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

Monday, 24 February 2014

BBC News

• Rail operator staff recognised for going beyond call of dutySTAFF of rail operator London Midland who go above and beyond the call of duty have been recognised during an awards event.
• South West Trains reports up to four times more customer contactSouth West Trains (SWT) has received up to four times more customer calls during flood and storm-hit months.
• Tory MPs raise HS2 flood risk fearsTwo Tory MPs raise fears that the planned HS2 rail line will increase the risk of flooding for homes along its route.
• Landslip closes A83 road in ArgyllThe A83 road in Argyll will be closed overnight due to a landslip, with motorists in the area facing a 60 mile detour.

ITV News

• MP's Grayrigg train crash concernsAn MP is claiming that lessons haven't been learned from the Grayrigg train crash, which happened 7 years ago. The disaster killed one passenger and injured 86 others.

Department for Transport

• First Capital Connect to continue to provide services to start of the new combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise.On 18 February 2014 my department announced the successful conclusion of negotiations for the direct award of a new, 6 period franchise agreement to First Capital Connect that will see that company continue to provide services from the end of their current franchise on 31 March 2014 to the start of the new combined Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern franchise later this year.

The Guardian

• Euston redevelopment at heart of HS2 project, says George OsbornePlans for Euston could include a new shopping centre and offices as well as flats above the station

The Herald

• Full steam aheadMODEL railway enthusiast Stephen Driver shows off a model of a 1957 dockyard as Glasgow plays host to the biggest model railway exhibition in Scotland.
• A83 blocked after landslipMOTORISTS are facing detours of almost 60 miles after a landslip blocked the Rest and Be Thankful for the eighth time in five years.
• Passengers overpay by £500 a day due to lack of changeBUS passengers in the capital could be overpaying fares by as much as £500 a day on publicly-run services that do not offer change.

The Telegraph

• HS2 'could increase flood risk'Construction of HS2 rail route between London and north of England could increase risk of flooding in some parts    

Reuters News

• London's Heathrow Airport serves 3.4 pct more passengers in 2013Heathrow Limited said on Monday customer numbers rose 3.4 percent last year, lifting core annual earnings at Britain's biggest airport, which is operating close to capacity and has been shortlisted for expansion.

Daily Express

• Pushy train passengers are public transport enemy number onePEOPLE who force themselves on to trains while other passengers are still trying to get off were yesterday hailed as commuters’ biggest hate.

Mail Online

• Train built in 1966 using two jet engines is still the fastest locomotive in AmericaNew York Central Railroad engineer Don Wetzel, was given the task in the mid-1960s of making trains safer, cheaper and faster. His solution: strap two jet engines to the roof of a locomotive and see what happens.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New Low Moor station plans are right on track as trucks roll on to site The site of a long-awaited rail station in Bradford is seeing a flurry of activity.

London Evening Standard

• Tories query HS2 over flood riskSenior Tories have raised fears about the flood risk associated with the controversial £42 billion HS2 rail line after areas along the route suffered in the recent storms.

Northern Echo

• Record numbers flock to Locomotion to see Mallard and her sisters together for final time AS the Great Goodbye A4 exhibition in County Durham comes to an end, Duncan Leatherdale joins the thousands-strong-throng to see The Mallard and her sisters together for the final time.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Call to improve railwaysCHAMBERS of commerce representing 12,000 businesses have joined forces to call for greater investment in a strategic rail link.

The York Press

• TV presenter on track for York rail project TELEVISION presenter and steam enthusiast James May will be at the National Railway Museum in York next month, to help make part of a new steam locomotive.

Wales Online

• Cut fares for Welsh rail passengers affected by storms, say campaignersWith routes in Wales affected by storms, passengers want ticket prices slashed here too

North Wales Live

• Joe Riley: The curse of Merseytravel's tram scheme lives on Latest from the ECHO's coruscating columnist

Other Regional Press

• Call to improve railwaysThe answer to train delays and cancellations is not compensation but improving the service, a rail campaigner has said.
• Fight for Tallingron bypass goes on Campaigners are fighting to convince a council to set aside funds for a bypass that will enable a bridge to be built over a railway.
• Rail boss says sorry for recent disruptionsTHE managing director of South West Trains has recorded a video explaining why customers have experienced rail disruptions in recent weeks.