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

Tuesday, 09 May 2017

BBC News

• Birmingham railway lines 'potential target' of bomb suspectZahid Hussain is accused of attempting to fashion a bomb using a pressure cooker and fairy lights.
• Google Street View used to discover 'lost' cycle waysA historian uses the Google Maps feature to locate miles of forgotten cycle ways up and down the UK.
• MSPs to debate Scots railway policing mergerNew legislation aims to integrating railway policing into Police Scotland for the first time.

Financial Times

• Didi Chuxing reintroduces English-language ride app in ChinaInternational credit cards return as part of rideshare service’s global strategy

The Guardian

• Do new roads benefit the economy? Here's what we know so farThere’s little evidence on the payback from investment in transport infrastructure. New research hopes to help change that

Times Online

• Power hitters take aim at the electric car charge market [Subscription]The battle to persuade motorists to get behind the wheel of electric vehicles has moved beyond the world’s carmakers to the companies that want to power them.
• Analysts see some clear air ahead for Wizz [Subscription]izz Air blamed “unusually severe weather conditions” in February as it cut its annual profit forecast by €20 million, a move that sent its shares spiralling from £17.81 to £15.60 as some of its investors reached for the life jackets and leapt out of the exit. They might have been wishing they’d stayed on board yesterday.

Mail Online

• Faulty airbags drive car recalls to record high Cars built in the UK were responsible for the third highest number of recalls across Europe, with 14 of them linked directly with vehicles manufactured in Britain.

The Mirror

• Brexit has added �60 a year to drivers' fuel bills due to the fall in the pound For hauliers, the impact of the increase in fuel prices is far greater, adding more than £2,200 per year for the average lorry

Birmingham Mail

• What to expect from West Midlands Mayor’s first 100 days Action on traffic congestion, support for young people and business development promised by August 16

Birmingham Post

• Emirates cancels Birmingham Airport service to DubaiAirlines is reducing the frequency of one of its Middle East services
• BMW appoints new director to lead Hams Hall plant Bernd Gress takes over the top job at a difficult time as factory faces a series of walkouts by staff in a row over pensions

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Manufacturing boss presses Transport Secretary over reopening abandoned rail lineA LOCAL business chief today urged Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to consider reopening a long-closed rail line.

Liverpool Echo

• The Flying Scouseman wins our Name a Train competitionThe Flying Scouseman will soon be taking to the tracks after it won our Name a Virgin Train competition.

London Evening Standard

• Kingston council accused of making £2.6m in six months with 'unclear' school-run road restrictionKingston council have been accused of duping parents into paying out £2.6million in fines after introducing an '"unclear" road closure on a busy school run.
• Barking to Gospel Oak rail upgrade work could go on until end of yearCompletion of the £130 million upgrade of the Barking to Gospel Oak rail line is months behind schedule, it was revealed today.
• Citymapper launches 'smart buses' in London in bid to reinvent bus serviceCitymapper will this week trial a smartbus which they hope will help revolutionise London's bus service to respond in real time to passengers' needs.
• Scooting enthusiasts launch alternative London Tube map for commutersThe smartly-dressed businessman or woman scooting along the pavements of the city has become an all-too-familiar site for many Londoners.
• Gare du Nord: Paris station evacuated in major police operation one day after electionA major train station in Paris was evacuated on Monday night as a new security scare hit the French capital.

Manchester Evening News

• A bold new plan to tackle pollution levels could mean you have to pay £7.50 to drive into the city centre A document obtained by the M.E.N reveals transport bosses are considering plans to introduce ‘Clean Air Zones’

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Former First Minister promises to fight for a new Buchan railway lineMr Salmond was joined by SNP colleague and fellow north-east candidate, Eilidh Whiteford, in promising to campaign for a Buchan railway development inspired by the success of the recently reopened Borders railway.

Yorkshire Post

• YP Comment: Track record of the Tories. Why passengers expect clarity EVEN though the main election manifestoes won’t be published until next week, the Tories don’t actually need to finesse their road and rail blueprint for the North.

Other Regional Press

• Rail operator c2c unable to reassure Laindon commuters after axing two more stops at the stationRAIL operator c2c was last week unable to guarantee Laindon residents that their journeys would not be worsened by the axing of two stops at the station.
• Southern Rail to axe 14 trains a night for maintenance workSouthern Rail has announced it will be axing 14 train services a night when its new timetable is released later this month.
• On yer bike - college's new way to get students cycling inON YOUR bike’ is the message to college students and staff.

