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

Saturday, 28 October 2017

BBC News

• Volkswagen diesel scandal still hitting profitsProvisions for the cost of settling the scandal put a big dent in the carmaker's earnings.

Financial Times

• Uber hires ex-DoJ and Pepsi lawyer as chief legal officerTony West will have to deal with litigation and regulatory action on multiple fronts

The Guardian

• 'Sorry I threw up': new Uber feature reveals passenger confessionsDriver reviews intended to provide insight into the person picking you up often say more about who they have had in the back of their carA new Uber feature allowing users to check previous reviews of their drivers has opened up a world of drunken apologies, private confessions and angry complaints.The feature, rolled out to users worldwide on Friday, is intended to provide more insight into who will be picking customers up. It helps align the app with Uber’s long-running claim to be simply a middleman, linking what the company calls “driver-partnersâ€� with “ridersâ€� in a largely hands-off manner...

Times Online

• Petrol and diesel sales down as fuel goes way of all fossils [Subscription]Traffic is increasing but consumption of petrol and diesel has fallen for the first time, according to the AA, which says that vehicles powered by fossil fuel are en route to “joining steam and horse transport in the history books”.

This is Money

• Lorries crashing into bridges costs taxpayers £23m a year New figures released by Network Rail said there were almost 2,000 cases last year of HGV drivers misjudging the height of their vehicle and smashing into rail infrastructures.
• RAY MASSEY: Honda’s sporty electric coupe stars in Tokyo Slightly retro, but with a contemporary twist, it’s the coupe version of the Honda Urban EV with a 150-mile range.It’s due to be built from 2019 and is expected to cost in the region of £26,000.
• Car insurance is most expensive it has ever been, says ABI The average motor premium has reached £485, an increase of £45 in the last 12 months and the highest it's been since the ABI has been tracking prices.

London Evening Standard

• Week of disruption expected as burst water main tears hole in major road and floods busy London EustonA week of disruption on a major London road is expected after a burst water main tore a hole in the street and flooded a busy rail station.

The York Press

• City rail bridge struck 14 times in last five years A YORK railway bridge has been struck by lorries 14 times in the past five years - delaying both rail passengers and motorists.
• Campaigners slam York Central consultation as roads decision looms CAMPAIGNERS have slammed the consultation over York Central’s planned access road as a vital decision looms on the route.
• York roadworks to last an extra day ROADWORKS in Micklegate, York, are set to overrun by one day.

Wales Online

• The people who clamp your untaxed car (and what happens to it next) 'You get the odd person running out in their underwear asking what you are doing'
• The Severn Tunnel will be closed this weekend as thousands travel to Cardiff At least 70,000 visitors are expected to travel to Cardiff ahead of the Anthony Joshua fight 

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• 4,000 hit with parking finesNearly 4,000 parking fines were handed out in just three months in the Dudley borough this summer.
• More anger over A41 roadworks Businesses affected by Midland Metro roadworks in Wolverhampton - which have not received compensation - have now been told firms in Birmingham were aided during works there.

Bucks Free Press

• Planned improvements to congested road 'could be short-lived amid influx of new homes'A councillor fears planned improvements to a congested High Wycombe road could be short-lived amid an influx of thousands of new homes in the town. 
• Council accused of not caring about town after announcing plans to introduce controversial parking measures A council has been accused of not caring about a town after it planned to introduce controversial parking measures to its High Street.

Daventry Express

• Northants Police warn drivers over speeding fine scamMotorists in Northamptonshire are being warned to ignore a scam email claiming they have been caught speeding.

Other Regional Press

• No cars on Bridge Street this Saturday night to help keep party-goers safe for Halloween in NorthamptonA main Northampton night club strip will be closed to traffic this Saturday night.
• Council defends 'throughabout' plans for A66 after £12m Darlington scheme is scrapped Middlesbrough Council plan to build a 'throughabout' on the A66 at Cargo Fleet Lane that they hope will speed up journey times
• How high-sided lorries are giving railway bridges a 'battering' Network Rail, bus and lorry operators are campaigning to prevent low bridges getting hit
• Here's how to de-ice your car safely in the morning You can risk doing damage to your motor in a bid to get to work quickly
• Why you could soon be fined for leaving your car engine running Proposals from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence and Public Health England say "no-idling zones" should be brought in outside schools
• Concerns as Bridgwater car park prices to rise by up to 25% SHOULD car parking in Bridgwater town centre be free for the first two hours?
• Major West Somerset road closure postponed until after Christmas THE MAJOR roadworks planned for the A39 at Dragon Cross next month have been postponed.
• Campaigners demand a say over controversial route for new Oxford-Cambridge ExpresswayHOW a the route of a new £3bn road – which could plough through a 10-mile stretch of the Oxford green belt – might be chosen has been criticised as undemocratic.
• MP calls for government to cough up funds for £20million city bridge schemeA SOUTHAMPTON MP has called on the government to back a £20million scheme to save two of the city's most important road bridges.
• Biggleswade woman’s warning after rock dropped onto car from A1(M) bridge near Baldock servicesA Biggleswade woman wants to warn other motorists after what she believes to be a rock smashed her windscreen while driving on the A1(M) last night.

News from Europe

• Forbes: Green Group Says Electric Cars Beat Diesels For Lifetime CO2, Despite Marchionne Claim