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

Friday, 18 September 2015

BBC News

• China firms in US high-speed rail dealA consortium of Chinese rail firms has teamed up with private US company XpressWest to build a high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Los Angeles.
• Heathrow trials steeper landing angle 'to reduce noise'Planes landing at Heathrow are to trial a steeper approach path in a bid by the airport to reduce noise.
• Airports test remote traffic controlUnmanned air traffic control towers could revolutionise the way airports work.
• 'Engine fire' alert plane lands safelyA jet lands safely in Manchester after passengers heard a banging sound and flames were reportedly seen coming from an engine.
• ScotRail to hire 100 new train driversRail operator ScotRail announces plans to recruit up to 100 new train drivers at locations across Scotland.
• American Airlines resolves flight issueSome American Airlines flights had been grounded across the US due to technical issues, but the airline says they have been resolved.

Department for Transport

• We are building a world class transport system for LondonTransport investment is keeping London mobile and equipping the city for the challenges of the future.

Financial Times

• Airlines face delay compensation paymentsEU court says carriers liable for technical hold-ups to flights

The Guardian

• UK airline regulator to force Ryanair to pay flight delay compensationMove by CAA follows European court of justice ruling that passengers can recoup up to £437 per ticket if flights are delayed or cancelled for ‘technical reasons’Britain’s aviation regulator has begun enforcement action against Ryanair to make the budget airline pay compensation to thousands of delayed passengers in the wake of a European court judgment. Its announcement came hours after a final ruling from the European court of justice opened the floodgates for compensation claims against airlines that could run into hundreds of millions of pounds. Continue reading...

The Independent

• Jet2 plane forced to make emergency landing at Manchester airport after reported bird strike A plane from the budget airline Jet2 has been forced to make an emergency landing at Manchester Airport after a bird was reportedly sucked into one of the engines.

The Scotsman

• Lack of competition to Heathrow riskExpansion since the recessionary dip has transformed Edinburgh and Glasgow from being mere “regional” airports to among Britain’s largest, with the capital’s now at number five.

The Telegraph

• London mustn’t have a veto on Heathrow - Liam Fox MPThe expansion of the hub airport is in the national interest – it will boost the economy by billions

Mail Online

• Jet2 plane makes emergency landing at Manchester airport after bird strike A bird apparently flew into the engine of the Jet2 flight from Barcelona as it came in to land at Manchester Airport, causing it to malfunction. The plane is pictured being inspected on the ground.

The Mirror

• Ryanair facing legal action over its flight delay compensation policy by Civil Aviation Authority The CAA claims the Dublin-based airline is not complying fully with European consumer law designed to support passengers following flight disruption

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• TAKE-OFF: Record passenger numbers at Leeds Bradford Airport during August LEEDS Bradford Airport is celebrating after recording its busiest ever August.

London Evening Standard

• Builder Kier set to up the tempo with new dealsBuilding firm Kier, which maintains Covent Garden’s Royal Opera House, is eyeing more deals following its £265 million swoop for road maintenance company Mouchel earlier this year. 
• The best bike lightsAs the nights draw in, turn your ride into a bright-cycle — the best way to be seen this season is with a new-generation bike light
• King's Cross train crash: Passengers feared terrorist attack after train crashed into buffersPassengers heard a 'huge bang' and were 'thrown around' the train carriage
• Bromley bus crash: single-decker veers off the road and crashes into wall near magistrates' courtA bus veered off the road and crashed into a wall near a magistrates' court in south east London today.
• Incredible footage shows pilots flying British Airways plane through fog to GatwickIncredible video footage shows how two pilots flew a British Airways plane through severe fog to reach Gatwick Airport.

