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

Sunday, 16 March 2014

BBC News

• Rare carriages return to rail lineTwo rare 1940s passenger carriages travel on a Dorset heritage railway line for the first time in almost 50 years.
• GM recall 'linked' to 303 deathsResearch links faulty airbags in two of the six models recalled by GM to 303 deaths, but the carmaker calls the report's findings

Financial Times

• Missing flight’s communications systems ‘disabled’Flight MH370 en route to Beijing was tracked by satellites for almost six hours after it disappeared from air traffic control screens

The Guardian

• Nine tips for councils looking to take the lead on sustainable transportAustralia has an urban rail system and Denmark has developed easy-ride bikes. How can UK councils promote eco-transport? • How councils can encourage sustainable transport – talkpoint
• Missing Malaysia Airlines plane 'sabotaged on board'Flight MH370 was deliberately disabled, says Malaysian prime ministerThe hunt for Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 has taken a dramatic turn after the country's prime minister confirmed that communications on board had been deliberately disabled and that the jet had flown off course for more than six hours after it lost contact with air traffic control.The revelation came as police raided the home of the missing flight's pilot, sparking intense speculation that someone on the plane had been responsible for its disappearance or hijack.No group has claimed responsibility, but the Malaysian author...

The Independent

• HS2 rail link: Vince Cable says there is 'compelling case' for the high-speed line Business Secretary Vince Cable has said there is a “compelling case” to speed up the extension of the controversial HS2 high-speed rail link to the cities of the north.    

The Scotsman

• Plan to move sleeper trains for HS2 sparks angerSCOTTISH ministers have accused the UK government of threatening the future of the Caledonian Sleeper service by planning to move the trains to the other side of London during high-speed rail construction work.

The Telegraph

• HS2 boss wants work to start in north and south at the same timeA major report into the HS2 rail project will recommend speeding up construction on the northern section of the route    
• Complex car electronics spark rise in breakdownsIncreasingly complex gadgets in cars may be causing a rise in expensive faults and breakdowns, figures suggest    

Mail Online

• Taken for a ride: How our freewheeling, freeloading MPs claim 20p a mile on expenses... for riding their BIKESMPs were at the centre of a new expenses row last night as it emerged Britain's Cycling Minister, a millionaire backbench Labour MP and the shadow Transport Minister are among those who have claimed 20p a mile for pedalling to and from official engagements.
• Doomed airliner pilot was political fanatic: Hours before taking control of flight MH370 he attended trial of jailed opposition leader as FBI reveal passengers could be at a secret locationPolice fear the pilot of missing Flight MH370 hijacked his own aircraft in a bizarre political protest. Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah was an ‘obsessive’ supporter of Malaysia’s opposition leader, the Mail on Sunday has learned.

The Mirror

• Live: Pilots' homes searched as investigators say missing Malaysia Airlines plane was 'deliberately diverted'Officials have started looking into the lives of Captain Zaharie Ahmad Shah and co-pilot Fariq Abdul Hamid in the hope of finding further clues

This is Money

• Stelios is still flying (but with buses): Profits soar at easyJet founder's fleet of airport vehiclesEasyBus, which operates a fleet of 50 orange buses, saw turnover fall but profits rise in the year to September 30, 2013.
• We won't be wasting a fortune on electric cars: Ford chief reveals why one green initiative is a non-starter'If you want an electric vehicle then you can have one', says Mark Ovenden. 'But people still have concerns. Electric cars just haven't taken off.'

London Evening Standard

• Cable backing HS2 rail extension Business Secretary Vince Cable has said there is a "compelling case" to speed up the extension of the controversial HS2 high speed rail link to the cities of the north.

Sheffield Star

• Expert backs Sheffield rail stationA railway expert said the high-speed HS2 rail link from London to Sheffield should call at a station in the city centre.

Blackpool Gazette

• £6m car park running on ‘empty’Council chiefs have been forced to slash charges at a multi-million pound car park – because not enough drivers are using it.

Other Regional Press

• Subsidies for some county bus services could be lost in a bid to save Herefordshire Council £1millionSUBSIDIES for some of the county’s bus services could be lost entirely in a bid to save £1million.
• Maldon Chronicle commented Full steam behind campaign to re-open Witham to Maldon East rail...A RAILWAY historian has started a petition hoping for the reopening of the Witham to Maldon East branch line which shut 50 years ago.Built in the 1840s, in its heyday the branch line carried holidaymakers to Maldon's seaside and agricultural goods to the market town of Braintree and also to London.Now, the Maldon East and Heybridge Railway Station is an office block while the track has become the Blackwater rail trail, favoured by dog-walkers and ramblers, lying buried under foliage with its...
• Grimsby Telegraph commented Reopening of Grimsby Top Town streets to buses delayed due to...THE reopening of George Street, New Street and Victoria Street West in central Grimsby to buses has been delayed. It will now happen on Monday, March 24 – a week later than planned – due to problems arising from a fabrication error by the bus shelter manufacturer. It comes just days after it was revealed a section of block paving at Station Approach will have to be relaid. As reported, the work is part of North East Lincolnshire Council's £6 million Green Transport project,...
• Village school’s bid to keep lollipop patrolA village school hosted a sponsored walk in a bid to raise £3,000 and keep its long-serving lollipop lady patrolling a busy road in Blisworth.
• Big bus fare rises from First but prices for passes frozenThe prices are to rise on most single journey and return fares at the end of the month

Other News Sources

• ’Raw deal’ claim as trains move from north to southRail campaign groups and councillors have expressed their dismay that rolling stock will be moved to routes in the south of England.
• Eurostar updates TV advertising campaignEurostar is looking to inspire travellers to make new discoveries and surprising encounters in the destinations they visit, by re-running its “Maybe” TV advertisement and refreshing its onboard magazine, Metropolitan, this Spring.