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

Thursday, 17 March 2016

BBC News

• £57m city link road work startsA £57m project to build a new road linking Cardiff Bay and the east of the city is set to begin.
• Shun car to lose weight, commuters toldPeople who cycle, walk or catch the train or bus to work keep more weight off than commuters who travel by car, a large UK study has found.
• HS3 rail link 'too little, too late'Plans to upgrade road and rail links to boost the so-called Northern Powerhouse are
• Budget gives green light for Crossrail 2George Osborne's Budget gives the green light to Crossrail 2 and speeds up the devolution of London business rates.

Department for Transport

• Rail reform: the Shaw ReportFinal report by Nicola Shaw into the future of Network Rail.

Financial Times

• Backing for greater private sector role in UK railwaysNetwork Rail’s plans to consider sale of stations and power lines endorsed by report

The Guardian

• Shaw report: Network Rail's breakup and privatisation rejectedReview by chief executive of HS1 calls for greater local flexibility and autonomy for Britain’s railwaysThe wholesale privatisation and breakup of Network Rail has been ruled out by a critical review, which argued for more devolution in the running of the railways rather than full-scale reform. However, the report by Nicola Shaw, the chief executive of HS1, left open the possibility of bringing more private finance into the running of the railways, at local level or for specific projects.

The Herald

• Review rejects privatisation of Network RailA report on the future of Network Rail (NR) has dismissed privatisation of the company.

City AM

• Here's what the new Nine Elms Tube station will look likeTransport for London (TfL) has unveiled its design for Nine Elms Tube station, which will open when the Northern Line extension is completed in 2020.

Mail Online

• Commuters who walk to bus stop each day found to weigh up to 5lbs less than those who drive� Researchers analysed information on the lives of more than 150,000 people. Cyclists were the slimmest, with the average male who commuted by bicycle 11lbs lighter than someone who drove.
• George Osborne gets behind High Speed 3 and Crossrail 2 in the Budget 2016 The Chancellor announced backing for part of High Speed 3, a proposed rail line crossing the North of England. He also gave the ‘green light’ to Crossrail 2, a major rail project crossing London.
• George Osborne insists families shouldn't be penalised for the state of the oil industry  Motorists have escaped an expected fuel duty rise, despite falling petrol and diesel prices. George Osborne insisted families ‘shouldn’t be penalised’ for the state of the oil industry.

The Mirror

• UK weather: 'Toxic stew' of air pollution to form over Scotland in next few days Toxic levels of particulate matter from car exhausts and other pollutants are predicted to break safety standards

Network Rail

• Shaw report published: statement from our chief executiveThe Department for Transport has today (Wednesday 16 March) published Nicola Shaw’s review into the future shape and financing of Network Rail from the start of Control Period 6 (2019).

Birmingham Post

• Perry Barr centre getting �3.5m boost to revamp bus station and close subways Council given cash towards major revamp of district centre

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• 1,000 drivers now snared in police crackdown on Bradford roads MORE than 1,000 motorists have now been snared in a police crackdown on dangerous drivers in Bradford - including two caught travelling at more than 80mph in the city centre.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Gwynedd bus company boss 'told employee to change dates on claim forms'Former Padarn Bus Ltd managing director David John Hulme, 55, of Glan Seiont, Caernarfon denies his role in the alleged £500,000 fraud 
• Former Anglesey to Cardiff airline Links Air set 'to be liquidated' Administrators have written to passengers informing them of a meeting of creditors

London Evening Standard

• New Eurostar service could link London to Bordeaux in just four hoursEurostar is considering launching a new service linking London to Bordeaux in under four hours.
• Letters to the editor: Infrastructure has to be a priorityThe most important thing we have been looking for in today's Budget is some urgency from the Government over infrastructure. We have been busy preparing ourselves to increase airport capacity, continue work on the UK's rail enhancement programme — including high-speed rail — and create a northern powerhouse. What's missing is the green light to keep this momentum going.
• Crossrail 2 map and route: five emerging homes hotspots to watch from Tottenham Hale to Epsom
• Marylebone residents in battle with TfL over Tube noise 'as loud as a jet'"The real fear is the 24-hour Tube," say residents who complain rattling caused by trains makes their lives unbearable

