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

Saturday, 04 January 2014

BBC News

• Cyclists' injury rate on the riseThe rate of cycling deaths or serious injuries on London's roads increases since 2010, according to figures from Transport for London.
• Cubans now allowed to buy new carsCuba lifts restrictions on people buying foreign-made new and used cars for the first time since the revolution in 1959.
• US auto sales disappoint in DecemberGM reports a fall in December sales, while Ford and Chrysler report weaker-than-expected sales growth.
• Spain steps into Panama Canal rowThe Spanish government says it is in talks with Panama and Sacyr, the builder at the heart of a row over a contract to expand the global shipping hub.

The Herald

• Ministers praised for cutting business flightsENVIRONMENTAL campaigners have praised the Scottish Government for achieving the target of cutting business flights by ministers and civil servants by more than 20%.
• Drop in railway deaths as fatal accidents stay at a record lowACCIDENTAL deaths on ­Scotland's railways are at their lowest level in a decade while the number of people taking their own lives on the tracks has fallen after peaking in 2012.

Birmingham Mail

• High Court bid to drive deadly boy racers off the road Wolverhampton City Council is leading neighbouring Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell through a bid to obtain an injunction to stop the gatherings where motorists race each other and perform stunts

London Evening Standard

• Heathrow to ask locals if they want third runway - or different planThe owners of Heathrow are to ask local residents whether they would prefer a third runway or an alternative plan to increase the number of flights at the UK’s biggest airport.
• Trains to Gatwick disrupted as bad weather hitsStorms heaped more midwinter misery on travellers today with road journeys and rail services disrupted.
• London drivers given 850,000 CCTV camera fines in a yearLondon drivers are bearing the brunt of fines for offences caught by CCTV cameras, with 850,000 penalties issued for bus lane and box junction infractions over the past year.
• Gatwick’s bosses summoned by MPs to explain Christmas chaosGatwick bosses are being summoned by MPs to explain the Christmas Eve chaos that left thousands of travellers stranded.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester politicians dismiss claims Piccadilly Station's 'Lazy S' building is 'iconic' in row about its potential demolition.Gateway House, on Station Approach, could be bulldozed under plans to build a new terminus for HS2.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Public ‘misled’ over bus and rail visionHIGHLAND Council was accused yesterday of “misleading the public” over its plans for Inverness city centre.

The York Press

• Rail campaigners urge councillors not to develop on former York to Hull rail line CAMPAIGNERS whose hopes of securing the revival of a rail line between York and Hull hang in the balance are to call on councillors to leave the door open for its reopening.

Northamptonshire Telegraph

• MPs to visit Corby rail station to campaign against rising cost of faresLabour’s Shadow Rail Minister will be at Corby train station on Monday (January 6) to campaign against the rising cost of fares.    

Other Regional Press

• Electric trains boostA MILESTONE has been reached for Wigan rail users as the first of a brand new fleet of First TransPennine Express (FTPE) electric trains rolled into North Western station.

Global Rail News

• The capacity benefits of HS2People are now beginning to understand that the main reason for investing in the new North-South rail line is the improved capacity and connectivity it will bring to the major cities served on the core network. Writes Andrew McNaughton, Technical Director of HS2 Ltd Both the Department for Transport, in its Strategic Case for HS2, [...]
• Singapore launches first stretch of driverless Downtown LineSingapore has opened the first phase of what will become the island’s longest automated metro line. The first section of Singapore’s 42-kilometre Downtown Line opened to passengers on December 22,[...]
• London Underground to re-let SSL signalling contractLondon Underground (LU) has announced plans to re-let the contract for a major resignalling of the network’s Sub Surface lines (SSL) following discussions with Bombardier Transportation. Announcing the decision, LU[...]
• Norway to explore future of new intercity lineThe Norwegian government has commissioned infrastructure manager Jernbaneverket to draw up plans for a new intercity rail route between Hønefoss and Sandvika. Transport Minister Ketil Solvik Olsen announced plans to[...]
• Bloomberg first to ride New York subway extensionOutgoing New York mayor Michael Bloomberg was among a group of special guests to take the inaugural ride on the city’s 7 Line subway extension last month. Terminating at a[...]

Aviation Industry

• After High Flying 2013, Time to Exit the Airlines?Not this year, say Wolfe Research's Hunter Keay and Jared Shojaian , who remain positive on American Airlines and Delta Air Lines .
• Ryanair sets new passenger recordAirline carries more than 80 million people for the first time in 2013
• Cityjet to cut London City routesRegional airline will axe three services to Germany

Other News Sources

• Passengers left fuming as Brighton line hit by problems days after price hike Commuters endured rush hour delays yesterday morning following an electrical fault – just hours after they were hit with the annual ticket price hike.
• Ryanair Rolls Out More Customer Service Improvements Ryanair today (3 Jan) confirmed that from Sunday it will cut its standard airport bag fees from euro;60/pound;60 to euro;30/pound;30 at the bag drop desk, and from euro;60/pound;60 to euro...