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

Friday, 08 April 2016

BBC News

• Parking row after warden moves coneA motorist has a parking fine cancelled after filming a warden moving a cone next to his car before issuing the penalty.
• Dublin airport to get a second runwayDublin Airport has confirmed that it is to build a second runway at a cost of 320m euros
• South West to get most potholes cashDetails of how a �50m pothole fund is to be divided up between local authorities are revealed amid warnings the total cost to repair England's roads is nearer �12bn.
• Rail franchise operators shortlistedThree rail firms are shortlisted to run the West Midlands franchise.
• VIDEO: Luxury boat builders target Asia's richLuxury boat-makers are hoping for new customers in Asia. Leisha Chi reports from the Singapore Yacht show.
• Volvo plans China driverless car testsSwedish carmaker Volvo has said it plans to launch a self-driving experiment in China involving up to 100 cars.

Financial Times

• Heathrow faces competition from DublinDublin Airport Authority to build second runway by 2020

The Guardian

• Have you experienced discrimination on a flight? Share your storyThree easyJet passengers from ethnic minority backgrounds have been grounded in recent weeks. Does this highlight a growing problem of prejudice in air travel?How common is it to experience discrimination when taking a flight? It’s a hot topic of late, with three easyJet passengers from ethnic minority backgrounds grounded in recent weeks over security concerns raised by others travellers, which were later proved to be unfounded. Continue reading...
• Cycling: six ways to survive that long rideA good, long day in the saddle is one of the most enjoyable cycling experiences – and these simple tips will really help you make the most of itThere is nothing quite like the feeling that propelling yourself along country roads on two wheels brings, and inevitably you will want to ride that little bit further, explore new lanes, reach new places and tick off some of those all important distance milestones. But a cautionary word before upping the ante – launching into some big rides without taking heed of a few simple rules may well leaving you struggling at the roadside. So here are six great...
• Maldives airport to be expanded with controversial $800m China contractMove likely to annoy India which has been concerned at Chinese encroachment in the strategically located Indian Ocean islandsThe Maldives government has kicked off a controversial $800-million expansion of the country’s main airport by a Chinese company, a move likely to irritate giant neighbour India.President Abdulla Yameen inaugurated construction work in a ceremony on Wednesday night in the capital Male of the politically troubled country. Continue reading...
• The gap in Zac Goldsmith’s tube knowledge puts his credentials on the line | Andrew MartinThe London Underground is the capital’s beating heart. That the Tory mayoral candidate fluffed his question about it speaks volumesI had already decided not to vote for Zac Goldsmith as London mayor on the simple, if no doubt unreasonable, grounds that he inherited between £200m and £300m from his father. So it was not decisive for me that he could not answer the following question about the Central line of the London Underground when it was put by a BBC journalist, Norman Smith: “What’s next in the sequence: Bond Street, Oxford Circus, Tottenham Court Road …?” But it does perfectly encapsulat...
• Star Wars: Rogue One clip apparently filmed at London tube stationStormtroopers rush along a futuristic silver-grey platform that looks uncannily similar to Jubilee line stationIn a London underground station not so far, far away, a scene in the latest Star Wars blockbuster was filmed. But identifying exactly which one, featured in a new trailer for Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, has caused much debate online. Fans of the science fiction series were quick to spot the familiar backdrop in one scene of the teaser clip, released on Thursday, that appears to be a Jubilee line underground station. Continue reading...
• US military christens self-driving Sea Hunter warshipThe Pentagon hails a major advance in robotic warfare which promises to drastically reduce the cost of some naval operationsThe US military has christened an experimental self-driving warship designed to hunt for enemy submarines, a major advance in robotic warfare at the core of America’s strategy to counter Chinese and Russian naval investments. Related: ‘Trident is old technology’: the brave new world of cyber warfare Continue reading...

Reuters News

• Bollore's London electric car club scheme faces delayLONDON (Reuters) - An electric carsharing scheme being rolled out in London by French firm Bollore is taking longer than expected to set up fully because contract talks with the capital's local councils are dragging on.

