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

Friday, 13 September 2013

BBC News

• Stoke Gifford bypass plan is approved by councillors Plans for a bypass around Stoke Gifford in South Gloucestershire have been approved by councillors.
• Unlimited use of Dartford Crossing for £20 per year "Local people" will be allowed unlimited use of the Dartford Crossing for £20 per year, the transport secretary has announced.
• New Forest and South Downs National Parks discuss green transport Transport chiefs have been discussing how to spend £4m on greener travel, at a special conference in Hampshire.
• The maps transforming how we interact with the world The modern map is no longer an unwieldy printed publication we wrestle with on some blustery peak, but digital, data-rich, and dynamic.
• Rail users face 'unnecessary delays'Train passengers are facing unnecessary delays because Network Rail is not doing its job properly, according to a critical report from the regulator.
• Pledge to end car emissions by 2050The Scottish government says it wants the country's towns and cities to be free of emissions from petrol and diesel vehicles by 2050.
• £150m in shipyard asbestos claims£150m in compensation is expected to be paid to former Harland and Wolff workers who contracted asbestos-related diseases while working at the shipyard.
• MPs plea over London transport faresLondon MPs sign a Commons motion calling for transport fares in the capital to be frozen, saying they are the
• Daily Mail settles Ryanair libelA libel action brought by budget airline Ryanair against the publishers of the Daily Mail and the Irish Daily Mail has been settled out of court.

ITV News

• Network Rail: 'Half a million more trains' arrive on time Network Rail defended their track record in the face of scathing criticism from the industry regulator, the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

Financial Times

• Network Rail carpeted for performanceMinisters summon senior executives to explain why nation’s rail track owner is falling short on punctuality and set to miss efficiency targets

The Herald

• Passenger numbers soar at Scotland's airportsPassenger numbers at Scotland's airports have continued to grow this summer.

The Telegraph

• Sketch: HS2, the low-speed high-speedMichael Deacon watches MPs continue to debate HS2, as Patrick McLoughlin promises YOOOGE benefits.    
• Network Rail regulator: more delays expectedPassengers are facing more delays because Network Rail is failing to maintain the track properly, the industry regulator has said.    
• City introduces 20mph speed limitSpeed limits within the City of London are to be cut under proposals unveiled by the Corporation.    

Mail Online

• Network Rail faces £75million fine over huge rise in delays despite it being handed billions to maintain the country's railwaysMillions of passengers have been delayed by cancelled and late-running trains because the rail firm – set up to maintain Britain’s tracks – is not doing its job.

The Mirror

• Stagecoach bus bosses ask disabled dad for £27.50 to return lost walletHe lost his wallet – containing £225, including his disability allowance – on a Stagecoach bus while taking his children to nursery

Network Rail

• Planning permission granted for new station in RochesterNetwork Rail has been granted planning permission to build a new station in Rochester.

Birmingham Post

• Midlands may not have enough skills to keep up with Jaguar Land Rover expansion Plans for expanded Solihull site may see JLR recruitment spread beyond region

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Keighley & Worth Valley Railway signals a need for volunteers More volunteers are “desperately” needed if one of the area’s top tourist attractions is to keep running at current levels.

Bristol Live

• The Bristol Post published First buses to start accepting the Bristol PoundArticle

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented Campaigners steam ahead in plea to save historic bridgeCAMPAIGNERS are joining forces to try to bring the city's historic Friar Gate bridge back to its former glory.The 135-year-old bridge closed as a railway station more than 45 years ago.Now, residents have organised a meeting on September 20 to discuss ways to preserve it. Organiser Mandy Coons, chairman of New Zealand Community Association, said: "We want to do something before it is too late."It's close to our neighbourhood and it is one of a kind."Mrs Coons, 54, who lives in...

