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

Wednesday, 04 February 2015

BBC News

• Airports Commission consultation on Gatwick and Heathrow runways endsA commission looking at whether Gatwick or Heathrow should expand will conclude its public consultation later.
• 75 years of plane-makingA photographic exhibition marks the 75th anniversary of the start of aerospace industry at Flintshire's sprawling Airbus factory.
• 'Reckless' driver in train near-missA motorist is fined after he drives his car across a railway track in front of an oncoming train.
• The railway lines alarmingly close to the seaThe lines running alarmingly close to the sea
• FMDFM seek assurance about takeoverThe first minister and deputy first ministers want
• Landslip rail line 'shut for weeks'A railway line, closed by a landslip between Warwickshire and Oxfordshire, is expected to stay shut for
• HS2 Bill tackles the nitty-grittyMembers of the public put their concerns over HS2 to MPs
• VIDEO: The bicycle is back in TaiwanThe bicycle is making a comeback in Taiwan, but what is driving its resurgence?

ITV News

• Gatwick or Heathrow for new runway?Gatwick or Heathrow? Local people, businesses and the airports themselves are making their case for another runway in the South.

Financial Times

• ‘At least six dead’ in train crashNew York commuter train hits at least one car

The Guardian

• National Express to run Nuremberg’s overground urban trains12-year contract is first time German national rail company Deutsche Bahn has lost a big S-Bahn franchise
• Express busways: the ultimate rail replacement serviceThe Institute of Economic Affairs thinktank has floated a plan to concrete over Britain’s railways and replace them with bus lanes. But where would that get us?The role of the Institute of Economic Affairs is to propose the logical free-market solution to each facet of civilised life, so that by the time the vision passes and the world shimmers back into normal, everyday dystopia, even George Osborne’s face looks mildly reassuring. Certainly, only a brave politician would endorse the thinktank’s latest call to pave over the railways to create express busways – effectively putting millions of v...
• Segregated cycle superhighways set for go-ahead in LondonPlans for 18-mile east-west route and shorter north-south route have mayor’s support but also some powerful oppositionTransport for London (TfL) is expected on Wednesday to confirm plans for a series of cycle superhighways that could revolutionise transport in the capital.Under consideration is a series of new or upgraded bike lanes, many of them based on the principle of fully segregating cyclists from motor traffic for the first time. Related: Tomorrow's vote on segregated cycle superhighways could help make London a city of the future Continue reading...
• New York train crash kills sevenTrain struck SUV that had stopped on tracks at crossing in Valhalla, killing vehicle’s driver and six on board Metro-North serviceSeven people were killed when a commuter train collided with a car north of New York City on Tuesday night. A dozen more people were injured, authorities said.The northbound train struck a Jeep Cherokee at a railroad crossing in Valhalla, about 20 miles (32km) north of New York City, Metro-North Railroad spokesman Aaron Donovan said. The SUV’s driver and six train passengers were killed, said the New York governor, Andrew Cuomo, who described a “truly ugly and bruta...
• TransAsia plane crashes in Taiwan river - rolling coverageAt least nine people dead after regional airliner with 58 on board came down in Keelung river in Taipei 6.01pm AEST Dramatic images from the rescue are still emerging. This recent picture from a Channel NewsAsia correspondent shows dozens of emergency personnel working on the rescue operation.#Taiwan #TransAsia plane crashed into Keelung River in Taipei, rescuers evacuating those on board @ChannelNewsAsia pic.twitter.com/TM1ypMMh9z 5.54pm AEST China’s Xinhua News agency is reporting that there are now 12 people who are believed to have died from the TransAsia Airways crash. A number of other C...

