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

Saturday, 15 March 2014

BBC News

• Paris offers free public transport to reduce severe smogAuthorities in Paris have taken the rare step of making public transport free for three days to reduce severe smog caused by unusually warm weather.
• Wokingham's £6m train station revamp opened by transport ministerA £6m revamp of a train station in Berkshire has been officially unveiled by transport minister Baroness Kramer.
• Guernsey bus company proposes fewer buses after 'poor demand'A number of late night and early morning buses could be cut under summer timetable plans from Guernsey's environment department.
• Worcester Foregate and Malvern Link stations revampedA £785,000 overhaul of Worcester Foregate Street Station includes new entrance canopies, automatic doors and a renovation of its pedestrian subway.
• Missing Malaysia Airlines flight systems disabled, PM saysThe communications systems of missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 were deliberately disabled, Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak has said.
• Aer Lingus sue over airport strikeAer Lingus is suing Irish trade union Siptu for damages incurred due to a threatened strike.
• Overground disabled bookings endDisabled people using London Overground stations can now do so without having to book in advance, Transport for London says.

Financial Times

• Aircraft’s communications systems were ‘disabled’Flight MH370 en route to Beijing was tracked by satellites for almost six hours after it disappeared from air traffic control screens
• Li Ka-shing steps back from ports businessDecision contrasts with move by rival Hong Kong tycoon Cheng Yu Tung’s New World Development group to reacquire its Chinese arm
• Panama Canal settles row with consortiumAuthority concludes dispute over $1.6bn in cost overruns with a Spanish-led group of companies that is expanding waterway to accommodate bigger ships

The Guardian

• MH370 may have flown on for hours after last contact with air traffic controlUS official says pattern of transmissions sent from jet after it dropped off radar implied human intervention or 'act of piracy'The search for missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 was focused on the Bay of Bengal early on Saturday after satellite data showed that the aircraft could have flown on for hours and US officials confirmed they had directed surveillance aircraft to patrol the area for debris.There were reports that Malaysian military radar indicated the plane made at least two distinct changes of course after apparently turning back from its route towards Beijing. US officials indic...
• Malaysian PM: Diversion of missing airliner was a 'deliberate act'Malaysian PM says search will be extended across vast area from central Asia to southern ocean after new satellite data became available

The Herald

• Specialists to paint Forth Road BridgeAn army of 100 specialist painters are to spend up to 15 years giving the Forth Road Bridge a fresh lick of fresh paint.
• Peer had complained about helicopterA TORY peer who died with three others when his helicopter crashed in thick fog had issued a writ against the manufacturer over safety concerns.
• Airport train-tram link 'will cost £90m'A tram-train link between Glasgow Airport and the city centre will cost more than £90 million to introduce, according to experts.

The Independent

• London Transport Museum picketed for defence giant links The London Transport Museum is facing calls to sever its links with a major defence company.    

The Scotsman

• Glasgow tram route ‘half the price of rail link’A TRAM link to Glasgow airport would carry as many people as a train line at half the cost, according to a study published today.

Daily Express

• Expert: Flick of a switch could have made Malaysian Airlines jet 'disappear'THE missing Malaysian Airlines plane could have been made undetectable by

Mail Online

• Missing Malaysia Airlines plane pilots under police investigation amid hijacking fearsZaharie Ahmad Shah (pictured), 53, and Fariq Abdul Hamid, 27, are the subject of a police probe after evidence suggested the plane was still flown by trained people after losing contact.

The Mirror

• Missing Malaysia Airlines Flight: Live updates as search enters fifth day and now YOU can help solve mysteryMalaysia Airlines flight 370 is still missing but thanks to detailed satellite images you can now help find the aircraft from your home

Network Rail

• Survey results give Forth Bridge Experience a liftNetwork Rail has released early analysis of a detailed market research study undertaken to support the development of a visitor’s experience at the Forth Bridge.

Birmingham Mail

• Angry councillors demand transport boss gets grip of bus lane fines 'shambles'Coun Tahir Ali ordered to sort refunds for drivers and ensure new city enforcement cameras  will not have similar problems in stormy meeting

Birmingham Post

• Ed Balls: New HS2 boss must prove he's got a grip on costsMr Balls said HS2 had been “mismanaged” thus far, and he needs to be convinced by a report on Monday by former London Olympics supremo Sir David Higgins that it is cost efficient

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Cycling challenge is launched in Bradford A cycling competition is challenging staff and students from universities and colleges in Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield to cycle as many miles as possible in a month.

Bristol Live

• "Cycling is just part of the solution to transport woes": On the House by Kerry McCarthy MP for Bristol East TODAY I'm visiting Begbrook Primary School in my constituency to see how many children have taken up the challenge of cycling to school as part of this year's "The Big Pedal".

Derby Telegraph

• Some Derby bus fares to rise tomorrowA COMPANY which operates bus services in Derby city centre has announced that some of its fares will go up this weekend.

