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

Wednesday, 13 April 2016

BBC News

• Gaming blamed for rail crash errorA German train controller was distracted by a computer game seconds before a fatal rail crash in February, prosecutors believe.
• Uber issues first transparency reportUber has joined some of tech giants in issuing a transparency report but concentrates on data shared with regulators.
• Check your fuel levels, urge M-way bossesMore than 350 drivers ended up stranded on Greater Manchester's smart motorways in the last 12 months after running out of fuel, new figures reveal.
• Plane turned around for 'last goodbye'A pilot allows an elderly couple to get off a plane moments before take-off so they can visit their dying grandson in hospital.

Financial Times

• Hawking to back tiny trek to the starsInitiative aims to send a fleet of miniature spaceships to Alpha Centauri

The Guardian

• Plane landing at Caribbean airport just misses photographer's head – videoVideo from a notoriously dangerous airport at Saint Barthélemy, also known as St Barts, a French-speaking Caribbean island, shows a photographer dodging a plane he was trying to photograph as it came in to land. He says the plane touched his hand as he ducked to avoid the landing gear Continue reading...
• UK inflation rises to 0.5% on early Easter travel costsAir travel, hotels and restaurants pushed up cost of living up in MarchInflation jumped to 0.5% in the year to March after a rise in the cost of air fares over Easter and more expensive spring and summer clothing ranges hitting stores.The higher cost of booking a hotel and restaurant table also pushed inflation beyond the 0.3% seen in February, according to official figures. Continue reading...
• Crossrail interchanges are not good enough, says Lord AdonisPassengers face long walks between trains, with poor links to tube network likely to offset faster journey times, says infrastructure chiefCommuters in the south-east of England have been promised a faster, easier journey on the �14.8bn Crossrail line, but may find their progress slowed considerably by a lengthy walk to connect to London Underground services.Crossrail, to be named the Elizabeth line in honour of the Queen, is expected to speed up journeys and increase capacity between Reading, Heathrow, central London and Shenfield in Essex when fully operational. Continue reading...
• On board Ryanair's first luxury jet: did it make me feel like a VIP?As corporate jet services go, this was more prosecco class than champagne but it might take off with groups of sport fansThere is no scrum at the boarding gate and enough legroom to tap dance in. This is Ryanair, but not as we know it.With the tap of plastic champagne flutes, the Irish airline’s new corporate jet service embarked on its maiden voyage on Tuesday, with a short hop from London Gatwick to its spiritual home in Dublin. And for €5,000 (£4,000) an hour you too can live like a Ryanair VIP. Continue reading...
• Ambulance privatisation descends into 'total shambles'NHS investigation to be launched into �63.5m contract as union representing crews attacks situation that has left patients waiting for hours Hundreds of patients including people with cancer and kidney failure have missed important appointments for treatment because ambulances did not arrive to take them to hospital, after privatisation of NHS non-urgent transport services in Sussex this month.Some elderly patients have had to wait more than five hours for ambulances and been stuck at hospital for long periods after their appointments because the transport service, now run by the private firm ...

Times Online

• Man’s new mission to the stars [Subscription]Tiny spaceships will be blasted by laser beams from Earth to explore our nearest star system 25 trillion miles away under plans for the most ambitious space mission in history.
• Two Russian airmen killed in Syria helicopter crash [Subscription]Two Russian airmen died in Syria when their helicopter gunship went down overnight yesterday in Homs province.
• Councils cash in by doubling revenue from parking fees [Subscription]Councils have almost doubled the money that they collect from householders to let them park outside their home.

Daily Record

• Planning a flying visit to Troon? Aer Lingus boosts Glasgow-Dublin service for golf's Open ChampionshipTHE airline will operate its larger 174-seater A320 on the route between July 11 and 19 to cater for the increased demand for seats from those travelling from Ireland and onward.

Mail Online

• Amsterdam airport evacuated as armed police swarm entrance amid security alert Amsterdam's Schiphol airport has been evacuated and one man has been arrested after a 'suspicious situation' was detected by authorities. Armed police and a bomb squad are at the scene.
• Berlin airport PR chief is sacked after describing the project as a 's*** show' In an interview with PR Magazine, Daniel Abbou claimed previous managers of the long-awaited Berlin airport had wasted too much money for the project to be called a success.

The Mirror

• Amsterdam Schiphol Airport evacuated after reports of 'suspicious package' Armed police stormed the building while a robot was drafted in to examine the package
• Winston Churchill's Tube station bunker to open to the public for first timeDown Street in Mayfair acted as a bomb-proof bunker for the Prime Minister during the Second World War

This is Money

• Ryanair cuts fares and reduces bag booking options from 108 to 6 As part of its 'Always Getting Better' scheme, the airline said it will continue to reduce the amount of lurid yellow in its on-board interiors and alter its mobile app so people can upgrade seats.

