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

Thursday, 20 August 2015

BBC News

• Rail electrification plans delayedA move to electrify the railway line between Preston and Blackpool is delayed after the main contractor pulls out of the project.
• Driver caught doing 157mph on A roadA man is banned from driving after being caught travelling at 157mph on a dual carriageway.
• 'Golden ticket' for Borders RailwaySchoolchildren in the Borders could win a
• Charge after Aston Martin 'keyed'A man is charged after a £100,000 Aston Martin was allegedly
• Plane Stupid activists deny trespassThirteen climate change activists plead not guilty to charges of trespassing on Heathrow's north runway on July 13.
• Plans for cycle highway unveiledPlans for a new cycle highway that would include a separate lane at Buckingham Palace, are unveiled.
• Woman, 77, dies after bus fallA 77-year-old woman dies after falling and hitting her head on a bus in west London.
• Drivers pay £1.3m in bus gate finesMotorists have paid at least £1.3m in penalty charges for driving through a bus gate in Glasgow, according to figures seen by BBC Scotland.
• Fault may have caused Dreamliner fireA fire on a parked Ethiopian Airlines Boeing 787 Dreamliner jet at Heathrow Airport in 2013 was probably caused by a short circuit, air accident investigators say.
• Qantas returns to full-year profitAustralia's national carrier Qantas reports a return to full-year profit and says it plans to buy eight Boeing Dreamliners.

Financial Times

• Transport groups fear local services cutsCampaigners say national projects with ‘short-term kudos’ are elbowing aside vital community links
• Renationalising Britain’s railways would be follyThe state’s grip needs to be further loosened and not tightened up
• Qantas soars back to full-year profitAustralian flag carrier outlines plans to expand fleet and return cash to shareholders

The Guardian

• Plane Stupid activists plead not guilty over Heathrow expansion protestThirteen charged with aggravated trespass and entering a security restricted area of an aerodrome after runway demonstration in JulyThirteen members of the activist group Plane Stupid have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggregated trespass during a protest at Heathrow airport last month.The seven men and six women are accused of cutting a hole in a fence and chaining themselves to railings on the north runway to protest against the airport’s expansion. Continue reading...

The Independent

• August Tube strike: Passengers left in the lurch as 'painfully slow' talks over night train service continue With less than a week to go until Tube workers are expected to take part in two 24-hour strikes, millions of passengers still do not know whether the action will go ahead.
• Screens used to stop motorists peering into crash sites deployed just 77 times in recent years - despite £2.2m being spent on them Screens used to stop motorists peering into crash sites have been deployed just 77 times on busy roads in recent years - despite Highways England spending £2.2m on thousands of the fences.

Reuters News

• UK probe blames 787 fire on short circuit, urges more battery testsLONDON/NEW YORK (Reuters) - Britain's air safety investigator on Wednesday blamed a short-circuit involving a lithium-metal battery for a 2013 fire on a Boeing Co 787 Dreamliner parked at London's Heathrow Airport and called for further scrutiny and testing of lithium batteries on all aircraft.

City AM

• Greenhalgh renews pledge to cut faresLONDON mayoral hopeful Stephen Greenhalgh has said there is “a deal to be doneâ€� between City Hall and the government to cut Tube and rail fares for commuters. Greenhalgh, who will set out his new plan for London this morning at a rally outside City Hall, told City A.M. that he is confident that he could reduce Tube and rail fares in the capital by three per cent annually, saving the average Zone 1-3 Travelcard holder £900 during his first term in office. Greenhalgh said he would compensate for the loss of revenue by selling off at least 1,000 acres of land currently owned by Transport fo...

Daily Express

• Uber let convicted rapists, burglars and murderers drive passengers, court hearsUBER has been accused of letting convicted criminals drive passengers after failing to carry out proper background checks.

Daily Record

• Glasgow bin lorry FAI: Restricting heavy vehicles' access to busy areas would reduce risk, says safety consultant THE hearing was today told by Nick Ward, a freelance health and safety consultant, that restricting heavy vehicles access to busy areas would be "advantageous".

