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

Friday, 30 June 2017

BBC News

• Quality carriages a 'priority' for next Wales rail franchiseFour groups are bidding to run services from October 2018.
• Wales rail franchise priorities suggested by assembly reportNew trains and simple ticketing should be part of the next Wales rail franchise, AMs say.
• Airport terrorA concrete door post and the actions of passers-by helped to avert a major tragedy at Glasgow Airport.
• 'Ban parents from leaving engines on', says guidanceDoctors want an end to leaving the car running at the school gates.
• Air traffic control 'needs massive modernisation'Government support is needed to improve the network of
• Cutting rail suicidesNetwork Rail staff and transport police attend a suicide-prevention course which helps the vulnerable.
• UK car output fell 10% in May, says SMMTCarmakers are now set to ramp up production of new models, with exports the main driver of demand.
• EU appeals WTO decision in Boeing disputeThe 13-year dispute between the US and the EU over subsidies to rival aerospace giants is set to continue.

ITV News

• Priorities for Wales' new rail franchise laid outThe main priorities for Wales' new rail franchise have been laid out in a report by a National Assembly for Wales Committee.

Department for Transport

• Government publishes £6.1 billion programme of upgrades to major roads and motorways£6.1 billion programme of road improvements announced as part of the government's £23 billion upgrade to the road network in England.

Financial Times

• Southern rail services disrupted by fresh drivers’ overtime banAction by Aslef union is most recent in long-running dispute with train operator
• Airports prepare to meet US demand for tougher passenger securityTravellers on US-bound flights are to undergo more stringent protocols
• FastJet making ‘steady progress’ with turnround efforts

The Guardian

• Move over drivers, the cyclists are taking over the office car parkn the centre of Glasgow something rare is happening. A large office development is being planned without in-built parking – at least, not parking for petrol or diesel cars.
• 'Always give up your seat for a monk': the unspoken rules of public transportOur readers share the dos and don’ts of their regular commute – from rush-hour gymnastics to gossiping with the driver Navigating public transport is daunting and often frustrating, but what happens when you hop on the metro in another city? How close is too close to stand next to your fellow passenger? And are you supposed to talk to the driver? In an effort to understand global public transport etiquette we asked our readers to share the unspoken rules of their daily city commute. Amid the horror stories of vomiting in tupperware and unwittingly overhearing phone sex, here are some tips unli...
• Grow Heathrow runway protest community given 14 days to leave siteCourt orders 20 residents to leave the community garden set up on derelict site to protest against airport expansionA community project set up to protest against a third runway at Heathrow has been given 14 days to leave its home by the high court.Grow Heathrow took over a derelict garden centre in Sipson in 2010 and turned it into a community garden as part of action in protest against the plans for the runway. About 20 people live at the site and from their base they have become an integral part of the community activity against the building of a third runway at the airport. Continue reading...
• Southern rail crisis: Grayling given two weeks to make rulingHigh court makes order of transport secretary after commuters sought review of government handling of GTR franchiseThe high court has given the transport secretary, Chris Grayling, two weeks to make a critical, long-delayed ruling over the Southern rail crisis.The order was made after Southern commuters sought a judicial review of the government’s handling of the Govia Thameslink Railway franchise, which incorporates Southern. Continue reading...
• Fine motorists idling outside schools to cut air pollution, say health watchdogsNew official guidance also backs planting trees, supporting cycling and encouraging take-up of electric vehicles to tackle crisis that causes 40,000 early deaths a year Parents who leave their car engines running at the school gate should be fined in order to help tackle the air pollution crisis, according to England’s official health watchdogs.New guidance from Public Health England (PHE) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) sets out a wide range of measures to cut air pollution, which is at illegal levels in almost 90% of urban areas. Continue reading...

The Scotsman

• Green impact of lower air tax ‘grossly underestimated’Ministers are accused of “grossly underestimating” the impact of cutting air taxes after they admitted it could cause twice the increase in aircraft emissions previously forecast.

Times Online

• Southern cuts trains as drivers’ overtime ban begins [Subscription]Passengers on the Southern Rail network were facing more disruption this morning as a union called a ban on staff working overtime.
• Judge orders Chris Grayling to stop dithering over Southern rail fine [Subscription]Britain’s biggest rail company could face a multi-million pound fine after the transport secretary was ordered to make a judgment on the operator’s performance within a fortnight.

Daily Record

• Staff at 'Scotland's worst station' to get body cams in blitz on yobs after protests and emergency summit Scotrail say 'type of behaviour that we are seeing is totally unacceptable' at Hamilton Central.

Mail Online

• NICE: Drivers to face fines for leaving engine running The health watchdog NICE is urging councils to enforce ‘no idling zones’ around schools, hospitals and care homes to reduce harmful exhaust fumes.
• Passengers face long delays from US laptop check UK fliers will endure ‘unnecessary frustration’ because of time-consuming checks on laptops, a trade group representing transatlantic carriers American Airlines and United said.

Network Rail

• £975,000 improvement to Stockport stationA £975,000 project to improve four platforms at Stockport station is nearing completion.
• Have your say on plans to transform east-west rail servicesThe views of residents, businesses and passengers are being sought on the next stage of plans to continue the transformation of cross country rail services in Britain.

