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

Friday, 16 January 2015

BBC News

• Bombardier suspends jet developmentAerospace firm Bombardier suspends the development of its Learjet 85 business jet.
• MPs question HS2 value for moneyMPs say they are "sceptical" about whether the government's HS2 rail line will deliver value for money.

Financial Times

• SpiceJet takes off on rescue planShares in Indian carrier soar 10% as original founder resumes control

The Guardian

• Engaging with oil companies on climate change is futile, admits leading UK environmentalistAfter years working on sustainability projects with BP and Shell, Jonathon Porritt says he came to the conclusion it was ‘impossible’ for today’s oil and gas companies to adapt to the need to exit fossil fuelsJonathon Porritt: It is ‘impossible’ for today’s big oil companies to adapt to climate changeEngaging with major fossil fuel companies on climate change has become futile, according to one of the UK’s most esteemed environmentalists who spent years working on sustainability projects with BP and Shell. Jonathon Porritt said “hydrocarbon supremacistsâ€� at the companies had successfully ouste...

The Herald

• Islanders' concern growing over lateness of new ferry A NEW £42 million car ferry is unlikely to be carrying vehicles on a vital island route until almost June - some nine months later than planned.
• Spaceflight could be as normal as air travel within 100 years, says top aviation bossTHE Scottish aviation executive who oversaw the development of Airbus' celebrated A380 superjumbo has said space transport could eventually become as normal as air travel.

The Telegraph

• Train company accused of rip-off smart card ticket prices despite fairness pledgeA major rail firm has come under fire for offering 'convenient' digital tickets which appear to overcharge passengers

Network Rail

• Network Rail apologises to passengers and tackles reliability problem at London BridgeNetwork Rail has apologised to passengers after equipment on the railway near London Bridge has proved unreliable and caused delays this week.
• Views sought on railway crossings from Aylesbury to Princes RisboroughPeople from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough will have the opportunity to give their views on how railway crossing safety can be improved in their area by attending public consultation events on January 21 and 28.

Bristol Live

• The Bristol Post commented Bristol Temple Meads prepares for electrification - watch amazing...A TIMELAPSE video has been published showing Bristol Temple Meads station getting ready for the electrification of the Great Western Mainline.After two months of preparatory work, Network Rail's engineering team at Bristol Temple Meads removed the final parts of the old Post Office conveyor belts at the east end of the station on Christmas Day. These works were done as part of the electrification of the Great Western Mainline from London Paddington to Swansea, which aims to make journeys...
• The Bristol Post published M4 and M5 speed cameras near Bristol are on when temporary speed...SPEED cameras used to enforce temporary speed limits on Bristol's busiest stretches of motorway are also being used when the normal 70mph limit is in force, it has been claimed.ITV West Country news reported tonight that the cameras on the M4 and M5 on the approaches to the Almondsbury Interchange are have been used more than 5,000 times to catch drivers exceeding the 70mph limit in the past seven months, leading to fines totalling more than £500,000 being issued.The cameras were...

Derby Telegraph

• RJohnson_dt commented Jobs: East Midlands Airport aims to fill 1,250 posts in the next...EAST Midlands Airport has pledged to fill 1,250 job vacancies across its site over the next 12 months.The Castle Donington airport said that the positions were across 90 businesses, which operate from the site.The airport has recently invested millions of pounds to redevelop the terminal, which has created more retail space, including a new food court.To encourage jobseekers to apply for the various positions, the airport will be holding a recruitment fair and will have more than 350 positions...

London Evening Standard

• London's transport boss under fire for claiming oysters and £45 wine on expenses London's transport commissioner Sir Peter Hendy came under fire today after it was revealed he had bought fine wines costing up to £45 a bottle at meals on expenses.
• The most annoying airline passengers... as played by Sir Patrick Stewart Sir Patrick Stewart has taken on a challenging new role - acting out the most annoying passengers on board planes.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester to New York by train? report reveals futuristic transport proposalsA trans-Atlantic rail connection, roads fitted with solar panels and a 'hyperloop' connection the cities of the north have all been put forward as suggestions to solve the transport needs of 'tomorrow's world'
• MPs 'sceptical' over value for money from £50bn HS2 project A report by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee has cast doubt on whether the £50 billion figure is a good investment for the taxpayer
• Vandals target pay and display machine just days after town hall brings in parking fees in MossleySuperglue has been used on the machine at the Mill Street car park

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Cheaper fuel on way for motorists in remote corner of NorthumberlandThe European Commission has approved a rural fuel rebate for the NE48 postcode area, which includes Wark, Bellingham and Ridsdale

The York Press

• Road deaths fall in North Yorkshire - but cuts may threaten future improvements THE number of road deaths in North Yorkshire fell last year - but Government funding cuts may jeopardise attempts to continue the downward trend in 2015.

