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

Saturday, 18 July 2015

BBC News

• 'Strong case' for north Wales rail electrificationThere is a "really strong case" for the electrification of the north Wales rail lines, Chancellor George Osborne has said.
• VIDEO: Illegal u-turns to get off the M1Northamptonshire police release footage of motorists performing illegal u-turns off the M1 on to a slip road.
• Murder arrest over 'road-rage' deathA 34-year-old man is arrested on suspicion of murder after driver Don Lock was fatally stabbed after a crash in Sussex.
• VIDEO: Floods 'swept cars along' in AlythHeavy rain swept cars through the town of Alyth, in Perthshire, after the river burst its banks.
• Roads to close for orienteeringAdvance warning is being given of roads to be closed for the World Orienteering Championships in the Highlands and Moray.
• Osborne's north electric rail hintThere is a
• Motorway speed cameras to go liveAverage speed cameras to be activated on one of Scotland's busiest motorways while work continues on a £500m upgrade project.
• US prices up as fuel costs increaseUS consumer prices rose for fifth straight month in June, official figures show, strengthening the case for a interest rate rise.
• No sign of crisis says rail bossFormer Network Rail boss Sir David Higgins tells the BBC

The Guardian

• Flight MH17 crash anniversary – in picturesOne year after the plane was shot down over Ukraine killing 298 people, memorials have been held for the victims of the Malaysia Airlines crash Continue reading...
• More than 300 injured in train crash near JohannesburgParamedics at scene report ‘absolutely horrific incident’ after two trains collide in rush hour close to Booysens station At least 300 people have been injured in a train crash near South Africa’s biggest city, emergency services said. The rush-hour accident happened close to Booysens station south of Johannesburg as commuters made their way home for the weekend. There were no immediate reports of fatalities.Santi Steinmann, spokesperson for the ambulance and hospital service Netcare 911, told South Africa’s News24 website on Friday: “At this point in time, a total of 250 commuters have been a...
• Ryanair closes Denmark operation to head off union rowAirline in dispute with labour groups over wages and working culture to close Copenhagen facility, making industrial action technically illegalA showdown between hardheaded corporate culture and the Scandinavian ideal of consensus and equity comes to a head this weekend as Ryanair prepares to pull out of Denmark to avoid a trade union blockade.On Friday night Ryanair is due to close its base at Billund airport, which brings flocks of visitors to the nearby Legoland theme park, an hour before unions plan to launch a full-scale boycott of the airline over its refusal to adapt to Denmark’s genero...
• Man held over roadside stabbing of 79-year-old Donald LockVictim was involved in crash on village road near Findon, West Sussex, and was stabbed several timesA 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a pensioner who was stabbed after his car went into the back of another vehicle.Donald Lock, 79, from Worthing, was killed in what police described as a “frenzied attackâ€� after a crash on a village road near Findon, West Sussex, on Thursday night. Continue reading...

The Independent

• CCTV shows dozens of cars going the wrong way along the M1 This was the moment dozens of cars - and even a coach - risked their lives to avoid a traffic jam on the M1.
• VW camper van catches fire and almost brings M62 to standstill A VW camper van nearly ground a major motorway near Leeds to a hault, after it caught alight.

The Scotsman

• Three hurt after driverless Google car accidentGoogle has revealed that one of its self-driving car prototypes was involved in an injury-causing accident for the first time.

The Telegraph

• Free parking in town centres to save the high streetShoppers in small-town high streets should be allowed to park free, a minister has indicated, as figures show that councils are raising more money than ever from motorists. Marcus Jones, who was made high streets minister in David Cameron’s post-election reshuffle, suggested that small town centres could become “parking meter-free zones” in an effort to save shops from closure. The Government is growing increasingly concerned that punitive parking costs and fines are deterring shoppers from using their local high streets.
• Ageism in car insurance: do these cases prove insurers overcharge older drivers?These mature motorists may have an unblemished record but still faced hefty premium hikes. Telegraph Money investigates
• Let train companies compete on same routes to cut rail fares, CMA suggestsCompetition regulator launches a consultation on railway industry
• Tourist fighting for her life after being hit by tube train 'while looking at mice'The 18-year-old American suffered serious head injuries after being struck on a Central Line platform at Bond Street station
• Boris Johnson U-turn over Heathrow expansion resignation threatLondon Mayor Boris Johnson lowered the stakes in his personal campaign to block growth at Heathrow airport, saying he won't resign if it goes ahead
• Official: children will fight after 2 hours 37 minutes in the carThe Highways Agency said that typically children start to ask
• MH17: One year on, why the victims' families are struggling to copeAs memorial services are held throughout the world one year after Malaysia Airlines MH17 was shot down, the families of the 298 victims are still waiting for answers

Times Online

• Boris pushes proposal for Crossrail 2Boris Johnson will today push ahead with plans for a multibillion-pound rail link through London amid claims from business that the capital risks collapsing under the weight of its population.

