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

Friday, 27 May 2016

BBC News

• Train 'lifted' to free woman's footA train is lifted to free a woman whose foot got stuck between the carriage and the platform on the London Underground.
• HS2 'over-priced' say transport expertsHS2 is an over-priced, gold-plated project and will fail in many of its objectives a group of transport experts warns.

The Scotsman

• ScotRail train driver arrested for alleged intoxicationA ScotRail train driver has been arrested for being intoxicated at Waverley Station in Edinburgh.

Mail Online

• HS2 line is 'a �55bn vanity project that won't boost the North' The HS2 scheme has been championed by David Cameron and George Osborne, despite questions over whether taxpayers will get value for money in return for the massive investment.

London Evening Standard

• Central line delays: Tube chaos as signal failure shuts down routeCommuters on the Central line have been hit by travel chaos this morning after a signal failure caused huge disruption on the entire route.
• Southern must lose franchise after week of rail misery, says MPAn MP today called on ministers to "end the Southern misery now" after nearly a third of the rail firm's trains were late or cancelled in a single day this week.

The York Press

• All steamed up as York tourism accolade goes to Flying Scotsman YORK'S latest Tourism Ambassador may need to let off a bit of steam after receiving the award - for the prestigious title has been given to rail icon Flying Scotsman.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• The morning Tweets tell an all-too familiar tale for Leeds commutersThe tweets will make frustratingly familiar reading for many early morning commuters and other rail users in Leeds and across the rest of Yorkshire.

Yorkshire Post

• YP Letters: Supertram plan should be revived in LeedsFrom: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

Blackpool Gazette

• Delay as tram extension bid is scrutinisedControversial plans to extend the Blackpool tramway have been put on hold.

Crewe Chronicle

• HS2: Compensation packages announced for people around Crewe Eligible owner-occupiers can nominate local surveyors to value their property.

North Wales Live

• Merseyrail bank holiday services increased to cope with Sound City and marathon crowds To cope with crowds for the Rock 'n' Roll Marathon and Sound City, Merseyrail is increasing services

Rail Magazine

• Gospel Oak-Barking closures as electrification beginsThe phased closure of the Gospel Oak-Barking Line begins on June 4, as work gets under way to electrify the route (RAIL 800).
• MP leads rallying cry for Leeds tram-trainsCalls made for tram-trains to serve the Leeds City Region.
• Merger investigation into Arriva’s Northern franchise win The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has referred the awarding of the Northern Rail franchise to Arriva for an in-depth investigation.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Tram passenger satisfaction at record high, but Midland Metro slipsTram passenger satisfaction is higher than it has ever been following network improvements, the latest Transport Focus passenger survey has found. The 5,707 tram passengers, surveyed by Transport Focus in autumn 2015, gave the tram network an overall satisfaction rating of 92%, compared to 90%...
• Transport experts call for independent review of HS2 optionsAlternatives to HS2 should be reconsidered, a group of travel experts have warned in a report saying the high-speed rail line could be five times as expensive as an equivalent railway in France. According to research led by Professor Tony May from the University of Leeds Institute for Transport...
• DfT unveils compensation package for HS2 Phase 2a routeA property compensation and financial assistance package for owner-occupiers along the HS2 Phase 2a route between the West Midlands and Crewe has been announced today. Owners-occupiers of homes and businesses positioned from 60-120m from the railway will be offered 10% of the unblighted value of...

Railnews

• Critics call for HS2 top speed rethink to cut costs A group of academics are claiming that speeds on HS2 will be unnecessarily high, adding significantly to the costs. They are calling for an independent assessment of 'less damaging' alternatives. A major cause of their concern is the potential maximum speed of 400km/h, which the group says could be reduced to 300km/h. HS2 Ltd said cost reductions were being examined, and that the head of the civil service Jeremy Heywood is conducting an investigation.

Other News Sources

• Interview: David Horne, managing director, Virgin Trains East CoastThe rail regulator recently gave approval for First Group competing on the East Coast mainline between London and Edinburgh, where Virgin Trains East Coast is the franchisee. The 10-year track access application approved by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) will enable First Group to operate from Kings Cross via Stevenage, Newcastle and Morpeth by 2021
• Direct Surrey to Heathrow rail service on the cardsThe journey to Heathrow Airport from Surrey could improve with plans to create a new rail link.
• Rail freight must be remembered Government must pay greater attention to the needs of rail freight when considering major infrastructure investments