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

Wednesday, 09 October 2013

BBC News

• Aircraft noise 'link' to stroke and heart disease deaths The risks of stroke, heart and circulatory disease are higher in areas with a lot of aircraft noise, researchers say.
• Edinburgh trams: Testing programme begins Tram testing is due to start in Edinburgh between the depot at Gogar and Edinburgh Park Station.
• Cornwall Council 'cannot rule out' further cuts to bus services Cornwall Council has said it "cannot rule out" the loss of further bus services with low passenger numbers.
• Galashiels road direction reversal ready A one-way street in Galashiels is to reverse the direction of traffic flow after more than 20 years during works on a transport interchange.
• Rail companies' power to raise fares in England to be curbed The rail industry's power to increase fares in England is to be curbed as part of a government drive to overhaul the rail fare system.
• Passenger lands sick pilot's planeA passenger manages to land an aeroplane at Humberside Airport after the pilot falls ill at the controls.
• Long delays for London commutersRail services between Norwich and London return to normal after thousands of passengers experienced delays and cancellations.
• Airport set for public ownershipThe Scottish government confirms that it plans to take Glasgow Prestwick Airport into public ownership.

Financial Times

• Alitalia crisis talks as cash-crunch loomsItaly holds more discussions to try to keep the flag carrier flying while a credit deadline nears and a creditor threatens to stop supplying fuel
• Singapore Girl is facing a bumpy rideThe winds of change are blowing in the Asian airline industry as low-cost carriers steadily eat away at the market share of established carriers
• Scotland to take over Glasgow PrestwickNicola Sturgeon, deputy first minister, announces airport will be nationalised, saying that its preventing closure would safeguard 1,400 jobs
• MTR on track for Beijing rail dealsThe Hong Kong metro rail group is in talks to operate two new lines in China’s capital, including a high-speed link to the new international airport

The Guardian

• Rail fare rises limited to 2% in new deal for commutersSeason tickets for part-time workers and cheaper fares out of rush hours are part of a new look for the rail fare systemAn overhaul of rail fares means the highest rises will be curbed from next year as the government attempts to take the sting out of ticket prices increasing above inflation. While average fares will still go up by 4.1% in January, the ability of train operators to increase individual fares will be limited to an extra 2%, rather than the current 5% – removing a power that has meant some commuters have had to pay almost 10% more for their season tickets in recent years.The gove...
• Passenger lands plane after pilot becomes illHumberside airport called in instructors to provide radio advice and closed off roadsA passenger had to take over the controls of an aeroplane and make an emergency landing at a regional English airport on Tuesday after the pilot fell ill.The light aircraft had taken off for a training flight carrying just the pilot and the passenger, who is believed to have had flying experience but had not carried out a landing before. With guidance from experts on the ground, the passenger flew the plane safely to the ground.Humberside airport called in instructors to provide radio advice to the passenger a...
• Potholes could swallow Isle of WightFreedom of information figures reveal one pothole for every mile of UK road and councils paying out £2.5m for vehicle damageBritain's potholes collectively measure 295 square miles – twice the size of the Isle of Wight. There is now one pothole for every mile of road, according to data gathered from councils by breakdown company Britannia Rescue using freedom of information. The figures showed that councils paid out a total of £2.5m in compensation to motorists in the past financial year for pothole damage to cars. Britannia Rescue said a survey of 2,001 UK adults showed they had suffered car ...

The Herald

• Edinburgh tram project reaches track-testing stageTHE tram project in Edinburgh has taken another step forward with the start of a new stage of testing on the tracks.
• East Coast rail firm's £208m for taxpayersTHE nationalised railway company operating the East Coast Main Line has returned £208.7 million to taxpayers as revenues soared, fuelling the debate over plans to return it to private hands.
• Struggling airport put into public hands in bid to save jobsTROUBLED Prestwick Airport is to be taken into public ownership to avoid the

The Independent

• Why living near an airport could be bad for your health Studies reveal link between areas with high noise pollution and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke among residents

The Scotsman

• Leaders: Prestwick deal comes with baggagePrestwick Airport, thanks to its role, now lost in history, as Scotland’s trans­atlantic gateway – and, incidentally, as the only known point of physical contact between Elvis Presley and Scotland – has a special place in Scottish affections.

