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

Tuesday, 12 April 2016

BBC News

• Aberdeen Airport traffic still fallingPassenger numbers continue to fall at Aberdeen International Airport, but Glasgow and Edinburgh airports report
• Skoda sees record start to the yearCzech carmaker Skoda posts its best first quarter to date as it shrugs off the emissions scandal hanging over parent company Volkswagen.

Financial Times

• Tesla in recall of 2,700 Model X vehiclesSeat strength test uncovers potential problem in back of car

The Guardian

• Drink-drivers in Thailand to be sent to work in morguesGovernment launches plan to shock repeat traffic offenders into changing their behaviour by confronting them with dead bodiesDrink-drivers and repeat traffic offenders in Thailand could be sent to work in hospital morgues under a new plan by the authorities to try to put a stop to carnage on the country’s roads.Thailand has the second worst record in the world for traffic fatalities. Continue reading...

The Herald

• UKIP politician admits threat to deport foreigners over parking fines was 'ludicrous'Ukip's leader in Northern Ireland has held up his hands and said his threat to deport doctors for parking fines was

The Scotsman

• Passenger numbers take off at Glasgow and Edinburgh airportsSCOTLAND’S two biggest airports have recorded their busiest ever March, figures show.

Times Online

• Buses to make way for College Green plaza [Subscription]Several cross-city bus routes will be permanently diverted under plans by Dublin city council to create a pedestrian zone at College Green.

Daily Record

• Scottish airports report busiest ever March as demand soars Both Glasgow and Edinburgh airports said they had a bumper month but continuing oil industry downturn hit Aberdeen Airport traffic

Mail Online

• Royal protection officer killed on the M25 after being hit by a lorry Sergeant David Jennings, 48, was hit by a lorry on March 31 after he pulled up on the hard shoulder of the M25, between junctions 29 and 28 in Essex, and got out of his car.

The Mirror

• Furious American Airlines passenger 'caught on camera having incredible meltdown after flight delayed by four hours' The woman shouted and screamed over her delayed flight as a young girl believed to be her daughter sobbed

Birmingham Mail

• West Midlands mayor and councils to take over London Midland servicesDepartment for Transport says it wants to hand over responsibility for London Midland services in the West Midlands to local politicians
• Parking spaces could cost hundreds of pounds a year under Birmingham workplace parking tax In Nottingham there is a charge of £375 a year per car - and it is being considered here

Bolton News

• Rules for when you can and can't park in front of someone's house A RISE in the number of parking complaints across the country�has resulted�in Safer Neighbourhood Teams issuing�some clarity.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• STOP THE DANGER DRIVERS: Police campaign starting to make public feel safer PEOPLE in Bradford are starting to feel safer on the district's roads - thanks to a crackdown on danger driving, according to comments made to West Yorkshire Police.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Boeing airliner spotted circling over North Wales The Boeing 737-800, operated by Jet2, was on a test flight after delivery to the airline last month
• Long delays expected in Conwy Valley as machinery is moved to water works A large truck carrying a pile driving machine will travel along the B5106 today

London Evening Standard

• Plan for 'smart' junctions to end gridlock on M25A series of "smart" junctions are set to be introduced in a multi-million pound bid to cut severe congestion on the M25.
• Pilot aborts take-off so couple can say goodbye to dying grandsonA pilot aborted take-off on a flight at the last minute to allow an elderly couple to get off the aircraft and rush to their dying grandson's bedside.
• Thames Flooding: Cars and people trapped by rising waters after river bursts its banksThe River Thames has burst its banks, bringing flooding to Putney and Richmond.

Manchester Evening News

• Readers praise pilot who aborted take-off so two passengers could get off and visit dying grandson The Etihad Airways plane was taxiing on the runway at Manchester Airport when crew received a message to say an elderly couple on the plane needed to get off

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• A697 in Northumberland branded 'one of the most dangerous roads' in the North EastCampaigners are calling for improvements to the busy road following a string of incidents, including the death of Mark McKinney on April 1

Northern Echo

• York to lead drive to build new homes near stations YORK is to spearhead a new government campaign to develop railway station sites and build thousands of new homes around them.
• Pictures: Thousands enjoy Great War Steam Festival at Beamish Museum THOUSANDS of people have flocked to an open air museum to enjoy a festival of steam creating a sense of the roads and railways of the Home Front during the First World War.
• Police use Taser on motorist trying to drive off with officer clinging to 4x4 POLICE told last night how they had no choice but to use a Taser to stop a driver who was trying to speed off with an officer desperately hanging from a pick-up truck.
• Removing A167 street lights 'unsafe' - councillors COUNCILLORS say turning out the lights alongside one of a county’s busiest roads would make the area unsafe for pedestrians.

