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

Saturday, 24 August 2013

BBC News

• Cyclist crossed in front of trainA police say a cyclist lifted his bike over lowered barriers at a railway level crossing before wheeling it over the tracks as a train approached.
• Ship to be transported to AustraliaWorld's oldest clipper to be transported to Australia

Financial Times

• New Stobart chairman promises clean slateRole includes rebuilding confidence at transport company which saw a boadroom coup and counter-coup that rocked the haulier earlier this year
• Network Rail punctuality fallsThe latest data shows poorest timekeeping was on the West Coast and East Coast mainlines, the two main routes between London and Scotland

The Herald

• Number of delayed trains on the riseLate-summer train punctuality has dipped, with trains connecting Scotland and London the worst performers.
• Speed cameras on deadly A9 'would save two lives each year'THE launch of average speed cameras on Scotland's deadliest road would prevent at least two motoring fatalities and 26 crashes in its first year of operation, according to projections.

The Independent

• Alistair Darling backtracks on 'foolish' HS2 rail project Former Labour chancellor Alistair Darling has spoken out strongly against plans to build a high speed rail link from London to the Midlands and the North of England.    

The Scotsman

• Alistair Darling attacks HS2 high-speed rail projectFORMER Labour chancellor of the exchequer Alistair Darling has strongly attacked the HS2 high-speed rail project, saying its economic benefits are “highly contentious”.

The Telegraph

• Alistair Darling: UK rail network could 'fall apart' because of HS2The spiralling cost of the High Speed 2 project could be
• Train punctuality falls as industry struggles to cope with infrastructure failuresMore than one in seven trains on Britain's key long distance rail networks were more than 10 minutes late as punctuality fell and the industry struggled to cope with crumbling infrastructure.    
• Tory peer Lord Ashcroft calls on David Cameron to 'scrap' HS2Pressure is growing on David Cameron to abandon the controversial HS2 rail project after a senior Conservative peer called on him to

Mail Online

• Rail network could fall apart because £70bn HS2 line will drain money away from rest of the network, says Alistair DarlingThe former chancellor said HS2 could turn into a 'nightmare' because of soaring costs.

The Mirror

• Budget airlines luggage charges can cost more than sending your suitcases via courier The consumer watchdog found Ryanair in high season charges customers £35 each way to take the luggage
• Bank Holiday weekend getaway begins with 30 million Brits enjoying a break before last of summer sunshineThe AA is predicting at least 16 million motorists will hit Britain’s roads as families take advantage of the three-day break

Network Rail

• National train performance for period 5 is 91.3%Punctuality on the railways reached 91.3% during Period 5, according to monthly performance data released today by Network Rail.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Lothian Buses carry 2.5m people in Fringe weekBUMPER Festival crowds have helped Lothian Buses smash records after picking up more than 2.5 million passengers in a single week.
• Drivers turn to cycling due to traffic congestionCOMMUTERS are turning to cycling and walking at record rates according to new figures – with levels of both booming as people become disillusioned with high car costs and traffic congestion.

London Evening Standard

• Tory MP warns of transport 'mega-union'A senior Conservative today warned Londoners faced more strikes on the transport network after it emerged a “mega-union” was one step closer.
• Football hooliganism back on the Tube: offences jump by 38% Football hooliganism on trains and the Tube is on the rise again, according to figures released today.
• TomTom has it all mapped outThe look of disbelief on the tourist’s face — when we parked at Euston Road in the world’s most intensively “sat-navved” car — said it all.

Northern Echo

• Fiona Hall says Hitachi Rail Europe deal can have big impact on region THE region's local authorities and regional partnerships must use a flagship train building deal as a springboard to the area, a North-East MEP has said.