London Evening Standard

• Booking no longer needed for disabled people using London OvergroundDisabled people can use the London Overground service without having to book ahead in a move to make the service more accessible.

Sheffield Star

• Roadworks set to begin on A1(M) tonightThe Highways Agency will carry out overnight repairs and maintenance work on parts of the A1 through Yorkshire from tonight.
• Rail company’s “callous disregard” for familiesA damning report slamming Network Rail’s treatment of families who lost loved ones in level crossing tragedies has been welcomed by leading politicians.

Yorkshire Post

• HS2 fares ‘shouldn’t cost more than other trains’Fares on the £50bn HS2 high-speed line must be affordable and should be “broadly comparable” to those charged on other lines, rail industry chiefs have said.

Doncaster Free Press

• Rail company’s “callous disregard” for familiesA damning report slamming Network Rail’s treatment of families who lost loved ones in level crossing tragedies has been welcomed by leading politicians.    

Other Regional Press

• Hi-tech innovation monitors bus tyre safetyTHAMESDOWN Transport has bought an innovative device that monitors tyre pressures, improving the safety of passengers, bus drivers and depot mechanics alike.
• Bus chief: North Gate streets are on knife edgeArrangements in place to prevent a repeat of congestion at North Gate bus station are extremely finely balanced, a bus company owner has claimed.
• Hartlepool MP launches stinging attack on Northern Rail "cattle trucks" serviceHARTLEPOOL MP Iain Wright likened a rail company’s ageing carriages to “cattle trucks” during a Parliamentary debate.
• Transport Minister Patrick McLaughlin says HS2 will be good for NuneatonMinister also backing NUCKLE project of new stations and line improvements between Nuneaton and Coventry
• Clock is ticking for new railway station upgradeWITH just three years to go until the completion of the East-West rail link, questions are being asked about when improvements will be made to Bedford Station.

Global Rail News

• The Hague orders extra Avenio tramsThe Hague’s public transport operator, HTM, has placed an order for 20 additional Avenio trams from Siemens. HTM’s latest €55 million order builds on an earlier agreement with Siemens for[...]

Rail Technology Magazine

• Siemens to the Rescue When the Great Western Main Line between Twyford and Maidenhead stations was overcome by flood water last month, rail services through the area were severely impacted, causing major delays to passengers travelling between London Paddington and the So…

Railnews

• First Great Western reduces First class provision First Great Western is converting some of the First class coaches in its High Speed Trains to Standard to provide more seats, while the operator has also unveiled a number of timetable changes. Some timetable revisions have been agreed with the DfT to start in May, while FGW will now begin formal consultation on further proposed changes to its key West of England services. The news has come only days after it emerged that FGW is in line for a further directly awarded contract of up to five years.
• Community Railways celebrate 21st year The sun came out in West Yorkshire to help supporters of Community Railways celebrate the 21st year since the idea was first promoted in Britain. The founder of the movement, Paul Salveson, unveiled a plaque on the new headquarters of the Association of Community Rail Partnerships in Huddersfield.
• Now four big regeneration projects are linked to HS2 A small ceremony today in a Midlands barn means that David Higgins can publish his report on how to proceed with HS2 knowing that there are now firm plans for major regeneration projects around the HS2 stations planned at Euston, Old Oak Common, near Birmingham Airport, and in Birmingham city centre.
• Time to move HS2 debate forward, says RDG The director general of the Rail Delivery Group has sounded a clarion call for HS2, on the eve of the publication of David Higgins' reappraisal of the scheme. Michael Roberts has paved the way for Monday's announcement by saying that the HS2 debate is no longer a matter of yes or no, and that it's time to start discussing the details.

Aviation Industry

• Belfast City airport offers free wifiUnlimited wifi offered throughout the airport

Green Miscellany

• Electric hire cars coming to LondonFor the one third of Londoners who do not have a car, and those others in the capital for whom motoring is an expensive, if necessary, evil, a public electric car hire scheme is to be launched. Paris already has Autolib – a pool of 2,000 electric cars sited across Paris and its suburbs, which drivers are able to rent at any time. Bolloré,…

Other News Sources

• Hundreds attend Heathrow consultation events on north-west runway proposalHundreds of people from across the borough have shared their views on the north-west runway proposal at consultation events run by Heathrow.
• Transport vital to London regeneration effort says mayorJohnson says new projects are essential if he is to meet housing target. New transport infrastructure is vital to efforts to build much needed housing stock in London’s most neglected areas, senior politicians and business leaders said this week.
• 'Spy car' to catch dangerously parked vehicles outside Blackburn and Darwen schools PARENTS who park dangerously outside Blackburn and Darwen schools are set to be caught by a ‘spy car’ after the council sought greater powers to fine motorists.
• Barclaycard launch tool to help cut fuel costsClaims the Fuel+ will help firms cut a quarter off fleet fuel expenses