Mail Online

• Sad farewell for HMS York as it leaves Portsmouth for a Turkish scrap yard  As she let slip from the quay at Portsmouth, few would realise that the HMS York was once the fastest destroyer in the Royal Navy, with a proud service record, having assisted in the invasion in Iraq, patrolling the waters of the south Atlantic and rescuing British citizens trapped in The Lebanon in 2006.
• British motorists face being put off the road after MOT system collapses Millions of motorists risk being forced off the road - or to drive illegally - after major glitches in a new multi-million Government computer system left thousands of garages unable to issue valid MoT certificates.
• Historic tall ships converge for SAIL Amsterdam festival The 50 stunning tall ships had come from across the world to take part in SAIL Amsterdam, which sees hundreds of boats accompanying these historic vessels on a trip down the canal.
• MoD refuses to release cockpit recordings of Afghan helicopter crash The Ministry of Defence said it releasing the recording from the cockpit of the helicopter piloted by Captain Thomas Clarke, pictured, would be a breach and compromise staff privacy.
• Road rage on the Mall: Road blocked after cyclist climbs on taxi bonnet in row over 'rude gesture'  The biker (pictured) was seen by hundreds as he leapt off his two wheels and clambered atop the Hackney in central London. He exchanged harsh words with the driver.
• Migrants are evacuated from Kos on a ship but confusion reigns over where to take them The Greek coast guard's office initially said the ship was sailing for the northern port of Thessaloniki before it later announced the liner would be heading to the port of Piraeus in Athens.
• France tries to sabotage Calais migrant crackdown Theresa May will today sign an agreement to deter migrants and people smugglers but her stance is being undermined by France's vow to improve support for the 5,000 people massed at Calais.
• DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Migration crisis and another French farce  Billed as a breakthrough against illegal migration, the Great Calais Accord has all the makings of another French farce. Yes, Theresa May deserves credit for securing agreement to base a British police unit in the French port, with the job of bringing people smugglers to justice.

The Mirror

• Driver caught speeding at 157mph along dual carriageway in LincolnshireJason Barnard, 43, was banned from driving and fined after admitting to driving dangerously in his BMW

This is Money

• Dartford Crossing fine appeals win 8 out of 10 times The disparity suggests thousands of drivers are being unfairly fined but just ’paying up’ and that the tolled road bridge and tunnel system is ‘in chaos’, say experts.

Birmingham Post

• First drive: Limited Edition Aston Martin Vantage GT12 Aston Martin has added more power to one of its most exclusive and extreme supercars, the GT12 racer.
• 'Electric motorways' that charge your car as they drive set for trial on UK roads The futuristic technology will power cars via charging infrastructure placed under the road's surface, removing the need for static charge points.
• Congestion costing West Midlands' economy £1bn Crashes on the M6 - including two during the pastweek - along with poor infrastructure and road works bringing region to halt

London Evening Standard

• Boris Johnson gets £525,000 to fight City Airport’s appeal over expansionBoris Johnson has secured more than £525,000 to fight an appeal by London City Airport after he blocked its expansion plans.
• Tube Strike August 2015: Commuters in limbo as 'painfully slow' talks continueMillions of Tube users still do not know if they will have a service for a major part of next week. 

Manchester Evening News

• Car stuck on Metrolink tracks AGAIN causes delays on services to Manchester AirportMetrolink bosses had to wait for a tow truck to remove the vehicle

Nottingham Evening Post

• TomNorton published Cropwell Butler fights back after cuts to bus servicesVillagers say they will fight to bring back their buses following cuts to their main service to and from Nottingham.Residents in Cropwell Butler will no longer be able to take hourly buses from their village to the city outside of rush hour following cuts by operator Trent Barton, effective from September. In its place, the County Council will provide a hopper bus running three times a day outside of rush hour, to nearby Radcliffe on Trent where other services are available. At a packed public...

The York Press

• York bus fare changes announced: See what it means for you YORK'S biggest bus operator is to freeze most of its fares - but some others will rise and some teenagers will end up paying less.

