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

Monday, 11 July 2016

BBC News

• Commuters face second day of RMT rail strikeCommuters are facing disruption to rail services as members of the RMT union enter their second day of strike action.
• Heathrow expansion: Some 34 councils urge government to back third runwayMore than 30 councils from around Britain urge the government to back Heathrow expansion to support job creation and economic growth.
• Southern rail services cut from timetable as dispute continuesHundreds of Southern rail services are temporarily axed under an amended timetable brought in from midnight in response to months of disruption.
• Air industry ready for Farnborough showThe Farnborough Airshow opens in the UK on Monday at a time of challenge for the aviation industry. Aaron Heslehurst explains.
• Two-day RMT strike begins on ScotRailMembers of the RMT union working for ScotRail start another two-day strike over the introduction of additional services without guards.

Financial Times

• Aeroflot says privatisation will not flyRussian airline boss says stake sale not in national interest
• Opinion: Fresh aviation agreements must come first in a post-Brexit worldIata’s Tony Tyler says the focus should be firmly on maintaining the benefits of connectivity
• Keep calm and fly on despite EU voteUK is under pressure to show its support for the aerospace sector at key trade fair

The Guardian

• Virgin Trains East Coast’s app seems to confuse its staffI am in dispute with the refunds team at Virgin Trains East Coast over a super off-peak return ticket from King’s Cross to Doncaster, which cost £88.40. For more than a month I’ve been trying to claim a refund for the unused return portion of the journey – I’ve made at least three 15-minute calls and had numerous email exchanges. This type of ticket allows return travel on any day within a month, at off-peak times.
• Southern commuters plan London Victoria rush-hour protestProtesters intend to dress as devils and hand out leaflets welcoming travellers to hell as reduced timetable comes into forceLondon commuters are expected to demonstrate in Victoria station during Monday evening rush-hour in protest at persistent delays and cancellations on the troubled Southern rail franchise.Frustration with the service, which is ranked the country’s worst for customer satisfaction, has triggered protests and direct action among passengers from the Surrey and Sussex commuter belt. Continue reading...
• Network Rail promises improvements for disabled passengersA new culture is needed, says rail infrastructure owner, after admitting some travellers have found using the train ‘incredibly difficult’Network Rail has pledged to make the railway accessible to all, and will consult disabled passengers before building new infrastructure after admitting to having made life “incredibly difficult” for some travellers in the past.

The Independent

• London commuters to conduct rush hour protest as Southern axes hundreds of train servicesCommuters say they are 'fed up' of poor service from the Southern rail franchise, which plans to axe 341 train services a day for the next month

The Scotsman

• Scots rail commuters to face more disruption amid RMT strikeCommuters across Scotland face more disruption as the latest strike action by members of the RMT union looks set to bring rail services to a standstill across swaths of the country today.

The Telegraph

• Fed-up commuters threaten fare strike amid Southern Rail delays and cancellations

Times Online

• Tax take on trains derailed by vote [Subscription]Payouts from train companies to the exchequer will shrink while Britain extricates itself from the EU, industry experts warn.
• Passengers stage ‘fare strike’ over rail chaos [Subscription]Commuters using one of the country's busiest rail networks are threatening to refuse to pay as part of an escalating protest over cancelled and delayed trains.
• Welsh valleys sing Heathrow’s praise [Subscription]Heathrow has been accused of orchestrating an aggressive spin operation after 34 local councils signed a letter backing its bid for a third runway.
• Cyclists lose battle for safe overtaking law [Subscription]The Department of Transport has ruled out the introduction of a 1.5m safe overtaking space for cyclists.
• Drivers ‘left exposed’ to soaring charges (Ireland) [Subscription]Motorists are being punished by the government’s inability to tackle the rising costs of insurance and motor tax, Fianna Fail’s transport spokesman and a former Fine Gael TD have said.
• Boeing plans to double UK jobs to 4,000 [Subscription]Boeing is to double its workforce in the UK to 4,000 within a decade as it increases its presence in a country that is awarding the American aerospace company two of its most important defence contracts.

Mail Online

• Southern Rail commuters face two years of chaos:�Passengers say they will strike by refusing to pay fares - so why is transport minister staying silent? Commuters are braced for more misery as Southern Railway introduces its emergency timetable. This will cancel 341 services a day, leaving residents across the South-East of England stranded.
• Doctors reveal the 'germiest places'�on an airplane Health experts have warned holidaymakers to be careful on board planes after claiming aircraft tray tables and seat pockets are ridden with bacteria - and advise avoiding in-flight pillows and blankets.

The Mirror

• Commuters to stage protest as Southern Railway announces hundreds of trains will be cut Passengers will stage a protest as 341 services are removed from the timetable.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Airbus tipped to secure Virgin Atlantic order at Farnborough AirshowThe aerospace giant which employs 6,000 people at Broughton expected to announce $3bn deal

Liverpool Echo

• Knowsley Council is spending �600,000 on a new road - rather than reopen one just metres away Town hall bosses say Stockbridge Lane caused too many accidents

London Evening Standard

• London councils urge Government to back Heathrow third runwayMore than 30 council across the UK have urged the Government to back a third runway at Heathrow, which they believe will better support job creation and benefit the economy.
• Southern Railway: 'Desperate' commuters to hold Victoria station protest'Desperate' commuters on Southern trains are considering a fare strike and will hold a demonstration at Victoria station tomorrow in a "show of anger".

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Sky Ride 2016: Thousands turn out for traffic-free cycle event This year's event is the last of its kind
• Major problems on Metrolink services as overhead line issues bring most lines to a halt - live updates The majority of tram services were suspended during the Monday morning rush-hour - get the latest information here

The York Press

• Rail workshop in York aims to give children a love of science VIRGIN Trains and the University of York have joined forces�to create a workshop to encourage British children into science and engineering.
• Rail cash granted for women’s project YORK’S Kyra Women’s Project has been handed a £250 cheque by rail company Grand Central to help women experiencing domestic abuse.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• High speed rail plans for Leeds ‘still on track’HS2 will go ahead as planned - and construction could even start in the North and the South at the same time, the Transport Secretary has said.

Blackpool Gazette

• Passengers to get a vision of future at bus unveilingBus passengers will be able to enjoy a ride into the future next week with a first look at how a multi-million pound investment will transform Blackpool’s public transport.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Franchise award delayed by wrong kind of Brexit decision!Last month’s decision to leave the EU has put the brakes on plans to speed up and improve the region’s rail service – and has prompted current operator Abellio to reconsider its bid for the long-term contract according to a national newspaper.

Other Regional Press

• Railway line reopening plan may hit the buffersPLANS to reopen the Aberystwyth-Carmarthen railway line have been cast into doubt following the vote to leave the EU, according to Assembly Member Elin Jones.
• Franchise award delayed by wrong kind of Brexit decision!Last month’s decision to leave the EU has put the brakes on plans to speed up and improve the region’s rail service – and has prompted current operator Abellio to reconsider its bid for the long-term contract according to a national newspaper.

The Business Desk

• Birmingham's biggest airline challenges Heathrow on high operating costsEUROPE’S largest regional airline, Flybe has made a stand for UK regional airlines against the high costs of operating out of Heathrow Airport.

Other News Sources

• Southern Rail passengers to stage protest as 341 services cut from timetable Rail passengers will stage a protest today as hundreds of services are removed from the timetable amid a continued shortage of staff and threat of industrial action which have caused travel misery for weeks.
• Passengers threaten strike as compensation rules set to change FRUSTRATED passengers have threatened to take their own strike action as rail misery continues.