London Evening Standard

• British Airways adds £10 fee to check luggage on some Europe flightsPassengers travelling with British Airways on short haul flights will have to pay £10 for checking in a bag.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post commented First look at new trams for NottinghamThese pictures show the moment the first new tram for Nottingham's network was delivered to a Hyson Green depot. Shipped all the way from Barcelona, the new Alstom Citadis is one of 22 new vehicles that will run on the tracks around Nottingham. The city is the first in the country to have the new type of tram, but they have also been used in Paris and Madrid. They have a top speed of 43 mph and are built to last 35 years. They will have space for 58 seated passengers and 144 standing passengers,...

Wales Online

• Network Rail is failing to deliver, says regulatorThe company must urgently address its shortcomings and address the problems that are causing to disruption to passengers, says an Office of Rail Regulation report
• Cardiff Council to buy up buildings around city's station - but admit there's no firm plans in place for the areaThe cabinet today agreed to buy out leaseholds with the aim of turning the land around Cardiff Central Station into a transport hub to rejuvenate the city centre

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Video: Compensation plea for losses from HS2Campaigners gathered to demand compensation for losses they fear they will suffer from the new HS2 rail network - just as the Government announced its intentions to “squeeze every penny” of economic benefit out of the multi-billion pound project.

Yorkshire Post

• First Muslim leader of TUCA bus driver from West Yorkshire has been elected TUC president.

Blackpool Gazette

• Vital link road may be closed ‘for years’Fears have been raised a major commuter route into Lytham and St Annes could be closed for years.

Doncaster Free Press

• East Coast Mainline Transport cleaners to strikeTransport cleaners working for contractors ISS on the East Coast Mainline will be taking a further wave of strike action next Monday     

Other Regional Press

• Poor takeup of new late-night bus service in Winchester THE long-term future of a late night bus service in Winchester appears uncertain after disappointing passenger numbers in the first year.
• Transport Scotland denies Aberdeen bypass delay claimsTRANSPORT Scotland today insisted claims Aberdeen’s long-awaited bypass could be delayed by six months are not true.
• Government admits changes may be made to HS2 scheme to “squeeze every penny” of economic benefit from project Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin promises to “adapt and improve” the plans in response to criticism of the project
• 'Virtually every country in Europe is pulling the plug on future high speed projects' Doubt over HS2 benefit and memories of Canley club  - Coventry Telegraph Letters for September 12

C.N.N.

• United Airlines sells 'free' tickets on website

The Economist

• High speed rail: One direction But will anyone hear it fall? BRITAIN’S economy is a decidedly one-track affair: addicted to debt, growth apparently dependent on credit-fuelled consumption. It all seems very short-term. No wonder British politicians grab any opportunity to talk up their investment credentials. Top of the pile is HS2, a high-speed rail project that will link London with Birmingham by 2026 and with Manchester and Leeds by 2033. The project is an example of the perilous assumptions about the future involved in long-term infrastructure planning. It also shows how politics can trump the number-crunchers.It has ...

Bus and Coach.com

• Albatross snaps up LHTS Albatross Travel Group has acquired London Hotels & Travel Service (LHTS) which will operate as a trading brand for the group from Albatross London’s offices in Soho.
• Squire for FirstFormer Warrington Borough Transport managing director DAVID SQUIRE has now been appointed interim regional managing director for First UK Bus South East and Midlands.
• New role for Volvo's DownieIAN DOWNIE has been appointed coach sales director at Volvo Bus UK in addition to his current responsibility as product director.
• Bentley man for ADLKEN SCOTT has joined ADL as group engineering director.
• New CEO for OptareThere is a new chief executive officer at Optare.
• First restructures in Midlands and EastFirst is restructuring its business in the Midlands and the east of England with the creation of two business units, each of which will have its own managing director.
• BAM Nuttall settles on Busway costsA dispute over the cost of building the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway has been settled, with contractor BAM Nuttall agreeing to pay the county council £33million.
• Apprentice concession callBuses could help cut youth unemployment and deliver a £1.
• Stagecoach adopts job-seeker discountStagecoach is to extend its discounted bus travel scheme for job-seekers.
• Arriva takes joint venture controlArriva has taken control of Centrebus Holdings, a joint venture formed with Centrebus in 2008 in which Arriva had a 40 per cent share.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• ZEPPELINS TO MAKE A COMEBACK FOR LOGISTICS AND TRANSPORT Worldwide Aeros Corp is making progress developing a range of Zeppelins that may have an impact on global transportation.
• NETWORK RAIL TO IMPROVE ENERGY EFFICIENCY Network Rail has announced an overhaul and upgrade to its electrical control systems - which will help improve efficiency.
• LONDON 'STILL THE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING CAPITAL' The chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping Masamichi Morooka claims London is "still the shipping capital of the world".