Mail Online

• Jet2 plane forced to divert from Leeds to Manchester Airport for a longer runway after suffering a flap malfunction The Boeing 737 flight from Geneva in Switzerland to Leeds Bradford Airport in West Yorkshire had to be diverted to Manchester after pilots apparently spotted the fault before descending.
• Train commuter on packed service forced to pay after she stepped into first class carriage to use table Rebekah Weiler, 29, was travelling on a packed train from Clapham Junction to her office in Victoria when she momentarily went into the carriage to fill out the card for a colleague.
• Brexit would make UK airlines unable to 'freely fly between cities' Britain's exit from the EU would mean UK-based airlines such as EasyJet would not be able to operate freely between the remaining member states, according to Defence Secretary Michael Fallon.
• We need �12billion to repair all the potholes in Britain Yesterday the Government pledged �50m for fixing 1m potholes this year. But one survey found it will cost �11.8billion to fully fix all roads and the AA president said the funding was inadequate.

This is Money

• DAILY BRIEFING: BAE awarded £118m contract to build engineering and training facilities at RAF base The defence giant is to build engineering and training facilities at RAF Marham in Norfolk in readiness for the arrival of the UK’s first F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft in 2018.

Birmingham Post

• Network Rail finds new home in Birmingham Transport body agrees lease to 85,000 sq ft over three floors at Baskerville House in Centenary Square
• London Midland joins Far East firms on rail franchise shortlist Government unveils final three bidders vying to operate crucial West Midlands franchise which runs trains journeys across the city region

London Evening Standard

• Revealed: The 10 most annoying habits of people on the TubeTube passengers who push onto the train without first letting those on board alight first today head the "Top 10" list of most annoying habits on the network.
• Sadiq Khan pledges review of plan for Crossrail station in ChelseaLabour's mayoral candidate Sadiq Khan today pledged to review Transport for London's plans for a �1 billion Crossrail station in Chelsea if he is elected to City Hall next month.
• 'I was fined �20 on train for writing a birthday card in first class carriage'A London commuter has told of her frustration at being fined for stepping into a first class carriage in order to use a table to write out a birthday card.
• Moment man tries travelling to Heathrow Airport... by cycling up the M25This is the hair-raising moment a cyclist tries to get to Heathrow Airport by pedaling the wrong way along the M25.
• Researcher launches website that gives 'all seeing eye' on London trafficA new website has been launched which allows people to keep an "all seeing eye" on most of London's busiest roads.

Manchester Evening News

• Etihad Airways: A decade flying high The airline celebrates ten years of its Manchester to Abu Dhabi route
• Extra trams, bus changes and road closures: What you need to know to get around the Greater Manchester MarathonAround 12,000 people are expected to compete in Sunday’s event, and various roads will close during the day to allow the runners to complete the race safely

Northern Echo

• Road closures planned for main routes through Darlington DRIVERS and public transport users will face delays and diversions in Darlington as new access roads and junctions are created in the town.
• Man warns of electric vehicle depreciation after losing �15,000 on Nissan Leaf in 18 months A NORTH-EAST man says he wants to warn others of the depreciation suffered by electric cars after his own model lost �15,000 in 18 months.

Sheffield Star

• Sheffield cabbies demand action after being hit by 5,125 incorrect bus lane finesAngry cabbies say Sheffield Council is still issuing hundreds of bus lane fines to exempt taxi drivers – despite assurances the problem was solved.

The York Press

• 5 still missing after getting out of lorry near A1 - Children among 9 others found safely - UPDATED POLICE are searching the North Yorkshire countryside for five men tonight following reports that up to 15 people disembarked from a lorry on a main road.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Week-long overnight closures for Wolverhampton roadsA series of city centre roads in Wolverhampton will be closed overnight next week for resurfacing works.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Drivers admit they are more aggressive behind the wheel than face to faceMore than half of motorists (57%) act more aggressively behind the wheel than they do elsewhere, according to new research.

Blackpool Gazette

• �118m F-35 contract boosts BAE Systems in LancashireBAE Systems has been awarded a £118 million contract to build engineering and training facilities at RAF Marham in Norfolk, in readiness for the arrival of the UK’s first F-35 Lightning II aircraft in 2018.

Bucks Free Press

• Plans for new relief road to cut congestion will go on show this month Plans for a new relief road that aims to cut congestion through Beaconsfield will go on display later this month.

Daventry Express

• Tackling social isolation in DaventryWe all know our district is a rural one, with limited public transport and few low-cost social activities.

Doncaster Free Press

• Mobile speed camera locations - Safer Roads HumberThe most up-to-date mobile speed camera locations have been revealed by Safer Roads Humber.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Suffolk-based coach and bus operator Galloway Travel Group to be soldOwnership of the Galloway Travel Group (GTG), based at Mendlesham, is to change hands later this year.

