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

Tuesday, 13 September 2016

BBC News

• Alun Cairns hails 'new era' for devolution to WalesAttempts to allow the assembly to award its rail franchise to a public sector operator, as well as getting control over fixed betting terminals, were also rejected during earlier proceedings in the Commons.
• Cats take over London tube stationA London Underground station is set to be taken over by cats - with all advertisements replaced with pictures of the furry felines.
• HS2 jittersBusinesses and communities want certainty about where the second phase of the HS2 rail route will go, but politics rarely provides certainty.

London Evening Standard

• Revealed: the worst Tube stations for pickpocketingKing's Cross St Pancras has emerged as the worst Tube station for pickpocketing in figures which show that passengers in London have suffered nearly 4,000 thefts in a year.
• London commuters 'spend more than 10 per cent of pay on train season tickets'London rail pasengers are spending more than ten per cent of their disposable income on season tickets into the capital, an investigation has revealed.
• 'Two hours of hell': Hundreds of Southern Rail commuters stranded after train breaks downHundreds of rail passengers - including the deputy mayor for London's transport - were left stranded in south east London tonight after a broken down train caused travel chaos.

Northern Echo

• North-East MPs urge Heathrow Airport expansion to provide steel industry boost SEVERAL Labour MPs representing northern steel communities have urged the Government to support Heathrow Airport expansion.

Wales Online

• Plaid and Labour will attempt to secure new powers for AMsPlaid Cymru pushes for new wave of devolution Plaid Cymru Dwyfor Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts described the changes she wants to see the Wales Bill.
• Kieron Stokes told ticket inspectors he had travelled from a different destination than his real oneA man who tried to dodge a £4.40 rail fare ended up with a £600 fine from the train company.

Other Regional Press

• Tunnel could be dug under Bicester London Road railway line to keep route open A MULTI-MILLION pound tunnel could be dug under the railway line on Bicester's London Road to replace a busy crossing.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Arriva's Northern takeover could lead to some 'significantly' higher fares, CMA findsThere is a risk of higher fares on a number of rail routes in the north because of Arriva’s integration with Northern, the competition watchdog has said. Arriva pledged an £800m programme of improvements after it took over the franchise in April, but the merger was halted by the...
• Financial investigation casts doubt over TfL pledgesPledges to improve London’s transport services from the new mayor, Sadiq Khan, could be under threat because of Transport for London’s (TfL’s) straitened finances, a new report from the London Assembly Budget and Performance committee warned. Between 2014 and 2016, TfL’s...

Railnews

• Warnings as Severn Tunnel closes for electrification Trains between South Wales and London are being diverted via Gloucester from today, so that the Severn Tunnel can be electrified over the next six weeks. The closure means many more passenger and freight trains running through the Cotswolds and the Forest of Dean via Stroud, Gloucester and Lydney, and the extra rail traffic means that a number of level crossings will be much busier, with an extra 44 passenger trains and 27 freight using the diversion from Swindon on an average day.
• HS2's Simon Kirby announces resignation The man who has been leading the first phase of HS2 has announced his resignation. Simon Kirby, who joined HS2 Ltd from Network Rail as chief executive construction, is moving on to join Rolls Royce. He said it had been a 'huge honour' to have 'been involved in creating a leadership team made up of the best talents from this country'.