The Herald

• Operator fined £1500 over missed bus servicesA BUS operator convicted of drink driving has been fined £1,500 for failing to run timetabled bus services.
• Report: Glasgow Airport tram-train would not deliver superior journey times PLANS for a £92 million tram-train hybrid linking Glasgow airport to the city centre would

The Telegraph

• CCTV shows driver going the wrong way for nine miles on M25New CCTV released by Kent Police shows a motorist driving the wrong way on the M25 for nine miles before he crashes into oncoming traffic
• Britain's roads should be 'beautiful' rather than 'crass, ugly and ubiquitous'John Hayes, the roads minister, to set out his vision for a new generation of roads which exist in

Reuters News

• UK bosses urge quick decision on London airport expansionLONDON (Reuters) - Sixty business leaders urged Britain's political leaders on Tuesday to commit in their election manifestos to make a swift decision on the controversial issue of London airport expansion.

Mail Online

• Video shows Air France workers install luxurious first-class cabin by hand La Premiere boasts four exclusive suites, each with a lie-flat bed, and a new video shows how workers install every part by hand to create the VIP areas, from carpets and coverings to the reading lamp.
• Airline cuts £1,000 off business-class flights to New York La Compagnie has announced it will be selling return tickets from London to New York for as little as £1,549 on its business class only flights, flying from London Luton to Newark from April.
• Metro-North train in NYC crashes into car resulting in 'multiple fatalities' The train, running on the Harlem line, crashed into the vehicle as it was traveling through Valhalla in Mount Pleasant, Westchester County, around 6.30pm on Tuesday.
• Increasing number of cars being stolen after thieves simply bypass security devices Hi-tech thieves working across Britain are driving off with top-of-the-range cars and vans, including BMWs and Range Rovers, after bypassing security devices by attacking onboard computers.

Network Rail

• Templars Firs footbridge in Royal Wootton Bassett is reopenedThe footbridge over the railway at Templars Firs reopened yesterday, Monday 2 February, after work to prepare it for electrification was completed on time.
• Harbury Tunnel landslip to close railway for several weeksA large landslip near Harbury Tunnel is to keep the line closed between Banbury and Leamington Spa for several weeks.

Belfast Telegraph

• Stormont leaders in united front over Belfast to Heathrow air linksStormont leaders have made a desperate plea to the International Airline Group (IAG) to retain the air links between Belfast and Heathrow if it purchases Aer Lingus.

Birmingham Post

• Birmingham Airport comes out in favour of Gatwick expansion Birmingham Chamber joins with city's airport to back Gatwick, claiming expanding Heathrow could hit regions

Bolton News

• Pictured: Massive machine that will bore tunnel under A666 as railway is electrified THIS is the specially-built machine that will bore a tunnel under the A666 for the £1 billion electrification of rail lines in the north west.

London Evening Standard

• Londoner's Diary: Zac Goldsmith hijacked by pro-Heathrow expansion fansAs the temperature continues to rise over the decision about which London airport the Davies Commission will back to expand, Richmond Park and North Kingston MP Zac Goldsmith discovered a strange email in his inbox.
• Heathrow and Gatwick told to pay more compensation to residents under flight paths Heathrow and Gatwick bosses were told today to open their wallets and pay proper compensation to residents — or risk failure in their bid for extra runways.
• French firm starts 'budget business' class flights from London to New York Direct business class-only flights between London and New York are to return in April more than six years after they were wiped from schedules by the credit crunch.
• Letters to the editor: Heathrow noise row thunders on Heathrow airport has cynically announced an extra £450 million for noise mitigation without any detailed description of zones, locations, technical content, health-related noise reduction targets or rollout programmes just hours before the Airport Commission’s final consultation ends. Typically, it has managed to underestimate both today’s noise impacts and those in the future.

Manchester Evening News

• Row over plans to open Port Salford development without first building new roads and rail links Peel's bid to amend its planning permission for the new £138m rail, road, and shipping terminal, currently under construction at Barton, has sparked a furious response from local councillors

Metro

• ‘Pilot was taking selfies’ moments before fatal plane crashIt is thought the flashes may have startled the pilot, causing the crash.

The York Press

• Top expert appointed to try to tackle York congestion A LEADING transport expert who has worked on some of Britain's biggest projects is to be asked to help crack York's congestion problems.

