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

Friday, 17 July 2015

BBC News

• Aer Lingus takeover gets green lightAer Lingus shareholders give the green light for a takeover by International Airline Group at an extraordinary general meeting.
• RMT to discuss more rail strike datesThe RMT union says it will decide on
• Motorway speed cameras to go liveAverage speed cameras to be activated on some of Scotland's busiest motorways while work continues on a £500m upgrade project.
• VIDEO: Do electric cars suit everyday use?The technology in electric cars has been around for a few years, but concerns about range and price prevented many people from taking them seriously, John Maguire took one for a spin.

Department for Transport

• Lord Adonis joins HS2 Ltd Board as new non-executive memberLord Adonis appointed as a non-executive board member of HS2 Ltd.
• Maritime Growth Study evidence published to boost British competitivenessShipping Minister Robert Goodwill welcomes milestone as major report continues into Britain’s maritime industries.
• Transport minister opens new M1 road link to boost Bedfordshire economyJunction improvement and new road will improve journeys to Luton Airport and local area.

The Guardian

• Rail workers four seconds away from being hit by 98mph trainInvestigation into near miss found incident was largely caused by human error, as group had no warning of approaching train from colleague on lookout
• HS2 chief hits out at 'unjust' division of rail assets between north and southHigh-speed rail project's chairman Sir David Higgins says north of England is often shortchanged and given crappy hand-me-down trains. Britain has lacked, according to mild-mannered Sir David Higgins, a proper sense of outrage. Not the kind of anger that anti-HS2 protesters vent at the £50bn high-speed rail project Higgins leads, but outrage at the injustice that sees one half of the country routinely look down upon the poorer. The chairman of HS2 Ltd, whose CV includes running Network Rail and heading the Olympic Delivery Authority, says doom-mongering over high-speed rail brings ba...

The Telegraph

• Man caught taking Britain's fastest ever selfie in sports car at 100mphBusinessman Fred Randles filmed himself racing a sports car around country lanes at 100mph - whilst taking Britain's fastest ever selfie

The Mirror

• Commuters 'laugh after first class passengers told they can take standard class ticket holders' seats following train fault'Will Guyatt claims he was travelling home with First Great Western when a carriage in the first class part of the train broke down

Birmingham Post

• Plans in for new M42 motorway services Region's next services near Birmingham Airport could be open by the end of 2017 and are expected to attract 80,000 vehicles a week

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bid to cut danger on the railway lines now school's out SUMMER holidays spell fun for schoolchildren as they let their hair down for six weeks.

Bristol Live

• Rail campaigners: "Ditching Henbury Loop in favour of a spur shows lack of ambition" Transport campaigners have condemned plans to ditch the Henbury Loop rail link in favour of a spur.

London Evening Standard

• Commuters rack up £8m in charges in months for not 'touching out' with their bank cards Passengers using contactless bank cards have been penalised by almost £8 million in eight months after failing to touch out at ticket barriers.
• Special access: how you can cycle round London’s top attractions Would you like to get behind the scenes of some of London’s biggest attractions? Now’s your chance. Santander Cycles’ Summer of Cycling festival offers the opportunity to explore the Science Museum, ZSL London Zoo, the Thames and some of London’s most famous buildings in a unique way – by Santander Cycle.

Nottingham Evening Post

• JemmaPage published Hucknall jobs fair: Eco-friendly taxi firm Cloud Cars looking for...After retiring a couple of years ago, Graham Gibson found himself missing his working life.The 65-year-old, of Ruddington, decided to look for a job to occupy his time.The former financial advisor and teacher has now been working for Nottingham's eco-friendly taxi company Cloud Cars for the past 18 months.Mr Gibson, a taxi driver, said: "I got bored after my retirement.''My wife has her friends that she goes out with in her retirement so I wanted to find something to do."My boss knows...

Yorkshire Post

• McLoughlin under fire over Yorkshire rail electrificationTRANSPORT Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has denied Yorkshire voters were the victim of a con when key upgrades to the region’s railways were shelved just weeks after the General Election.

Crewe Chronicle

• New project offering free boat rides in Audlem The Overwater Wheelyboat Project is providing people the chance to set sail along the Shropshire Union Canal

Peterborough Telegraph

• New transport plan for Peterborough to be introduced - what would you like to see?More cycling routes, priority for buses and new railway stations could all be part of a new transport plan for Peterborough with residents being offered their say.