North Wales Live

• Giant wind turbine blades to take to regions roads from next week as they travel to their new home The length of the lorries needs to be seen to be believed

Northamptonshire Telegraph

• Take away our free parking permits, say two Kettering councillorsTwo Kettering councillors are proposing a motion which would see all members lose their right to free parking in the town.

West Sussex Gazette

• Adopting a zero tolerance to injuries and deaths on Chichester’s roadsThe drive to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in and around Chichester is gathering pace.

Other Regional Press

• The sky’s the limit for Portsmouth’s free bus pass holders THE 10th anniversary of free bus passes for pensioners was celebrated with a bottle of champagne.
• Passengers left baffled after bus information boards malfunction BUS PASSENGERS have been left confused by problems with live information display boards at stops.
• New jobs from rail depot not villagers’ priority, says Northamptonshire MPThe eight million square foot Rail Central depot between Milton Malsor and Blisworth would, developers claim, deliver 8,000 new jobs.
• Road to be closed for urgent repair works Drivers are being warned of a road closure to take place tomorrow, Friday.
• Supermini tops new car leagueThe UK’s new car market grew by 5.3 per cent in March, making it the biggest ever month since the bi-annual plate change began in 1999, according to figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
• New barge will teach youngsters boating skills A CANAL boat company has dedicated its latest barge to tour the Kennet and Avon canal with opportunities for disadvantaged groups to learn canal and boating skills.
• Passengers left baffled after bus information boards malfunction BUS PASSENGERS have been left confused by problems with live information display boards at stops.
• Flybe releases latest trading figures FLYBE has announced its latest trading figures for the end of last year, also revealing that 1.8m passengers used the airline.
• Motorway to close for repair works A BUSY stretch of motorway in Hampshire will close for two nights for essential repairs.
• PHOTOS: The Port of Southampton through the years WITH a new man at the helm at Southampton's port, we thought it was a good opportunity to take a look back at the docks over the decades.
• Up to £250m to help solve traffic problems in Southampton A MAJOR transport plan worth up to £250m could ease commuters’ congestion woes in and around Southampton, the Daily Echo can reveal.
• Uber launches controversial service in Southampton IT IS the controversial transport service which has sparked protests in cities around the world – and now it has arrived in Southampton.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• �50m to go towards pothole repairs over the next yearThe government is to invest �50 million in repairing almost a million potholes over the next 12 months. Funds are to be allocated between more than 100 councils to improve the state of road surfaces and fix potentially dangerous potholes throughout the country. Patrick McLoughlin, the transport secretary, commented:
• Three train companies shortlisted to compete for West Midlands franchiseThe Department for Transport has today (7 April 2016) announced the train companies that are in the running for the next West Midlands franchise competition. Three companies have been successfully shortlisted for the competition after submitting an expression of interest. The shortlisted bidders are: London and West Midlands Railway Ltd, a subsidiary of Govia Ltd (a joint venture between Keolis and Go-Ahead Group) West Midlands Trains Ltd, currently a wholly owned subsidiary of Abellio Transport Group Ltd with East Japan Railway Company and Mitsui & Co Ltd as minority partners MTR Corpo...
• Preparatory work for HS2 hub in Crewe commencesPreparatory work on what form an HS2 super-hub station in Crewe might take has begun. According to Network Rail, work on initial designs is currently underway. A spokesman said it will be designed in a way that supports both regional and HS2 services. However, the representative stressed to the Crewe Chronicle that the hub is still in the early stages of development.
• Transport Secretary confirms date for A591 reopeningStorm-damaged route in Cumbria set to open in time for late spring bank holiday. The storm-damaged A591 in Cumbria, which has been closed since December (2015), is set to reopen earlier than initially planned, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin confirmed today (Thursday 7 April 2016). During a visit to see how flood-hit parts of Cumbria are recovering from the damage caused by storms Desmond and Eva, the Transport Secretary announced that Highways England and its contractor Kier are doing all they can to reopen the A591 on Friday 13 May 2016. The new opening date – which has been b...

