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

Saturday, 12 December 2015

BBC News

• VIDEO: New �12m ferry gets stuck at launchA new �12m hybrid ferry gets stuck on the slipway during its official launch in Port Glasgow.
• VIDEO: Record sales of electric cars in ScotlandSales of electric cars reach a new record in Scotland as a luxury car manufacturer opens its first showroom in Scotland.
• VIDEO: New �12m ferry launches on the ClydeThe third commercial ship to be fully built and delivered on the Clyde in the last five years launches at Ferguson's shipyard in Port Glasgow.
• Rescue helicopter 'rolled' to avoid jetsA Coastguard search and rescue pilot
• Bridge traffic restrictions easedRestrictions on a priority route for HGVs and buses put in place following the closure of the Forth Road Bridge, are being eased to allow car drivers to use it at weekends.
• Airport delay 'pathetic' says Tory MPA senior Tory MP calls David Cameron's decision to delay a decision on airport expansion 'political cowardice' as a row over Heathrow escalates.
• Helicopter crash deaths 'accidental'An inquest into the deaths of two men killed in a helicopter crash in central London finds the pilot's decision to fly was unsafe.
• Airport has 'busiest November ever'Passenger numbers grow significantly at Edinburgh and Glasgow airports which are on course for one of their busiest years ever.
• New �12m CalMac hybrid ferry launchedA new �12.3m diesel-electric hybrid ferry is launched at the Ferguson Marine shipyard in Port Glasgow.
• Ford to invest $4.5bn in electric carsFord says it will invest $4.5bn in electric cars, including a new Ford Focus model, and says it intends to move into the commercial ride-hailing market.
• Anger over 'gutless' Heathrow delayBusiness groups react with anger at the government's delay in reaching a decision on airport expansion, with one branding it
• Scandal cuts VW sales by 4.5% this yearSales of Volkswagen-branded vehicles fell 2.4% globally in November the wake of the emissions scandal, the German carmaker says.

The Guardian

• Jaguar Land Rover's £1bn factory in Slovakia 'could threaten UK jobs'Union says carmaker’s global expansion should not lead to losses at British workforce, which built foundations for firm’s success Jaguar Land Rover has insisted that a new £1bn factory in Slovakia will “complement” its UK operations, despite concerns from trade unions that it could put jobs at risk.The luxury carmaker, owned by the Indian multinational Tata, said the plant would initially produce 150,000 vehicles a year and employ 2,800 people. It is scheduled to open in 2018. Continue reading...
• Parody London tube sign generator taken down after 'legal threat' from TfLSite developer says Transport for London lawyer asked for deletion because some people use it to fake noticeboards with ‘racially offensive messages’A parody website allowing users to make a fake “handwritten” London Underground sign has been taken down because Transport for London was concerned it was being used to circulate racist messages.Yorkshire-based developer Tim Waters tweeted on Thursday that he had been asked by TfL to delete the website due to concerns that people believed the images were real. Continue reading...
• Never mind a third runway – what Heathrow needs is managed decline | Simon JenkinsIf more capacity were vital, the market would have spoken. So let’s discourage these polluting flights and spend the money on roads and trains insteadNever take a fact from a lobbyist. Heathrow runways have nothing to do with “vital British business”. The idea that spending a staggering £18bn on one runway is economically essential is ludicrous. The economy has far more need of better roads to ports, more commuter trains or cheaper electricity. That they lack the glamour of an airport should not be the issue.A full 80% of London’s airport capacity serves one industry: foreign leisure...

The Herald

• Christmas shoppers forced to' run drug users gauntlet' at city centre car parkChristmas shoppers and commuters are being forced to run a gauntlet of drug users at a city centre multi-storey car park.
• Forth Road Bridge closure: Traffic restrictions to be easedTraffic restrictions put in place after the closure of the Forth Road Bridge are to be eased, Scottish Transport Minister Derek Mackay has announced.

The Scotsman

• Talks to avert Caledonian Sleeper strike break downTALKS to avert industrial action by rail workers on the Caledonian Sleeper service between Scotland and London have broken down, raising the prospect of a Christmas strike.
• David Cameron delays Heathrow runway decisionDavid Cameron has been accused of making a “gutless” decision to sacrifice the UK’s economy for political advantage after ministers postponed a final decision on how to expand airport capacity in the south-east of England.
• Supermarkets to cut petrol prices below �1 a litreThe UK’s major supermarket fuel retailers have cut the price of petrol below £1 a litre.

