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

Monday, 13 January 2014

BBC News

• VIDEO: Paper helmet created for cyclistsCrashing his bike motivated Anirudha Surabhi to design a radically different kind of helmet - made out of paper.
• VW eyes $7bn N America investmentGerman carmaker Volkswagen says it will invest $7bn (£4bn) in North America over the next five years as it looks to boost its sales in the region.

Financial Times

• Big Auto revs up R&D to record levelsCarmakers increase spending on technological advancement in race to be seen as innovators, with resultant boom in patent registrations

The Guardian

• London is losing its way on streetsTen years after Ken Livingstone's transport chief praised Danish architect Jan Gehl's ideas for humanizing London's public realm the capital must renew its embrace of them
• HS2 bosses under fire over 'unforgivable' lettersMinister accuses project of causing panic as 15,000 wrongly told construction would mean compulsory purchase of homes

The Herald

• Sign of the times as unloved branding axed by PrestwickREBRANDING of troubled Prestwick Airport has begun with the scrapping of the unpopular Pure Dead Brilliant slogan from the outside of the terminal building.

The Independent

• Taxi firm in Middlesbrough attacked for refusing to carry disabled passengersDisability rights campaigners have called a taxi firm's decision to stop carrying people in wheelchairs outrageous .    

The Telegraph

• Pressure grows on FirstGroup as activist arrives in UKSwedish billionaire Thomas Sandell flying into the City to meet investors next week to win support for his plans
• HS2: 'Misleading' letters told homeowners their properties could be destroyedAround 15,000 households were sent letters suggesting that their properties could be destroyed to make way for HS2, the controversial high-speed railway line    

Mail Online

• M25 speed cameras just work on three-mile stretchThe cameras only work on a three-mile section of the 117-mile London Orbital road between junction 2 and 3 - just south of the Dartford Crossing in Kent.
• British airport parking most expensive in the world as Heathrow charges £12 an HOURThe peak-time fee at Heathrow’s Terminal 4 is symptomatic of sky-high prices across the country, with a two hour stay costing £10 at Gatwick and Stansted, and £11 at Luton.
• Next stop... St PANTcras: Commuters ditch their trousers to celebrate the 'No Pants Subway Ride' on tubes and trains around the worldThousands of public transport passengers from 60 cities including London, Beijing, Paris and Sydney took part in the annual 'celebration of silliness'.
• Jaguar Land Rover reveals record breaking car sales: Brand sees 19% increase on 2012Britain’s biggest car-maker said it had sold 425,006 vehicles - a 19 per cent increase on 2012 - and had set new sales records in 38 international markets.

Birmingham Post

• In pictures: Jaguar Land Rover notches up record-breaking global salesThe brands sold 425,006 vehicles in 2013 - up 19 per cent on 2012 - setting new sales records in 38 international markets

Manchester Evening News

• Scheme to transform cycling in parts of Manchester to start this month A key part of the plan is for works on Oxford Road – with separate bike lanes and a one-mile section open to only buses, taxis, emergency services and cyclists. Transport bosses are now reviewing results from a major public consultation on this.

Northern Echo

• Community transport scheme for the Tees Valley appeals for volunteer drivers A COMMUNITY transport scheme is appealing for volunteer drivers to help it expand across the Tees Valley.
• Transport Minister urges Stagecoach to meet needs of frail and disabled A TRANSPORT minister has urged a North-East bus firm to buy new vehicles – after hearing its buses failed the frail and disabled.

Nottingham Evening Post

• 'Village homes and scenery will be ruined by high-speed trains' VILLAGERS hoping to save their homes from "ruin" held a meeting to discuss their efforts against a new high-speed rail line.

This Is Local London Network

• Electric vehicle charging points to be installed at Redhill StationRail bosses have announced that new electric vehicle charging points (EVCPs) are to be installed at stations including Redhill.

Wales Online

• Controversial bus operator facing public inquiry before would-be comebackClayton Jones faces a public inquiry before he discovers whether he can run bus services again
• London Underground to feature poster campaign to sell Wales to south-east of EnglandThe Just Ask Wales campaign will see the Tube and other train stations feature material marketing Wales

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds trolleybus land reclamation signed off as debate rages onAs land is claimed for the route of the controversial leeds trolleybus, campaigners voice shock at the money that has been ploughed into the scheme. Aisha Iqbal and paul robinson report.
• New crossing points after Leeds student tragedyNew improved pedestrian facilities are to be installed near a notoriously busy junction outside the University of Leeds, after a coroner called for a review following the death of a teenager.

Bucks Free Press

• Railway station housing plan gets frosty reception PLANS to build a housing development alongside the tracks at Marlow Station have received a frosty reception this week.

Other Regional Press

• Freight train derails near PenrithA FREIGHT train has derailed on the West Coast Main line near Penrith, closing the railway.
• Rail passengers face disruption after tunnel repair announced Rail passengers face potential disruption to their journey this week after Network Rail announced the closure of the line between Tiverton and Taunton – for repair work on Whiteball tunnel.
• New hope for train goods shed rescueA NEW benefactor has revived long-dormant plans to transform a derelict station building into a cultural centre.
• Railway line could hold answer to A40 problemA NEW transport group has been set up to tackle the “chronically-congested” traffic on the A40. The Witney Oxford Transport group has been formed because of persistent heavy traffic on the A40 west of Oxford.
• Portsmouth cycle retailer celebrate success of apprenticeship schemeTHE first apprenticeship scheme carried out by Wiggle has been hailed as a success.

Green Miscellany

• Online shopping could increase transport emissionsThe rising trend of online shopping could harm the environment as more lorries take to the road to meet increased demand, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) has warned.