Buying Business Travel

• Etihad appoints Gammell as interim CEONew boss takes over responsibility for airline group’s strategic review
• Delta and Aeromexico start new partnershipNew services and destinations are promised as part of tie-up between airlines
• Stansted Express plans to increase capacityTrain operator says it will add seats to airport service this summer

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• First Bus drivers shift into top gear with new uniform First Bus drivers across the UK will be seen travelling in a brand new uniform over the coming months as the business strives to make its drivers the best dressed on the roads. The company recognised the need to update its uniform and provide all its drivers, females in particular, with a more modern and comfortable wardrobe. It held a consultation with employees from across the country to find out how the uniform could be improved. In response to employee feedback First Bus has introduced an entire new wardrobe for its drivers, with top pieces including: tailored blouses for female drivers...

Rail Magazine

• Shenfield station ready for new Crossrail trainsRemodelling work complete at Shenfield ahead of Aventra introduction.
• GWR confirms new trains plan for electric servicesEighteen EMUs needed by GWR for increased electric operations.

Rail Technology Magazine

• GOBLIN electrification expected to be pushed back further by NRElectrification work on the London Overground between Gospel Oak and Barking is expected to be delayed even further after Network Rail confirmed earlier this year that work would not be finished on schedule. Though the infrastructure owner was unable to comment on exactly when works would be...
• Upgrades completed on GEML for Elizabeth Line trainsWork has been completed to upgrade the Great Eastern Main Line between Shenfield and Liverpool Street in preparation for the Elizabeth Line. The completion of the works means that a reduced rail service will now be run from Brentwood to Shenfield on weekdays, and a full service at weekends....
• MPs urge parties to reduce air pollution through light rail investment A group of influential MPs have called for political parties to improve the UK’s poor urban air quality by investing in cleaner trams. Politicians on the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group (APLRG) have sent a letter to all the main political parties asking for the issue to be...
• Collaborative working is the key to the future of rail infrastructure David Hawkins, operations director at the Institute for Collaborative Working (ICW), on why ISO 44001 is a new evolution in collaborative working.
• Building passenger trust in the new South West franchiseDavid Sidebottom, passenger director at Transport Focus, discusses the importance of focusing on passenger wants and needs to build trust on the new South West franchise.
• RSSB develops new guidance to improve NTS of rail staffNew staff training guidance has been announced this week to boost the skills of railway workers to create a safer train network in the UK. The RSSB has stated that it is developing guidance that was launched in 2012 to improve the non-technical skills (NTS) of staff and reduce risk for...
• London Bridge: nearing the final phase Mark Somers, project director of the Thameslink Programme, gives RTM's Josh Mines an update on the work at London Bridge station, including construction completed over the Easter weekend and how the programme is nearing its final stage.
• Second City Crossing: a new line through the heart of Manchester city centreDanny Vaughan, head of Metrolink at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), reflects on the successes and challenges of the innovative Second City Crossing project.

Railway Gazette

• Sliding seats could enable passenger trains to carry freightUK: A working demonstration module containing seats which can be automatically stowed to enable...
• Hitachi's UK plant looks to the world marketUK: Hitachi Rail Europe is looking to develop new markets for trainsets produced at its £82m...

Aviation Industry

• UK pilot union warns new mental health rules could backfireThe British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA) has spoken out against mental health rules, proposed in the wake of the 2015 Germanwings tragedy, saying they could be counterproductive. read more
• Lufthansa confirms interest in airberlin takeoverLufthansa has confirmed an interest in taking over airberlin; however, the German carrier will look to Abu Dhabi’s state-owned carrier Etihad Airways to take care of airberlin’s debts. read more
• Europe proposes new UAV safety rulesThe European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has launched proposals to regulate the operation of small drones, or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), in the continent. read more

Other News Sources

• Lincolnshire County Council has appointed a community rail partnership officer (CRPO) to promote the Poacher Line.Kaye Robinson will work with key stakeholders – including line operator East Midlands Trains and community groups – to build closer relations, organise events and bring about improvements on the line.
• VIRGIN TRAINS LAUNCH PLATFORM-X ACCELERATORStartups are being invited to apply to take part in a new rail- and commuter-focussed open innovation programme, run by Virgin Trains and Virgin StartUp.