Wales Online

• Classic car owners told they face no crackdown by DVLAThe DVLA has denied it is cracking down on owners of classic cars and says it will not call into question the authenticity of all classic cars

Yorkshire Evening Post

• HS2 station plans on track for overhaulA TRANSPORT Minister has given the strongest hint yet that major changes to plans for a high speed rail station in Leeds are in the pipeline.

Yorkshire Post

• Minister offers Yorkshire rail upgrade hopeYORKSHIRE rail passengers have been offered hope that electrification of popular commuter routes could happen in the next decade.
• Campaigners warn of drastic cuts to local transportBUS services, roads and pavements are likely to bear the brunt of cuts to transport spending as Ministers prioritise major infrastructure schemes, a string of campaign groups have warned.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Sex offences up on East Anglia’s railways – but overall crime downThe number of offences reported to railway police has fallen to its lowest level for 11 years – but the number of violent and sexual offences has shown a steep rise according to new figures.

North Wales Live

• Thornton bypass opens to public The Thornton to Switch Island road has been 40 years in the pipeline.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Significant rise in violent and sexual crimes on our region’s railways despite overall reduction in offencesRailways across the midlands are safer than ever according to British Transport Police as recorded fell crime for the 11th year in a row, but there have been rises in violent and sexual crimes

Sleaford Standard

• Bridge repairs to close High Street in Brant BroughtonBrant Broughton’s High Street will be closed in the vicinity of the fire station starting next week while a damaged bridge is repaired and strengthened.

The Shields Gazette

• ‘Amateurish’ fraudster faked age by 20 years to get a cheaper deal on car insuranceA ‘naive’ dad who faked insurance documents in a bid to get a cheaper deal behind the wheel has been hit with a hefty court bill after his scam was uncovered.
• Woman jailed over £52,000 British Airways lost baggage fraudA woman has been jailed after stealing more than £52,000 from British Airways while working in their customer complaints call centre.