Manchester Evening News

• New route from Manchester Airport for the Dreamliner Bigger windows, more leg space, wifi, and touch screens - American Airlines takes on 'greenest' plane

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Northumberland A69 improvements promised as part of �300m Northern Powerhouse transportPoliticians have welcomed George Osborne's pledge but warned 'the devil is in the detail'
• Watch how North Tyneside Metro track will be replaced during 15-day line closureA video has been produced to show how the work will be carried out during the Tynemouth to Shiremoor Metro line closure from March 19 to April 2

Sheffield Star

• South Yorkshire bus firm plans for Easter periodStagecoach has announced details of its Easter services in South Yorkshire to help passengers plan ahead.

Wales Online

• Bulldozers set to start demolishing eyesore city centre block to make way for Cardiff’s new bus stationThe rundown row of shops and offices will be demolished to make way for the multi-million pound project

Yorkshire Post

• All aboard new bus service that will keep communities connectedWHEN TWO North Yorkshire communities learnt they were to lose their subsidised bus service, there was “significant distress” among those who used it most - older people and young families with no other form of transport.

Crewe Chronicle

• Cheshire East leader welcomes HS3 backing Cllr Rachel Bailey said HS3, HS2 and a strategic transport hub at Crewe will transform the local, regional and national economy

Doncaster Free Press

• South Yorkshire bus firm plans for Easter periodStagecoach has announced details of its Easter services in South Yorkshire to help passengers plan ahead.

East Anglian Daily Times

• New rail link ‘could cut Sizewell congestion’, claim campaignersA pressure group is calling for changes to the rail network to enable construction materials for Sizewell C to be transported by train to avoid using the roads and protect residents.

North Wales Live

• Liverpool2 needs HS2, says Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson Leader says missing out on rail link would be regretted for many years

Sleaford Standard

• MPs ‘welcome’ devolution dealThe MPs for Boston and Skegness and for for Sleaford and North Hykeham welcomed the newly agreed devolution deal for Greater Lincolnshire announced in today’s (Wednesday’s) budget.

Other Regional Press

• Luton station funding announcement to be made ‘shortly’A key funding announcement which could transform the future of Luton railway station will be made ‘shortly’, Rail Minister Claire Perry has promised.
• Budget overlooks Midlands Engine in favour of Northern PowerhouseThere was not much encouragement for the region although small businesses look set to benefit from the Budget
• �31m 'masterplan' to transform Coventry Railway Station picks up steam Work on a new £3m tunnel will start this month - but it will mean nine months of traffic delays in the area
• Highly-paid rail drivers “don’t work Sundays”Thousand of rail passengers are left waiting for weekend trains which never arrive because there aren’t enough drivers - and the drivers there are, don’t have to work on Sundays.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Air Transport Services Group confirms deal with Amazon to operate air transport networkAir Transport Services Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATSG) announced today agreements with Amazon Fulfillment Services, Inc., an affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc. (Nasdaq:AMZN), to operate an air cargo network to serve Amazon customers in the United States.  “Since last summer, we have been working closely with Amazon to demonstrate that a dedicated, fully customized air cargo network can be a strong supplement to existing transportation and distribution resources,” said Joe Hete, President and CEO of ATSG. “We are excited to serve Amazon customers by providing additional air cargo c...
• TFL celebrates the contribution of apprentices to London’s Transport NetworkTransport for London (TfL), Crossrail, London Transport Museum and their suppliers, are celebrating the contribution of apprentices to keeping London working and growing with the announcement of 350 new apprenticeship roles. The new apprentices will work on vital transport infrastructure projects such as the Northern Line Extension, the Roads Modernisation programme and the Bond Street station upgrade. The announcement, which comes during National Apprenticeship Week, builds on the record 156 apprentices that TfL welcomed in September 2015. The roles include Track Renewal and Track Maintenanc...
• Put HS3 at the heart of a High Speed NorthIn October 2015, The National Infrastructure was asked to create the report, titled: High Speed North to advise on strategic improvements to transport connectivity in the North. The Commission published their report yesterday (15th March).  The Commission’s findings say that the North needs immediate and very significant investment for action now and a plan for longer term transformation to reduce journey times, increase capacity and improve reliability. The Rt. Hon. the Lord Adonis, Chairman, National Infrastructure Commission, said:  “A better connected north will be ...
• Electrification work to take place near Polmont memorialNetwork Rail is set to undertake works at the memorial garden at Polmont station to install electrification mast foundations as part of the Edinburgh Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP). The area that will be�disturbed will be fully reformed once the works have finished, but Network Rail is planning to work around the memorial plaque and bench that are a main and important feature of the station and surrounding area. It's important to Network Rail and the people of the area, as the memorial commemorates the tragic events of July 1984 when a train was derailed and fatally injured 13 people. As...

