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

Thursday, 19 December 2013

BBC News

• Rail workers sprayed with excrementRail workers are being sprayed by human urine and faeces from passing trains, putting their health at risk.
• BA allows gadget use during take-offBritish Airways is to allow passengers to use handheld electronic devices throughout their journey after the UK's flight regulator eases restrictions.
• VIDEO: UK cycle safety lessons from Europe?Britain has been building roads that prioritise cars, buses and lorries for years - but not for people on two legs or two wheels - said Chris Boardman.
• VIDEO: Johnson won't quit over airport rowBoris Johnson tells BBC Newsnight's Jeremy Paxman the airport expansion decision is not a resigning issue
• VIDEO: The Fonz 'relaxed' over aircraft noiseThe BBC's James Landale went to Richmond to gauge local opinion on potential expansion of Heathrow airport, when he spotted Happy Days' The Fonz.
• VIDEO: MP accuses PM of Heathrow liesA Labour MP appeared to mouth the prime minister was a liar following their question and answer about airport expansion.
• London transport fare rise delayedThe rise in transport fares in London has been delayed by more than two weeks after an issue with the price of travelcards.
• Delta says no mobile calls on planesDelta boss Richard Anderson says the airline will ban mobile phone calls on planes even if US regulators allow the technology to be used in flight.
• BA allows gadget use during take-offBritish Airways is to allow passengers to use handheld electronic devices throughout their journey after the UK's flight regulator eases restrictions.
• Saab wins $4.5bn Brazil jet contractSweden's Saab edges out rivals Boeing and Dassualt to win a $4.5bn (£2.7bn) contract to supply Brazil's air force with new fighter jets.

The Herald

• Motorists face £200m bill for unnecessary insurance costsMOTOR insurers are facing a crackdown on the
• Asda and Tesco slash fuel pricesDRIVERS have received some pre-Christmas cheer in the form of lower supermarket petrol prices.

The Telegraph

• Travellers braced for delays as Christmas getaway approachesUp to 13 million people are expected to take to the roads and rail passengers will find services reduced as the Christmas holidays begin    

Reuters News

• UK car manufacturing heads for six-year high -SMMTLONDON (Reuters) - British car manufacturing output is on track to hit a six-year high of over 1.5 million vehicles in 2013 and further growth is likely next year, a leading automotive group said on Thursday.

Daily Express

• British Airways becomes first to allow computer use during take-offBRITISH Airways today becomes the first European airline to let passengers use their electronic devices during take-off and landing.

Mail Online

• UK weather: Airline pilot battles extreme crosswinds as he attempts to land as South is hit by 70mph galesThe Environment Agency today had some 70 flood alerts and five more serious flood warnings in place, with the majority in south-west England.

Birmingham Post

• A mammoth car-parking solution goes underground at former Post & Mail buildingConstruction work has started at the largest underground building site in Birmingham for a six-storey underground car park called B4.
• International retailers queue up for slice of Grand Central at New Street StationAlready 80 per cent of floor space at the Grand Central shopping centre above the regenerated New Street Station has been taken
• Birmingham to offer direct flights to New York JFK airport for first time in ten years Biman Bangladesh Airlines will operate the flights, and will also put on twice-weekly flights to Dhaka in Bangladesh – a first for the city

Bolton News

• Police catch more than 100 drink drivers in first two weeks of Christmas campaign MORE than 100 people have been caught drink-driving during the first two weeks of a police Christmas campaign.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Anger at omission of Calder Valley line from electrification list The omission of the Calder Valley line from a Government priority list for railway electrification has sparked an angry response.

Derby Telegraph

• CarolineJones commented Mobile speed camera locations in Derbyshire for week commencing...MOBILE speed cameras will be in force along the following routes from Monday, December 16 to Sunday, December 22. A516 Uttoxeter Road, Derby A515 Buxton Road, North of Ashbourne A6 Rowsley to Bakewell A6007 Codnor to Heanor B6179 Denby A617 Bramley Vale B600 Nottingham Road, Alfreton A57 Snake Road, Ladybower A617 Bramley Vale A623 Stoney Middleton to Peak Forest A514 Swadlincote A6 Allestree A6 London Road, Derby A6 Ashford in the Water A623 Peak Forest to Barmoor Clough A615 Tansley to...