Other Regional Press

• A38 roadworks 'mayhem' is destroying businesses THE county council has been accused of causing ‘mayhem’ for businesses as roadworks on the A38 near North Petherton cause traffic congestion.
• Man faces losing leg after 750-volt electrocution on rail line A MAN faces losing a limb after he was electrocuted on a high-speed rail line in Hampshire.
• Grimsby Telegraph commented Sink hole 'two feet deep' appears in Grimsby road - picturesPart of a Grimsby road has been closed off after a hole appeared this afternoon.The hole, which is around a foot wide and is said to be up to two feet deep, appeared in Convamore Road, between the junctions of Wellington Street and Eleanor Street.A witness said that underneath the surface, the hole is up to four feet deep in one area.Police officers are guarding the scene.Council officials have also arrived and have fenced the area off.Keep checking back for updates.
• Crew gather for poignant goodbye to former HMS YorkIT WAS a touching goodbye as crew of the former HMS York gathered to see the ship leave Portsmouth for the final time.
• Police urging registration 
of bicycles and belongings in GosportThe Royal Navy Police (RNP) at HMS Sultan has been working closely with Hampshire Constabulary and Gosport Borough Council to promote the importance of marking personal property securely.
• Mr Pothole arrives to take on the holes in Cameron’s patch POTHOLES in Witney have a new nemesis after a former roads engineer brought his one-man campaign to the town.
• Commuters count cost as rail fare rise of one per cent announced RAIL passengers across the county said commuters have been left out of pocket for the past five years, as a one per cent price rise next January was announced.
• Rail strike talks to start again tomorrow ahead of planned Bank Holiday action TALKS between rail union RMT and First Great Western (FGW) will resume tomorrow as an agreement is yet to be reached ahead of planned strikes.
• Cycle path junction is an ‘accident waiting to happen’Rat run motorists are putting the lives of cyclists and walkers at risk by driving across busy foot and cycle paths.
• Preston to Blackpool rail line electrification derailedA major upgrade of the rail line between Preston and Blackpool has been derailed.
• Crackdown on nuisance bikes in PrestonTown Hall bosses are to clamp down on motorbike nuisance across the city.
• Dart Charge 'C' signs confuse 60% of UK drivers who think it refers to London congestion chargeThree out of every five drivers are confused by the “Câ€� symbol on road signs informing people of the Dart Charge payment system, according to the AA.
• Freight Transport Association calls for hauliers caught up in Operation Stack to be compensatedA haulage group is calling for lorry drivers caught up in the chaos caused by Operation Stack to be compensated for their losses.
• Hartshead Moor Services gets low score from Road Safety Markings AssociationWelcome Break's Hartshead Moor Services has been criticised in a survey by the Road Safety Markings Association
• New 20 day training course for First bus driversBig emphasis on customer care
• ALL ABOARD FOR SUCCESS: Weymouth's bus depot named the best in the business at awards ALL ABOARD a one-way journey to success- staff at Weymouth's bus depot are celebrating being named the best in the business.
• Five brilliant premium used cars you can buy for less than £10,000 These cars deliver on power and performance, while sporting a premium badge that will turn heads. And all for less than £10,000.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• thetrainline.com Rebrands Itself to Trainlinethetrainline.com has rebranded itself to reflect the rapid growth of mobile and mobile ticket sales. Trainline has recognised that there is a massive growth in the UK with more passengers buying train tickets online and through mobile. The brand continues to invest in its innovative customer mobile experience. Trainline aims to make traveling easier for passengers and to help them travel smarter. Buying tickets online and advanced means customers save money on their travel, it also allows them to receive continuous real time updates. Trainline Rebranding from thetrainline.com Trainline's CEO...
• Deansgate Rail Station set for revampCastlefield stop transformation, which will be completed in the coming weeks as part of a major programme of works to expand the tram network through the city centre. TfGM Committee Chair, Councillor Andrew Fender, said: “Securing the NSIP funding for these much needed improvements to Deansgate station was an excellent coup and I am delighted that work can now begin. “Not only will the work make it a much more pleasant experience for passengers using the station, it will also complement the investment we have already made into ongoing transformation of the Deansgate-Castlefield M...
• Cycle tourism boosts UK economyPeople cycling on the National Cycle Network for leisure and tourism bring over £650 million to the UK economy each year, according to research from charity Sustrans. The research looked at the average amount spent by people on day trips and cycling holidays and found that they both bring significant money to local economies around the country. The charity conservatively estimates that people who use the Network for holidays and day trips spend an average of £7 a day, although this figure is likely to be even higher for people who take cycling holidays. The Network, which celebrat...
• Crossrail Receives 465 Metre Long Concreting TrainCrossrail have received a 465 metre long concreting train which will be used to concrete the Crossrail tunnels with concrete to enable tracks to be laid. The train arrived at Plumstead in time for the next major stage for the project following the end of the tunnelling. Crossrail Concreting Machine The refurbished train was brought to the UK from France via the Channel Tunnel. It is as long as four football pitches when fully assembled and has been described as a 'self-contained concrete batching factory on wheels'. Simon Wright, Crossrail Programme Director said: “Crossrail is being...
• Unipart Rail and Siemens gain joint BS11000 CertificationUnipart Rail and Siemens Rail Systems have formalised their long-term business relationship by gaining BS 11000 Certification for the collaborative partnership that they have formed together.  The obtaining of BS 11000 Standard for Collaborative Business Relationships reflects the robust processes and governance structures that enable both companies to deliver value from the relationship which will now be enhanced with the implementation of the BS 11000 Standard framework.   Unipart Rail and Siemens have worked very closely together for many years and currently have two 10 year agre...
• Airbus signs off record IndiGo dealAirbus has finalised a deal with Indian budget airline IndiGo to sell 250 A320neo aircraft. The agreement is Airbus' single largest order by number of aircraft, a spokesman for the firm said. The deal is worth a $26.5bn (£17bn) at list prices, although airlines typically get a discount. IndiGo is India's largest domestic airline by market share, and flies one in three of India's air travellers. The agreement, which was signed on Saturday, confirms an earlier provisional order by IndiGo for the narrow-body planes which was announced in October. It is the second-largest order by value...