Other Regional Press

• West London projects benefit from Heathrow Community FundProjects to deliver gardening skills for young people and nature programmes in schools, to skills to a 'shoppa bus' service for elderly people
• HS2 should be buried regardless of cost or time says Cheryl GillanMP insists on tunnel despite being told it would be too expensive
• Stagecoach takes over First Bus operations in South Devon STAGECOACH is set to take over South Devon public services from First Bus after the two transport companies agreed a deal.
• Bus company claims Newport council could have saved 'substantial' amount of time and money on school transport NEWPORT City Council could have saved a “substantialâ€� amount of time and money on school transport if it had just given all pupils unlimited travel cards with Newport Bus, it has been claimed.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• New appointment at Port of TyneNolan Gray has joined the Port of Tyne as Business Development Director.  Nolan began his career in logistics and distribution with the Arcadia Group before moving into financial roles with Reg Vardy plc and HMV Group plc. A Chartered Management Accountant with 18 years of corporate experience, most recently Nolan was Finance Director at DeepOcean UK, where he managed the finance and supply chain interests of the business in both the UK and global markets. Nolan said: “My career with various national and global plcs has always been about driving value for the business and its cus...
• Transport minister opens new M1 road link to boost Bedfordshire economyJunction improvement and new road will improve journeys to Luton Airport and local area. Transport Minister Andrew Jones opened the remodelled Junction 10A of the M1 near Luton today, Thursday 16 July 2015. The new major roundabout connects the M1 spur to the important Airport Way and London Road routes. The scheme received £25 million government funding and will allow easier access to Luton Airport, reduce congestion, and open up future housing and employment developments in the area. During the visit, Andrew Jones also put the first spade in the ground on the Woodside Link road to m...
• Multi-million pound road safety improvements to make town centres safer for pedestriansThe Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) have today unveiled multi-million pound plans to significantly improve pedestrian safety in two town centres. Funding of between £2m to 5m is to be invested in both Tooting and Peckham as part of new pilot pedestrian town centre improvement programmes. The aim is to help redesign junctions, streets and pavements to make them safer for pedestrians and raise awareness of safety issues among all road users. The investment is part of TfL’s continuing programme to make the Capital’s roads safer and more pleasant for pedestrians,...
• FORS Operators 'Going for Gold'Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS) is pleased to announce that there has been an increase of 129% in Gold accredited operators since the scheme was rolled out nationally earlier this year. FORS is a national accreditation scheme that improves fleet activity through improving safety, reducing emissions and raising industry standards. FORS is graduated into three levels; bronze, silver and gold and operators who achieve the FORS Gold accreditation demonstrate exceptional performance in road safety, reducing emissions and a commitment to raising industry standards. The scheme now boasts 8...

Rail Magazine

• Extra trains for Great YarmouthCapacity boost for Norfolk coastal resort during summer season

Railnews

• ORR denies Network Rail 'split up' reports The Office of Rail and Road has denied reports that the rail regulator is calling for Network Rail to be divided into a number of regional businesses. The Financial Times has claimed that the ORR wants the change to improve efficiency, reduce costs and allow comparisons of performance by using benchmarking. The report has followed signs of turmoil at Network Rail, most recently when it was revealed that the NR Board was aware that the CP5 budget was not enough to pay for the full enhancements programme well before the election.

Aviation Industry

• Jet2 owner sees shift towards package holidays after Tunisia attack and Greek crisisPackage holiday firm Jet2holidays has said that trouble in some international holiday spots could actually help it build its business. Philip Meeson, chairman and chief executive of Jet2 and Jet2holidays parent company Dart Group, said:
• Munich Airport wins clearance for third runwayGermany’s Munich Airport has won approval to build a third runway after a federal court rejected the remaining appeals against it. read more
• Delta reports strong quarterly profit‘Significant’ fuel savings help offset weak revenue growth

Other News Sources

• New Treasury roads fund 'must cover local network’Contractors risk missing out on a major pipeline of work unless the government ensures its new roads fund is used to cover local roads, the MD of one of Britain’s largest highways contractors has said.
• HS2 appoints new finance chiefHigh Speed 2 has appointed Transport for London’s finance managing director Steve Allen as its new chief financial officer.