The Telegraph

• New blow for HS2 as 'lost' battlefield is found on routeHS2 faces a new blow after historians pinpoint the previously
• Prestwick Airport set for public ownershipTHE Scottish Government is to take struggling Prestwick Airport into public ownership to prevent its closure.    
• End to 10pc rail ticket rises announced by ministersTrain companies are to be barred from imposing double-digit fare rises on commuters, ministers will announce on Wednesday.    

Mail Online

• Easyjet plane takes off leaving 29 passengers stranded at Spanish airportThe group, who had checked in on time, were steps away from boarding the Bristol-bound flight at the departure gate at Malaga after showing their boarding passes.
• Rail fares capped to cut the cost of living: Changes could save commuters £200 a yearTransport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin will announce a new curb on rail fares today, which could translate to substantial savings for commuters.

The Mirror

• Pump prices set to fall by up to 4p a litre as RAC predicts a new forecourt price warMotoring group says custo,ers could cash in if the latest drop in wholesale fuel costs leads to cut-throat competition among retailers
• Passenger with NO flying experience forced to land aircraft after pilot falls ill and passes out The man passed over Humberside Airport quite a few times but ended up making

Network Rail

• ‘Lifetime railwayman’ Chris Gibb to join Network Rail as non-executive directorNetwork Rail has today announced the appointment of one of Britain’s most experienced rail industry figures, Chris Gibb, as a non-executive director.

Birmingham Post

• HS2 rail line plan should be put on hold, says Commons committeeMPs argue controversial scheme needs 'more convincing' economic argument as costs soar to £42.6 billion

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Keighley MP Kris Hopkins in policing and parking talks Policing, education and parking problems were on the agenda during a Bangladeshi community group’s meeting with Keighley’s MP.
• Rail disruption in Bradford district after train hits sheep Several sheep have been hit by a train near Silsden - causing services to and from Bradford to be cancelled.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented Free-ride changes after rival bus firm challenges rulingArticle

London Evening Standard

• Rail operators face huge bills as commuter wins battle over First Capital Connect season ticket 'loophole'A commuter has won a landmark legal victory over a train company after discovering he could save hundreds of pounds buying his season ticket from a different station.
• Increase in rail fares restricted Hard-pressed rail commuters facing inflation-busting season ticket fare increases in the new year are being given some respite.

Northern Echo

• Airport master plan gets local authority backing LOCAL authority leaders have given a cautious welcome to the preparation of a rescue plan for Durham Tees Valley Airport (DTVA).

Wales Online

• New blow for HS2 high-speed rail link The HS2 rail link between London and the North should be put on hold, a powerful Commons committee has recommended as it warned of “serious shortcomings” in the project’s research

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Vandals targeting Leeds trolleybus signsTransport chiefs fear their information blitz about the Leeds trolleybus scheme is being derailed by a dirty tricks campaign.

Yorkshire Post

• Bus operator earns its stripes with new name A Yorkshire bus operator has begun a new era that it hopes will be a roaring success. Services that have previously run under the Centrebus and Huddersfield Bus Company names will now operate as part of the Yorshire Tiger brand.
• HS2 branded ‘vanity project’ in wake of call for more scrutinyCAMPAIGNERS against the HS2 rail link have accused the Government of “ploughing on regardless” with a “vanity project” despite a growing body of evidence suggesting the multi-billion pound scheme needs to be re-assessed.

Doncaster Free Press

• CCTV: Doncaster police appeal after attempt cycle theftPolice investigating an attempted theft of a pedal cycle in Doncaster have released CCTV images of three people they want to speak to in connection with the incident.    

