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

Friday, 04 December 2015

BBC News

• Rail electrification: 'I see the whole line being done' [video]Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has said he hopes electrification of the Great Western rail line to Swansea can be completed by 2020 or 2021.
• Driver fatigue probed in Reading rail signal incidentsTwo separate incidents of trains going through red signals near Reading could have been caused by driver fatigue, accident investigators have said.
• Council wants steam trains to return to Borders RailwaySteam trains should return to the Borders Railway next year despite the disruption they caused, according to Scottish Borders Council.
• Rail fares to rise by average of 1.1%Rail fares will rise by an average of 1.1% from 2 January, 2016, rail industry body the Rail Delivery Group has announced.
• Snow and floods cause transport miseryUnexpected snow and flooding across Midlothian and the Borders on Thursday evening causes major transport problems.
• Oxford Circus 'closes every three days'Oxford Circus Tube station had to be closed 113 times in a year because of overcrowding, new figures reveal.
• Lyft in Asian partnership to rival UberUS ride-sharing service Lyft expands global partnership to include India's Ola and South East Asia's GrabTaxi, in a challenge to rival Uber.
• Airbus leads on �14m wing researchBristol's Airbus site will lead on two new aerospace research projects, after �14m funding was announced by Business Secretary Sajid Javid.

Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy

• Midlands Engine fired up to drive £34 billion worth of productivity and growthEleven Local Enterprise Partnerships come together to pool their ambitions in the Midlands Engine Prospectus – for the first time.

Department for Transport

• HS2 information event 11 December 2015: HoptonThis event is an opportunity for the public to see maps and plans, talk to our experts, and learn more about the project near Hopton.
• Investing in Welsh transport - SpeechAs we invest billions in transport, Welsh businesses are already benefiting.
• Transport Secretary pledges to build a new transport legacy for WalesPatrick McLoughlin sees how UK government investment is improving transport in Wales ahead of a keynote speech to the CBI.

Financial Times

• GrabTaxi joins anti-Uber allianceRivals of San Francisco-based group to share technology

The Guardian

• Stansted airport owner urges government to increase flight limitManchester Airports Group says surge in passenger demand means London’s third-biggest hub is likely to reach maximum number of flights in six years
• UK train fares to rise by 1.1% next yearAverage increase for all fares to take effect from 2 January – the smallest annual rise for six years
• Virgin Galactic's next space venture: a Boeing 747 that launches satellitesRichard Branson says ‘Cosmic Girl’, a former Virgin Atlantic airliner, will be adapted to carry and release Launcher One rocket at high altitudeA 747 jumbo jet will be adapted for use as a launchpad for a Virgin Galactic spaceship, Sir Richard Branson has announced.The plane, which was nicknamed Cosmic Girl when it flew under the Virgin Atlantic brand, will be used to carry the firm’s Launcher One satellite to high altitude before the craft will blast into space. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Forth Road Bridge to close completely for 24 hoursThe Forth Road Bridge is to close completely from midnight on Thursday to allow for repairs.

The Independent

• Rail fares set to increase by 1.1% in 2016The announcement comes after tickets increased an average of 2.2% in 2015

The Telegraph

• Christmas and New Year travel: What you need to knowDriving home for Christmas? Heading to see relatives? Jetting off to sunnier climes? This is what you need to know
• Rail fares to rise 1.1% in new yearThe Rail Delivery Group announces rail fares will rise by an average of 1.1 per cent from January 2

Times Online

• Village activists dig in for war over Heathrow’s third runway [Subscription]Environmental activists have embedded themselves in the villages around Heathrow and vowed to wage a long campaign of civil disobedience against the building of a third runway.

City AM

• How David Cameron can expand Heathrow without breaking his third runway pledgeAS THE week draws to a close, there is some consternation that the anticipated government ruling on airport expansion, with ministers due to decide whether or not to reject the Airports Commission’s recommendation for a third runway at Heathrow, has – for obvious reasons – been deferred.

Mail Online

• London Tube station of the future revealed Transport for London unveiled the computer-generated blueprints this week, giving Londoners a look at what they will encounter on their commute in the years to come.
• Nissan’s owner Renault is ‘putting their Sunderland factory at risk' The future of British jobs at Nissan’s car plant in Sunderland has been thrown into doubt after a power-grab by the French government as a result. Nissan is 40 per cent owned by Renault.
• Households owning a bike has fallen by 50 per cent according to new study Despite the apparent growth in the numbers MAMILs ownership of bicycles worldwide has fallen by 50 per cent according to the biggest ever survey on the subject

The Mirror

• Uber claims new ride-sharing service will stop Brits wanting to buy their own car Controversial cab firm claims there's no point owning an automobile in the age of the taxi app
• Virgin Galactic: Sir Richard Branson confirms that his 747 jumbo jet will be converted to become a spaceship The plane - nicknamed 'Cosmic Girl' - will now live up to its name as it is adapted to function with the firm's Launcher One satellite

This is Money

• Diesel hits six year low and petrol prices dip below the �1 barrier in November Filling a car up was cheaper in November than it has been for over half a decade. Brits have been taking advantage of the lowest prices they've experienced for years with petrol dropping below �1.