Birmingham Mail

• New 1960s-style Italian car unveiled in Monaco Retro new Italian car to be unveiled in Monaco.
• Where to buy child car seats: Five high street stores rated Parents are warned after leading car specialists reveal buying in-store child car seats are the only way to guarantee their child’s safety.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Traffic busier but journey times quicker on smart section of M62, study finds AN AVERAGE of 155,000 vehicles a day are using the Bradford section of the M62 smart motorway, a study has found.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• 'Show us A55 roadworks are worth the hassle', demands Conwy council of government Conwy leaders call on government to justify benefits of major works programmes that cause havoc on region's roads

London Evening Standard

• Moment a 20ft-deep sinkhole appears in middle of a road in USA massive sinkhole has appeared in the middle of a road in California.

Northern Echo

• Councillors fund highways improvements in Bishop Auckland COUNCILLORS have spent more than �26,000 improving accessibility for pedestrians and motorists in Bishop Auckland.
• Motorists warned - delays and loose chippings on the way ROAD delays are expected as a programme of surface dressing gets underway in North Yorkshire this month.

The York Press

• York councillor wants to help those hit by possible bus cuts BUS cuts could pave the way for new events to help isolated pensioners.

Wales Online

• Here's why you need to remember your hire vehicle is probably bigger than the car you usually drive This hire van crashed into a bridge in Cardiff

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• What does the future have in store for the M6 Toll?It is the most controversial stretch of road in the UK, frequently criticised for its perceived high fees, under usage and a failure to reduce congestion on nearby routes.

Blackpool Gazette

• Bus services’ double delay in roadworksA bus boss is warning of traffic chaos having seen his company’s services seriously disrupted by roadworks.

Bucks Free Press

• Parking would be unsustainable if Travelodge moves to town say businesses Plans to build a new hotel on the site of a thriving industrial estate have sparked concerns over the future of small community businesses and parking in Marlow.
• Major road changes needed if Costco comes to town, cllr warns Major road layout changes in High Wycombe might need to be made if plans to open a giant cash and carry in Cressex are given the green light, a councillor has warned.

Doncaster Free Press

• Busy Doncaster school bus set to be cutA busy bus service to one of Doncaster’s biggest secondary schools is set to be axed, leaving parents and staff concerned for pupil safety.
• Car owners asked to be vigilant after 15 Land Rover Defenders are stolenPolice are asking owners of Land Rover Defenders to be vigilant after 15 of the vehicle have been stolen since November 1, 2015.

East Anglian Daily Times

• More weekend rail closures after end of 10-week upgrade to linesWeekend rail travellers heading to London will once again be able to travel all the way by train from this weekend after the 10 weeks of disruption.

North Wales Live

• HS2 rail project roadshow heads to Liverpool for May presentation Firms invited to bid for billions of pounds worth of contracts linked to rail scheme

Northamptonshire Telegraph

• Date for reopening of Wellingborough 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”.

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

• Plans to build new homes near rail line are ‘madness’ and could put lives at risk, say residentsFears are growing that lives could be put at risk by a developer’s plans to build 137 new homes near a rail line in Hassocks.

Other Regional Press

• Scheme instils confidence in young cyclists So, what’s the argument for Bikeability in Oxfordshire?
• �11m relief road realised after 11 years in the pipeline AN �11 million relief road has been
• Experts brought in to advise on Preston tram proposalsBosses behind plans for a tram project in the city are urging Prestonians to back the scheme, after advisers were brought in to tackle previous fears.
• Birmingham Airport enjoys another record-breaking month The airport saw 830,544 passengers travel through it in March, up by almost 100,000 compared to March 2015
• Deaths lead to calls for drivers to slow down for horsesAn animal charity has launched a new campaign urging drivers to slow down for horses in the wake of shocking figures revealing the injuries suffered by riders and animals in on-road incidents.
• Cyclists wanted to join in wheely good idea for ambulance charity WILTSHIRE Air Ambulance (WAA) is encouraging people to get on their bicycles and take part in the Wiltshire Big Wheel and Wiltshire 100 to raise money for the charity.
• New bridge to accommodate new trains opens on time DRIVERS have been treated to a smoother ride over the railway after a brand new railway bridge was opened.
• Positive response to plans to open a railway station in Wellington - but Somerset County Council says it won't be investing any money A PETITION to get plans on track for a new railway station in Wellington has been launched, but they could have already hit a halt as Somerset County Council says it won't be investing any money into the project.
• BMW announce record sales of Mini cars last month Sales of Mini's last month were the highest in the brands history, its makers have announced.
• Drivers warned to plan journeys ahead of three month A44 lane closure Drivers have been warned to plan their journeys after news that a lane on the A44 southbound will be closed for three months.
• Revealed: The panda-themed artwork that will grace enormous cruise ship CRUISE company Royal Caribbean have unveiled the giant artwork that will grace the side of their latest ship Ovation of the Seas today in Southampton.
• Electric car to take historic 2,500-mile trip THE�Beaulieu Motor Museum welcomed the first electric car to drive the Route 57 road trip.
• Gallery: Airship named with four weeks to flightThe world’s largest aircraft has been officially named The Martha Gywnn as it prepares to take off within “three-to-four weeks”.

C.N.N.

