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

Thursday, 25 April 2013

BBC News

• Birmingham to Pakistan bus delaysProblems obtaining transit permits delay the launch of a 4,000 mile (6,437km) bus route between Birmingham and Pakistan-administered Kashmir.
• Translink fare increases criticisedTranslink is increasing fares across its bus, coach and rail services.
• Drivers balloted on new Tube trainsDrivers who operate new trains on three Tube lines are to be balloted in a row over working conditions, a union said.
• VIDEO: Congestion falls match EU economyThe recession in Europe has led to a drop in congestion on the roads, according to data released by traffic analysis company INRIX.
• VIDEO: Turbulent times for BoeingA series of problems this year for the Dreamliner aircraft has led to turbulent times for its maker, Boeing.
• VIDEO: Japan carriers hit by Dreamliner delaysIn Japan, airlines are still waiting for their fleets of Boeing 787 Dreamliners to take to the skies again. Rupert Wingfield-Hayes reports from Tokyo.
• VIDEO: Daimler profits hit by sales fallsMercedes-Benz parent Daimler has reported a sharp drop in first quarter earnings, after profits plunged at both its passenger car and its commercial truck business.
• Boeing profits up despite 787 crisisBoeing says it will resume deliveries of its 787 Dreamliner in May as it reports a jump in quarterly profits despite the aircraft's battery problems.
• Ford results dented by European lossUS car giant Ford reports results that underlined the contrasting fortunes of its North American and European businesses.

Financial Times

• Boeing beats expectations amid groundingAircraft maker’s sales are hurt by Dreamliner troubles but it still reports better than expected earnings and holds a positive outlook for the year
• Jet agrees to sell stake to EtihadGulf airline will pay $380m for 24% of the Indian carrier in a deal that marks the first foreign acquisition since New Delhi opened sector last year
• MPs call for investment in cyclingCross-party committee says more of the transport budget should be spent on cycling, starting at £10 per person and rising as cyclist numbers increase

The Herald

• Imports push up carbon footprintThe UK's overall carbon footprint has grown by one-tenth in the past two decades, the Government's climate advisers have said.

The Independent

• Cyclists 'at bigger risk on roads than jaywalkers'Cyclists and motorbike riders are at an even higher risk of being involved in a crash with a car than pedestrians who surprise drivers by stepping out into the road, a study has suggested.

The Telegraph

• Can Shell's new 'Formula 1' petrol ease anger at pumps?Video: Is Shell's new petrol as good as the fuel used in Formula 1 cars? Louise Armitstead put it to the test.    

Reuters News

• London pupils find novel way to beat aircraft noiseLONDON (Reuters) - Pupils at a London school so close to Heathrow airport that it sometimes seems descending planes might land in the playground have found a novel way to fight the roar of jet engines.

Mail Online

• Travelling on the Tube could be bad for your health because the air is rich in 'toxic dust'Experts at the University of Southampton found that dust particles in the air at an underground railway station were different to everyday particles.
• In-flight flirting: Virgin launches seat-back system that lets you send drinks to fellow passengersVirgin America passengers can use a digital seat map on their in-flight entertainment system to pinpoint the object of their affections, then send them a drink.
• How MP Jim Mcovern's £24 rail ticket ended up costing taxpayers £27,000The saga started after Jim McGovern, MP for Dundee West, launched a legal challenge against the Commons expenses watchdog because it rejected his claim for a fare reimbursement.

Network Rail

• West Coast Main Line to receive major improvement workWork on the West Coast Main Line will be carried out this summer to increase the speed that trains can travel. Four major rail junctions will also be replaced and enhanced. The work will improve the reliability of the infrastructure and the punctuality of train services on Britain’s busiest mixed-use railway line.
• Network Rail to build a new footpath over Robinswood badgersNetwork Rail has started work to construct a new public footpath at Robinswood in Gloucester – including a raised walkway over an active badger sett.
• Thames Valley graduates invited to join rail industry Track & Train schemeThe rail industry is seeking 50 more graduates to join its unique 18-month paid work placement scheme, Track & Train. Graduates are employed for three, six-month placements: one at Network Rail and two at either a passenger or freight operator or another company within the rail sector to gain a broad range of experience.
• Graduates in the east of England invited to join rail industry Track & Train schemeThe rail industry is seeking 50 more graduates to join its unique 18-month paid work placement scheme, Track & Train. Graduates are employed for three, six-month placements: one at Network Rail and two at either a passenger or freight operator or another company within the rail sector to gain a broad range of experience.

