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

Monday, 15 February 2016

BBC News

• VIDEO: EasyJet boss: 'Get to know people'EasyJet boss Carolyn McCall offers the business advice she wishes she'd been given when she started out, as part of the BBC News series, CEO Secrets.

The Guardian

• India’s first railway university aims to put train network on right trackScheme is billed as an attempt to upgrade much-criticised rail system and turn India into a global centre for R&D, but some say it is a waste of moneyWith 40,000 miles of tracks and 17,000 trains, India’s vast railway network stretches across the subcontinent, connecting remote villages to heaving metropolises. Set up under the Raj, the system provides a crucial lifeline for the 18 million people a day who use it and for the 1.4 million people it employs. But perfect it is not. The trains are criticised as decrepit and overcrowded, unclean, unsafe and poorly managed. In recent years, a...
• Garden bridge: a project promoted and sold with half‒truths, deceptions and evasionsDissenting voices have been drowned out by relentless cheerleading for London’s proposed Thames crossingIn a gushing article on the designer Thomas Heatherwick, published soon after it was announced that Sky TV would sponsor his proposed garden bridge, Richard Morrison of the Times wondered why the project attracts opponents “whose hostility seems implacable”. Why indeed? Why should so much anger be stirred by a project that started with Joanna Lumley’s innocent and benign dream of commemorating Princess Diana by projecting greenery across the Thames? Why should so many want to trample on Joan...
• Virgin flight forced to return to Heathrow after laser beam incidentThe Virgin Atlantic flight bound for New York turned back soon after passing over the west coast of IrelandPolice are investigating reports that a laser was shone at an aircraft that was forced to return to Heathrow airport on Sunday night when one of the crew fell ill. Related: BA pilot's eye damaged by 'military' laser shone into cockpit at Heathrow Continue reading...

The Scotsman

• Railway work to be carried out 3,600ft up Glencoe mountain ENGINEERS will this weekend complete an epic task to upgrade Britain’s highest railway signalling equipment – 3,600ft up a mountain in Glencoe.

The Telegraph

• Five bidders eye £2bn London City Airport dealAn infrastructure vehicle backed by Asia's richest man is among five short-listed bidders expected to make offers for London City Airport this week
• Ex-VW boss 'aware of emissions cheating for a year' but did nothing, leaked report suggestsMartin Winterkorn, former Volkswagen chief, was told millions of vehicles had cheated emissions tests - more than a year before the scandal emerged
• Virgin flight returns to Heathrow after pilot dazzled by laserPlane was a few minutes into flight to New York when it reported a medical issue and asked for permission to return before landing safely

Times Online

• Authorities pedal new rules in bid to pull rickshaws [subscription]THERE will be no more going to hell in a handcart. The National Transport Authority (NTA), the Department of Transport and Dublin city council are in discussions to introduce licences, insurance and new safety rules for pedal passenger bikes in the capital.
• Runaway rail costs face probe [subscription]WHITEHALL’S spending watchdog is to investigate ballooning costs and delays on Network Rail’s overhaul of the Great Western mainline.

Mail Online

• Is this the end of overhead bins? Airbus files patent for an airplane seat with a storage compartment for hand luggage UNDER the cushion One of the world’s leading aeroplane manufacturers has designed an aeroplane seat with a storage compartment for hand luggage.
• An end to shrinking airline seats? US congressman is fighting to set a MINIMUM standard seat size on planes Flyers who are sick of ever-shrinking aeroplane seats may have their prayers answered, if a new law that has been proposed gets approval.
• The best seat in the house! Pilot captures stunning footage of 'world's greatest city' as he lands plane at Heathrow (and he even tipped his hat to the Queen over Windsor) A pilot has recorded a stunning video landing at Heathrow Airport, expressing the delight that his 'office' has the best view of 'the world's greatest city.'

