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

Tuesday, 03 November 2015

BBC News

• Historical canal gets £2m of repairsMore than £2m will be spent to improve the 200-year-old Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal by the end of winter.
• Festive rail journeys up by 90 minutesRail passengers face journeys of up to 90 minutes longer if they are travelling between south Wales and London over the festive period.
• Crash jet passed Irish safety reviewA Russian plane that crashed in Egypt killing 224 had passed a safety review carried out by the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) earlier this year.
• First test trams on new city crossingThe first test trams run on the new section of track on the second crossing through Manchester.
• Fresh fog alerts amid flight disruptionFurther weather warnings are issued as dense fog persists across much of the UK, causing disruption to flights at a number of airports.
• Biofuels for aircraft to be examinedThe potential of offering biofuels for aircraft refuelling at Scotland's regional airports is to explored as part of a £1.8m three-year project.
• Ryanair sets sights on rapid growthRyanair expects to be carrying 180 million passengers a year within a decade as its expansion plans gain momentum.
• More VW cars found to be cheating testsLuxury Porsche and Audi cars are identified as having devices designed to cheat emissions tests, according to US regulators.

Financial Times

• Lambeth to resume Garden Bridge talksSupport comes after TfL changes funding to mixture of grant and loans
• Lower fuel costs boost Ryanair forecastsBudget airline enjoys ‘bumper summer’ as European consumer confidence strengthens
• Virgin hopes customers will be seeing RedSmartphone app key to new loyalty programme that aims to build ‘data relationships’ with customers
• Metrojet blames crash on external impactCause unclear as experts examine wreckage and black boxes
• Two-day DLR strike to hit City workersFirst all-out industrial action in railway’s 28-year history
• Ryanair: leery of successAssume the worst but prepare for disappointment
• Uber has a chance if it play by the rulesThe priority is to make sure all companies stay within the law

The Guardian

• Plans for public control of buses suffer a setbackTyne and Wear’s plans to take back control of bus routes, timetables and fares from private operators would not provide value for money, says ruling
• Still no flying cars? The future of transit promises something even betterFrom driverless cars to environmentally friendly vehicles, here are a few ways that technology promises to revolutionize the transportation industryWe may not yet be living in an age of flying cars, as predicted in the 1985 film Back To The Future II, but the rise of smartphones and other new technologies is creating a reality that is arguably as exciting and almost as far-fetched.Experts agree that economic and demographic changes, technological advances and environmental concerns are fundamentally altering the transportation landscape. “It’s a very dynamic time,” said Robert Puentes, a senio...
• Sinai plane crash: no direct evidence of terrorism, says US intelligence chiefJames Clapper says it is unlikely that the Airbus 321 could have been brought down by Isis but adds: ‘I wouldn’t rule it out’A top American intelligence official has said that “no direct evidence” has yet emerged pointing to terrorism being involved in Saturday’s crash of a Russian Metrojet airliner in Egypt’s Sinai desert that killed all 224 people on board.But adding to the continuing cloud of mystery surrounding the incident, James Clapper, the US director of national intelligence, said a terrorist attack could still not be ruled out. Continue reading...

The Telegraph

• Tory minister Anna Soubry's fury over 'dirtiest' train she has ever travelled onOutspoken Conservative minister Anna Soubry criticises Crosscountry trains for 'dirty' toilet which had no water supply

Reuters News

• London's DLR train line set for two-day strikeLONDON (Reuters) - Workers on London's Docklands Light Railway (DLR) were set to go ahead with a two-day strike on Tuesday, halting services between the centre and the east of the city, including Canary Wharf and London City Airport.

The Mirror

• Minicab slams into Heathrow's Terminal 5 after driver suffers cardiac arrest Pictures show the black Volkswagen sandwiched between metal fence and terminal window after the tragic accident

Network Rail

• Network Rail takes part in Tomorrow’s Engineers WeekFrom Monday 2 to Friday 6 November, Network Rail will be sharing inspirational content on social media as part of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week – an initiative led by Engineering UK and the Royal Academy of Engineering. 

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Several flights from Leeds Bradford Airport cancelled due to fog A NUMBER of flights from Leeds Bradford Airport have been cancelled this morning due to heavy fog.

Bristol Live

• The Bristol Post published Rail electrification could lead to a housing boom in BristolTHERE has been plenty of criticism about delays and soaring costs but it seems that the electrification of the trains between London and Bristol will have one major benefit.Cutting back on journey times between the South West and the capital and the increase in the number of rail services is expected to trigger yet another round of increases in house prices in Bristol and beyond.According to the latest research, Bristol house prices are now at the same level they were before the recession struck...