Manchester Evening News

• Recap: Jet2 plane makes emergency landing at Manchester Airport after reported bird strikePassengers have told of their terror as flames came from a stricken engine and they were instructed to adopt the brace position for landing 

Wales Online

• First glimpse at London Underground carriages which could be used on Welsh train lines to ease overcrowdingVivarail has released photos of London Underground carriages which could be used on the railways

Yorkshire Post

• Tim Farron: Forget a Northern Powerhouse, let’s have a Yorkshire PowerhouseGenuine devolution should surely mean allowing Leeds to use that money for the transport solution local people feel is best, not what Whitehall servants based 200 miles away think.
• Contactless travel plan developedContactless card travel across the North could be one of the major benefits to emerge from devolution as transpennine cooperation is improved.

Blackpool Gazette

• Victory in tram campaignThe long-running campaign to get the tram stop at Norbreck North re-instated has ended in victory.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Chance to put your questions to heads of Virgin Trains at Peterborough stationCommuters have the chance to put their questions and comments to the top managers of Virgin East Coast Trains in Peterborough this afternoon, Thursday September 17.

The Shields Gazette

• One-man taxi firm grows into high-tech cab fleetA taxi driver who launched his own cab firm has moved into new offices after seeing his business grow.
• Newcastle to New York: Non-stop flights from North East to Big Apple returnTravellers will once again be able to fly non-stop to New York form Newcastle after United Airlines announced its seasonal service will return in time for next summer.

Other Regional Press

• Steam loco Sir Nigel Gresley will bow out this weekend at North York Moors RailwayFamous engine due to haul its final trains before retiring for a three year, £600,000 overhaul

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• 'Almost 99%' of HGV drivers compliant with CPCFigures published by the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency for roadside HGV checks reveal that almost 99 per cent of lorry drivers are complying with new periodic training rules. All of these drivers had both completed their Driver Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC) training and were carrying a valid CPC card with them. The Freight Transport Association (FTA) welcomed this data, claiming that it reflects the high level of compliance it has come to expect from haulage drivers.  Head of licensing policy and compliance information at the FTA James Firth said this is an indicator of ho...

Railway Gazette

• Inland Rail delivery plan releasedAUSTRALIA: The final report of the Inland Rail implementation group was delivered to the federal...
• Swiss government funds more maintenance SWITZERLAND: Swiss Federal Railways has secured a 15% increase in infrastructure funding from the...
• Court orders review of Nürnberg S-Bahn contract awardGERMANY: On September 17 the Higher Regional Court in München instructed Bayern railway authority...

Aviation Industry

• Airlines try to woo customers back to their own websitesAirlines are trying to draw passengers away from low-price comparison sites and back to their own home pages, seeking to boost profits by selling them extra services such as additional legroom or access to airport lounges. Airlines across Europe and the United States are experimenting with strategies to bring travellers back to their own websites.
• Lufthansa completes cabin upgradesLufthansa has completed a cabin modernization program of its short- and long-haul aircraft. read more
• British Airways launches first refitted B747Carrier starts operating first refurbished aircraft on New York route
• Newcastle retains United service for 2016Airline will fly from north-east airport to Newark for a second season
• BA and Vueling forge closer linksVueling will add its code on BA flights to Spain and Italy

Green Miscellany

• Car exhaust and smokescreensA new power plant in Copenhagen is to be fitted with the world’s first steam ring generator an innovation that could inspire a new breed of car exhaust. The post Car exhaust and smokescreens appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• Will Corbyn, Khan and McDonnell cause a Labour split on Heathrow?Heathrow expansion is one key policy area that is affected by the recent Labour elections. Sadiq Khan’s victory in the London mayoral nomination contest means that the London Labour party will be campaigning against a third runway
• Heathrow Airport rapped over expansion advertAn advert used by Heathrow Airport to promote its expansion plans has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).
• Airports Council International supports Airports Council International (ACI) has voiced its support of the
• Virgin Atlantic and Delta join GTMCThe GTMC has announced that Virgin Atlantic and joint venture partner Delta have become its latest industry pa
• Minister insists HS2 will go aheadGovernment says that debate on building rail line “is over” despite opposition