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

Friday, 20 December 2013

BBC News

• Crowd-funded Lego car powered by airThe car built of Lego and powered by air has been test driven around a Melbourne suburb, achieving speeds of up to 12mph.
• London cycle network map publishedA draft cycle network map which will run parallel to London Underground lines has been published.
• HS2 'disregard' for environmentA report from the Woodland Trust says the HS2 rail project shows a
• UK car output 'nears six-year high'Car production in the UK is set to reach a six-year high of more than 1.5 million vehicles this year, the industry's trade body says.

The Herald

• Direct flights between Glasgow, Isle of Man brought back next spring.Direct flights between Glasgow and the Isle of Man are to be reinstated next spring.

The Telegraph

• British trains among best in EuropeBritain's rail network ranks second highest in Europe and are better than any other major country according to a passenger survey    
• Cash-strapped motorists have changed the way they drive forever - says the AAMoney-saving tactics such as car sharing have stayed with drivers despite a 7p per litre fall in pump prices over the autumn, the motoring organsation says    

Daily Record

• Transport Minister Keith Brown officially opens revamped Haymarket rail stationHAYMARKET station's new main building, which was delivered on time and on budget, will offer more shops and a bigger public space for travellers.

The Mirror

• Plane misses helicopter by just 30 metres above London following air traffic control blunder UK Airprox Board said miscommunication between air traffic controllers was to blame for the June 22 alert - the 100-seater plane had just left London City Airport

Network Rail

• Major bridge improvement work in KendalMotorists using Longpool and Shap road in Kendal should allow extra time for their journeys from January as Network Rail starts a major project to spruce up Longpool railway bridge in the town.
• Reminder to Peterborough passengers – no rail services on 27 DecemberRail passengers are being reminded that road transport will replace trains through Peterborough on Friday 27 December. This will allow work to remove a bottle neck on the East Coast Main Line. Network Rail, East Coast and First Capital Connect are working together to provide additional passenger support at Huntingdon, Peterborough and Grantham stations. Passengers are advised to travel on another date if possible and to check with their operator or National Rail Enquiries before they set off.
• New £25m Haymarket station opens for passengersTransport Minister Keith Brown officially opened Haymarket station’s new main building and concourse today (Thursday, December 19) as the £25m redevelopment of the facility nears completion.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• 61 drivers held by North Yorkshire Police North Yorkshire Police have arrested 61 motorists on suspicion of drink-driving, or driving while under the influence of drugs, since its Christmas Safety Campaign began.

Liverpool Echo

• Mum of teenager killed in Bestival coach crash continuing on campaign to change tyre lawFrances Molloy met with Shadow Secretary of State for Transport Mary Creagh in London today

London Evening Standard

• Christmas getaway: Heathrow warns of bad weather chaos 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.
• First look at new ELECTRIC 'black' taxis - due for London trials next yearLondon mayor Boris Johnson has been given an exclusive preview - and impromptu ‘roadtest’ - of a ‘clean’ new electric-powered black cab planned to revolutionise travel in the capital next year.

Sheffield Star

• Two weeks of disruption to Supertram servicesTram services between Tinsley/Meadowhall South and Meadowhall Interchange will not run for two weeks next month due to nearby roadworks.
• £1 billion road schemes hope for DoncasterThree new link roads to create hundreds of jobs in Doncaster and create a ’vibrant’ town are on a ’wish list’ of projects aiming for Government funding over the next few years.

Sheffield Telegraph

• Rail group sees American light at the end of the tunnelVolunteers who have been working for eight years on a project for passenger trains to return to Stocksbridge and Deepcar are looking to America in the hope of building up speed.

This Is Local London Network

• MP cleared over rail freight lobbyist lunch Chipping Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has been cleared of wrongdoing over an undeclared lunch with an influential lobbyist and former university friend while she was transport minister.

Yorkshire Post

• £1bn plans to upgrade region’s transport put at riskLABOUR has warned that up to £750m of investment and 20,000 jobs are at risk in Yorkshire as the Government pushes ahead with new laws that could block a massive transport upgrade for the region.

Carlisle News & Star

• Cumbria police dealing with road crashes as weather worsens Worsening weather conditions have caused a series of road crashes in Cumbria.

Doncaster Free Press

• £1 billion road schemes hope for DoncasterThree new link roads to create hundreds of jobs in Doncaster and create a ‘vibrant’ town are on a ‘wish list’ of projects aiming for Government funding over the next few years.    

Peterborough Telegraph

• North Bank to re-open at 8pmThursday 2.30pm: North Bank road near Whittlesey will be opening at 8pm tonight (19 December) following work to install crash barriers.