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Gwynedd Council to stop filling grit bins due to cuts Move to axe funding for road salt containers will leave rural routes frozen over in winter and put lives at risk says Talysarn councillor Dilwyn Lloyd
• Welsh Government prepares for introduction of A55 screens to stop rubbernecking motoristsThe screens will cover up to 75 metres of the dual carriageway to hide crashes from passing drivers 

Derby Telegraph

• Derby's Bombardier awarded multi-million pound deal by city train leasing firmA train leasing firm has placed an order which is understood to be worth around £100 million with Derby's Bombardier for a fleet of new trains.Porterbrook Leasing, which has its headquarters on Pride Park, is buying 80 Class 387 Electrostar vehicles from the Litchurch Lane firm.

Lincolnshire Echo

• Look familiar? Lincoln drivers have been stuck at city centre rail barriers for more than 40 years Amazing archive TV news footage from 1975 shows that Lincoln's train barriers caused just as much misery back then as they do to this day. Here, Paul Whitelam looks at what a difference 40 years makes...
• Even more trains to rumble over rail crossings in Lincoln city centre Building a new railway track is the only solution to ease Lincoln's level crossing misery, a rail expert says.

London Evening Standard

• DLR strike tomorrow: Travel chaos expected as unions confirm 48-hour walkout from TuesdayDocklands Light Railway services will be halted all day tomorrow and Wednesday after last ditch talks aimed at preventing a 48-hour strike collapsed this afternoon.
• Christmas and New Year rail engineering work leaves London commuters facing travel disruptionThousands of Londoners are facing travel chaos over the Christmas period as one of the largest programme of engineering works are carried out across rail lines in the UK.

Manchester Evening News

• Dogs could be allowed on Metrolink trams for the first time if a trial gets the green light Transport bosses are due to discuss plans for a pilot scheme to allow caged dogs in carriages at their meeting this week

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Network Rail's Group Finance Director to join Go-Ahead Group plc as chief financial officerPatrick Butcher has extensive industry experience, having held numerous high profile roles at several transport companies

Sheffield Telegraph

• Half a million passenger boost for Doncaster Sheffield airport as eight new routes to lift offHalf a million extra passengers a year can take off from Doncaster Sheffield airport as a major airline launches eight new routes.

The York Press

• Parking and cycling shake up planned for one of York's busiest roads TRANSPORT bosses are looking at a shake-up of cycle lanes and parking on one of the busiest roads into central York.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Revenue accelerates at Virgin RailA strong performance from the Virgin West Coast rail service has seen revenue surging over the last year, new figures reveal.

Yorkshire Post

• Crumbling state of county’s vast rural road network is revealedHUNDREDS of miles of North Yorkshire’s roads are in need of maintenance to bring them up to standard as highways chiefs warned improvements to the county’s transport infrastructure are vital to the future of the economy.

Doncaster Free Press

• Half a million passenger boost for Doncaster Sheffield airport as eight new routes to lift offHalf a million extra passengers a year can take off from Doncaster Sheffield airport as a major airline launches eight new routes.
• MPs’ bid to end parking charges at hospitals for carersA campaign has been launched to end parking charges for carers at hospitals - and a Doncaster MP has given it her backing.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Christmas and New year rail workers will cause disruptions for passengers travelling from Suffolk and EssexRail passengers planning a festive trip to London over Christmas and the New Year are set to face days of disruption as Network Rail is set to close the line for major infrastructure work.

Other Regional Press

• St Albans rail freight campaign: is county powerless to prevent sale of land?On the eve of the presentation of an 11,500-plus petition at County Hall next week, Herts council leader Robert Gordon has confirmed that there has been no formal approach from prospective railfreight developers Helioslough.
• Campaigners hope railway upgrade is back on trackCampaigners have welcomed an announcement that rail bosses hope to complete the long-awaited upgrades to the line between Preston and Blackpool in 2018.
• Reading Buses wins national award for environmental endeavoursChief executive officer Martijn Gilbert was presented with the prize at the 2015 Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport Excellence Awards on October 22.
• Campaigners hope transport survey will help Portsmouth become ‘cycling city of the UK’CAMPAIGNERS hope a study raising awareness of cyclists’ issues will improve safety on Portsmouth’s roads.
• Bus enthusiast finds luxury by taking the train I’M A great fan of the two Oxford to London bus services, always advising people to use these instead of the train.
• Up to 90 bus routes facing axe in review of council subsidies ALMOST 90 bus routes in Oxfordshire are under threat of being axed because of budget cuts.
• Council support for homes plan at eco-town site ANOTHER 900 homes have been approved as part of the latest “piece of the jigsaw” which will make up the NW Bicester eco-town.
• Whitstable's Glebe Way railway crossing must be kept open, say protestors A notorious rail crossing where a girl was killed should not be closed to the public, campaigners claim.
• Eurotunnel passenger and freight services restart after safety inspectionBoth passenger and freight Eurotunnel services are getting back to normal after an