Wales Online

• 'Filthy' school bus is ordered off the road after pupil takes snaps of mould and dampAn angry pupil took pictures to show her mother how she was being forced to travel to school in Tondu, near Bridgend
• Welsh MPs cast doubt on HS2 delivering value for money to the country's taxpayersNick Smith and Guto Bebb are concerned about the £50bn high-speed rail project

Yorkshire Post

• High death toll on county’s roadsTHE NUMBER of people dying on North Yorkshire’s roads has seen a dramatic rise with a significant hike in the number of bikers killed, according to the latest available figures.
• Government slammed over piecemeal commitment to Yorkshire railGeorge Osborne’s promise of a third high speed rail line linking his Northern Powerhouse is being undermined by a “piecemeal approach to rail investment” putting at risk regional economic growth.

Doncaster Free Press

• Doncaster drivers agree Stobart dealScores of Doncaster lorry drivers who claim they were unfairly dismissed by a haulage giant have settle their long running dispute.

East Anglian Daily Times

• GoStart bus service to new Sudbury Community Health CentreCommunity transport service GoStart is offering to help get people to and from the new Sudbury Community Health Centre.

Other Regional Press

• CitizenNews commented Toilets renovated at Gloucester bus stationWELL-USED toilets in Gloucester city centre have been given a makeover.Visitors to the city have shared their delight after their regular complaints about the state of the loos at the bus station have finally made a difference.Gripes included the hand-dryers not working for six months, the cubicles were falling apart and nasty smells emanating from the building.As part of the changes, a new cleaning rota has been put in to show visitors how often the facilities are spruced up.The aim is that the...
• Part of cycle route closed until 2018 PART of the National Cycle Route at Brynmawr will close for three years while work to dual the Heads of the Valleys road between Gilwern and Brynmawr takes place.
• Starbucks, WH Smith and Coffee Republic will all open at Northampton’s new railway station next monthStarbucks, WH Smith and Coffee Republic will all open their new outlets in Northampton Railway Station next month, it has been confirmedby London Midland.
• ‘We were no more than 300ft from the tarmac’: Planes forced to abort landings at the last minute after Luton Airport incidentPilots flying above Luton Airport were forced to pull out of landings at the last minute after the tyre of a business jet burst on the runway.
• WATCH: Nightmare passengers: Sir Patrick Stewart mocks the worst mid-flight behaviour with hilarious results Plus vote for the worst airline passenger behaviour in our poll

Rail Magazine

• Partnership funding for Halesworth station improvementsAbellio Greater Anglia and Suffolk County Council to jointly fund new station facilities
• ‘Royal’ Class 47 returns to main lineNational Railway Museum’s Class 47 released from bodywork repairs at Burton
• Vivarail ready to start converting first LU D-StockThe first London Underground D78-Stock train to be withdrawn from service is due to be delivered to Vivarail at Long Marston on January 19.
• DRS stores another Class 47Cumbrian operator removes Class 47/8 from service following failure. Could it be the end?
• Greater Anglia training programme wins accreditationAGA’s ‘Inspire’ training programme wins Institute of Customer Service accreditation

Railnews

• Network Rail, Southern apologise for performance problems Poor performance on the Brighton Main Line has triggered an apology from Network Rail and Southern, the second such apology within a week. The joint statement follows the revelation that one early morning train from Brighton has not arrived 'right time' at London Victoria for a year. There has also been criticism of disruption at London Bridge, where the new timetable worked out for the latest stage of the Thameslink Programme has not been running smoothly.

