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

Tuesday, 11 August 2015

Government

• Scottish space sector set for lift offThe UK Government is supporting three of Scotland’s most promising space companies through a new trade mission to the United States.
• Smoking in vehiclesUpdate on new law on smoking in cars and other vehicles with someone under 18.
• Crowdfunding investors celebrate successful exit from E-Car ClubEuropcar Group takes over as majority shareholder in UK fully electric car-sharing business supported by Innovate UK

BBC News

• Gatwick Airport has busiest JulyGatwick had its busiest July with 4.3 million passengers - a 6.4% increase on last year - the West Sussex airport has said.
• VIDEO: 'Car-in-a-bag' created in JapanAn electric skateboard the size of a tablet computer has been developed by a Japanese engineer.
• Campaigners in new rail line callThe Campaign for Borders Rail (CBR) has urged others lobbying for the re-opening of rail lines in Scotland to learn the lessons of their campaign.
• Rude graffiti pothole filled inA pothole which had a rude phrase spray painted next to it is filled in by road maintenance workers.
• Propane tanker fire shuts motorwayA propane gas tanker fire shuts the M56 motorway for six hours between junctions 12 and 15 near Chester, leading to traffic gridlock.
• Network Rail rapped over timetablesNetwork Rail is strongly criticised by the Office of Rail and Road for its handling of Scottish timetables.
• Network Rail fined £2m for delaysNetwork Rail is fined £2m by the rail regulator over train delays and cancellations in 2014-15.

Department for Transport

• Government boost for Northern PowerhouseBlueprint showing how government investment in transport will help create the Northern Powerhouse is to be published today.
• Off road trials for “electric highways” technologyOff road trials of the technology needed to power electric and hybrid vehicles on England’s major roads are due to take place later this year.
• New footbridge opens on A38 at CarkeelA new footbridge over the A38 at Carkeel roundabout in Devon was officially opened today (August 10) giving walkers safe access over the road.
• Government boost for Northern Powerhouse: SeftonTransport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin will visit Merseyside today, Tuesday 11 August 2015, to name the new A5758 Broom’s Cross Road and see how major transport improvements are helping to create a Northern Powerhouse.
• Government boost for Northern Powerhouse: A1Roads Minister sees A1 improvements during visit to north east.
• Government boost for Northern Powerhouse: Farnworth TunnelTransport Secretary sees Farnworth Tunnel improvements during visit to north of England.

The Guardian

• Rail watchdog fines Network Rail £2m for London Bridge delaysTimetabling failures and lack of planning for network upgrades caused severe disruption for passengers, the Office of Rail and Road foundThe rail regulator has fined Network Rail £2m for inept timetabling and poor planning for upgrades that caused severe disruption at London Bridge station.The Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said Network Rail had made repeated mistakes in timetabling services in and out of London Bridge, had failed to work properly with train operators, and had neglected to plan in passengers’ interests. Continue reading...
• Tube bosses spell out night service's impact on staff to avert more strikesLondon Underground says no staff member would be asked to work more hours than they do today in dispute over work-life balanceLondon Underground has spelled out the impact on staff of a planned new all-night tube service, in an attempt to avert further strikes.The company said staff would be able to plan shifts that suit them and repeated that no one would be asked to work more hours than they did at present. Continue reading...

The Herald

• £2m Network Rail fine will bring job cuts, unions warnA £2 million fine levied on Network Rail for breaching its licence and problems such as massive disruption at a leading train station will lead to job losses and cuts to improvement works, it has been warned.

The Independent

• Air travellers refusing to show boarding passes at airport shops after news that the information is used by stores to avoid paying VAT Air travellers are refusing to show their boarding passes at airport shops after The Independent revealed that the information is used by stores to avoid paying VAT - without passing on the discount to customers.

The Scotsman

• Network Rail rapped over performance in ScotlandNETWORK Rail has come under fire over its performance in Scotland after a damning report by the rail regulator.

The Telegraph

• Jeremy Corbyn and Labour will put High Speed Rail in 'jeopardy'Patrick McLoughlin, Transport Secretary, says Labour leadership candidates Jeremy Corbyn, Yvette Cooper and Andy Burnham are 'ducking the challenge' of endorsing HS2
• Network Rail faces £2m fine from regulator over travel chaosThe Office of Rail and Road found that recent delays and cancellations amounted to a breach of Network Rail's licence

Mail Online

• Deer herd wait until sun down to cross M25 using bridges and tunnels The deer appear to be undeterred by the bright lights and loud noises to find their forests and farmland either side of the motorway in London.