Bucks Free Press

• Boris calls for more of HS2 to go through tunnels Boris Johnson has said HS2 needs to go through a greater number of tunnels to limit its impact on the environment, following a meeting with a south Bucks MP.

Other Regional Press

• Hillingdon people join demo in Westminster backing Heathrow expansionHUNDREDS of Hillingdon residents made their voices heard outside Parliament on Tuesday, supporting the expansion of Heathrow, just as the final consultation on expanding London’s runways took place.
• Highland backing for Heathrow expansion - with strings attachedBUSINESS organisations from across the Highlands have united behind plans to expand Heathrow Airport as the UK’s hub airport.
• Heathrow expansion: More homes eligible for noise insulation if third runway is builtCampaigners have welcomed the scheme but say the airport must up its game, even if it doesn't get a new landing strip
• North West firms believe HS2 will help boost businessMore than a quarter of small and medium-sized businesses across the North West say they believe the high-speed rail project HS2 will have a positive effect on their business.
• Hartlepool bus service at risk after funding cutsA BUS operator says she will fight to keep providing the service to rural areas of Hartlepool after a cut in funding.

C.N.N.

• Another security gap at airports: Background checks
• Train hits 2 cars in New York state; at least 7 killed

Forbes

• Airliner Plunges Into Taipei River; Rescuers Find SurvivorsA prop-jet aircraft carrying 58 people and operated by TransAsia Airways, the same airline involved in a crash in July, plunged into a river shortly after takeoff in Taipei on Wednesday.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Leading transport body argues Heathrow is the best option for additional runway capacity, but impact must be cappedThe Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport has responded to the Airports Commission’s consultation on options for a new runway, which presented the Commission’s analysis of the proposals shortlisted last year: two for expansion at Heathrow Airport and one proposal at Gatwick Airport. CILT has concluded that Heathrow is the best transport option, but that the impacts must be capped.
• Witham rail loop to be built by 2024?A rail loop in the north of Witham could be built by 2024, it has been announced. The system is hoped to increase the number of trains passing through the station, while also cutting journey times. The new track would work by separating passenger trains from freight trains, and enabling faster ones to pass by slower moving carriages. Chelmsford MP Simon Burns commented: "Network Rail accepted the need for the loop and I think they'll be able to find the money to do it.” The MP had been lobbying for improvements to be made on the Norwich to London Liverpool Street lin...

Rail Magazine

• Rail penalty fare appeals system to be overhauledAppeal process set to become fairer
• First Great Western combats Seasonal Affective Disorder‘Therapy train’ carriage intended to relieve the ‘winter blues’
• Network Rail consults on tram-train chordPlans for chord to link Sheffield Supertram network and railway are out for consultation

Railnews

• Two more German franchises for National Express National Express is set to win two more rail franchises in Germany. The Group, which has also recently started a new 15-year c2c franchise in London and Essex, has been named as the preferred bidder for the five Nuremberg S-Bahn routes by BEG -- the passenger transport authority in Bavaria.
• Landslip line will stay closed 'for several weeks' The Chiltern main line through Warwickshire will remain closed by a large landslip 'for several weeks', Network Rail has warned. The slip occurred between Banbury and Leamington Spa at 14.30 on Saturday afternoon, and the soil and rock affected is still moving, NR said. Remote sensing techniques are being used to monitor the landslide and Network Rail added that remedial works will begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Replacement buses are running in the area.
• Penalty fares under scrutiny as DfT signals changes The Government is taking a close look at the penalty fares system, which many operators use to discourage fraudulent travel. It was first introduced by British Rail on some commuter routes more than 20 years ago, but the system regularly sparks complaints that innocent passengers are sometimes persecuted for an honest mistake. The DfT says that it is considering an overhaul of the penalty fare appeals process, so that the procedure will become 'fairer and more open', and has launched a consultation. At the same time, watchdog Passenger Focus has renewed its call to the rail industry to play f...

Railway Gazette

• National Express selected for Nürnberg S-Bahn operating contractGERMANY: Following a competitive tender, on February 2 Bayern railway authority BEG named National...