Global Rail News

• Bombardier to design driverless system for Delhi Metro lineBombardier has been awarded a 47 million euro contract to design and install a CBTC driverless system for a new metro line in Delhi. The city’s new Line 7 will[...]
• Network Rail to connect Thameslink tunnelsWork is set to begin this weekend to connect Thameslink’s Canal Tunnels to the national network, allowing First Capital Connect services to travel beyond King’s Cross to central London and[...]
• Colas team wins BS11000Colas Rail’s jointly delivered Track Renewals business has achieved BS 11000 certification for Collaborative Business Relationships. Says Richard Watts, Operations Manager, Colas Rail, ’Track Renewals joins Colas Rail Projects in securing BS 11000, which is fast becoming a prerequisite for rail sector contracts. It provides the industry with a strategic framework for developing contractual relationships [...]
• Moscow Metro concept train goes on showA concept Moscow Metro train has been unveiled by Siemens and Russian Machines in the Russian capital during Expo 1520. The mockup is the result of a joint design study[...]
• UNIFE seeks stronger links between European and Russian rail sectorsUNIFE is hoping to strengthen links between Europe and Russia’s rail industries after signing a partnership agreement with UIRE, the Russian Union of Industries of Railway Equipment. The MoU was[...]
• Engineers at WarIt’s 10 years since army rail engineers went into Iraq to resurrect its defunct railway. Ian Hammond, network Rail Senior Project Engineer and Territorial Army Captain, recalls a tough job. Captain Ian Hammond, of the Royal Engineers’ 170 Infrastructure Support Engineer Group, looked around him approvingly from the Territorial Army (TA) recruiting stand at the [...]

Middle East North Africa (MENA) Rail News

• British Government Backs New Nigerian Rail ProjectThrough a partnership between government and private companies, the United Kingdom government is helping Nigeria build a 27 km railway line in Lagos. The Blue Line is going to be the spine of Lagos new railway system, designed to reduce road congestion in the city. It will be built and run in a Public – […]The post British Government Backs New Nigerian Rail Project appeared first on MENA Rail News.

Aviation Industry

• Etihad becomes Virgin's third largest ownerEtihad has overtaken English entrepreneur Richard Branson to become Virgin Australia's third-largest shareholder, after further buying by the Middle Eastern airline as it edges towards its goal of a 19.9 per cent holding.
• Jet 2 to expand East Midlands servicesFour new routes will be added from May 2014
• Ryanair settles legal case against Daily Mail Airline still suing Channel 4 over safety claims made in TV programme

Other News Sources

• Bombardier plans to bring three-wheeled motorcycles to India Firm seeks nod to import vehicles; centre examining whether the products should be sold as bikes or three-wheelers
• Stannah passenger, staff and goods lifts for Reading Station custom-built to Network Rail specificationsDetailed look at the impact of Stannah lifts, custom-built as part of a major redevelopment of Reading Station.
• Rob Gray: Thousands of local residents support Heathrow airport; it's time their voice was heard [Conservative Home]Rob Gray explains why he is leading a new local community campaign – Back Heathrow - to give a voice to the thousands of residents who support Heathrow expansion.
• Surrey set to lobby for Crossrail 2 and new stationsThe county council will argue the case for Crossrail 2 to come into Surrey, as well as for the possibility of new stations at Park Barn and Merrow in Guildford