London Evening Standard

• TfL boss Sir Peter Hendy claimed £180 expenses for toy bus gifts to Boris JohnsonTransport for London chief Sir Peter Hendy has claimed £175 on expenses in buying toy buses for Boris Johnson, it has emerged.
• Labour warms to Gatwick expansionLabour was moving towards backing a second runway at Gatwick before a review was set up into Britain’s airport needs, the Standard reveals today.
• Health fears over 'tiny particles of metal in Tube dust which can get into your liver, brain, and kidneys'Travelling on the Tube could be bad for your health because of tiny metal dust particles in the atmosphere, new research has claimed.

Northern Echo

• 'Worst' East Coast rail line must be re-privatised, says rail minister THE East Coast rail line must be re-privatised because it is the “worst” in the country, the rail minister told MPs today (Wedensday, April 24).

The York Press

• £300k allocated for 20mph speed limit move YORK’S transport boss has agreed to allocate £300,000 for the next stage of plans to introduce a city-wide 20mph speed, sparking criticism from opposition councillors.
• York bus and travel apps launched THREE new bus and travel apps have been launched to make it easier for commuters, residents and visitors to find their way around York.

Wales Online

• Can Welsh police forces sustain effective anti-drink drive operations amid budget cuts?Latest Home Office figures  show two police forces in Wales breath test more drivers than any other force in England and Wales but, with millions being slashed from police budgets, will drink drivers soon be back on our roads?

Yorkshire Post

• Light touch as Mallard anniversary loomsA Yorkshire landmark has been lit up in a show of support for the National Railway Museum’s Mallard 75th anniversary celebrations.

Blackpool Gazette

• West Coast rail users face delays during £18m line investmentRail passengers using services between Blackpool and the south of England are set to face delays later this summer while an £18m improvement scheme takes place.

Peterborough Telegraph

• County Elections 2013: Transport the driving force behind election campaignsTransport across Cambridgeshire has been at the top of the political agenda as voters prepare to elect county councillors on Thursday, 2 May.

Other Regional Press

• 'Bus lanes increase safety and cut CO2'Local authorities argue bus lane enforcement helps traffic to flow better and is mainly used where congestion is a problem.
• Kirklees councillor blames Government cuts for pothole risk to cyclistsGOVERNMENT cuts are allowing roads to deteriorate and putting cyclists in danger, a councillor and cycling enthusiast has warned.

Global Rail News

• Railtex: Westermo previewAt Railtex this year, Westermo will be exhibiting a range of rail approved, Network Rail Certified, industrial data communications products such as the Ethernet Extenders, a great problem solver enabling businesses with legacy copper infrastructure to carry large amounts of Ethernet traffic. For newer infrastructure, where fibre networks are available, the Lynx Industrial Ethernet Switch [...]
• New Berlin metro model to go on display in GenevaStadler’s IK – the rolling stock manufacturer’s first underground train for Berlin – is to be unveiled at the UITP World Congress at the end of May. A full-size mock up of the new metro train will be on show in Geneva between May 26-30. Last July, Stadler Pankow, the German arm of the Swiss [...]
• 
  Graduate success for Signalling SolutionsSignalling Solutions has recruited 13 graduates to its growing team. The Alstom/Balfour Beatty joint venture, which has delivered signalling renewal works at sites around the UK – including the modification of the Great Western Main Line to support new Crossrail trains, received 500 applications for its recruitment programme. Five graduates joined the company in January [...]

Railway Gazette

• Three countries agree rail link co-ordination ASIA: The first meeting of a working group to co-ordinate the construction of railway branches from Turkmenistan and Tajikistan into Afghanistan and a line linking them through northern Afghanistan was held on April 18. This follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the presidents of the three countries on March 20. Turkmenistan has completed design work for an 85 km branch from Atamyrat to the Imamnazar border crossing, and construction could begin in July, funded by the government. Afghanistan has invited Turkmenistan to undertake studies for a 38 km continuation across the bor...

Aviation Industry

• Lydd Airport expansion plans are given Government approvalAfter a planning inquiry lasting many years, the Government has this month granted permission for Lydd airport both to extend its runway and to build new terminal facilities. The currently tiny airport hopes to attract up to half a million passengers a year. The original application for expansion was made in 2006 and approved by [...]
• Boeing: 787 modifications to be mostly complete by mid-MayBoeing has started 787 battery system modifications on 10 in-service fleet aircraft and believes modifications will be completed on nearly all 50 in-service fleet aircraft by mid-May. read more
• Delta reveals cost of more Heathrow flightsSlots still commanding premium