Sheffield Star

• World’s fastest car arrives in the cityThe world’s fastest car, Bloodhound, is coming to Magna as part of a giant careers fair.

The York Press

• York to lead UK drive to build houses near stations YORK is to spearhead a new Government campaign to develop railway station sites and build thousands of new homes around them.

Wales Online

• Cardiff's taxi strike this Friday will put public at risk and damage city, says Police Commissioner Police Commissioner Alun Michael has warned that the taxi strike would be a "big mistake"

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• 'Somebody is going to be killed': Neighbours demand action after car ploughs through wallsResidents are demanding action after a car mounted a pavement and smashed through two walls outside houses in Bilston.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds airport bosses call for crackdown after thousands of laser incidents reported to policeLEEDS airport bosses are calling for tighter restrictions over the use of laser pens after police received thousands of reports over their misuse – putting pilots and passengers at risk.

Crewe Chronicle

• M6 overnight closures planned for roadworks in Cheshire The motorway will be closed between Middlewich and Knutsford from 10pm to 6am on some nights over the next three weekends

Daventry Express

• ‘I thought it was a terrorist attack’: video captures moment sonic boom sounded over NorthamptonshireThe heart-stopping moment two RAF jets burst through the sound barrier and created an almighty boom above Northamptonshire was captured on a mum’s home video.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Flying Scotsman’s trip from Ely to Norwich cancelled because of fears spectators will get too close to tracksA visit to the region by the Flying Scotsman has been cancelled, following safety concerns that spectators might try to get too close to the railway tracks.

North Wales Live

• Flybe landing slots move opens up the possibility of a Liverpool to Heathrow route Regional airline said to be pondering taking up capital slots vacated by Sir Richard Branson’s Little Red Airline carrier

Peterborough Telegraph

• Increase in car keys stolen for ‘high value vehicles’ in PeterboroughThe theft of car keys for “high value vehicles” is on the rise, according to police in Peterborough.

West Sussex Gazette

• Bus company announces new discounted fare for Sussex youngstersBus company Stagecoach has announced that young people across the south east will benefit from a discounted bus fare.

