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

Thursday, 18 October 2012

BBC News

• I'm on a train: the Welsh secretary tweets home He spends more time on a train than any politician since Michael Portillo.
• Leeds Bradford Airport rail link 'to happen' Plans for a rail link at Leeds Bradford Airport should happen in the next 10 years, the leader of Leeds City Council has said.
• Nissan to sell steer-by-wire carsNissan plans to sell steer-by-wire cars by 2013, using electrical signals and software rather than mechanical links to control their wheels.
• Fuel duty campaign launched by MPRobert Halfon MP has unveiled a bill which he believes would shame governments and petrol companies into keeping down fuel prices.
• Plan for 20mph bus limit in cityBus speed limits will be capped at 20mph within Manchester city centre under a new voluntary code of conduct for operators.
• Group to make bid for StanstedThe owner of Manchester Airport will make a bid to buy Stansted Airport, it confirms.
• Free Underground wi-fi extendedFree wi-fi at some London Underground stations is to continue for the rest of the year.
• Crossrail in '25% property boost'House prices along the £16bn Crossrail route could rise by up to 25% in the next 10 years, a report shows.

The Telegraph

• Boris Johnson plans legal action over Britain's airport capacityBoris Johnson is planning legal action to force David Cameron to accelerate moves to increase Britain's airport capacity.

Mail Online

• Gatwick row: Second runway could open within a decade and double travellers to 70million a yearThe controversial plans for a second runway at the West Sussex airport have provoked outrage from campaigners in the area, who have vowed to defeat them.

London Evening Standard

• Thames cable cars running at 10 per cent of capacity The number of passengers using the cable-car link across the Thames has plummeted since the Olympics.
• Gatwick and Heathrow Airports: Boris raises the stakesThe battle over London airport expansion escalated dramatically on two fronts today. The Standard can reveal that Boris Johnson personally raised the prospect with David Cameron of taking legal action against the Government to speed up an airports review.
• London Underground: driverless Tube trains must go ahead, callBoris Johnson will today be urged to "reaffirm his commitment" to introducing driverless Tube trains.
• New Gatwick runway option probedGatwick bosses are beginning detailed work on the option for a new runway at the airport.

Manchester Evening News

• Buses set for 20mph limit in Manchester city centreBuses are to adopt a voluntary 20 mph speed limit in Manchester city centre. The city's major bus operators are all expected to sign up to the newcode of conduct which will put in place the voluntary limit inside Manchester's inner ring road.
• Video: Passengers evacuated from bus after it catches fire in HarpurheyFire crews were scrambled to tackle the burning vehicle on Rochdale Road, Harpurhey, at around 5.30pm on Wednesday.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post commented Fill up your car with hydrogen at uni's futuristic filling...Article

The York Press

• Double decker buses ditched from No 4 route only months after replacing ftrs DOUBLE decker buses have been withdrawn from a York bus route “ less than seven months after they replaced the controversial ftr superbuses.

Bucks Free Press

• Rail chiefs insist Beaconsfield will get better trains RAIL chiefs insist Beaconsfield passengers will get a better service from December “ despite the prospect of fewer trains from their station each day.

Other Regional Press

• ’Remove lights and bus lanes to ease Aylesbury congestion’ Replacing some of Aylesbury’s pedestrian traffic signals with zebra crossings and taking out bus lanes could ease congestion problems, a council leader has said.
• 17 speed cameras have helped cut crash toll in Huddersfield - What's your view?SPEED cameras on a notorious stretch of a busy road in Huddersfield have slashed accidents.
• Aberdeen Airport to provide airside smoking shelterSMOKERS could soon be able to enjoy a last puff before take-off, Aberdeen Airport bosses revealed today.

Global Rail News

• Metrolink fares to rise by 4% next yearMetrolink fares are to rise by an average of four per cent from January 2013, Manchester’s transport bosses have announced. The Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGM) has said the increase will meet rising operating costs and support improvement programmes across the network. Committee members have said that child fares will be frozen, or reduced, [...]
• Govia backs Customer ServiceGovia is sponsoring the Outstanding Customer Service Award at this year™s RailStaff Awards. The keenly contested award recognises the men and women demonstrating the best examples of customer service skills often delivered in challenging and dramatic situations. However it also highlights the poise and professionalism of the many staff across the railways who help millions [...]
• Interfleet fields top training teamInterfleet™s Training and Competence Solutions team is one of the most recognised and respected training providers within the rail industry. With the largest assembled team of trainers and assessors, Interfleet supports the industry with training and competence assurance in many disciplines. The methodology adopted by Interfleet Technology focuses on improving business performance through the development [...]
• New cranes unveiled at Southampton rail freight terminalThe inauguration of two new cranes worth £9 million has taken place at Freightliner’s Southampton rail freight terminal. The cranes and associated groundwork represent the largest single-item capital investment by Freightliner in terminal or port infrastructure since the business was privatised in 1996. Officials attended the launch of Freightliner Fortis 15-10-2012 and Freightliner Agilitas 15-10-2012 [...]
• IRSE: 100 years of progressCommemorating a centenary should always be high profile and the Institution of Railway Signal Engineers did justice to this milestone with its Aspect Conference and Annual Convention in London over the six days, 10 – 15 September. The temptation is always to reflect on past glories and achievements, and whilst some past events were recalled, [...]

Aviation Industry

• Alliances look towards no-frills airlinesSkyteam predicts more interest from low-cost carriers in joining global alliances
• Management shake up at Air FranceAirline bids to return to profit
• Gatwick to make case for new runwaySussex airport claims a second runway could be best option for south-east expansion

Other News Sources

• A Circle Line for the ValleysWe have leapt from the 19th to the 21st Century in a single bound. As well as being a huge shot in the arm for the Welsh economy, the decision to electrify the entire Valley lines network and the Great Western Main Line to Swansea represents the most significant investment in Welsh rail infrastructure since the Severn Tunnel was opened in 1886.
• Tube performance and line upgrades on the agenda Have the steps taken by the Mayor and Transport for London to reduce delays and improve performance on the Tube led to improved services for passengers?  The London Assembly Transport Committee will tomorrow question transport chiefs on updates to Tube performance and the upgrade programme. The Committee will be following up its report on delays “ The State of the Underground[1] “ published September 2011.  No...