The Telegraph

• The Knowledge for London cab drivers should be made much easier to pass, says Conservative reportA new report argues that the test for London's Black cab drivers is too difficult and deters young people from becoming cabbies
• How to beat expensive Christmas travel pricesAs the costs of train tickets and flights soar over December, here are the best budget travel options to avoid eyewatering prices when trying to get from A to B this Christmas
• Heathrow to press ahead with third runway contracts despite Government's 'gutless' indecisionExclusive: Heathrow chief executive John Holland-Kaye says the airport still plans to appoint designers and architects to help preparations for a new runway
• David Cameron has abandoned plans for a third runway at Heathrow, senior Conservative claimsZac Goldsmith hinted that the prime minister has decided against expanding Heathrow amid concerns about a legal challenge on environmental grounds
• Hundreds evacuated after train fire at Marylebone stationFire on train at busy London terminus disrupts rush hour services to the north west of the capital
• Southern English train used to tackle Forth bridge chaosThe Telegraph can disclose that ScotRail has been forced to bring in a diesel locomotive and six carriages from Hampshire to handle peak demand from commuters travelling between Edinburgh and Fife.

The Mirror

• London Marylebone station EVACUATED after fire starts on train causing major delaysUp to 700 passengers have been evacuated from the busy railway station after the blaze, which is causing delays of up to 30 minutes to all services

This is Money

• Volkswagen says UK owners of dieselgate cars will be compensated Volkswagen has said UK owners of cars affected by the dieselgate scandal will be offered compensation for the reduction in residual value of their cars and the recall won't have an affect on performance.
• Two-thirds won't be driving home for Christmas to avoid dull conversation and traffic delays Only a third of people will be driving home for Christmas, according to new research by breakdown provider Green Flag. Family chats, long journeys and bad traffic keep people off the road.
• Tesco and Sainsbury's joins ASDA and Morrisons by dropping petrol below �1 a litre Tesco and Sainsbury's have waded into the the fuel price war by following in the footsteps of rivals ASDA and Morrisons by offering petrol at its forecourts for less than �1 a litre.

Birmingham Post

• Electric Porsche Mission E sales will begin before 2020 All-electric Porsche will be us before 2020
• Congestion charge plan hidden in Birmingham budget Possible introduction of fee to drive into Birmingham city centre is squirrelled away in the back of latest budget proposals as Tories denounce 'anti-car policy'
• Jaguar Land Rover confirms new Slovakian factory Car giant says it expects to be operational in the country by 2018 with factory producing 150,000 vehicles a year
• Birmingham business leaders urge fresh look after Heathrow delay Pause over third runway decision is an opportunity to reassess the existing capacity which exists in UK regional airports, say chamber and airport chiefs
• Volkswagen WILL build a Camper van, 67 years after the first went on sale …and there’ll be an all-electric version of the iconic van.
• Midland rail service letting down passengers, watchdog warnsLondon Midland rail network is letting down passengers with overcrowded trains, frequent delays and poor communication with passengers, the official passenger watchdog has warned

Bolton News

• All trains between Bolton and Manchester cancelled this weekend THERE will be no trains to take Christmas shoppers or festive revellers between Bolton and Manchester this weekend.
• Supermarkets slash petrol price to �1 per litre in Christmas price war ASDA and Morrisons have both cut the cost of petrol to under �1 a litre, raising the stakes in a Christmas price war.
• Driver warning: M62 partially closed over the weekend TRAVELLING out of Bolton on the M62 tonight?

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• STOP THE DANGER DRIVERS: Police in Bradford mount covert patrols to catch motoring menaces MOTORISTS using mobile phones at the wheel were among dangerous drivers caught by police in Bradford.
• Heritage railway celebrates 50 years of Santa Specials SANTA CLAUS wasn’t the only one in costume as Keighley’s heritage really celebrated a golden anniversary.
• Passenger announcement: The next station to arrive on the rail network will be Apperley Bridge at 8.42am on Sunday TRANSPORT bosses have confirmed that the new railway station at Apperley Bridge in Bradford will open to passengers on Sunday.
• Danger drivers in Bradford suburb 'not learning lesson' from horror crash that killed four young men, residents warn WORRIED residents yesterday threw their support behind the Telegraph & Argus' Stop The Danger Drivers campaign - on the seventh anniversary of the deaths of four young men in a horror crash.