Other Regional Press

• Train services to be hit as electrification work starts at Newport station COMMUTERS are being reminded to check their train times as work to prepare Newport station for the electrification of the South Wales Mainline starts today.
• New boat will help to ‘transform Royal Navy capabilities’ says BAETHE first in a new line of state-of-the-art boats for the Royal Navy has been unveiled at Portsmouth’s Naval Base.
• Date for reopening of Northamptonshire train station car parkCommuters parking at Wellingborough’s train station have been given a boost after Network Rail announced one of the closed car parks should reopen in “a few weeks”.
• Gone in 13 days: The fastest-selling used cars in the UK A used Kia Sportage takes just 13 days to sell online, the fastest-seller in the UK.
• One of Huddersfield's busiest roads set for 15 weeks of workWakefield Road drivers warned to expect traffic delays
• Council chief weighs in to rail rowThe chief executive of Wigan Council has spoken to rail bosses amid mounting criticism of proposed route changes.
• Try canal boating for free in Trowbridge this weekend PEOPLE will be able to try their hand at�canal boating for free on Sunday thanks to the Canal & River Trust who have teamed up with Drifters Waterway Holidays.
• Thousands let Wiltshire Council know their views on bus cuts MORE than 11,000 people and businesses had their say as part of a consultation on subsidised bus services in Wiltshire, which finished on April 4.
• Swindon station could be regenerated as part of Government programme SWINDON could be included in a new government programme aimed at transforming the country’s rail stations.
• Devizes Link scheme needs new treasurer and fundraisers A COMMUNITY transport scheme, which provides a vital life-line to help vulnerable and elderly people get to medical appointments, is in desperate need of new committee members.
• Onboard Ovation of the Seas in Southampton She may be bound for the Far East where she will be based, but Ovation of the Seas, Royal Caribbean's latest cruise ship hasn't gone overboard in making changes to fit the Chinese market, reports Editor in Chief Ian Murray on board the ship for her unveiling.
• Wanderbus II launched to improve Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire bus linksVillagers in Mid Beds have had the benefit of extra transport links after a second community bus was unveiled at a ceremony in Meppershall.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Next stop, St Peter’s Square!A large 90 tonne crane swung into action this week at St Peter’s Square to install the first brand new Metrolink platform. The tram stop is being completely rebuilt as part of the flagship redevelopment of the square and is due to open to passengers this autumn. It will join other new and transformed city centre stops at Exchange Square, Deansgate-Castlefield and Victoria as key destinations on the new £165 million Second City Crossing (2CC) tram line. Boasting two island platforms and two sets of track in each direction, the bigger and better stop has been specially designed to al...
• Reappointment of members of the Civil Aviation Authority BoardThe Department for Transport today (8 April 2016) announced the reappointment of 2 members of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Board — David King and Graham Ward, CBE David King and Graham Ward both joined the CAA as non-executive members in September 2013. David was formerly the Chief Inspector of the UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) where he was responsible for hundreds of investigations, many involving large public transport aircraft. Graham was, until June 2015, the first Chief Commissioner of the Independent Commission for Aid Impact    . He spent 36 years, ...
• Jaguar Land Rover InMotion to rival Uber serviceCar manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover has launched InMotion, a new technology business that creates apps and on-demand services to overcome travel and transport challenges, similarly to businesses like Uber. From May, InMotion will begin real-world testing of its different services, which include car sharing and car ownership solutions across North America, Europe and Asia. The InMotion technologies offer ways for people to improve their commute to work, or give them access to the cars that they want. It combines the automotive and technology industries to develop new solutions that are accessibl...
• �29 million railway upgrade between Basingstoke and EastleighNetwork Rail has completed a �29 million upgrade to the line joining Basingstoke and Eastleigh in record time. Part of the �40 billion Railway Upgrade Plan, the changes to the track and foundation of this area was done in half the time thanks to the use of state-of-the-art track renewal and ballast cleaning machines. Overall, 25 km of track was replaced, along with 64,000 tonnes of ballast and 38,000 new railway sleepers were laid. The High Output Ballast Cleaner was put in to replace the ballast beneath the track to improve drainage. It has been in working order five nights a week since Septe...

Rail Magazine

• 17 new carriages a week as UK passenger fleet expands - reportThe national passenger rolling stock fleet is expected to grow by between 51% and 99% over the next 30 years.
• Network Rail land around stations to be released for housingAgreement could lead to more than 10,000 new homes being built on land around stations across the country.
• Testing on Crossrail Aventras begins ahead of 2017 serviceThe first Class 345 will begin testing at Bombardier’s Derby Litchurch Lane in May.
• Arriva pledges new trains, more services and more staffNew trains and a better service have been promised by Arriva, which started running the Northern franchise on April 1, and will continue until March 2025.
• New franchise's Alliance with Network RailAn alliance with Network Rail must be formed in the first three months of the new Northern franchise, Managing Director Alex Hynes told RAIL on April 4.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail's value could increase by �100bn due to change in government accountingNetwork Rail’s value could increase by an estimated £100bn this summer due to a change in government standards. The Government Financial Reporting Manual is set to be updated so that Network Rail is no longer valued according to estimated future passenger fares. Instead, Network...

Railway Gazette

• First-time Infrarail exhibitors reflect UK growthINFRARAIL: With Network Rail expected to spend more than �38bn on operations, maintenance, renewals...

Aviation Industry

• Flybe tight-lipped on prospective Heathrow servicesUK-based regional carrier Flybe has said reports in a UK Sunday newspaper that it is planning to start services from London’s Heathrow airport are speculative. read more

Other News Sources

• Bus petition gathers momentum HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition to keep a Bromyard bus service.
• Brookwood railway station car park to shut for three monthsSouth West Trains is closing the station car park from Monday April 25 and could reverse the "hazardous" entrance and exit
• Stansted tops 23 million passengers following busiest ever winter seasonLondon Stansted welcomed over 1.89 million passengers during its busiest ever March as the airport’s annual passenger total topped 23 million for the first time since July 2008.
• Services with longer trains under threat of industrial action A NEW train service due to launch this month with longer carriages could be derailed by a dispute with unions.
• Private patient transport firm branded "shambles" but says handover from predecessor contributed to delays THE patient transport company which apologised for letting down patients has now blamed its predecessors for critical patients missing hospital appointments.