Daily Express

• Scotland on flood alert: Downpours cause chaos – and even more rain is on the waySCOTLAND is braced for more flooding misery today after torrential summer downpours left a trail of devastation across the country.
• Flight scare as 'carbon monoxide leak' forces pilot to make emergency landingFOUR passengers were rushed to hospital after a suspected carbon monoxide leak on an EasyJet flight.

Daily Record

• Scots yob arrested and banned from airline for life after foul-mouthed mid-air rant at female crew member JAMIE Ferguson, 21, was arrested by Spanish police after hurling foul and abusive language at a female member of Jet2's cabin crew on Monday.

Mail Online

• Pregnant woman and unborn child killed in tragic car crash without wearing seatbelt An inquest heard how Sophie Williams (pictured), 20, was on her way back from a Valentine's Day meal with her fiance, Ben Morgan, 28, when strong winds blew an oncoming car into their path.
• Moment a motorcyclist is thrown from his bike after misjudging a corner The crash was caught on video by a truck driver's dashboard camera. Mick Ellis first caught sight of the biker when the motorcyclist overtook on a bend in Dufftown in Moray, Scotland.
• EasyJet plane's suspected carbon monoxide leak forces an emergency landing Four EasyJet passengers were taken to hospital after their flight from Manchester to Tel Aviv, Israel, was forced to land in Berlin, Germany, after a suspected carbon monoxide leak.
• M1 motorists including a bus performing illegal u-turns on the motorway CCTV footage collected by police shows how multiple cars, vans and even a coach performed illegal U-turns in the middle of the M1 in Northamptonshire.
• Don Lock killed in Findon 'road rage' attack died 'before he hit the ground' Don Lock, from Worthing, West Sussex, was killed on the A24 near the village of Findon, just before 8.40pm last night. A 34-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of his murder.
• Council to spend nearly £50,000 on a spy car to catch parents parking illegally around schools The spy car will be a Peugeot 108, fitted with cameras and number plate recognition technology. It will be launched in January and will tour all 340 schools in the country of Nottinghamshire.

This is Money

• Diesel cheaper than petrol in most European countries, AA data shows, with petrol under £1 a litre in some Experts at the AA said UK drivers will discover the 'holy grail' of pump prices – £1 a litre or less for petrol and diesel – when they drive on to the Continent this summer.

Network Rail

• Paddington station set for transformationRestoration and upgrade work will deliver better passenger facilities at the Grade 1 listed station.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Drivers warned of Keighley road closure DRIVERS have been warned that a main road in Keighley will be closed for resurfacing work on Sunday.

London Evening Standard

• I’d consider bus ban in parts of Oxford St, says Boris Johnson Boris Johnson has told retailers he is willing to consider banning buses and cars from parts of Oxford Street but ruled out full pedestrianisation.
• Woman hit by train at Bond Street 'leaned out to look at mouse on track' A teenager was today fighting for life after apparently being struck by a Tube train as she leant over the platform to look at mice on the tracks.
• Split your commute for your health - and your enjoyment Adrian Read lives in East Dulwich and regularly uses Santander Cycles as part of his morning and evening commute.
• Irate driver 'locked in car park' films video to shame council over 'tiny' signs A motorist furious with the council after being stranded in an east London car park has created a six minute film to shame them over "poor" signage.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Northumberland bikers urged to paint bikes yellow for Aviva Tour of Britain raceOrganisers plea for unwanted bikes to be painted yellow and red for a high-impact celebration of the Aviva Tour of Britain cycle race

Northern Echo

• Concerns over removal of street lighting in Consett A CAMPAIGN to improve safety on a busy road in north Durham is gaining momentum.
• Passengers take off for summer getaway from Newcastle International Airport A NORTH-EAST airport is preparing for its busiest weekend of the year with thousands set to take to the skies to begin their summer holidays.
• Locomotive named in honour of Wensleydale Railway Association A LOCOMOTIVE has been named in honour of a heritage railway organisation's celebrating its 25th anniversary.