London Evening Standard

• Closing stretch of M25 to build new Heathrow runway is 'unthinkable'Britain's leading motoring organisations were today united in horror at the prospect of closing the busiest stretch of the M25 for up to five years to build a third runway at Heathrow.
• BBC journalist bumps into The Fonz while interviewing Richmond residents about Heathrow expansion plansA journalist who took to the streets of Richmond to interview residents about plans to expand Heathrow airport was filmed bumping into former Happy Days star Henry Winkler.
• David Cameron 'lied to Londoners about blocking third runway'David Cameron was today accused in the Commons of “lying” to Londoners over Conservative opposition to a third runway at Heathrow.
• Wind and rain storms wreak havocGale force winds and heavy downpours have battered the west of the UK, leaving thousands without power and disrupting football matches, roads and railways.
• Heathrow warns of bad weather cancellations as busiest day of the year approaches London was gearing up for the Christmas getaway today as Heathrow airport issued its starkest warning yet about potential disruption this winter.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport passenger numbers soar for 18th consecutive month A flurry of new flight service to the Caribbean helped deliver a near 5.2 per cent increase in passenger numbers last month

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Tyne Tunnel toll rise of 70p for HGVs and high-sided vansTyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority has announced a 70p toll rise for HGVs and high-sided vans which will hit drivers on January 1 2014
• Newcastle Airport announces new route to CorkTynesiders will soon be able to jet off to the Irish city of Cork with Aer Lingus following the success of the the Newcastle-Dublin route

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post published Drivers set for delays as council tackles roadworks at busy spot...MONTHS of roadworks are set to hit drivers using a busy junction in Carlton.Resurfacing work will take place from June 23 until August 30 next year in Station Road near its junctions with Burton Road, Carlton Hill, Manor Road and Conway Road.The area saw months of work earlier this year as new electrical cabling was laid and Severn Trent repaired a burst water pipe.Notts County Council has announced the plans six months in advance to encourage utility companies to carry out any necessary...

Sheffield Star

• Better buses go on show in Rotherham town centreFour new buses were paraded to the public in Rotherham town centre at an official launch of First’s new Streetlite fleet.
• VIDEO: Bikes crushed after being seized from nuisance bikers in DoncasterMotorbikes seized from nuisance bikers across Doncaster have been destroyed by giant crushers.#

The York Press

• Closure of Lendal Bridge ‘a boost for buses’ YORK’S biggest bus operator claims the trial closure of Lendal Bridge is helping to improve service reliability and increase passenger numbers.
• Bus services in rural areas may be reprieved VITAL bus services to rural parts of Yorkshire could be reprieved under revised savings plans by North Yorkshire County Council.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Planes struggle to land as wind batters West MidlandsTwo aeroplanes struggled to land at Birmingham Airport tonight as high winds battered the West Midlands.

Blackpool Gazette

• Aerospace project lands top accoladeA pioneering project which involved aerospace workers from across the Fylde coast and was aimed at getting unmanned aircraft operating safely has received a top award.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 Supreme Court judgement won't be made until New Year A JUDGEMENT over a Supreme Court appeal against the HS2 project will not be made until the New Year, a council chief has said.

Doncaster Free Press

• Collisions involving Doncaster cyclists three times higherMore than 100 people were seriously injured on their bikes in incidents in Doncaster last year, according to figures revealed today.    
• VIDEO: Bikes crushed after being seized from nuisance bikers in DoncasterMotorbikes seized from nuisance bikers across Doncaster have been destroyed by giant crushers.#    

North Wales Live

• Jaguar land Rover plays down reports of India-assembled Evoque No plans at this stage to replicate Freelander2 assembly, says luxury car maker

Northamptonshire Telegraph

• Northamptonshire Police arrest 52 drink drive suspectsPolice have arrested 52 drivers so far following the launch of the Christmas drink drive campaign.    
• UKIP councillor vows to continue anti-HS2 fight at councilA UKIP councillor says he is saddened after he was forced to delay a debate on a motion over whether Kettering Council should oppose the HS2 project.    

