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

Wednesday, 23 October 2013

BBC News

• Bristol Temple Meads railway station revamp plans revealed Ahead of a major redevelopment of Bristol Temple Meads railway station, the BBC has been given exclusive access to parts of the building that have never been filmed before.
• Transport Committee The Transport Committee held an evidence session on safety at level crossings on 21 October 2013. This was first oral evidence session to take place as part of the committee's safety at level crossings inquiry.
• £4.3m car-free harbour bridge opensHundreds of people attend the opening of a £4.3m pedestrian and cycle bridge across Rhyl harbour.
• Mayor urged to prevent cycle deathsLondon's mayor should take action to prevent further deaths on the cycle superhighways, a coroner says.

Financial Times

• BA backs Heathrow over Boris islandIAG chief Willie Walsh pledges not to quit west London airport for mayor's venture and predicts UKs main hub will never win go-ahead for third runway

The Guardian

• Big airports need to grow, says aviation minister Robert Goodwill Tory MP pushes case for expansion of London's biggest airports, saying UK needs capability and it is vital to support growth
• We must invest in high-speed rail or new motorways, warns HS2 chairman Outgoing HS2 chair Douglas Oakervee says poor capacity and infrastructure calls for investment over entire transport system
• Whiplash fraud crackdown extended in campaign to cut cost of drivingGovernment plans new panels to assess claimants, and will freeze MOT charges and trial petrol price signs on motorwaysThe government is launching a campaign to bring down the cost of driving by displaying petrol prices on motorway signs, freezing the cost of MOTs and cracking down on bogus whiplash claims that push up insurance premiums.Chris Grayling, the justice secretary, is unveiling a range of measures as the coalition comes under pressure to tackle the cost of living following Labour's promise to freeze gas and electricity prices.He will claim the government's efforts to stop whiplash in...

The Telegraph

• Ferrovial sells Heathrow stake to UK pension fund for £392m Spain's Ferrovial has sold an 8.65pc stake in Heathrow to the Universities Superannuation Scheme, one of the UK's largest pension funds.
• Turn off parking meters and save the high street, minister tells councilsCouncil chiefs should simply
• Drivers to be given advance warning of motorway fuel pricesDisplay boards enabling motorists to compare how much filling stations are charging for fuel are to be installed on motorways    
• More motorists should challenge parking tickets, MPs sayDrivers who contest parking tickets should be offered a 25 per cent discount, MPs say in a new report    

Mail Online

• Ryanair admits it needs to improve its image as boss O'Leary announces relaxation of restrictions which drive passengers madThe airline’s flamboyant boss Michael O’Leary has apologised for his airline’s ‘over-abrupt culture’ and pledged to change it.

Birmingham Mail

• Video: CCTV of terrifying motorway smashes released by Highways Agency Highways Agency releases footage as warning to drivers to take care through motorway roadworks

Northern Echo

• MPs tell councils: "Prove you're not ripping off motorists" COUNCIL chiefs have been ordered to open up their books in order to prove that motorists aren’t being fleeced by sky-high parking fees.

The York Press

• Support for disabled passengers using public transport DISABLED youngsters will be able to get out and about more easily after council bosses teamed up with bus and taxi operators in York to encourage vulnerable people to use public transport.
• New road safety drive in York A NEW campaign has been launched in York to try to improve road safety.

Wales Online

• Wales allocated funds as a result of Treasury cash being spent on HS2 high-speed rail networkLabour finance minister Jane Hutt confirms that the Welsh Government would receive funds under the so-called Barnett Formula, used to allocate devolved administrations a share of central Government spending.
• Edwina Hart gives backing to South East Wales Metro system Business and Transport Minister Edwina Hart will now set up a group to look at implementing the recommendations in Mark Barry's Metro report
• Wales left off EU transport map ... again Plaid Cymru MEP Jill Evans blames UK Government for omission from new transport map published by European Commission

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Park and ride scheme planned for LeedsA major new park-and-ride scheme looks set to get the green light from planners in Leeds.

Doncaster Free Press

• VIDEO: Danger cyclist alert at Doncaster StationFears over the safety of railway users have sparked a call for action after pictures emerged of ‘dangerous’ cycling at Doncaster Station.    

North Wales Live

• Ferry giant Stena adds third ship to Belfast service MV Stena Hibernia will bring added freight capacity

Other Regional Press

• Manchester Airport launches new airport awareness videoManchester Airport has launched a new video to accompany refreshed ’Airport Awareness’ literature, aimed at helping families with autistic children when travelling through the airport.
• Transport company’s right turn as ULSTERBUS says ’yes’ to women ’Clear the roads,’ ’I think I’ll have a lie in’ and ’You’ll be just like Edie McCredie.’ These are just some of the statements I heard from my friends and work colleagues when I told them I’d be learning to drive a bus this week.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Liverpool axes bus lanes – a dangerous experiment.22 October 2013: Yesterday Liverpool began a 9 month ‘experiment’ and axed all 26 of its bus lanes across the city. read more

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• HS2 CRITICS 'ARE LONDON-BASED' Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin has spoken out against HS2's opponents - saying many of them are based in London.
• HEATHROW RECOGNISED FOR SMALLER CARBON FOOTPRINT Heathrow has received the optimisation accreditation from the Airport Carbon Accreditation.
• UK HUB CAPACITY 'NEEDS TO GROW' The UK's biggest airports need to continue growing, according to new aviation minister Robert Goodwill.
• ABU DHABI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT 'AHEAD OF SCHEDULE' Abu Dhabi International Airport has announced it is ahead of schedule on its Midfield Terminal.
• HIGH CUBES A 'GROWING PROBLEM FOR CARGO' The popularity of 40 ft high cubes (HCs) is causing stowage problems for shipping carriers, according to Drewry.

Global Rail News

• Harrogate Line electrification would boost local economy by £400m, new study findsWSP has put forward a strong business case for a proposed £100 million electrification of the Harrogate Line, suggesting that the project will benefit the economy as well as passengers.[...]
• Virgin Pendolinos to undergo €12m overhaulAlstom has been awarded a contract worth over 12 million euros by Virgin to modernize its entire Pendolino fleet (56 trains). The contract includes the refurbishment of the interiors, bar,[...]
• Rail deaths across Europe fall to record lowThe number of people dying on Europe’s railways has fallen to its lowest point since EU rail safety data was first collected seven years ago. Data published by the European[...]

Aviation Industry

• Wizz Air switches 26 A320 orders to A321s Rapidly expanding Eastern European budget carrier Wizz Air has converted 26 of its Airbus A320 orders to the larger A321, which will be its first of the larger variant type. read more
• Bmi heads to Newcastle with new routeBrussels service to start next spring
• Lufthansa downgrades profit expectationGroup warns of tough times
• Delta sees fruits of a good summerAirline returns money to shareholders after excellent Q3 result
• Heathrow submits another delay-busting planAirport wants 'Operational Freedoms' during times of disruption

Other News Sources

• Brighton mainline Christmas trains cancelled Festive train times on the Brighton main line will be altered as a major rail junction is replaced.