London Evening Standard

• Zac Goldsmith: delay on airport expansion is killer blow for third Heathrow runwayZac Goldsmith is "wildly confident" that the Government's delay on airport expansion deals the killer blow to a third runway at Heathrow.
• 'What a farce' as minister warns of an even longer delay on runway decisionDavid Cameron's runway shambles spun into farce today as the Transport Secretary opened the door to an even longer delay.
• Residents fight Crossrail 2 dig on prized green space in south-west London1,000 sign petition against scheme to build ventilation shaft in Wandsworth
• Pilot made 'unsafe' decision to fly in bad weather before Vauxhall helicopter crashA helicopter pilot who was killed in a central London crash made the "unsafe and inappropriate" decision to divert in bad weather partly due to commercial pressure involving a significant client, a jury has found.
• Creator of parody Tube sign app forced to remove it after legal threat from TfLTim Waters said he had taken down his website after receiving a warning letter from Transport for London
• Marylebone fire: Station evacuated after 'blaze on board train'A busy central London station was evacuated after a fire on board a train.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Union bosses warn of North East job losses if �1billion rail deal goes aheadUnion leaders have said that the Northern Rail franchise deal could see ticket inspectors and conductors axed
• Heathrow expansion: Dithering David Cameron has damaged the Conservative Party brand In refusing to make a decision on airport capacity, the PM has proved the Government is full of Nimbys, not one-nation politicians

Northern Echo

• Controversial speed limit increase opposed by parish council CONTROVERSIAL plans to increase the speed limit in Hurworth have been rejected by the village's parish council, despite being endorsed by the region's police and crime commissioner.
• Ex air ambulance pilot killed in helicopter crash 'under commercial pressure to fly in thick fog' A FORMER air ambulance pilot killed in a helicopter crash was under commercial pressure to satisfy an important client when he made the inappropriate and unsafe decision to fly in

The York Press

• York road closure plan PARTS of Eastfield Road in Haxby will be closed on Monday and Tuesday for resurfacing.
• Former Yorkshire Air Ambulance pilot killed in crash was under pressure to fly, jury finds A FORMER Yorkshire Air ambulance pilot who was killed in a central London helicopter crash was under commercial pressure to satisfy an important client when he made the inappropriate and unsafe decision to fly in
• York Hospital staff threaten revolt over loss of free Christmas taxis - Staff told to cycle from Selby to York, claims whistleblower SOME staff are threatening to refuse to work.
• York MP raises questions about new rail deals CAMPAIGNERS and York's MP are asking questions about the new rail deals announced this week for Yorkshire services.
• Drivers warned not to drink drive the morning after POLICE and road safety campaigners are pleading with drivers not to risk drink driving

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• M54 roadworks: Eastbound stretch to close completelyA stretch of the M54 is closing while work continues to repair cracks in the road surface.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Plan ahead for roadworks on motorways across YorkshireMotorists travelling on the motorway in Yorkshire could face delays next week as Highways England carries out roadworks.
• Leeds Council planning transport change for post 16 SEN studentsCOUNCILLORS are to discuss replacing the free transport provided to post-16 students with special education needs with a new personal transport budget.

Blackpool Gazette

• Fuel price fall is welcomed across FyldeMotorists on the Fylde Coast have hailed the fall in fuel prices as petrol dipped below £1 a litre for the first time since June 2009.

Bucks Free Press

• Horrified shoppers refuse to use 'dirty' town centre car park because of 'appalling, overpowering smell' In recent weeks, town centre visitors have reported that the Wycombe Swan car park is being used by rough sleepers, drug users and others have been seen urinating in the stairwells.

Burnley Express

• UPDATED: Tesco, Asda and Morrisons cut petrol price to under �1 a litreTesco, Asda and Morrisons have all cut the cost of their petrol to under £1 a litre, raising the stakes in the Christmas price war.