East Anglian Daily Times

• Essex: Traffic congestion after A12 crash shows major roads need upgrading, says business leaderBusiness leaders last night renewed calls for improvements to key road infrastructure in Essex after an accident on the A12 brought major traffic congestion to the county.
• Suffolk: Airspace shake-up set to be revealed by NATSConsultation starts this month on fresh proposals to change the flightpaths of jet planes in Suffolk’s skies as they travel to and from major airports.
• Rail chaos prompts renewed calls for investment on the lineAnother day of rail chaos on the main line to London has prompted further calls for major new investment on the route that carries tens of thousands of commuters to the capital.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Image released after phone stolen at Peterborough rail stationTuesday 4pm: British Transport Police are appealing for information after a mobile phone was stolen in a waiting room at Peterborough’s rail station on Monday, 9 September.

Other Regional Press

• Planes noise 'linked to ill health' Risks of hospital admissions and deaths from stroke, heart and circulatory disease are higher in areas with high levels of aircraft noise, a study has found.

Airportwatch

• Swansea bus station in running for Euro design award SWANSEA'S £10 million bus station has been named as a finalist in the European Commission's RegioStars annual awards.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• ICAO MAKES PROGRESS ON GREEN AIR TAX Governments have agreed airlines should come under a worldwide carbon-cutting scheme at the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO's) 38th annual assembly.
• TFL TO TRIAL OFF-PEAK FREIGHT DELIVERIES Transport for London (TfL) has announced a new trial that will see freight operators deliver to businesses outside of the more busier hours.
• AIRPORTS COMMISSION WANTS MORE CAPACITY Chair of the Airports Commission Sir Howard Davies has stated the organisation wants more capacity for air transport in the UK.
• TREASURY COMMITTEE HAS HS2 'DOUBTS' The Treasury Committee has expressed concerns over the cost of the HS2 scheme.

Global Rail News

• UK government reshuffles transport teamIt was all change at the UK’s Department of Transport (DfT) as Prime Minister David Cameron outlined a major reshuffle. Simon Burns, Minister of State, had already tendered his resignation[...]
• Network Rail consultancy lands first contractThe consultancy arm of Britain’s rail infrastructure manager, Network Rail Consulting, has been awarded its first contract as safety assessor for the design and construction of Sydney’s North West Rail[...]
• RailStaff Awards 2013
• WS Atkins named lead designer for Riyadh Metro contractWS Atkins has won a £75 million contract as lead designer for three lines of a new 180-kilometre long metro system in Riyadh. The company will work with Spanish consultancy[...]

Railnews

• Key rail fare reforms expected today Fare increases are set to be reduced by the Government, which is due to cut the limit of the 'flex' deployed by train operators from 5 per cent to 2 per cent. The reform is expected to be part of the publication today of the Department for Transport's Fares and Ticketing Review, which started last year and had been due to appear in the summer.

Aviation Industry

• BALPA: European Commission trying to force through FTL changesThe British Air Line Pilots Association (BALPA) has warned the European Commission will try and force through revised flight time limitations (FTL) that were rejected by the European Parliament’s (EP) Transport Committee last week. read more
• Virgin Atlantic to lobby for London-Moscow serviceVirgin Atlantic will continue to lobby for the London-Moscow route, Virgin Atlantic director-airline planning Edmond Rose told the Wings of Russia International Aviation Forum Oct. 8, adding the airline’s top management is still confident in that destination. read more
• Etihad to launch flights to Los AngelesRoute will be carrier’s first service to the US west coast

Other News Sources

• Heathrow Airport noise is a stroke and heart disease risk for locals There is a strong link between heart disease and residents who are exposed to a high level of aircraft noise, according to an editorial published by bmj.com.
• Aircraft noise linked to higher rates of heart disease and stroke near Heathrow Researchers at Imperial College London and King’s College London compared data on day- and night-time aircraft noise with hospital admissions and mortality rates among a population of 3.6 million people living near Heathrow airport.