This Is Local London Network

• Council urged to reject huge Greenwich cruise liner terminal A huge cruise liner terminal which will transform part of the Thames looks set to be approved next week despite condemnation from residents, community groups and even a neighbouring council.
• Vintage car display returns to Enfield Town centre A vintage car show displayed vehicles dating back decades is coming to Enfield Town this weekend.
• Richmond Park MP and Conservative mayoral frontrunner Zac Goldsmith has confirmed he will trigger a byelection should his party back Heathrow expansion.

Blackpool Gazette

• Selfish parking puts blind folk in perilFylde campaigners for the blind are backing a national drive to stop motorists parking on pavements.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 Ltd appoint Adonis to company board The man who first revealed plans for HS2 has been appointed as a non executive board member to the company tasked with completing the project.
• Community bus celebrates fifth anniversary A community bus in Risborough is celebrating five years of service after transporting over 100,000 passengers since it started.

Carlisle News & Star

• Woman with mobility scooter banned from getting on train at Carlisle A woman has told how she was left stranded and sobbing on a railway station platform after being refused access to a train with her mobility scooter.

Daventry Express

• Cycling club member devastated after bike used to raise £11,000 for charity is stolen by thievesA keen cyclist who has raised thousands of pounds for charity has had her bikes stolen just weeks before her next sponsored bike ride.
• Shock video shows drivers in Northamptonshire heading WRONG WAY down M1 slip road to beat queuesDozens of drivers who performed outrageous U-turns on the M1 through Northamptonshire to beat a traffic queue could face prosecution, police say.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Fenland victim of dangerous driver crash sends warning to motoristsA man left with serious fractures to his neck, ribs, pelvis and knee after a severe car crash on a Fenland road says he hopes all road users will think of the impact that dangerous driving can have on accident victims after the other driver was jailed.
• Return trip to former glory for stationA historic Victorian railway station will be brought back to its glorious best after years of being left derelict at the side of the tracks.

Other Regional Press

• Councillor to fund stolen ‘no cycling’ signs for ‘dangerous’ Northampton pavementPedestrians are in danger of being seriously injured by cyclists who ignore the law on busy a Northampton shopping street, a councillor has said.
• Police issue appeal for information after Stevenage town centre road rage flashpointPolice have issued an appeal for witnesses and information nearly two weeks after a road rage flashpoint in Stevenage.
• Long Hanborough station car park could add to traffic woes LONG Hanborough residents fear plans to build a new 400-space car park at the village railway station will add to Oxfordshire’s traffic woes.
• Major delays along the A40 and A44 as part of the road is closed off ahead of roadworks ROADWORKS on the Wolvercote and Cutteslowe roundabouts in North Oxford appear to have started in earnest several days early.
• Firms may have to pay £375 for every worker’s parking space A CHARGE on parking spaces owned by businesses across Oxford could be rolled out by 2019 under transport proposals due to be finalised next week.

Bus and Coach.com

• Smarter travel in Manchester
• First retreats in Devon with Stagecoach sale
• Go Ahead to operate two full-electric London routes

Green Miscellany

• Plastic roads promise fewer potholes and roadworksPlastic roads made from recycled materials promise to be smoother, greener and cause fewer delays according to construction firm VolkerWessels. Motorists and cyclists alike will welcome an end to the thousands of potholes that can make asphalt roads so dangerous. The post Plastic roads promise fewer potholes and roadworks appeared first on ETA.
• Electric aircraft to cross the channelYou wait over a century for an electric aircraft to cross the channel and then two do it in less than a week. In 1909 Louis Bleriot, Hubert Latham, Charles de Lambert and Arthur Seymour raced to be the first person to cross the English Channel in a powered aircraft. The post Electric aircraft to cross the channel appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• Banning lorries in cities not the way forward on safety, says FTAIn response to David Cameron’s apparent openness to examining the case for peak-hour bans on lorries in cities, the Freight Transport Association ...
• Ten year old left stranded after bus driver refuses to accept wet £10 note A TEN-year-old girl was left stranded by the roadside after a bus driver refused to accept her £10 note because it was wet.