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

Wednesday, 12 February 2014

BBC News

• UK floods: 'Unspent' £60m may be used on rail repairsUp to £60m not spent by the Department of Transport this year could be used to help repair the rail network battered by the recent storms.
• Passenger rise at Scottish airportsEdinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen airports have made positive starts to the year, with all three reporting a rise in passenger numbers in January.
• Unions suspend planned Tube strikeA second planned 48-hour strike by Tube workers is suspended after unions reach a deal with London Underground.

The Herald

• Network Rail aims to improve servicesNetwork Rail (NR) will look to improve train punctuality after agreeing to plans by rail regulators covering the next five years.
• Potholes cost councils £1600 a day in vehicle repair claimsDAMAGE to vehicles caused by potholes is costing Scottish councils more than £1600 a day, according to new figures.

The Telegraph

• Tube strike cancelled after last minute talksLatest action by members of RMT and TSSA unions called off amid claims that job cuts have been halted    

Mail Online

• Paris' 'ghost' Metro stations could be redeveloped as swimming pools and barsWhile vacant London Tube stations are being turned into hydroponic farms, their counterparts in the French capital could be made into thriving social spaces, including nightclubs and restaurants.

Birmingham Mail

• Vow to keep free tram and trains for elderly and disabled amid £7m transport cutsCentro also pledges to keep half price child fares while Ring and Ride service tickets rise

Birmingham Post

• London Underground strike called off after unions agree deal Members of the RMT and TSSA unions were due to walk out at 9pm tonight following a two day stoppage last week

London Evening Standard

• M2 closed after 50ft sink hole appears in M2 central reservationA 50ft hole has opened up in the central reservation of a busy motorway, causing a 10 mile stretch of the route to be closed in both directions.
• Tube strike cancelled after unions reach last-minute dealA 48-hour Tube strike was called off just hours before it was due to start today after the two unions involved in the dispute ordered its members not to walk out.
• Toyota in stop-glitch Prius recallToyota is recalling nearly 31,000 UK-registered cars because of a computer problem that could cause the vehicle to stop.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post commented Tram extension: Supporters of line to Kimberley walk routeCHEERS for the tram rang out at the weekend as residents joined by campaigners took a sneak peak at where new tracks could be laid.More than 50 people walked a route that would connect the west of the county beyond Phoenix Park.Members of the Kimberley, Eastwood and Nuthall Tram Action Group (Kentag) attracted dozens to join them on Sunday as they previewed where a line could run towards Kimberley and beyond.The route, which would start at the Phoenix Park tram stop would continue to...
• Nottingham Post commented City plugs in to an electric bus fleetArticle

Wales Online

• Health campaigners in Wales welcome MPs' vote on smoking ban in carsCampaigners welcomed the vote in Westminster but called on the Welsh Government to also introduce the ban

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Plan could see Leeds commuters get the boat to the officePlans for a major new office complex in Leeds could see commuters travelling to work by boat.

Plymouth Herald

• Plymouth transport petition launchedLOCAL campaigner Chris Webb has launched a petition calling for urgent Government action to improve the transport infrastructure in the South West.

Other Regional Press

• Haverhill to Cambridge rail link to be explored further The first steps towards reviving the rail link between Haverhill and Cambridge have been taken.
• MP calls debate on Southeastern rail serviceAN MP will discuss commuters' frustrations with Southeastern rail services in Parliament today. Long-suffering travellers have continually battled against delays and cancellations this year.
• David Cameron promises better transport on whistlestop tour of storm-hit Westcountry Prime Minister David Cameron made a series of pledges to improve the Westcountry’s transport links to the rest of the country during a tour of the storm-battered region
• West Coast Main Line closures scrapped after Network Rail reviewTwo planned long closures on the railway line serving Northampton have been scrapped after a “detailed review” revealed they were not necessary.
• 'Car smoke ban will benefit 500,000 kids': Stockton MP Alex Cunningham welcomes ban on smoking in cars carrying childrenCommons backs move to ban smoking in cars with children present after campaign by Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham
• London Underground strike called off after unions agree deal Members of the RMT and TSSA unions were due to walk out at 9pm tonight following a two day stoppage last week
• M2 closed between Faversham and Sittingbourne by Highways Agency due to emergency roadworks with diversion via Charing and ChallockThe recent extreme weather has been blamed for the huge M2 sinkhole, which is causing travel misery for thousands.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• UK floods: 'Unspent' £60m may be used on rail repairsThe BBC reports that up to £60m not spent by the Department of Transport this year could be used to help repair the rail network battered by the recent storms. The BBC understands the Treasury could allow the department to keep the "underspend" in its annual budgets.

Railway Gazette

• Swiss voters back long-term rail funding plan SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has welcomed the result of a referendum on February 9 which saw voters approve a long-term strategy to finance and upgrade rail infrastructure. SBB said the...

Aviation Industry

• Lufthansa accelerates fleet modernisation in 2014German carrier to receive 23 aircraft in 2014
• Lufthansa accelerates fleet modernisation in 2014German carrier to receive 23 aircraft in 2014

Other News Sources

• High-speed Javelin train hits Old Dalby test trackA pioneering high-speed Javelin train, normally operated on Southeastern routes through Kent, has recently arrived at Old Dalby test track.
• ’Electric railway line is a threat to safety’Angry residents say safety fears about the erection of large steel stanchions alongside the rail line near their homes are being ignored.
• Stop Network Rail sleepwalking into another procurement fiascoFrom this September, Network Rail will be brought back on to the public accounts, meaning that greater scrutiny will be brought to bear on how it will be spending £38.2bn over the next five years.
• Regus opens business centre at Heathrow T5Move responds to "growing demand" from business travellers for work locations