Rail Technology Magazine

• Vossloh Rail Vehicles-Urban, Suburban and Mainline Locomotives and Passenger Trains As one of Europe's leading train manufacturers, Vossloh Rail Vehicles designs and builds locomotives and passenger trains operating on urban, suburban and mainline public transport services.Using the...
• Shaw Report rejects NR privatisation, but wants further route devolutionNetwork Rail will remain a public sector body for the “foreseeable” future, but the company should make greater moves towards devolving its routes and explore further options for private sector investment, according to recommendations in the long-anticipated Shaw Report. In her...
• Virgin East Coast had biggest performance decrease in period 12Virgin East Coast had the steepest performance decline compared to last year in the past month, latest Network Rail figures show. The figures give Virgin Trains East Coast a public performance measure (PPM) of 84.6% for period 12 in 2015-16, an 8.9 percentage point drop from 93.5% at the same...
• HS2 stations needed at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport HS2 stations will be needed at Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Airport by 2040 to accommodate the city’s growth, according to a draft strategy. The draft Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, which is to be considered at a Greater Manchester Combined Authority meeting on Friday...

Railnews

• �We are laying the track� � Chancellor confirms HS3 The Chancellor has confirmed funding to prepare for HS3 across the north and Crossrail 2 in London, during his budget speech. He told MPs:
• Shaw rules out Network Rail privatisation Network Rail privatisation has been ruled out by Nicola Shaw in her analysis of the future financing and structure of the company. She says:

Railway Gazette

• NR privatisation ruled out as Shaw focuses on growth UK: Identifying ‘a compelling vision for growth’, the report into Network Rail’s structure and...
• Rail in the 2016 UK budgetUK: Funding allocations for a number of railway projects were set out in the budget presented to...

Aviation Industry

• Budget 2016: industry bemoans lack of action on APDFlybe CEO says 'discriminatory' tax has stifled regional economic growth

Other News Sources

• Dispute over the future of London City Airport comes down to rival algorithmsPlanning appeal over £200m expansion hears that Mayor Boris Johnson agrees with LCY on most things – except the calculation used to assess noise nuisance
• London Mayor and DECC rally behind 'Cleantech City' plans Plans to develop a new business district which could transform London into a global centre for cleantech innovation have today (15 March) been wholeheartedly supported by the Mayor of London and the Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC).
• Heathrow loses market share to London rivalsLondon Heathrow Airport (LHR) is losing passenger share to its three key rival London air gateways according to provisional 2015 data from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority. It has now slipped below the 30% mark.
• Heathrow’s new tool to reduce freight emissionsHeathrow has today revealed new plans for a WebPortal aimed at consolidating freight loads, and decreasing the amount of trucks and emissions on roads around the airport. Encouraging freight company partners to operate sustainably is one of ten priorities Heathrow has outlined for this year in its new Blueprint to Reduce Emissions, also launched today.
• Heathrow air quality plan 2016 includes freight focusHeathrow Airport unveiled its action plan for reducing air pollution emissions in 2016, including the launch of a new cycling strategy and a further £2 million investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure in the coming year.
• Eurostar mulls direct Bordeaux routeService could become possible when high-speed link from Tours opens next year

News from Europe

• ECJ Wi-Fi opinion could boost free internet in EuropeA new legal opinion from the European Court of Justice (ECJ) could topple Germany's tight restrictions on free Wi-Fi—and internet service providers say it might also help boost the number of free Wi-Fi points across Europe.