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

Thursday, 14 August 2014

BBC News

• Great Western Main Line electrification beginsWork to electrify the Great Western Main Line has begun.

The Scotsman

• First tracks laid down on Borders RailwayTHE first rails have been laid on the Borders Railway, which is now just over a year away from re-opening after a gap of 46 years.
• Swiss train landslide terrorA LANDSLIDE triggered by heavy rain caused a Swiss mountain train to derail, leaving ­passengers trapped in a carriage overhanging a ravine.

The Telegraph

• HS2 could threaten GP numbers by disrupting medical examsNoisy construction of HS2's London terminal will disrupt vital GP trainee exams depriving the country of much needed family doctors, the Royal College of GPs warns

Network Rail

• Rail upgrade reaches Bassetlaw and DoncasterRail passengers are reminded of a fortnight of changes to train travel on the line between Doncaster and Gainsborough as the next stage of improvement work to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line start this Saturday (16 August).
• Railway safety reminder as trains to begin running again between Harlech and PwllheliNetwork Rail is reminding people of the risks of trespassing on the railway, as the Cambrian line between Harlech and Pwllheli reopens to engineering trains from Monday 18 August, followed shortly by passenger services.
• Local resident given driving ban after misusing Kintbury level crossingA local resident has been found guilty of dangerous driving and banned from driving for 12 months after deliberately driving over Kintbury level crossing after the barriers had been lowered.
• Schoolgirls raise the roof with IT competition work experience prizeSix secondary school students have been getting a roof-raising experience by visiting the £44m redevelopment at Manchester Victoria station. The tour was part of their prize of two weeks paid work experience, after winning Network Rail's Could IT Be You? competition to encourage more young women into technology careers.

London Evening Standard

• Rescue mission underway as train carriage left hanging over Swiss ravine after landslide A rescue mission is underway as a carriage was left hanging over a ravine after a train derailed by a landslide in Switzerland.

Manchester Evening News

• Packed rush hour Metrolink tram travelling to Bury takes wrong turn and heads off to RochdaleThe double Metrolink tram, which was crammed with commuters left Market Street at around 7pm, was on the right track until just after Victoria Station

Sheffield Star

• Improvement works to start on crossing where four-year-old was killed by a trainRail passengers are reminded of the changes to train travel on the line between Doncaster and Gainsborough as the next stage of improvement work to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE).

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Union aims to deliver clear message on Yorkshire rail deal planA union is ready to deliver nearly 5,000 postcards to the Department for Transport to highlight its opposition to plans that could set the future course of rail travel in Yorkshire.

Other Regional Press

• British Transport Police searching for railway advisorsTHE BRITISH Transport Police (BTP) are searching for members of the public to give feedback and advice on the policing of railways.
• £1m revamp for railway stationA £1million revamp is being planned for Morpeth Railway Station to restore derelict buildings. The Greater Morpeth Development Trust (GMDT) has announced the ambitious programme for the Grade II-listed facility in a bid to create new business space.

Global Rail News

• Derailment leaves Swiss train hanging off mountain faceA train on Switzerland’s famed Albula Railway has been left clinging to the side of a mountain after being struck by a landslide.
• Perth airport rail link approvedThe Government of Western Australia has confirmed that it will go ahead with a $2 billion airport rail link.