Sleaford Standard

• Car park will be completed in New YearThe completion date for work on a new temporary long stay car park for Sleaford has been put back to the New Year.

The Shields Gazette

• ‘I want shipbuilding back on Tyne again’: Hebburn man’s quest to restore tradeA Hebburn man has started a bid to restore his town’s rich shipbuilding history.

Other Regional Press

• Arriva bus drivers in Medway call off strikeArriva drivers have called off Monday's strike after reaching a settlement with the bus company.
• Traffic chaos at IPACA campus putting pupils' safety 'at risk', says councillor TRAFFIC chaos at an IPACA campus is putting the safety of pupils 'at risk' according to a Weymouth and Portland Borough Councillor.
• Drivers ‘working the system’ to avoid parking restrictions THE county council’s parking boss said businesses and residents in Summertown are “playing the game” to avoid parking fines.
• One in 10 motorists cannot identify drink-drive limit, report claimsA staggering 88% of UK motorists cannot correctly identify the current drink drive limit when presented with seven options, a new report has claimed.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Milestone for Northern Powerhouse as UK’s first tram train unveiled in SheffieldThe UK's first ever tram train has been unveiled in South Yorkshire. Passengers in South Yorkshire will become the first to benefit from the UK’s first ever tram train, unveiled by Transport Minister Andrew Jones today, Thursday 10 December. The vehicles from this government-funded project are designed to run on both the city’s tramlines and the rail network between Sheffield and Rotherham. This will allow passengers to make single journey between tram stops and conventional rail stations from early 2017, once the works are complete. Prior to this, the tram trains will undergo a ...
• CILT welcomes Government decision on airportsThe Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), the leading professional body for those working in transport and logistics, has responded to the Government's decision to accept the Airports Commission's recommendation for additional runway capacity and to undertake further work on the environmental impacts before deciding on the location for that capacity. This additional work will enable certainty to be established about the conditions to be attached to approval. The Airports Commission's recommendation for a Heathrow North West Runway option was also preferred by the CILT, primari...

Rail Technology Magazine

• UK shortlists seven consortia for £900m HS2 enabling works The UK Government has shortlisted seven consortia for a £900m share of preparatory work, ahead of the start of major civil engineering on the first stage of High Speed 2 (HS2) project between London and the West Midlands.

Railnews

• Abellio makes East Anglia pledge after Stagecoach exit Abellio has unveiled further investment in Greater Anglia, just two days after it became known that its joint bidder Stagecoach was pulling out of the competition for the next franchise. Abellio Greater Anglia said it would invest a further �3.5 million in service improvements, which meant that it would have spent more than �40 million on service upgrades. Abellio had said that it will be continuing with its bid for the next franchise, even though its former partner Stagecoach Group pulled out two days ago after a failure to come to terms.

Aviation Industry

• Businesses angry over ‘gutless’ decision on Heathrow expansionBritish Chambers of Commerce and CBI among those to speak out against delaying expansion
• Manchester airport invites bids for �500m terminal revampContracts on offer for design and construction of Terminal 2

Other News Sources

• Road safety warning as housing estate approved near crash site PLANNERS have approved 91 new homes near an accident blackspot despite protest from dozens of residents.
• Vauxhall helicopter crash pilot made 'unsafe' decision to fly in bad weather, inquest jury concludes An inquest jury ruled 50-year-old Peter Barnes's decision to fly was partly motivated by "commercial pressure" exerted by a client
• Walton railway station biggest target for bike thieves in SurreyA total of 317 bikes have been stolen from Surrey stations this year - the fourth highest of any police force area in the country
• Further delay on Heathrow decision will hit investment, warns FTAThe Freight Transport Association (FTA) is warning the Government that further delay in a decision on a third runway at Heathrow will damage the ...
• Decision on Gatwick's future delayed at least until next summer A decision on whether Gatwick or Heathrow will be expanded has been delayed at least until next summer - and the wait could be even longer.
• More than 50 motorists arrested as part of Christmas crackdown on drink and drug driving More than 50 motorists have now been arrested across the county as part of a Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-driving.
• Gatwick bosses hail expansion delay as defining moment GATWICK bosses have hailed the Government delay in making a decision on airport expansion as a defining moment in the debate.