Other Regional Press

• citizenmike published Travel: Flooding hits roads in Gloucestershire after heavy rain...Flooding has hit some of the county's roads overnight, which led to them becoming impassable. People can expect wintry showers today with some sunshine, but it will feel cold with a top temperature of just 6C. Even with improved weather conditions today, those driving in this morning's rush hour are urged to take caution on the wet roads. Yesterday saw chaos on the trains as well as the roads with delays on some CrossCountry services because of fallen trees on the network. The M48 Severn...
• Fears grow six-month road closure will ‘cause traffic chaos’ THE A338 from Wantage to Oxford will close for up to six months next year amid fears of “traffic chaos”.
• Chiltern Railways top on punctuality Chiltern Railways, which runs London Marylebone to Birmingham trains serving Banbury, Bicester North and Haddenham & Thame Parkway, has come out top for punctuality in 2013.
• Luton airport expansion expected to be approved at meetingA delayed decision on the expansion of London Luton Airport is expected to be made at a meeting on Friday.
• Bus station deal not to be reviewedA request to reconsider a decision to hand ownership of Preston Bus Station to Lancashire County Council has been rejected.
• Deadly threat of cig fumes in carsAn anti tobacco charity today urged parents in Lancashire parents to protect their children from smoky cars.
• Parking charges to double at Dorchester car park PARKING rates are set to double in one of Dorchester’s most popular car parks.
• Pilot scheme for Dorchester car park: Pay-on-exit aims to cut stress for shoppers NEW technology could make rushing back to the car with a half-finished shopping list a thing of the past, it is hoped.

Bus and Coach.com

• Stagecoach buys Norfolk Green Stagecoach has purchased the award-winning Norfolk Green business.
• Electric bus trial starts in LondonTwo Chinese-built BYD electric buses enter service in London on Thursday (19 December).

Global Rail News

• European Parliament approves amended Fourth Railway PackageMEPs have voted through amendments to the Fourth Railway Package, drawing concerns from public transport bodies around Europe. Prior to the Transport and Tourism Committee’s meeting yesterday (December 17) UITP, EPTO[...]

Middle East North Africa (MENA) Rail News

• Rail leaders meet to discuss ’Communications Based Train Control’ systems19 December 2013 Senior Rail and Transport industry leaders meet in London on March 12th 2014, to discuss the latest challenges in implementing Communications Based Train Control (CBTC) systems for future railway planning. A one day conference organised by Sagacity Media, engineering directors and key innovation and strategy managers are confirmed to present from North […]The post Rail leaders meet to discuss ’Communications Based Train Control’ systems appeared first on MENA Rail News.

Transport for London

• London Underground and RSPB launch 150 Homes for Nature to celebrate 150th anniversary of the TubeSchool children plant a wildlife area and hedgerow with London Underground.
• London's first pure electric 'emission free' buses hit the streetsTrial electric buses to operate on busy central London commuter routes.

Aviation Industry

• Air Cote d’Ivoire firms Bombardier Q400 order Air Cote d’Ivoire, the West African state’s national carrier, has firmed a conditional purchase agreement with Bombardier for two Q400 NextGen aircraft. read more
• AirAsia X orders 25 more Airbus A330-300s AirAsia X has placed a firm order for 25 more A330-300s. According to Airbus, the contract is the largest A330 order in a single purchase agreement and increases the carrier’s total firm orders for the type to 51. read more
• Davies to be quizzed by MPs over runwaysAirports Commission chairman will explain thinking behind expansion shortlist

Other News Sources

• The new station arriving at Haymarket is on time — and on budgetTransport Minister Keith Brown to officially open main building after £25m redevelopment.
• London trials first electric buses Electric buses are being trialled for the first time in London today in an effort to cut emissions from the Capital's bus fleet.
• Airports Commission to focus on costs and designsThe construction costs of airport expansion and the transport and infrastructure required to support them will be major considerations for the Airports Commission in deciding which scheme or schemes to recommend.
• Major disruption over Christmas for £80m Brighton line upgrade Passengers are facing rail chaos this Christmas as train bosses embark on one of the biggest investments ever on the London to Brighton mainline.
• Brighton motorists celebrate petrol price drop Hard-pressed motorists have been given some festive cheer with the news a major supermarket has cut the price of petrol.

EIN News Subscription

• David Cameron to challenge EU over surveillance drone programme plans … establishment of a Multi-Role Tanker Transport fleet, with synergies in the … the European commission on integrating the system into the European Aviation System. Sources said that the EU would have … in approving drone flights across EU airspace but should have no role …
• Air transport records robust passenger demand in 2013 - ICAO … East remains the fastest growing air transport market in the world, with … ;Globally, the international air transport market was still dominated by European airlines, who accounted … total market. It said: 'Air transport capacity, expressed in available seat-kilometres …
• Boris Johnson blasts 'pussy-footing' David Cameron over airport expansion … likely to open before 2030. Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin stressed that … experienced more aircraft noise than those around any other European airport. He claimed … to catch up with other European countries. Before the last election …