Network Rail

• Secretary of state for transport visits Cardiff Central stationPatrick McLoughlin, secretary of state for transport, was given a tour of Cardiff Central station during a visit to Wales so he could see first-hand the improvements carried out by Network Rail to deliver better journeys for passengers.

Belfast Telegraph

• Belfast train to Dublin fast becoming rail jokeThe flagship rail service between the two capitals on this island - Belfast and Dublin - is fast becoming a joke. That is the only fast thing about it, for under new proposals the already tedious journey is set to take longer from the beginning of next year.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Christmas comes to Shipley's historic tramway YOUNGSTERS are in for a magical treat at Shipley Glen Tramway this Christmas with rides up and down a decorated winter wonderland.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Number of direct Wrexham to London rail services could treble next yearPoliticians raise hopes that the exisiting Shrewsbury to London link could be extended to Wrexham and Gobowen by December 2016
• Trains warning as North Wales braces itself for torrential rain and 70mph windsArriva Trains Wales have warned the weather could close the Llandudno Junction to Blaenau Ffestiniog and Shrewsbury to Machynlleth routes

Derby Telegraph

• Arriva: Derby workers say bus changes are making them late for shifts STAFF at a Derby firm have launched a petition against bus timetable changes which they say are making them late for work.

London Evening Standard

• Nick Clegg: All logic points to Gatwick in the great expansion debateOne way or another, the great airport debate is about to be settled. For decades, politicians, businesses, residents and environmental campaigners have argued vociferously about where and how to expand our airport capacity.
• TfL's 'Tube station of the future' unveiled... and it's blueThe Tube station of the future will have shiny blue walls, ambient lighting and illuminated Tube maps, Transport for London has revealed.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Nottingham Post published Dr John Disney: Is traffic congestion a consequence of a booming...Dr John Disney, senior lecturer at Nottingham Business School, wonders whether traffic congestion is the price you pay for a successful city. Much is being made at present of congestion in and around Nottingham city centre, but is this merely a consequence of a booming city in the run-up to Christmas? If we had no congestion and empty shops (or closed shops) would we be more content? The last four weekends before Christmas are always busier as people flock to the shops; last Saturday also...

Wales Online

• Train fares will rise by an average of 1.1% next yearThe increase will come into effect on January 2, but it is the smallest rise in six years
• New core team established to drive forward a £1.2bn City Deal bid confirms First Minister Carwyn JonesLocal Authority leaders see that a City Deal could transform the economy of the Cardiff Capital Region says Carwyn Jones
• Transport Secretary hopes electrification of mainline to Swansea will proceed 'in first part of 2019-24' period'Once we get to Cardiff we carry on to Swansea as far as I’m concerned' Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin said in Cardiff

Get West London

• Third Runway: Doubts over Heathrow air pollution levels in HillingdonThe Leader of Hillingdon Council and an anti-third runway campaign group share their concerns
• Heathrow expansion vital to prosperity of local firms, says business leaderHounslow Chamber of Commerce reiterates its support for a third runway ahead of Small Business Saturday