The Mirror

• Virgin Atlantic flight forced to turn back to London after 'laser shone in pilot's eyes'The Virgin Atlantic flight doubled back as a "precautionary measure" after the co-pilot reported feeling unwell following the incident, the airline said

Birmingham Post

• Planning for transport is great but delivery is another thingPublic transport improvements are years away, meanwhile Birmingham and the region are being gridlocked on a regular basis

Liverpool Echo

• Flybe keen to introduce direct London link for Liverpool John Lennon Airport Carrier to step up pressure on Government to open RAF Northolt to commercial flights

London Evening Standard

• Tube bosses condemn 'dangerous' prank after man slides down station escalatorTransport bosses have slammed a prankster who slid down a Tube station escalator in a dangerous stunt.
• New York-bound plane forced to turn back to Heathrow after laser attackA plane bound for New York had to return to Heathrow Airport after a laser was shone at the cockpit.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Virgin trains to increase Newcastle to London train services by four a dayNorth East commuters can expect a train every half hour between London and Edinburgh

Sheffield Star

• Major HS2 debate in Sheffield this weekA major summit to debate which location Sheffield’s high speed HS2 station should be built at will take place this week.

The York Press

• York teenagers to help improve bus services YOUTH groups are to help set up a replacement for the York free bus travel trial which flopped in the first two months of this year.

Wales Online

• A fascinating behind the scenes look at Cardiff Central train station on a Six Nations match day 'One passenger is adamant she should have a seat on the train home. Another wants to know whether a train has been named George North'

Yorkshire Post

• Everything from jobs to rosebeds face the axe as council struggles to cut costsTWO more children’s homes face closure and subsidies for some bus routes could be slashed as a Yorkshire council tries to save £11m.

Blackpool Gazette

• Bridge and tunnel plan for Morecambe BayAN £8.6bn project for a multi-billion pound tidal gateway across Morecambe Bay could be combined with National Grid plans for a tunnel under the bay.
• Couple win coach compensation battleA pensioner was celebrating today after a travel firm backtracked on its refusal to refund their holiday – which he cancelled when his wife lost her sight.
• Campaigners call for new breathalyser law to be introducedCampaigners calling for new breathalyser laws say it is time to follow the French example and keep a breathalyser in every car.

Bucks Free Press

• County council announces new interim chief executive An executive who has overseen some of the biggest transport changes in the county has been announced as the temporary replacement for the county council’s chief executive, who retires next month.

Get West London

• Goldmith claims Khan would pay for transport cost freeze with council tax hikeThe Labour Party Mayoral Candidate said tube fairs freeze will cost £450 million, but TfL said it would be £1.9 billion

North Wales Live

• Airbus Beluga makes emergency landing at Liverpool Airport after 'problem with its flaps' An aviation enthusiast has posted a video of the landing online
• Merseyrail trains cancelled and suspended in Monday rush hour Trains travelling to and from Liverpool Central, Kirby, Ormskirk and Southport have been affected

Sleaford Standard

• Minister hears of rail line noiseThe MP for Sleaford has challenged the rail minister to compensate residents whose lives have been affected by increased rail freight traffic.

Other Regional Press

• Torfaen tram road to get �5,000 Welsh Government grant A 19th-century tram road in Torfaen is to benefit from a share of more than �100,000 of Welsh Government cash to protect historic sites across Wales.
• New bus fares come into force today REVISIONS in bus fares in Weymouth, Dorchester, Portland and along the Jurassic Coast are to come into place this week.

Railway Gazette

• Cleaning up at InnoTrans 2016 INNOTRANS: Exhibitors in the cleaning technology hall at InnoTrans 2016 will be showing the latest...
• Bombardier completes sale of 30% stake in Transportation business BOMBARDIER: Pension and insurance investor Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec’s US$1·5bn...

Transportxtra

• London's mayoral candidates urged to mine data on behaviour to improve transportLondon's mayoral candidates have been urged to go beyond appointing a chief data officer and ensure that private data is exploited to cut congestion and improve parking.

Other News Sources

• 'It's mindless. There's no need for it.' - Blackburn Railway Station toilets set on fire FIREFIGHTERS were called to Blackburn Railway Station after 'mindless' vandals started a fire in the toilets.
• Con artist commuters caught out in �6,000 Southern Railway delay repay fraud TWO con artist commuters have been convicted for defrauded Southern Railway's delay repay scheme in what is thought to be one of the first cases of its kind.