Sheffield Star

• East Coast trains worst in countryDoncaster rail passengers using East Coast Main Line services suffer from some of the worst punctuality in the country, according to new figures.
• South Yorkshire’s high speed rail route will ‘drain funding’, says former transport secretaryThe high speed rail route set to run near Sheffield has come under fire from another senior Labour Party figure amid warnings soaring costs could turn it into a ’nightmare’.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Shock as shipyard closesA Moray shipbuilding business that dates back more than a century has gone into administration, with the loss of almost 70 jobs.

The York Press

• UPDATED: Transport chiefs reveal criteria for Lendal Bridge trial YORK'S transport bosses have today revealed how they will gauge whether the controversial Lendal Bridge closure is a success.

Bucks Free Press

• Fury over Wycombe Lido parking fines THE FREE Press was bombarded with calls yesterday from furious car parkers at Wycombe Rye Lido after a flood of £150 parking fines hit them – which recipients claim are unfair and incorrect.

East Anglian Daily Times

• UK: Stobart Group overcomes weather challengesTransport and logistics group Stobart said today it was trading well despite Britain’s erratic weather triggering swings in demand from its retail customers.
• West Suffolk: Bus company claims there are not enough passengers to make rural routes viableA Suffolk bus company has defended a move to reduce services on some of its routes in the west of the county.

Other Regional Press

• Airport radar interference adds extra £1.3m to cost of Norwich Northern Distributor RoadTaxpayers will have to pay £1.3m in compensation to Norwich International Airport if the Northern Distributor Road is built - because the airport’s current radar system would get confused by the cars on the road.
• Homeless and cycles co-op repair city’s dumped bikes HOMELESS people are bringing Oxford’s abandoned bikes back to life as part of a new city project.
• Cyclists get their wheels in a spin over busway bikers’ pathCyclists have slammed a new cycle path that runs alongside the Luton and Dunstable Guided Busway as they claim it is not fit for purpose.
• £91m busway set to open next monthThe £91 million Luton Dunstable Busway will officially open on Wednesday September 25.

Bus and Coach.com

• Push needed for smart ticket acceptanceFour out of five bus and rail users who currently use paper tickets would move to smart ticketing if there were some incentive for them to do so, according to a study by professional services organisation PwC.
• Cash faces the axe on London's busesTransport for London has announced plans to stop accepting cash fares on buses.
• Commissioners consult on bus guidanceConsultation on draft statutory guidance and statutory directions covering local bus services has been published by senior traffic commissioner Beverley Bell.
• Go-Ahead orders OptaresGo North East has ordered 26 Optares, with 14 Versas and 12 Solo SR models.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Cuts-Watch UK We need you! (Campaign for Better Transport)Over the next few weeks and months we will be conducting research into bus cuts and where they are happening. read more

Global Rail News

• Abellio ScotRail issues tender for up to 400 new electric trainsAbellio ScotRail has issued a tender notice for the supply of up to 400 new electric trains with the added option of maintenance. The contract, for which tenders have to[...]
• New York subway extension ’90% complete’A $2.4 billion extension to one of New York’s busiest subway lines is now 90 per cent complete – six years since construction first started. The city’s transport authority, MTA,[...]
• SNCF to support development of Corsican rail networkSNCF has been appointed to provide technical support to Corsica’s rail operator CFC. The contract will run for the next three years and will see SNCF sharing its engineering expertise[...]
• Woh Hup to build Thompson Line stationSingapore’s Land Transport Authority (LTA) has awarded Woh Hup Limited a $144 million contract to build Woodlands South station on the city’s Thompson Line. The station, which will be completed[...]

Aviation Industry

• Ryanair sues sacked pilot over TV appearanceAirline takes further action over Channel 4 programme
• Finnair and Travelport agree distribution dealNordic carrier hopes to use contract to drive global expansion plans

Other News Sources

• Transport your luggage by courier, not Ryanair, says Which?Taking your golf clubs to Spain? Use a luggage courier and save up to £360, says Which?
• EU Commission clarifies ozone regulation for freight transport market The European Commission has today clarified when the EU's ban on ozone-depleting substances (ODS) applies to intermodal containers used in international transport.