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

Saturday, 25 May 2013

BBC News

• Warnings over flagship projectsMore than 30 of the coalition's flagship schemes, including the West Coast Main Line scheme, are at serious risk of failure, a government report warns.
• Station reopens after evacuationLondon Bridge railway station reopens after being evacuated over reports of a man with a weapon at the station, British Transport Police says.
• VIDEO: Footage from on board stricken planeFootage has emerged from on board a plane that had to return to Heathrow Airport to make an emergency landing after black smoke was seen coming from an engine.
• Heathrow back to normal after 'fire'Heathrow operator BAA says it is expecting business as usual on Saturday after a British Airways plane had to return to the airport to make an emergency landing on Friday morning.

Financial Times

• Heathrow runway shut by emergency landingMore than 200 flights were cancelled, including 25 per cent of BA’s schedule, following the evacuation, causing disruption to travel before the bank holiday

The Herald

• Taking the plungeA hybrid passenger ferry powered by diesel and electricity has been launched on the Clyde.
• BA puts on bigger planes to clear Scottish passenger backlogBRITISH Airways is laying on bigger planes today to help clear the backlog of Scottish travellers left stranded when all short-haul flights to and from Heathrow Airport were cancelled following an emergency landing.
• Final phase of tramworks is due to beginTHE final major piece of construction work on Edinburgh's tram network will begin next month.
• Safety warning after change to maritime lawPASSENGERS and crew are being put at risk by changes to maritime law that have relaxed rules governing who can pilot ships, it has been claimed.

The Scotsman

• Stagecoach warning over new rules for bus firmsA LEADING transport company has warned that plans to strengthen regulations of the Scottish bus industry will damage the quality of the service to passengers.
• Over 100 skipfuls of rubbish on roads and railwaysLITTER louts drop enough rubbish at the side of Scotland’s railways and roads every year to fill 112 skips – or two Olympic-sized swimming pools.

The Telegraph

• Jet diverted to Stansted after two passengers 'tried to storm' cockpitTwo men who tried to burst into the cockpit of Pakistan International Airlines flight from Lahore to Manchester Airport are in police custody.    
• Major Coalition projects like aircraft carriers, welfare reforms and broadband roll-out questioned by official Whitehall reportReforms including Universal Credit, HS2 rail link and replacement of aircraft carriers are

London Evening Standard

• RMTs Bob Crow vows Tube strike of a generationTube union leaders today threatened the biggest strike in a generation in protest at calls to cut back pensions and free travel benefits.

Metro

• 12-mile stretch of M6 closed due to suspected fuel thievesA 12-mile stretch of the M6 was closed by police after reports of a ‘suspicious vehicle’.     

The York Press

• Crash horror rider sets sights on Paralympics A NORTH Yorkshire man paralysed in an horrific motorbike crash has his sights set on Paralympic glory.

Wales Online

• Spanish airline Vueling announces winter flights from Cardiff Airport Spanish airline giant Vueling has extended their flights programme to an all-round operation to meet demand from Welsh passengers

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Long-awaited accident blackspot works at a cost of £1.3m set for autumn startMajor £1.3 million roadworks at an accident blackspot on the Sandwell-Birmingham border will begin this autumn.

Other Regional Press

• British Transport Police appeal after man abuses Newport rail staff BRITISH Transport Police want to speak to this man after a member of rail staff was abused at Newport rail station.

Global Rail News

• New freight service links Holland with SlovakiaÖBB has begun operating a new direct container rail service between Holland and Slovakia. Containers can now be transported directly from a cargo terminal in Tilburg to the Slovakian capital[...]
• Overhead cables to be installed on Edinburgh tram route next monthInstallation of power cables for the city centre section of Edinburgh’s new tram network is to start next month, the city council has announced. Overhead and underground cabling is to[...]

Other News Sources

• Police release images of suspects in £10,000 distraction theft at Winchester car park POLICE have released CCTV images of people suspected of stealing £10,000 from a woman in a Winchester car park.
• High Speed 2 procurement to benefit UK SMEsHigh Speed 2 work looks set to be broken down into smaller packages that will enable UK SMEs to compete, its chairman has told Construction News.
• Crossrail Woolwich station nears funding cliffA TfL finance managing director has warned that an instruction to proceed with the fit-out of Crossrail’s Woolwich station is required “by July 2013” if work is to be cost efficiently completed in time for 2018 opening date.