• Police: One person arrested at Amsterdam airport

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Historic station building at Market Harborough to be kept as part of upgradeThe building at Market Harborough is set to be kept as part of the major upgrade work happening to the historic station. Network Rail is planning to remodel the station in order to carry out adjustments to the layout of the track and the building that is the current home of the ticket office is being included as a remaining part of the new design. The decision and following announcement were made about this after feedback from the public requested it. Over 400 people came to Market Harborough to see the early plans for the changes to the station. After the track and station have been redesigne...

Rail Magazine

• ‘Sabotaged signals’ stop New Street servicesMore than 650 services delayed
• 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.
• 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.
• Testing on Crossrail Aventras begins ahead of 2017 serviceThe first Class 345 will begin testing at Bombardier’s Derby Litchurch Lane in May.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Capitalising on contactlessTransport for London's (TfL's) director of customer experience, Shashi Verma, discusses the growth of contactless payment in the capital since its introduction.
• Grand Central suffers biggest PPM decrease in period 13Grand Central had the biggest public performance measure (PPM) decrease this month compared to last year, latest figures from Network Rail show. Grand Central’s PPM for 6 March to 31 March (period 13) 2016 was 84.2%, compared to 91.6% at the same point last year. However, only 11% of...
• Infrarail 2016 opens its doorsThe 11th Infrarail exhibition opens its doors today to companies across the UK rail industry. The UK’s major rail infrastructure exhibition will run until Thursday at the ExCeL in London, with representatives from more than 200 countries exhibiting their products and services. There will...
• HS2 announce 2016 roadshows for potential suppliersHS2 have announced the dates and locations of their 2016 Regional Supply Chain Roadshows. Potential suppliers from both large companies and SMEs can attend the roadshows, meet HS2 Ltd representatives and discuss the type of packages available and the best way to bid for contracts with HS2. HS2...
• LU report warns 57 Tube stations at high flooding risk A leaked London Underground report says that 57 Tube stations are at high risk of flooding as a result of climate change. The report, seen by the Guardian, says that 85 sites are at ‘high risk’, of which 57 are Tube stations, including Finsbury Park, Notting Hill Gate, Seven Sisters...
• New training network to provide quality-assured centres to rail firms and supply chainA new training network, a collaboration between Network Rail and other rail and training leaders in the UK, will be launched tomorrow (13 April) as an umbrella under which companies and the supply chain can buy assured high-quality training. During the first day of Infrarail, Neil Robertson, the...
• Rail sector's job 'is to get as much money back from apprenticeship levy as possible'It is now the rail industry’s job to get as much money back from the imminent apprenticeship levy as possible to ensure it can bring in lots of fresh talent, the chief executive of the national Skills Academy for Rail (NSAR) said. Speaking at today’s Platform session during the first...

Railnews

• Consultation reveals 'deep scepticism' about railway industry Responses to a consultation over the future structure and financing of Network Rail have revealed that Nicola Shaw's conclusions, which were published in mid-March, were broadly in line with widely-held views. The Shaw report rejected privatisation of Network Rail or a complete break-up of the company, but according to the DfT 'many responses suggest a deep scepticism with the status quo and that customers� needs are not best represented in the current structure'

Aviation Industry

• Brussels Airport shut down by unannounced controllers’ strikeA work action orchestrated by the guild of Belgian air traffic controllers brought flights to a halt at Brussels Airport less than 10 days after the airport restarted services following the March 22 deadly terrorist attacks. read more

Other News Sources

• Guildford �1.5bn road tunnel project supported by councilThe "aspirational" project has been proposed alongside a range of schemes in a new transport strategy for the town and borough
• 9 things you need to know about Guildford's new transport strategyGuildford Borough Council has revealed its plans for dealing with increased traffic demand on the borough and the area's infrastructure
• Gatwick Airport motorists warned to be aware of M23 overnight closuresThe improvement works will run from April 13 to April 19 to replace 'traffic counter loops'
• Driver refuses to open doors of 12 carriage train in row over conductor-less services A NEW train service due to launch this month with longer carriages could be derailed by a dispute with unions.
• Aviation bosses reject safety recommendations made after part of passenger jet falls off mid flight AVIATION bosses have rejected safety recommendations made after part of a passenger jet fell off mid flight.
• Vessel Grounds off Quebec Due to Engine and Steering FailureThe containership�Jan Van Gent�ran aground�in the�St. Lawrence river,�south of Yamachiche, Quebec, after a failure in its engine and steering caused the vessel to drift�off the fairway, the�Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB) confirmed. The 2009-built ship�was refloated in the afternoon hours the same day with the assistance of tugs. The ship then�proceeded up the river […]

EIN News Subscription

• Security alert for Amsterdam airport lifted after partial evacuation, one man arrested … Brussels. Passengers anxiously watched from behind security tape. Part of the airport was … , the government stepped up security at national airports and train stations and … capital Amsterdam, is one of Europe's busiest travel hubs …
• Brussels Airport closed over air traffic control row … their employers. The airport, one of Europe's busiest, … tight security after bombs destroyed the departure hall. Other airports … of access to the airport for passengers as the railway … terrorist attack just three weeks ago," IATA, the world airlines …