Rail Magazine

• Three bidders for West Midlands franchiseDepartment for Transport unveils companies in running for next West Midlands franchise
• UK Rail Leasing Class 56 takes prototype High Speed Train to Nene Valley RailwayVisitors for this weekend's Nene Valley Railway gala were taken to Wansford today (April 7) by UK Rail Leasing 56098 The Lost Boys.
• West Midlands Rail welcomes franchise biddersWest Midlands Rail (WMR), the company set up to improve passenger services in the region comments on the DfT's announcement of shortlisted bidders.
• Pioneer Class 50 hauls first passenger train in almost 16 yearsPioneer D400 hauled its first train in 16 years at the Mid-Norfolk Railway diesel gala on April 1.
• Scotland reveals agenda to develop rail freight strategyScottish Government, says it will “consider the barriers to innovation and attracting new freight onto the railway network, and how these can be overcome”.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Two foreign firms and Govia in the running for West Midlands franchiseThree train companies have been shortlisted to run the next West Midlands franchise competition, including two international firms and Govia, the franchise’s current operator. The franchise, currently operated by Govia’s London Midland, could stay in the company’s hands or be...
• Gospel Oak to Barking Line to close for eight months for electrification upgradesClosures on the Gospel Oak to Barking Line are due to start from June to allow for electrification upgrades. From 4 June to 25 September the South Tottenham to Barking line will close and the South Tottenham to Gospel Oak line will only run at weekends, and the full Gospel Oak to Barking line...

Aviation Industry

• EasyJet falls behind Ryanair as budget airlines battle for dominance of Europe's skiesMichael O'Leary's Irish carrier chalked up a bigger passenger increase than its rival but both firms say French air traffic control strikes hit business Mike van Dulken at City spread-betting firm Accendo Markets said Ryanair's drive to improve customer service may be giving it the edge. The Irish airline, led by flamboyant chief Michael O'Leary, has responded to critics of its former blunt approach by slashing fees for hold baggage and letting people take more hand luggage.
• Russia's Rossiya Airlines takes first Boeing 747 in new liveryAeroflot Group’s consolidated regional subsidiary Rossiya Airlines has taken delivery of its first Boeing 747 in a new livery. read more
• Ryanair to invest $200 million in new base at PragueIrish low-cost carrier (LCC) Ryanair will invest $200 million to open a new base—its 84th—at Prague Airport from Oct. 31. read more
• Ryanair to open Prague baseAirline will launch two new routes to Milan and Rome
• Greece strikes: passengers face ‘severe disruption’ as airports closeHundreds of flights cancelled as country-wide action hits services
• Flybe passenger numbers stable despite terror attacksRegional airline’s load factor hit by Paris attacks in November
• Wizzair launches new Luton flightsThree times weekly service to Olsztyn-Mazury to start in June

Other News Sources

• Undertaking, middle lane 'hogging' or tailgating? What's your biggest bad driving bugbear?A van was filmed undertaking and "weaving in and out of vehicles on a busy afternoon" on the A3
• Shipping industry urged not to 'miss the boat' on emissions reductions Calls for the global shipping industry to reduce its carbon emissions intensified this week as a coalition of companies from across the sector have demanded climate action from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) ahead of a forthcoming committee meeting.
• Patient transport scheme chaos as hundreds complain of delays AN investigation was launched after a man had to be rushed for emergency treatment less than a day after his non-urgent patient transport was delayed.
• More needs to be done to clear cycle lanes of cars say bike campaigners CYCLING campaigners have called for more restrictions, investment and enforcement to clear the city’s cycle lanes of cars.
• Virgin Australia wins 5-year contract TNT Express has awarded a five-year US$575 million contract to Virgin Australia for domestic cargo transport, providing the airline a much needed boost as the cargo unit lost a big contract from Toll, which switched to Qantas. Under the terms of the new deal, Virgin Australia will airlift TNT's freight on its domestic network, using newly-leased freighters, starting from July. The airline's network covers 47 destinations within Australia and offers connectivity to 17 international destinations within Richard Branson's group network. In addition, the airline said it plans to lease under aircra...

EIN News Subscription

• European passenger traffic surges +10.3% in February, says ACI … . EU airports reported an average increase in passenger traffic of +10.4%. ACI Europe … the airline side as well as ever increasing competition between airports. This … given, and highlighted the recent terrorist attacks in Brussels as an …

News from Europe

• ‘Netflix-like’ city transport app could mean people buy less carsThe European Commission is pushing local authorities to digitise cities and make them more efficient—one radical plan bubbling up could minimise the number of cars on city streets.