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

Tuesday, 04 October 2016

BBC News

• 'Regrettable' �1.1bn Newport M4 public inquiry delayA public inquiry into the �1.1bn M4 relief road around Newport has been delayed until early 2017.
• Southern rail's 'tweet RMT' plea angers rail passengersA plea for beleaguered Southern rail passengers to tell the RMT union how they feel about ongoing strikes backfires.
• Transport for London to roll out �80m 'Boris Bike' upgradeA deal is signed to bring the next generation of
• Southern conductors offered �2,000 to end rail strikesThe operator of the Southern rail network offers conductors a lump sum of �2,000 in a bid to bring industrial action to an end.
• New airport on Skye in two years, suggest Highland CouncilHighland Council says a new airport could be built on Skye in about two years if plans for more flights to and from Glasgow are progressed.
• Virgin Trains East Coast strike 'solid' says RMTA strike by workers on the Virgin East Coast has been well-supported, says the RMT union - but the company says a full timetable is running.
• Is government spending on roads and railways a good idea?As the Conservative government sets its sights on infrastructure spending to help the economy, academic experts ponder if such investment is a boost or a waste of money.

ITV News

• Hard-core union leaders 'misleading members', says Transport SecretaryTransport Secretary Chris Grayling today launched a strong attack on rail unions on the day striking guards were threatened with the sack.

Birmingham Mail

• Conservative conference: Regional council 'can buy M6 Toll' if it can find the moneyThe new West Midlands Combined Authority could buy the M6 Toll, says Transport Secretary Chris Grayling

Derby Telegraph

• ​Derby's Bombardier gets £900m trains deal boost A deal to finance hundreds of trains that will be built by Derby's Bombardier for the East Anglia rail franchise has been signed.

London Evening Standard

• Chris Grayling: I'll take my time over Heathrow Airport expansion decision for South-EastTransport Secretary Chris Grayling today said he would not rubber-stamp David Cameron's decision for a third runway at Heathrow.
• Southern rail strikes: Train firm tells staff 'take offer or be sacked'Southern today set a deadline for union chiefs to accept an offer aimed at averting rail strikes — or it will terminate conductors' contracts and press ahead with changes to their role.
• Northern line delays: Huge queues at London stations after power outage sends services into 'meltdown'This was the chaotic scene after a power outage sent Tube services into "meltdown" during the evening rush hour

Morning Star

• Disgraced Rail Firm Threatens Jobs MassacreConductor ultimatum as Southern provokes angry backlash on strikes

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Transport Secretary Chris Grayling condemns East Coast Main Line strikersThere will be no return to the days of British Rail, vows Transport Secretary Chris Grayling as workers stage 24-hour walkout

Wales Online

• Transport Secretary warns against 'jumping the gun' on electrification to SwanseaChris Grayling says new trains will improve journeys to Swansea and stressed need for cooperation to end M4 logjams
• Welsh Secretary to signal major shake up in structural funding Alun Cairns will say carrying on with same spending plans is 'not an option'

Blackpool Gazette

• Blackpool airport is back up for sale in shock moveBlackpool Airport is to be put back on the market in a shock move by owner Balfour Beatty.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Mounting pressure for Ipswich in 60 rail upgradePressure is being put on Network Rail to commit the funds needed to allow trains to run from Ipswich to London in 60 minutes, the transport secretary has revealed.
• Ipswich Buses staff to strike over pay next weekIpswich Buses staff are set to hold a 24-hour strike next Monday in a dispute over pay.

Other Regional Press

• Rare locomotives deliver the goods as rail fans flock to travel behind them More than 200 rail buffs pay £45 a head to travel behind two Class 08 shunters:: The locos are usually out of public view at Wilton
• Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says Hull 'needs better rail links' Hull must be better connected to other big Northern cities if the region is to fulfil its economic potential, according to one of Theresa May's Cabinet ministers.

Global Rail News

• Angel Trains to finance new Abellio Aventra fleetLeasing company Angel Trains, working with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, has won the contract to finance the new fleet of Bombardier Aventra trains for Abellio’s new East Anglia franchise.

Rail Magazine

• TransWilts Railway CRP given the green lightLong-held ambitions for a Community Rail Partnership (CRP) for the Trans-Wilts Railway between Westbury and Swindon are confirmed by Rail Minister Paul Maynard.
• 5 ways Britain's railway stations could look in the futureRDG publishes images showing how Britain’s railway stations could look in the future, to back 2015’s publication of its Vision for Stations.
• �869 million train deal for AngliaAngel Trains will finance 665 new Aventra vehicles for the Greater Anglia franchise, in an �869 million deal.
• Conductors offered �2,000 ultimatum to settle disputeGovia Thameslink Railway offers a lump sum of �2,000 to each conductor, to settle the dispute.
• Operator’s social media campaign backfiresGTR launches social media campaign inviting passengers to take sides, but many passengers angry at an apparent attempt to undermine its own staff.
• Prime Minister defends DfT over SouthernPrime Minister Theresa May says the Government was “not sitting on its heels” over Southern Railway’s poor performance.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Geatech-Maintenance Equipment for Railways, Metro and Tram Lines Geatech designs and manufactures maintenance equipment for railway, tramway and metro lines.The company supplies Vossloh, Pandrol and fast clips for tracks, and machines for sleeper and rail drilling...
• The Evolution of Mobility
• How digital technology can help railway staff Railway staff are increasingly using creative and sometimes futuristic gadgets to improve workflow and efficiency in every department, from the customer service frontline to crucial maintenance and repair work behind the scenes. We see how some of th…
• GTR sets RMT deadline to end Southern conductor disputeGovia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has tried to stamp out its industrial dispute with RMT, which has contributed to widespread delays on the Southern network, by making a final offer to the union. The operator repeated its eight point offer (listed below) to RMT, and said that if the union accepts...
• Government revs Midlands Engine with �12m transport funding promiseTransport in the Midlands will receive a £12m funding boost from the government, it was announced today. Transport secretary Chris Grayling announced the three-year grant for Midlands Connect, the partnership delivering the transport component of the Midlands Engine vision, at the...
• Angel Trains to finance £900m procurement of Abellio’s East Anglia electric fleetThe £900m needed to purchase 665 electric cars for Abellio’s new East Anglia fleet will be provided by financier Angel Trains.

The Business Desk

• Midlands transport strategy receives £12m boost from GovernmentTHE body organising the Midlands’ regional transport strategy, Midlands Connect, has received £12m from Central Government to help with its work developing transport links for the Midlands Engine.
• Balfour Beatty on track with acquisition of York engineering firmINFRASTRUCTURE giant Balfour Beatty has acquired York-headquartered Omnicom Engineering in a deal which it says will boost its position in the UK rail market.

Aviation Industry

• United extends lease at Dulles International Airport through 2024United Airlines and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) signed an extension Sept. 30 to a long-term lease agreement for Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) through 2024. read more

Other News Sources

• Bombardier Transportation confirms US$1.2-billion U.K. contractBombardier (TSX: BBD.B) confirmed Friday the signing of two contracts totalling US$1.2 billion, which will allow it to maintain 1,000 jobs at its U.K. plant in Derby.
• Grayling underlines government commitment to airport expansionTransport Secretary signals support for HS2 as means of tackling congestion and argues airport expansion will show ‘Britain is open for business'
• Chris Grayling blames Southern strikes on union support for Jeremy CorbynTransport Secretary Chris Grayling has blamed the Southern Rail strike on Jeremy Corbyn-supporting union bosses who want to nationalise the railways.