Other Regional Press

• Airport rail link plans back on trackA long-held ambition to build a rail link to Glasgow Airport is back on track. A scheme to build a tram-train link is one of two options being put forward for a new connection between Glasgow city centre, Paisley and Glasgow Airport as the flagship project in the £1.13bn Glasgow and Clyde Valley City Deal
• Anti HS2 campaigner brands high speed rail a 'vanity project'THE HS2 high-speed rail is nothing more than a ‘vanity project’ that offers ‘abysmal value for money’, a campaigner has claimed.
• Greater Anglia line bidders told: You must tackle "severe" overcrowding issueBIDDERS for the new Greater Anglia rail franchise have been told they must show how they will tackle problems of delays and severe overcrowding.
• MPs ready to tell Network Rail and minister about their train concernsThe delayed £35m track upgrade which could see more trains from King’s Lynn and Norwich to Cambridge is a “tiny amount” in the government’s vast rail budget, an MP has said as he urged a rethink.
• Oxford Bus Company wins tourism award JUDGES at a tourism award have recognised Oxford Bus Company for providing easy access for people with disabilities and mobility problems.
• Arriva bus drivers in Medway will strike over changes to 'unachievable and unsafe' timetables in the TownsArriva drivers will strike for two days, and all their buses in Medway cancelled after talks failed to reach a compromise.
• New rail contract will mean more parking, free wifi, and tougher punctuality targetsLondon Midland has signed a new contract to provide rail services on the West Coast Main Line.
• Adam Afriyie to address anti-Heathrow event in Colnbrook tomorrow!Adam Afriyie will be in Colnbrook tomorrow lunchtime to address anti Heathrow expansion campaigners.
• Government should ‘not run away’ from backing Heathrow expansion - South Downs MPThe Government should ‘not run away’ from backing a third runway at Heathrow over expansion at Gatwick, Arundel and South Downs MP Nick Herbert has urged.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• New contract to make journeys better for West Midlands rail passengers£13 million package of improvements in new contract that will see London Midland continue to run services until October 2017. Passengers will benefit from £13 million worth of improvements – including more services, around 6,600 extra seats, free Wi-Fi and better ticketing – after the government agreed a new deal for rail services in the region today (3 December 2015). Under the contract, which will deliver improved connections, a better customer experience and set tough new targets, London Midland will continue to run services between London, the West Midlands and the...
• Port of Felixstowe Logistics Park Receives Planning ConsentThe first phase of a 1.4 million square foot logistics park at the Port of Felixstowe has received planning permission. The approval covers the first four warehouses to be built as part of the scheme at the Port of Britain. The four warehouses consented as part of Phase 1 provide nearly 1 million square feet of storage space with the largest being 360,000 square feet. Commenting on the development, Mark Seaman, Finance Director at the port, said: “The receipt of planning permission is a significant step towards the delivery of this latest major development at the port. There has alrea...
• UK government pledges bold ambition for electric carsGovernment reaffirms UK’s commitment for almost all cars and vans to be zero emission by 2050 at Paris COP21 conference. The UK government has continued to lead global efforts to cut vehicle emissions at the international climate conference in Paris today (3 December 2015). The UK was one of 13 international members of the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) Alliance to sign a commitment to promote cleaner motoring and slash transport emissions, alongside Germany, Holland, Norway and California. It includes an agreement to make all passenger vehicle sales zero emission vehicles by 2050. Transp...

Rail Magazine

• Excessive leaf fall causes absence of AGA DMUsServices returning to normal after excessive leaf fall forced Abellio Greater Anglia to cancel some services and provide alternative transport for passengers.
• Rail industry needs more women, says reportEfforts should be stepped up to increase the number of women working in the rail industry, says a new report by Women in Rail.
• Refurbished ‘Enterprise’ enters service in IrelandTranslink Northern Ireland Railways has launched the first refurbished ‘Enterprise’ train into service, as part of a £12.2 million upgrade programme.
• RAIL ARCHIVE: Features from RAIL 782A selection of features from RAIL issue 782 (September 2 - 15 2015)
• Direct Award for London MidlandContract extended for 18 months
• PAC investigates rail franchising reformMPs hear evidence from leading DfT figures

Rail Technology Magazine

• TetraFlex for Rail and Metro Communications Simplifying advanced communications for Public Transport. Meet the increased demands on safety and operational efficiency within large public transport systems with the TetraFlex TETRA radio infrastructure.
• On-Train Fibre-Optic Connectivity Applications such as on-board internet, communication-based train control and passenger information or entertainment systems require the reliable transmission of ever greater data volumes in trains.

Railnews

• London Midland wins franchise extension The London Midland franchise has been extended until October 2017. The news comes after protracted negotiations between its owner Govia and the Department for Transport. The existing contract would have ended in April next year. The new contract includes tougher performance targets and additional services on some lines, as well as the introduction of on-board WiFi.

Transportxtra

• Active travel must be at core of joined-up approach to transport’In the face of shrinking budgets, rising obesity and concerns over air quality, local authorities will have to develop a more joined-up approach to transport, believes Tony Duckenfield, head of behavioural insight? at Steer Davies Gleave.

Aviation Industry

• Malaysia Airlines continues turnaround drive with Emirates dealAirline to abandon loss-making routes such as Amsterdam and Paris

Other News Sources

• Mr Cameron: don’t worry, a longer runway, not a third runway is the sensible way forward for airport expansion Heathrow Hub suggests that its alternative 'Extended Northern Runway' option is cheaper, simpler and politically & socially acceptable than other airport expansion opportunities.
• Northern Pedals Home With Cycle Rail AwardNorthern Rail, a Serco and Abellio joint venture, has taken home a valued award in recognition for its achievements in cycling at this year’s ATOC Cycle Rail Awards.