Aviation Industry

• Gaping holes in Airports Commission's analysis of airport expansion conceal potential environmental disasterGaping holes in Airports Commission's analysis of airport expansion conceal potential environmental disaster. A new runway at either Heathrow or Gatwick would be an environmental disaster, says the Aviation Environment Federation
• Chinese airlines to scrap fuel surchargeChinese airlines are set to scrap their fuel surcharges for domestic flights for the first time since late 2009, two airlines executives told Reuters, even as oil prices start to climb away from six-year lows this week. Passengers heading home for family reunions in the upcoming Chinese New Year holiday, nevertheless, may still have to pay a premium to board flights during the peak travel period.
• Singapore Airlines Debuts New Premium Economy With Social Media Treasure HuntWe're a bit surprised by the color and trim choices, given the airline's palate and design scheme for the rest of the aircraft, but overall it's a great product. This should be a very nice option for passengers who want more than the airline's excellent boutique Economy class, but aren't ready to dish-out the fare for a Business class ticket.
• American Airlines to feature its predecessor carriers on amenity kitsSome premium passengers on American Airlines will get these amenity kits that carry the colors of the airlines that make up AA. American Airlines will remember the airlines of its past with new amenity kits that it will give its first-class and business-class passengers.
• GTMC: Heathrow expansion has massive business travel supportGTMC CEO Paul Wait has said there is “massive” support for expanding Heathrow airport among the business travel industry.

Green Miscellany

• LightSKIN LED: World’s most stylish bicycle lightThere’s no legal requirement for a car to have headlamps, but that doesn’t stop them being fitted to every model. So why are things so different when it comes to bicycles? The LightSKIN LED seat post is a step towards factory-fitted bicycle lights; the five LEDs look beautifully sleek and are impossible to leave at home. Two AA batteries located inside the seat… The post LightSKIN LED: World’s most stylish bicycle light appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• Trade union, airlines and businesses back Heathrow expansionAirlines, businesses and the UK’s largest union have put their weight behind expansion of Heathrow as the UK’s only hub airport.
• Hotels seek Gov action on Heathrow slotsThe Irish Hotels Federation (IHF) today warned of the "serious consequences" facing Irish tourism if the Government fails to secure contractual rights to determine the use of Aer Lingus' Heathrow slots.
• Slough officially supports Heathrow ExpansionCouncil submits its response to Davies Commission on airport capacity and have secured mitigation measures in return.
• Robinson and McGuinness back Heathrow slots for NIThe First Minister the Rt. Hon Peter D. Robinson MLA and the deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA have joined in the Aer Lingus debate as the debate in Dublin rages continues over the IAG bid to buy the former nationalised carrier.
• Holland-Kaye: Heathrow expasion best for Britain, backed by BritainLONDON, England - LHR Airports Limited CEO John Holland-Kaye today set out why expansion at Heathrow, Britain’s only hub airport, is the best option for the whole of the UK and is backed by organisations across the nation. The comments come at the end of the Airports Commission’s consultation, established to identify the ’scale and timing of any requirement for additional capacity to maintain the UK’s position as Europe’s most important aviation hub.’
• Heathrow Airport rapped by ASA for unsubstantiated claims in expansion plan adHeathrow Airport is in hot water with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after complaints arose it ran "unsubstantiated" claims in ads that presented arguments in favour of expanding the airport.
• New hydrogen refuelling stations to compete for Government grant The Government's grant scheme supporting the roll out of a UK hydrogen fuel network is now accepting infrastructure proposals for seven new hydrogen refuelling stations.
• Highways Agency boss will be ‘sorely missed’ amid transformation of agencyHighways Agency chief executive Graham Dalton will be “sorely missed”, according to transport industry experts, after the announcement that he will leave the organisation in the summer.
• CAA: Press release on CAA response to Airports Commission consultation.
• States Show Strong Support for ICAO Conflict Zone Risk Initiatives at High Level Global Aviation Safety Event Member States of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) confirmed their support today for the Organizationrsquo;s comprehensive conflict zone risk mitigation work programme,...