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

Saturday, 14 September 2013

BBC News

• Companies shortlisted for A9 workA shortlist of companies to be invited to tender for A9 dual carriageway design contracts is revealed by Transport Scotland.
• Trains used for whisky deliveriesThe whisky industry on Speyside begins a two-month trial to improve the use of rail freight with the aim of reducing traffic and emissions.
• Flying Scots join the Red ArrowsTwo Scots pilots, one from the Borders and one from the Highlands, are to join the Lincolnshire-based Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows.
• Support for 20mph City speed limitA scheme to introduce a speed limit within the City of London of 20mph is welcomed by a charity which encourages people to not use cars.

Financial Times

• Tunnellers get London out of a tight spotAs Crossrail and other new subterranean projects criss-cross London centuries-old tunnelling techniques have become necessary as space becomes tighter
• Waterman says HS2 will be smash hitThe pop producer was a surprise choice to join government’s HS2 taskforce, led by former head of London Organising Committee for the Olympics
• Aer Lingus shares hit by profit warningIrish airline blames slump in short-haul business on ‘good summer weather’ and is reducing its forecast for 2013 operating profits
• HS2 expert doubts scale of economic boostHenry Overman, an advisor to the government, said the methodology used to reach the £15bn figure was technically wrong

The Herald

• Salmond pressed on £800,000ALEX Salmond is today accused by the Treasury of trying to

Daily Express

• Jailed, court clerk who wiped off car penalty points for cashA CORRUPT court official who masterminded a scam to wipe penalty points off driving licences for cash was jailed for six years yesterday.

Mail Online

• Husband and wife designers set to make £1million out of plastic rail that STOPS pirates in their tracksTeresa and David Stevens from Lee-on-Solent Hampshire have designed a plastic barrier which fits over the railings of big ships.

This is Money

• How much to buy the ten most popular cars of the last 25 years?The Ford Focus was voted most popular car of the past 25 years, beating even supercars. But how much would the top ten cost you?
• Upgrade of existing rail network AND HS2 neededWith some smart financing, using bonds that fit the needs of pension funds including the NEST auto-enrolment scheme, it can be done.
• Heathrow airport expansion are a pain for MPsThat’s the view of Heathrow bosses who fear that expanding Heathrow as Britain’s main airport hub remains ‘politically inconvenient’ for parties of all complexions.

Network Rail

• Network Rail wins three awards from Rail Freight GroupNetwork Rail’s freight team are celebrating after the company won three awards – including the prestigious Business of the Year award - from the Rail Freight Group (RFG).

London Evening Standard

• Airline helps people beat their fear of flying by taking them on a planeFrightened flyers have been invited to conquer their phobias on courses being run by a budget airline — including a flight on a plane full of other scared passengers.
• Minister: Network Rail has taken its eye off the ball over maintenanceRail chiefs have “taken their eye off the ball” on day-to-day maintenance, leading to passengers suffering delays on the network, transport minister Norman Baker said today.

Manchester Evening News

• Leap of faith for stunt riders taking on a tramSome of the world’s leading trial bike riders are to take part in the competition in the city centre.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• HS2 talks relaunched after review complaintA consultation on compensating property owners for the long-term damage caused by the High Speed 2 high speed rail line has been re-launched by ministers after the biggest joint lawsuit in legal history.

Yorkshire Post

• Adonis in bid to rally region’s support for fast railLABOUR peer Lord Adonis has urged Yorkshire to defend plans for a new high speed rail line to Yorkshire against attempts by ’southern Nimbys’ to undermine the project.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Tendring: MP accuses highway chiefs of a “dereliction of duty” for failing to improve safety on A120An MP has accused highway chiefs of a “dereliction of duty” for failing to improve safety on a notorious stretch of a north Essex road.

Other Regional Press

• Big decisions ahead for Langstone Harbour as report is outlinedA HARBOUR authority must work towards self-sufficiency and becoming more business-like, a report has recommended.
• MP takes car park campaign fight to the topBEDFORDSHIRE on Sunday is continuing its battle against the illegitimate parking tickets being sent to customers of the Greyfriars Car Park in Bedford.
• Four options for reopening Varsity train line from Cambridge to Bedford revealed by RailfutureFOUR options to reopen the railway line from Cambridge to Bedford have been published by campaigners.
• Topping-out ceremony to be held at Northampton’s new bus stationA topping-out ceremony will be held at Northampton’s new bus station next week.
• Stretch of Aberdeen road closes for 10 days due to sewer workABERDEEN’S Friarsfield Road has closed between Kirk Brae and Abbotshall Road for up to 10 days during sewer connection works for a new housing development.
• New police plea after cable stripped from railway linePOLICE today revealed they were “disappointed” with the public’s response after a record-breaking cable heist.

Global Rail News

• Planning approval for Rochester stationMedway Council has given Network Rail the go ahead to build a new £26 million station in Rochester. The station, which will be operated by Southeastern when it opens in[...]
• Arrival of new Nottingham tram signals jobs for the cityCity officials have been presented the keys to Nottingham’s first Citadis tram during a handover ceremony at NET’s Wilkinson Street depot. At the unveiling ceremony, the chief executive of Tramlink,[...]

Railway Gazette

• Lithium loco batteryBATTERY: StartPac’s Li64RR lithium ion 64 V battery for use on locomotives is a 150 kg unit based on aviation industry technology. It is designed to replace two 32 V lead acid...

Aviation Industry

• American Airlines CEO can get $20M after merger, judge rulesThe federal judge who ruled against a $20 million severance payment to the CEO of American Airlines said Friday that parent AMR Corp. and US Airways can pay the executive after their merger, but not before.
• Iberia launches new fares structureSpanish carrier offers three options for short-haul flights

Other News Sources

• Blackburn to Manchester link set to get massive improvements THE vital rail link between Blackburn, Clitheroe and Manchester looks set to be revolutionised ending a massive campaign which has gone on for years.