The Mirror

• EasyJet scraps guaranteed cabin baggage policy meaning customers may have to pay more for the privilege Passengers who have chosen to fly with hand luggage only may now be faced with a wait at the baggage reclaim carousels

London Evening Standard

• Network Rail fined £2m over London Bridge building chaosRail passenger groups today welcomed a £2 million fine imposed on Network Rail over months of chaos at London Bridge station during upgrading works.
• Gatwick airport evacuated after fire alert 'at Nandos'Holidaymakers jetting off from Gatwick were forced to evacuate the airport temporarily this morning.
• Evening Standard Comment: It would be wrong to delay the Night TubeThe disclosure that the start of the new Night Tube service could be delayed because of the continuing dispute over staff terms and conditions is another  blow to Londoners after the unnecessa
• Bus goes up in flames in south east LondonA single decker bus was left charred after catching fire in south east London this afternoon.

Manchester Evening News

• Commuter anger at no prior warning and lack of information for 'ridiculous' bus stop closure in city centre The stop on Piccadilly will be closed until Saturday

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Multimillion North Tyneside road revamp announced in a bid to cut journey timesThe £4.8m A1056 scheme in North Tyneside will reduce congestion, improve journey times, and enhance access to industrial estates

East Anglian Daily Times

• Stansted Airport reports busiest July for seven yearsStansted Airport recorded its highest July passenger total for seven years last month – and also saw cargo trade boosted by problems affecting the Channel Tunnel.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Bridge Street cyclists to be fined by Peterborough City Council enforcement staff with new powersThe Bridge Street cycling ban will soon be enforced by Peterborough City Council staff who will be able to issue fines.

Other Regional Press

• Overnight repairs will mean smoother journeys on M55Work starts next week to create smoother journeys on the M55 motorway for drivers heading towards Blackpool.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• The Shield Group reports a 400% increase in CCTV systems for lorries in CalaisThe Shield Group has reported a 400% increase in orders from logistics operators and hauliers for more advanced CCTV monitoring and surveillance systems to be fitted to lorries since the Calais migrant crisis began. The significant rise in sales of The Shield Group’s advanced mobile monitoring systems is cited as a direct result of the current crisis, whereby thousands of migrants from developing countries are illegally boarding trade lorries to reach the UK. The crisis is said to have already cost the British economy millions of pounds in lost trade and increased expenditure to have mor...
• Profit warning issued by UK Mail after hub moveUK Mail has issued a profit warning, with full-year profit likely to be below current market expectations.  The group's move to a new automated hub in Ryton near Coventry is cited as having a negative impact on UK Mail, as it has caused more disruption than was initially expected.  Profit before tax is now forecast at being in the range of £10 million to £12 million - a significant drop on the equivalent figure of £21 million that was recorded in the last fiscal year.  Chief executive officer of UK Mail Guy Buswell said the near-term setback to performance is very disappointing, but he is taki...

Rail Technology Magazine

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Aviation Industry

• Virgin Australia narrows net losses in FY2015The Virgin Australia Group reported a net loss of A$93.8 million ($71.8 million) for the full year ended June 30 (FY2015), narrowed from an A$353.8 million loss in the previous financial year. read more
• ORR approves open access on West Coast MainlineGreat North Western Railway will operate a six-times daily London-Blackpool service
• Heathrow trials steeper aircraft approach to reduce noiseAirport trial is one of 10 steps taken to explore ways to lower noise levels

Other News Sources

• The Case For Bus-Only Lanes on Georgia StreetAt Slow Streets, we believe in quick and effective results that are measurable and observable. We call for maximizing the utility of current infrastructure stock to achieve more efficient results. Our most recent project outlined here evaluates one such cost effective option that would allow for increased mobility without increasing costs significantly.
• Nottingham installs UK's largest solar carport Nottingham City Council has built the UK's largest solar carport at the city's newly redesigned Harvey Hadden Leisure Centre.
• Network Rail fined £2m for licence breachNetwork Rail will have to pay £2m after the rail watchdog found it in breach of its licence agreement.
• BMAA first recipient of new airworthiness oversight standardThe British Microlight Aircraft Association (BMAA) has been given 'A8-26' approval by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) which delegates greater responsibility for airworthiness oversight of recreational 'Permit to Fly' microlights. The move, which will allow the BMAA to develop a greater level of oversight of the microlight sector, is in line with the CAA's intention to introduce a more proportionate approach to regulating recreational aviation. Under the approval the BMAA provide design