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

Tuesday, 31 May 2011

BBC News

• Deltic locomotive back in service due to freight demand [video]Deltic Locomotives were built to replace the steam engines that once hurtled down the tracks between London and Edinburgh, but has not seen active service on British railways for 30 years.
• Legionella bacteria detected in train toilet systems Traces of legionella bacteria have been found in the toilet water tanks of two Scottish trains.

Department for Transport

• Supermarkets support Government crackdown on Blue Badge abuseFollowing major reforms to the Blue Badge scheme announced earlier this year, seven major supermarket chains have now given their support for the Government™s drive to eradicate Blue Badge abuse.

The Guardian

• Community railways are on the right track Community-run railway lines are thriving in rural and urban areas despite funding cuts
• European airports could fly 28 million more without expanding, says study Better co-ordination of takeoff and landing slots is key to tackling congestion at major airports, according to EU report

The Herald

• Capital to install car chargers EDINBURGH’S first city-centre charge point for electric cars is to open at Dynamic Earth.
• Rail bosses are urged to come clean on legionella PASSENGER groups have called on rail bosses to be open and transparent with their customers after it emerged a third of toilet water tanks on trains running across the UK carry the potentially lethal legionella bug.
• Watchdog rails against East CoastA RAIL passenger watchdog has called for improvements in services between London and Edinburgh after a weekend of disruption which saw dozens of trains cancelled.
• Maiden trip for new £25m ferry is delayedFERRY operator CalMac hopes to introduce its latest vessel into service tomorrow after a mechanical breakdown prevented its debut last Friday.
• Rail bosses are urged to come clean on legionellaPASSENGER groups have called on rail bosses to be open and transparent with their customers after it emerged a third of toilet water tanks on trains running across the UK carry the potentially lethal legionella bug.

The Independent

• Train services back on track Rail schedules were back on track today after damage to overhead power lines caused two days of disruption.

The Scotsman

• Expansion not key to airport traffic boost Europe's busiest airports could carry 28 million more passengers every year without further expansion or extra runways, a report has claimed.

The Telegraph

• Train companies face fines for overcrowding Proposals to penalise companies who breach overcrowding limits will be included in a White Paper to be unveiled later in the year.
• Councils short-change motorists by more than £1 million Motorists are being overcharged at least a million pounds a year by parking machines that do not give change, the Daily Telegraph can disclose.
• Cycling to become easier under bylaw shake-up Councils will no longer have to ask Whitehall for permission to scrap bylaws banning cycling on the pavement, promenade and through parks.

Liverpool Post

• Train seats on Liverpool to London line to increase by 25% VIRGIN Trains will add extra carriages on the Liverpool to London line to increase the number of seats by 25%.

London Evening Standard

• BA cabin crew vote on agreementBritish Airways cabin crew have started voting on a deal to end their long-running dispute with the airline.

Metro

• Fatal bacteria found on Scottish trainsTraces of legionella bacteria “ which is linked to the deadly form of pneumonia Legionnaires' disease “ have been found in the toilet water systems of ScotRail trains in Scotland.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Axing bus service will 'leave elderly trapped in homes'ELDERLY residents will be
• Online petition against cycle lane removals growing in popularityAN ONLINE petition against the

Sheffield Star

• Loco back on track again Tornado, the new £3m Doncaster-designed steam locomotive, is due to return to the tracks next month.
• £6 million rail revamp milestone A LANDMARK phase in the programme to revamp trains running between Sheffield and London will be marked today. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond is to launch East Midlands Trains’ first refurbished seven-carriage Meridian train in a ceremony at St Pancras Station.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Coach crisis deepens rail services misery Thousands of Peterborough train passengers had their travel plans left in disarray after overhead powerline problems caused time tabling chaos.

Other Regional Press

• Lincolnshire festival hailed a success despite East Coast main line chaos MAJOR rail delays on the East Coast main line failed to prevent bookworms at Lincoln's first Hay Day Festival from having a great time.
• Chris Huhne clashes with Transport Secretary over 80mph limit plan A HAMPSHIRE MP fighting allegations that he persuaded his ex-wife to take the penalty points for his speeding offence has been accused of trying to block plans to increase motorway speed limits.

Other News Sources

• Alstom completes purchase of 25% stake in Transmashholding Alstom completed the purchase of a 25% plus one share stake in Russia’s largest locomotive and rolling stock manufacturer on May 27.

News from Europe

• Design your own ticket SWEDEN: Passengers on Stockholm's local transport network can now design a personalised smart card ticket featuring their own choice of image, using Gemalto's AllAboutMe service on Storstockholms Lokaltrafik's website.