancementsConcerns have been raised by the Freight Transport Association (FTA) that the government's intention to ensure the Network Rail infrastructure enhancement programme gets back on track could lead to vital projects being delayed.  The Department for Transport revealed that the electrification of the Midland Mainline and the Trans-Pennine route will be deferred as a result of delays and overruns.  FTA chief executive David Wells underlined the fact that the infrastructure enhancements are vital to make sure the UK is able to capitalise on rail for its freight transport needs. 

Rail Magazine

• Ian Allan dies at the age of 93Railway publisher Ian Allan died on June 28, aged 93.

Railnews

• Talks continue over future of Network Rail Discussions over the future shape, organisation and role of Network Rail are being stepped up, after last week's announcement that the government-owned company cannot complete the schemes set out for CP5 because costs are running above estimates. Fresh developments since the transport secretary's announcement on 25 June suggest that Network Rail has now become of the target of conflicting advice, as various parties in the industry jostle for position.

Railway Gazette

• Porterbrook unveils Pacer DMU life-extension demonstratorUK: Porterbrook Leasing has unveiled a Class 144 diesel multiple-unit which has been refurbished to...
• Knorr-Bremse to transfer production from MünchenGERMANY: On June 29 Knorr-Bremse announced plans to move 184 permanent and 118 fixed-term...
• Four bidders shortlisted for London Overground operating concession UK: Four bidders have been shortlisted for the next contract to operate London Overground services,...

Aviation Industry

• The Man Who Saved Southwest Airlines With A '10-Minute' IdeaBill Franklin was the vice president of ground operations at Southwest Airlines. In 1972, he implemented a new strategy that became known as the
• Delta Airlines: The Last of the Bad News?Cowen's Helane Becker and team look ahead to Thursday's traffic update from Delta Air Lines -and what it could mean for United Continental , American Airlines and the rest of the sector: Delta will report June traffic results and update 2Q15 guidance Thursday. The rest of the airlines will report next week.
• United Airlines partners with Brazilian carrier run by JetBlue founderWith Brazil poised to host the Summer Olympics next year, the country is about to get another big global platform from which to showcase itself. And the Olympics come just two years after Brazil also got a big boost from hosting soccer's World Cup.
• Airports Commission final report due on WednesdayHoward Davies to deliver long-awaited recommendation

Other News Sources

• Bus depot closure plan puts 80 jobs at riskFirst Potteries has revealed plans to shut its Newcastle depot from September.
• Rolls-Royce breaks additive record with printed Trent-XWB bearingRolls-Royce has produced the largest ever civil aero engine component using 3D printing, working with the new National Centre for Additive Manufacturing at the Manufacturing Technology Centre
• FTA calls for Budget fuel tax cutThe Freight Transport Association has called on the Chancellor to freeze or cut fuel duty ahead of Wednesday’s FairFuelUK event at the House of ...