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• UPS to build new facility at DP World London Gateway Logistics ParkUPS has announced plans to construct a new 32,000 square meter package sorting and delivery facility at the DP World London Gateway logistics site in the south east of England. At close to £120 million, this project constitutes one of UPS’s largest infrastructure investments outside of the United States in the company’s history. “This construction reaffirms UPS’s commitment to the UK and our confidence in its economy,” said Luis Arriaga, managing director for UK, Ireland & Nordics. “It is part of our nearly $2 billion in infrastructure investments...
• GB Railfreight runs first train from Liverpool to DraxGB Railfreight has run the first train from the Port of Liverpool to the Drax power station in Selby, North Yorkshire. Some 1,600 tonnes of biomass pellets were transported by the trip and the route is expected to open up new paths across the TransPennine rail network.� The train left the Port of Liverpool at 17:25 on October 26th and was hauled to Tuebrook sidings in Liverpool. From here, a new engine was attached and took the cargo to the power station, arriving at 01:59 on October 27th.� Managing director of GB Railfreight John Smith said this is an important moment for his firm, as it has ...

Rail Magazine

• Porterbrook buys 80 Class 387 vehiclesEighty Class 387 Electrostar vehicles bought by Porterbrook, for delivery from June 2017.
• Average age of UK rolling stock highest for 14 yearsThe average age of the UK rolling stock fleet has risen to 20.2 years old, an increase of 0.8 years in the past 12 months and the highest for 14 years.
• Quarry sidings boost Settle-Carlisle freightA major milestone in the history of the Settle-Carlisle Line was passed in late October, when connection was made between with new freight sidings.
• New railway for Yorkshire?A new railway linking Leeds with the East Coast Main Line at Northallerton by 2045 is the ambition of North Yorkshire County Council.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Eltel secures two-year rail project from Swedish rail operator SL Swedish rail operator Storstockholms Lokaltrafik (SL) has signed a two-year project agreement with Veidekke Anläggning and Eltel to build a rail station and new tracks.
• Siemens completes first Class 707 Desiro City train body shell Siemens has begun the construction of the first Class 707 Desiro City trains, built for South West Trains (SWT) in the UK.
• Sonata Software-Rail Reservation, Operation and Distribution Platform Sonata has developed Rezopia, a next generation rail reservation, operations and distribution management system for the railway industry.

Railnews

• Network Rail finance chief to join Go-Ahead Group The man in charge of Network Rail's finances has resigned. Group finance director Patrick Butcher has been appointed chief finance officer of Go-Ahead Group and will leave Network Rail in the New Year. The announcement of Patrick Butcher's move comes only a few days after Network Rail was criticised by the House of Commons Public Accounts Committee for losing track of its project costs and timetables, particularly electrification schemes.

Railway Gazette

• Vossloh Rail Vehicles sold to StadlerEUROPE: German track components and rolling stock manufacturer Vossloh AG announced on November 4 that its Executive Board had signed a contract for the sale of its Rail Vehicles business unit in Spain to Stadler Rail AG of Switzerland.

Railway Gazette

• Wien selects metro extension electrification contractorAUSTRIA: Wiener Linien has awarded SPL Powerlines Austria a contract for the electrification of...
• Porterbrook orders Bombardier EMUs to meet future demandUK: Porterbrook Leasing announced an order for a further 80 Bombardier Transportation Class 387...
• Hitachi completes Ansaldo dealINTERNATIONAL: Finmeccanica and Hitachi announced on November 2 the 'closing of transactions'...
• Google backs Indian station wi-fi roll-outINDIA: As part of a strategy to widen access to the internet, Google has announced a project to...

Aviation Industry

• Egypt crash: More airlines re-route flightsQatar, Emirates and Flydubai among carriers to avoid area following Saturday’s crash
• Ryanair raises traffic forecast after passenger numbers soarAirline expects to carry 105 million people this year

Other News Sources

• East West Rail delivery could be delayed by seven yearsThe East West Rail Western Section, between Oxford and Bedford and Aylesbury and Milton Keynes, may be delayed by three to seven years after a Network Rail draft recommendation suggested the project should be delivered in three phases instead of two.
• Rail software could reduce overhead line disastersImprovements to a software system used by Network Rail could reduce the risk of costly and disruptive overhead wire damage, a technology expert has claimed.
• DB Schenker Rail UK Announces Three New Contract WinsDB Schenker Rail UK has announced a triple win after securing contracts with construction companies United Asphalt, Brett Aggregates and J Clubb.
• DB Schenker Rail UK Announces Three New Contract WinsDB Schenker Rail UK has announced a triple win after securing contracts with construction companies United Asphalt, Brett Aggregates and J Clubb.
• 10 years of ensuring a sustainable future for aviation Launched in 2005, Sustainable Aviation brings together the main players from UK airlines, airports, manufacturers and air navigation service providers to set out a collective and long term strategy to ensure a sustainable future for UK aviation
• Network Rail finance director exits companyNetwork Rail’s finance director Patrick Butcher has left the organisation after six years.