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

Saturday, 17 May 2014

BBC News

• Policeman killed in crash with busA policeman is killed in a crash between a motorbike and a bus on the A6105 near Earlston in the Scottish Borders.
• VIDEO: Disabled badge abuse 'doubled'Blue badge fraud prosecutions have doubled over three years, figures from English councils have revealed.
• European car sales rise 4.6% in AprilSales of new cars in the Europe Union (EU) have risen 4.6% in April compared to the same month a year earlier figures show.
• General Motors fined $35m over recallThe US government fines General Motors $35m(£20.8m) for delays in recalling small cars with faulty ignition switches.

The Herald

• High and mighty new Forth crossing takes dramatic shapeSTRETCHING out from the banks of the Forth, the Queensferry Crossing that will one day carry thousands of cars across the river is emerging in stunning form.

The Independent

• Hotly contested Lydd airport expansion given go-ahead by court The Government has come under renewed fire for permitting controversial developments after a High Court judge upheld its decision to wave through a transformational expansion of Lydd airport in Kent.
• Disabled parking passes: Architects named as the worst for 'blue badge fraud' Architects are the worst “blue badge abusers”, according to figures from the Local Government Association (LGA).

The Mirror

• Missing flight MH370 live: Black box locator sets off for search zone as U.S. says no evidence points to terrorismThe black box locator is expected to arrive in the area in the next couple of days as the hunt continues for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane
• MH370 live: Updates as families demand satellite data be released on missing Malaysia Airlines plane's movementsFamilies want more information to be released on why the search is focusing on a specific area of the South China Sea

This is Money

• HS2 rail line £87m over budget already due to consultant costsThe Whitehall-run firm set up to manage the project - HS2 Ltd - has overshot its allocated £101million budget by £87million for four lots of professional services.

Network Rail

• Road closures signal vital rail improvements in Selby and KnottingleyMotorists and residents in the Selby and Knottingley areas are being made aware of a series of road closures and diversions, from mid to late May, to allow for essential improvement work to signals and level crossings.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Trucker hero Mark rescued lorry driver trapped in burning cab wreckage A trucker who dragged a fellow lorry driver from his burning and exploding crashed cab has told of the moment he sprang into action on a motorway.

Bristol Live

• The Bristol Post commented Reader's letter: Transport planners seem to want to bring traffic...DESPITE the common-sensical Bristol Post editorial outlining logical objections to the idea of introducing so-called "cycle streets", I would not be surprised to see a similar scheme introduced in car-hating Bristol (Cycle Street plan to ban drivers overtaking bikes, Bristol Post May 13).Under the barmy notion, motorists would be banned from overtaking cyclists, additional powers would be given to the police to penalise car-drivers and the roads would be subject to a maximum speed...

London Evening Standard

• HS2 terminus must be moved to west London while Euston station is redevelopedCamden council has called on the Government to move the terminus of HS2 temporarily from Euston to Old Oak Common in west London.
• Shed heaven for bike fansBike Shed Motorcycle Club, which celebrates and lifts the lid on the exciting, emerging custom bike scene, returns to London in style this month.
• Road test: Vauxhall Meriva SE 1.6Manufacturers don’t like scaring customers off by making their model revisions too radical so sometimes you have to look right under the skin of a new car to find what really makes it tick.

Manchester Evening News

• Steam trains will no longer be able to access historic Liverpool Road station at MOSI under 'Ordsall Chord' planBosses at the Museum of Science and Industry agree deal with Network Rail to drop objection to £85m bridge plan.

Sheffield Star

• Celebrity raves about Doncaster airport and the VulcanTV and radio presenter Chris Evans made a flying visit to Robin Hood Airport and got the chance to take a close look at the Vulcan bomber before going inside it after meeting the team who maintain the nuclear era jet.
• Sheffield patrolman is king of the roadsA Sheffield mechanic has hit top gear after being crowned Patrol of the Year at the AA Employee Awards.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Cruise ship fire off MullA cruise liner carrying more than 1,000 people was crippled by fire off the west coast yesterday.
• Aviation milestones commemoratedA bronze statue has been unveiled at a Highland airport to commemorate the first passenger flight in the region.

Wales Online

• Caernarfon Airport fatal crash victim named as Ashley Hazelwood of Kinmel Bay The man, aged 61, was rushed to hospital with serious injuries following the crash on Thursday but he was later pronounced dead
• Lollipop lady who used herself as human shield to protect children from car brands driver's punishment as 'pathetic' Heroic Karin Williams used herself as a human shield after Robert Bell lost control of his Audi A3 outside Rhws Junior School, in Rhoose, last June. Bell was fined £100

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• More seats on trains after £30 million Chase Line workLonger trains could run on the Chase Line when the electrification of the route is completed in 2017, it has emerged.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Tour de France inspires Leeds granddad to revive speed cycle 30 years onA long-held love for cycling combined with the visit of the sport’s greatest spectacle has given one Horsforth granddad the desire to relive his two-wheeled past.

Yorkshire Post

• Illuminated cyclists dazzle a crowd of 3,000 to mark TourA mesmerising cycling light show fusing dance, sport and art has wowed more than 3,000 people on its opening night.

Other Regional Press

• Wye Valley cycle path could still happen THE charity behind a proposed scheme to build a cycle path through the Wye Valley has said the ‘door is open’ for the project, more than three years after it was put on hold.
• Traffic warning with six cruise ships due in port MOTORISTS are bracing themselves for traffic chaos as six cruise liners visit Southampton.
• Drivers caught taking pictures with mobile phones of serious car crash in Northamptonshire face procecutionDrivers caught taking pictures with their mobile phones of a serious car crash on the A45 in Northamptonshire have been warned they face prosecution.
• Manston airport: Workers say they are 'heartbroken' after the closure of Manston airport, at a loss of 144 jobsWorkers have spoken of their pain as Manston airport closes forever, bringing to an end a century of aviation history.

Railway Gazette

• Network Rail awards track renewals contracts UK: On May 12 infrastructure manager Network Rail announced preferred bidders for five regional contracts to undertake plain line and switch & crossing track renewals during Control Period 5...
• World rail market May 2014France: SNCF has awarded Armor-Lux a contract to supply new uniforms for 33000 customer-facing personnel. Netherlands: Thales is to install and maintain 153 ticket gates and 45 ticket vending...

Aviation Industry

• Passengers on diverted Scoot flight recount experienceMr Campbell Wilson, the CEO of budget airline Scoot, said that current measures are sufficient to deal with unruly passengers and disputes.
• Heathrow Express faces new strike actionRail workers plan to hold two 24-hour stoppages next week