Rail Magazine

• Borders Railway from start to finishPart of a series of videos showing the progress on the Borders Railway.
• Crossrail concreting train arrivesRefurbished concreting train arrives at Plumstead

Railnews

• Rail crime falls, but more sexual offences are recorded British Transport Police has reported that the general level of offences reported on the rail network has fallen, but that the proportion of sex-related incidents has risen by 25 per cent. The sharp rise in reports of sex-related incidents is probably due to a campaign launched two years ago which was intended to encourage such reports, the force said. Incidents of criminal damage also rose slightly, but there were fewer frauds, robberies and thefts.

Aviation Industry

• Aer Lingus joins IAG after shareholders accept dealAgreement brings to an end 80 years of state involvement in the airline
• British Airways to launch Peru routeService to Lima will start in May 2016
• Airlines amend compensation rules after CAA pressureAer Lingus, Wizz Air and Jet2 have agreed to change their compensation rules and backdate claims

Other News Sources

• According to a report published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), lithium batteries may be responsible for a 2013 fire on an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft at London's HeathrowAccording to a report published by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB), lithium batteries may be responsible for a 2013 fire on an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft at London's Heathrow
• MSPs visit the new Borders RailwayMSPs on the Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee today visited the new Borders Railway and were given the opportunity to see what passengers can expect when the line opens in September.
• New freight transport policy called for by the Infrastructure CommitteeA new freight transport policy needs to be developed by the Scottish Government in order to meet future freight transport needs, according to an inquiry by the Scottish Parliament’s Infrastructure and Capital Investment Committee.
• Railways see sex crime, theft and fraud rise - but travel is safer... SEXUAL crime, robberies and instances of fraud on trains in the north of England are on the rise.
• TRAFFIC MISERY: Blackburn road users left frustrated as work continues on route OVER-RUNNING road works on the main route into Blackburn centre from Whitebirk’s Junction Six of the M65 are causing continuing traffic misery for drivers and traders.
• Worrying rise in the number of children hurt in road accidentsThe government figures include pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle occupants under 16 years of age
• Gatwick Airport advert banned after 'misleading' Heathrow expansion message The Advertising Standards Authority upheld two complaints about the posters, which compared the number of people affected by a new runway at Gatwick or Heathrow
• Guildford Allianz car park: YOUR reactions to new 'rainbow' multi-storey siteYour views on Allianz's controversial plans to build a multi-coloured car park in Ladymead, Guildford
• Deadline set for Greek port sell-offAs part of its reforms-for-cash deal with international lenders, the Greek government has agreed deadlines for the privatisation of its two major ports, Piraeus and Thessaloniki.
• CAA action leads to airlines changing policies and means passengers will get better supportUK passengers can now look forward to improved support during disruption, following the UK Civil Aviation Authority's (CAA) enforcement action against three major airlines.
• Newhaven Port expansion approved An expansion plan has been approved for a key Sussex port.
• Three bus passengers injured following crash with car Three bus passengers were injured after the bus they were travelling on was involved in a crash.
• Shoreham Airshow to return for 26th year this weekend AN airshow returns for its 26th year with an array of planes.
• Porsche to be sold for £2.5 million at Goodwood ONE of the most famous endurance racing cars ever built is expected to attract offers of £2.5 million when it goes to auction next month.
• The moment a £220,000 Ferrari hire car was written off when it crashed into a house and ended up under a taxi... THIS is the moment a £220,000 Ferrari hire car was written off when it crashed into a house and ended up under a taxi.

Other Subscription Services

• King's Cross district sell-off gets underway The government has launched the process to sell off the state stake in the King's Cross Central redevelopmentThe decision to hive off the 36.5% holding in King's Cross Central Limited Partnership ...
• Final Midland Metro original tram bows out The last of the old Midland Metro trams has been retired from service after 16 years and more than one million miles.The T-69 tram made its final journey on Friday August 16 with the occasion being...