Aviation Industry

• Aeroflot to take 20 more SSJ100sSkyTeam member Aeroflot has signed an agreement with Sukhoi Civil Aircraft Co. for another 20 Sukhoi Superjet 100s (SSJ100s), which will be operated by the Russian carrier’s regional subsidiaries. read more
• Shannon increases passenger numbersIrish airport concerned about potential takeover of Aer Lingus

Green Miscellany

• Bicycle laser with 750-metre rangeA bicycle laser with a 750-metre range to keep inattentive motorists on their toes would appeal to many cyclists, but the iTager System is not intended to leave a trail of smouldering vehicles in its wake. The universal mounting means the laser can be mounted to any object.

Other News Sources

• Dr Jon Lamonte is new Chair of ptegFollowing on from the end of outgoing Chair’s David Brown two year term, TfGM Chief Executive, Dr Jon Lamonte is the new Chair of pteg. 
• West Yorkshire plans second trolleybus routeCombined Authority plans second NGT route for 2025 delivery   An artist’s impression of an NGT trolleybus in Leeds   The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has announced plans for a second New Generation Transport trolleybus route in West Yorkshire, despite the government not yet approving the planned first controversial route. The plans for the new route are contained within an update to the West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund which was revealed in December. It includes a revised £1.4bn programme of transport improvements for West Yorkshire and the City of York. Over 30 projects...
• Commercial Director – Stagecoach East Scotland    Commercial Director, East Scotland Salary £competitive + car + benefits It’s an exciting time at Stagecoach East Scotland. We employ over 1400 individuals from 11 depots to operate 550 vehicles in order to serve routes from the foothills of the Highlands to Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow with around 40 million customer journeys annually. To further develop our diverse and growing business we are looking to enhance our commercial team based at our head office in Kirkcaldy. We have a vacancy for a dynamic and enthusiastic individual as our Commercial Director to help drive...
• Department in dock over GTR failureDriver shortages have caused widespread service cancellations at Govia Thameslink Railway, placing the Department for Transport under scrutiny   Commuters make their way past a Thameslink train on the platform at Blackfriars Station, London, in the morning rush hour   The quality of the Department for Transport’s franchise management, aspects of its franchising process and the rail industry’s driver recruitment policies are coming under scrutiny following further deterioration in the performance of the new Govia Thameslink Railway franchise. In the first 12 weeks of the franchise, wh...
• New app boasts range of personalised featuresA new app launched by Merseyrail offers more personalised features than similar platforms and aims to prove especially useful during disruption   The app’s Your Train feature gives the location of a user’s train with expected arrival times   Up-to-the-minute information on how services are running, live departure times, as well as customised travel alerts and details on getting to stations are just some of the characteristics of the new Merseyrail app, officially launched this month. Boasting more personalised features than most similar platforms available, it is designed to enhance ...
• Stagecoach beat East Coast rivals on qualityQuality rating was ahead of rivals First and Keolis/Eurostar   An artist’s impression of an IEP train in Virgin branding   Stagecoach/Virgin trounced its rivals for the new East Coast franchise, with a bid that was a clear winner on quality as well as price. Information released to Passenger Transport by the Department for Transport shows Stagecoach/Virgin will make premium payments worth £2.55bn in real terms over the eight-year contract – approximately £700m more than either FirstGroup or Keolis/Eurostar offered. The actual payments will total £3.3bn – £900m ahead...
• APPG report reflects FTA’s call for student loan style funding“We are pleased to see FTA’s call for student style loans has been heard by Governmentâ€� – is the message from the Freight Transport Association ...
• HS2 makes two senior delivery team appointmentsHS2 Ltd has poached senior managers from EC Harris and Foster Wheeler Energy to bolster its programme and strategy directorate.
• Flight punctuality at UK airports falls in third quarter of 2014Flight punctuality at UK airports falls in third quarter of 2014
• Ryanair Wins EU Court Case Against PR AviationRyanair, Europersquo;s favourite airline, today (15 Jan), welcomed the EU Court of Justice ruling restricting access to Ryanairrsquo;s database by screenscraper website PR Aviation.The Court...
• Adelaide Airport Master Plan approvedAdelaide Airport has welcomed the Federal Governmentrsquo;s approval of its 2014 Master Plan, which will allow the airport to plan for growth, jobs creation and sustainable economic development....