Other Regional Press

• Crawley News published Crawley rail commuters face delays through Redhill after...RAIL commuters are this morning facing delays to journeys into London after a signalling problem at Redhill. All First Capital Connect services are being diverted and will not call at Redhill and some Southern services via Gatwick travelling towards East Croydon will be diverted and not call at stations between Earlswood and Purley. Electrical supply problems at London Victoria are also causing delays of up to 25 minutes to Southern trains leaving the station.
• Ice warning for motorists in south west Hertfordshire Motorists are being urged to take extra care on the roads as forecasters have issued an ice warning.
• Fears M4 relief road will eat up money A THINK tank has said the Welsh Government risks spending all money meant for new investments on the proposed new section of the M4.
• Decision imminent on demolition of footbridge A GOVERMENT inspector’s ruling on whether a railway footbridge in Oxford can be demolished is imminent.
• Traffic gridlock expected on Kent roads as county begins great Christmas getawayMotorists are being warned to expect heavy delays on Kent's roads today as last-minute shoppers join Christmas getaway traffic across the county.
• Police hail success of bike lights campaign A successful campaign in Dorset has made young cyclists more aware of the importance of riding with lights at night.

Global Rail News

• Siemens delivers new high-speed Sapsan train to RussiaThe first of a new fleet of Sapsan trains, which will double the number of high-speed units operating in Russia, has been delivered by Siemens. Russian Railways (RZD) welcomed the[...]

Middle East North Africa (MENA) Rail News

• Railway Forum Berlin 201417-18 March 2014 Estrel Convention Center, Berlin Visit Website The Globalization of the Railway Industry Potentials – Concepts – Methods At the RAILWAY FORUM top-managers and executives from the Corporate Procurement department of the Deutsche Bahn as well as suppliers and experts from the industrial, business and political sectors discuss future prospects and courses of […]The post Railway Forum Berlin 2014 appeared first on MENA Rail News.
• Integrating Passenger Information26-27 March 2014 London, UK Visit Website As customers become increasingly connected through smartphones and social media, TOCs are under increasing pressure to provide consistent real-time information across all communication platforms from the home computer, to the hand held device to the station to the platform and on board. The solution to ensuring consistent data […]The post Integrating Passenger Information appeared first on MENA Rail News.

Railway Gazette

• Locomotive completes reformed vehicle approval process in just 11 weeks GERMANY: Bombardier Transportation announced on December 14 that its Traxx P160 multi-engine diesel locomotive had become the first vehicle type to be approved under national railway authority EBA's...
• Siemens outsources signalling project design UK: Siemens has appointed Indian company Infotech to undertake the signalling design work for a project to increase capacity at Whitby station, which is served by franchised operator Northern Rail as...

Transport for London

• Tottenham Hale station will be bigger and betterPlans to transform Tottenham Hale into a landmark station, with greater capacity and step-free access for interchanging passengers, have been announced by Transport for London (TfL) as part of its Tube Improvement Programme.

Aviation Industry

• British Airways first in Europe to relax PED rules British Airways (BA) says it is the first carrier in Europe to allow passengers to use their personal electronic devices (PED) throughout all flight phases. read more
• Passenger rights vote aimed at closing EU ‘extraordinary circumstances’ loopholesThe European Parliament has moved to close a compensation loophole exploited by some airlines to refuse compensation for passengers delayed longer than three hours by clarifying specifically what can be classified as “extraordinary circumstances.” read more
• Birmingham airport celebrates new long-haul routeBangladeshi carrier Biman to fly route from Dhaka to New York

Other News Sources

• Nick Clegg rules out supporting Heathrow expansionSpeaking on his weekly call-in radio programme on LBC, the deputy prime minister said he would not support any plan for expansion which damaged the environment.
• Hewdens work recognised by FTA Roadworthiness AwardsIn recognition of its high standards of maintaining both vehicles and trailers, and controlling driver related defects, British plant hirer Hewden has received the Freight Transport Association’s (FTA) Roadworthiness Award. The prestigious Roadworthiness Awards highlight FTA members’ efforts to keep their fleets safe, legal and efficient, recognise excellent standards of vehicle safety, condition and maintenance standards in the UK, and are designed to encourage and reward high standards of compliance with vehicle condition legislation. As one of the largest plant hire and equipment rent...
• A city united: But drivers warned about Hereford's road plan THIS is the vision to unite Hereford's new multi-million pound retail centre with the city's existing historic core.
• Golf buggies considered for resident travel in new Mid Sussex town It may not be par for the course thinking but planners behind a controversial new 10,000-home town have considered golf buggies as a way for residents to get around.

EIN News Subscription

• Cameron fights off EU army plan … drones and a European Air Force comprised of heavy transport and air-to-air refuelling planes … assets being owned by the EU, or the Alliance. "Nato … a European army. I am not talking about Nato or the EU … of the European Parliament called for the creation of a European army …

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• 54m Quietway routes for cycling grid unveiled Provisional plans for a cycling grid across central London have been set out by the seven central London boroughs, the City of London, the Royal Parks, the Canal and River Trust and Transport for...