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

Friday, 09 October 2015

BBC News

• Councils' roads spend at 11-year lowFigures show spending by councils on roads and highways falls to an 11-year low and there is a warning maintenance in the future will be more difficult.
• MSPs back car smoking ban proposalsA law proposing the ban of smoking in cars carrying children passes its first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament.
• Whose fault is a driverless car crash?Volvo takes on responsibility for driverless car crashes
• Airport lounge evacuated over securityThe departure lounge at Aberdeen International Airport is evacuated due to a
• Rail staff to be balloted over sackingAlmost 1,400 workers for Virgin Trains East Coast are to be balloted for industrial action over the sacking of a colleague, a union says.
• Virgin tops rail complaints listVirgin Trains West Coast is named as the rail operator with the highest rate of complaints in Britain for the 11th quarter in a row.

Financial Times

• Virgin tops rail complaints listMost common gripes concern punctuality and reliability

The Herald

• Train fan Jeremy Corbyn can't contain excitement as "People's Railway" makes front cover of Rail MagazineJeremy Corbyn struggled to contain his delight on social media after making the front cover of Rail Magazine.
• Bill to ban smoking in cars with children passes first hurdle in Scottish ParliamentA Bill to ban smoking in cars when children are present has passed its first hurdle in the Scottish Parliament.

The Independent

• Heathrow claims its expansion will 'more than double' domestic routesExclusive: Chief executive, John Holland-Kaye, has dismissed Transport for London’s analysis that expansion would cut the number of British destinations reached by the airport

The Telegraph

• DeLoreans could come Back to the Future after 'time machine' parts foundHundreds of silver gull wing doors immortalised by Hollywood film discovered in warehouse (but 'flux capacitors' unlikely to be included)

Birmingham Post

• HS2 'could attract 750,000 extra passengers' to Birmingham Airport New report published today also suggests high-speed rail line between Birmingham and London could help airport deliver an additional £34m to the West Midlands per year

Bolton News

• HS2 boss Simon Kirby speaks to business leaders at University of Bolton THE man in charge of keeping HS2 — the controversial high speed train link between the North and the South — on track was in Bolton last night.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Bus lane plan fails as drivers steer clearA BID to ease traffic flow by allowing motorists to use bus lanes outside peak periods has got off to a slow start with most drivers failing to take advantage of the new arrangements.

London Evening Standard

• Sadiq Khan plans £1.50 unlimited trip bus ticket that's valid for an hourSadiq Khan set out plans for a one-hour bus ticket today which would allow passengers unlimited journeys within a 60-minute window.
• Boost for Heathrow third runway as Cabinet opposition weakensCabinet opposition to a third runway at Heathrow has weakened, the Standard has learned.

Manchester Evening News

• Rail boss to join panel at our Northern Powerhouse breakfast Sign-up for the FREE event while there are still places

Wales Online

• Pregnant woman almost collapses on busy commuter train as people were 'squashed' into the aisles 'There's not enough carriages and it was really congested and warm'
• Cardiff Bus drivers to strike during Rugby World Cup clash between France and Ireland at Millennium Stadium Members of Unite the Union will take part in a rally in Callaghan Square at midday on Sunday - a few hours before kick-off

Get West London

• Campaigners against Heathrow Airport third runway to 'be heard' at London rallyMPs and Mayoral candidates, national organisations and local people will be taking part in the rally in Westminster over the weekend

Peterborough Telegraph

• MP to call for debate on rail line upgradeSleaford MP Stephen Phillips is seeking to bring to Parliament the issue of increased disturbance from freight trains at anti-social hours on an upgraded rail line.
• Workers on Virgin East Coast which runs through Peterborough to vote on strike actionAlmost 1,400 workers on Virgin East Coast, which runs services through Stevenage and Peterborough, are to be balloted for industrial action over the sacking of a colleague.

Sleaford Standard

• MP to call for debate on rail line upgradeSleaford MP Stephen Phillips is seeking to bring to Parliament the issue of increased disturbance from freight trains at anti-social hours on an upgraded rail line.

Other Regional Press

• Network Rail makes level crossing entry ‘impossible’ for disabled people to access in St AlbansNetwork Rail has copped yet more flak over its mishandling of a level crossing footpath in St Albans, with disabled people struggling to cross the re-opened accessway.
• Bus prices up as park and ride fares cutBUS fares across Preston are set to rise by five pence from this Sunday.

Aviation Industry

• Discount airlines tout cheap fares, but some passengers find the aggravation isn't worth itWhen the delay on his 90-minute flight stretched past the four-hour mark, David Rankin started tweeting to Spirit Airlines as he and other passengers grew restless.
• Manchester Airports Group: Focus on regional airports to boost UK economyGovernment urged to not focus all its attention on a new southeast ‘Megahub’
• Flights in Italy disrupted as ground handlers strikeBritish Airways and Easyjet cancel services

Other News Sources

• Abandoned metro station, ParisThe parisian métropolitain is closely related to the life of the City of Light. Its stations are nearly as famous as its bouleverds, its churches, its museums. From Champs-Elysées to Bastille, from Arts et Métiers to Châtelet, each one is unique, each one has its own story to tell. Every Parisian has their favorite metro station!
• Newly released Heathrow expansion plans 'designed around local community'The pictures include images of the new central terminal area and business park. A Heathrow spokesman said: “These new images bring to life the potential of Heathrow expansion as a plan that can deliver the next generation of airport.
• Bus lane gains £75,000 for council coffers A BUS lane camera in Rottingdean has made almost £75,000 from fines since it was installed seven years ago.