Birmingham Mail

• Why leaving your car running could land you with a fineAccording to the council, a car idling for one minute produces enough exhaust emissions containing harmful chemicals to fill 150 balloons

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Airline boss impressed by Leeds Bradford Airport's plans THE boss of one of the world’s leading airlines says he is impressed at the ongoing investments being made in Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA).

Daily Post (North Wales)

• 'Advanced' Arriva buses with free Wifi heading to North WalesThe 13 new buses cost £3.2m and will run on routes between Wrexham and Chester
• This could be your summer holiday flight cabin of the future as Airbus rolls out concept The aerospace giant is introducing the new cabin concept on the A320

London Evening Standard

• Southern Rail strike: Commuters vent frustration as 1,100 trains axed due to Aslef drivers' overtime banMore than 1,100 trains will be axed in the next two days as Southern Rail drivers resume an indefinite overtime ban.
• Six more Tube stations to be made step-free in drive to make travel more accessibleSix more stations are to be made step-free as part of a £200m investment programme to make Tube travel more accessible over the next five years.
• Chris Grayling threatened with judicial review over Southern Rail The Transport Secretary could face a judicial review of his handling of Southern Rail if he fails to make a key decision on the crisis-hit franchise within two weeks.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Bus service linking Oban with London rail service met with cautionThe announcement of a new bus service linking Oban to the Caledonian Sleeper train from London at Crianlarich has been met with caution.

The York Press

• New free bike map for North Holderness areaA NEW cycle map has been produced to help people explore North Holderness on two wheels.
• A64 dualling could be step closer - MP welcomes Highways England move THE DUALLING of a notorious congestion blackspot could be a step closer now fresh information has been revealed by transport authorities.

Wales Online

• 10 things that need to be done to improve rail services in WalesA committee of AMs has set out what it considers are the 10 priorities for better train services in Wales.
• Network Rail says it's set to shut a Cardiff bridge to both vehicles and pedestrians this summerSplott Road Bridge will be fully closed to vehicles for three weeks between August 13 and September 4

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Getting ready to make the most of high speed rail line A PLAN to make sure Leeds and its neighbours maximise the benefits of a new high speed rail line is to be drawn up by council leaders.

Bucks Free Press

• New 'jet patching' technique used to fill potholes fasterPotholes in Marlow roads are being filled using an innovative new “jet patching” technique – but residents are being urged not to park there while the work is carried out.
• Tube station to go step-free A major south Bucks station will get funding for step-free access, it has been announced this week.

Peterborough Telegraph

• East Coast rail operator in Peterborough makes a lossBosses of rail operator Virgin Trains East Coast have revealed the business is making a loss.

Reading Evening Post

• Ride through the giant car wash at Reading Buses open day Get off the bus at Great Knollys Street depot for Reading Buses’ annual open day

Other Regional Press

• UK rail passengers suffer 54 million hours in wasted time a yearNew research by rail union RMT has found that approximately fifty four million hours, the equivalent to 6154 years, of passengers time are wasted each year due to delays on the rail network caused by train operating company and infrastructure failures.
• 'ABSURD' - Bus company says Queen Street closure will mean 149,000 mile detours per year A SENIOR government minister could be forced to decide on the future of Queen Street after Oxford Bus Company gave a stinging response to 'absurd' pedestrianisation plans.
• VIDEOS - THE SECRET CYCLIST: What really happens on our streetsSHOCKING near-misses where 'impatient' car drivers cut up cyclists and put lives at risk on the streets of Oxford have been exposed in a series of secret videos given exclusively to the Oxford Mail.
• Mayor holds talks with Government minister over plan to buy back Teesside airport Ben Houchen met aviation minister Lord Callanan to discuss the future of the facility - and the proposal to renationalise it

Buying Business Travel

• Amadeus looks to grow GDS rail platformAmadeus’ plans to create a “GDS for rail” around the world are being slowed down by the need to complete commercial agreements with the rail industry.
• Airline passengers face ‘enhanced’ US security checksNew measures do not include an extension of the laptop ban
• Strike forces BA to ‘merge’ some Heathrow flightsTwo-week stoppage by cabin crew due to start over the weekend

Rail Technology Magazine

• Deals this week: Ukrainian Railways, VTG Rail, Bombardier Transportation Ukraine's public railway transport provider Ukrainian Railways has announced plans to raise UAH2bn ($76.5m) through an offering of corporate bonds.
• Aslef starts overtime ban as Southern launches 'resilient' interim timetableMembers of Aslef will begin their overtime ban on Southern services today, as its leadership stated that it reflected the “total loss of trust” between drivers and their employer. From today (Thursday 29 June) Southern drivers who are part of the union will stop working overtime...
• TfL reveals next Underground stations to be given step-free accessTfL has today announced the next six Underground stations that will be upgraded to provide step-free access for passengers in London. Amersham, Buckhurst Hill, Cockfosters, Mill Hill East, Osterley and South Woodford will all be upgraded to provide better accessibility as part of London mayor...
• Alstom opens UK's largest train modernisation facility in Widnes One of the largest centres for train modernisation to ever be built in the UK has today been unveiled by Alstom. Situated in Widnes in the north west of England, the facility was opened by Parliamentary under-secretary of state at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Lord...

Railway Gazette

• Alstom opens UK train refurbishment plantUK: What Alstom describes as ‘the largest and most sophisticated’ rolling stock refurbishment...
• Bombardier Transportation announces ‘reorientation’ of German plantsGERMANY: The outline of Bombardier Transportation’s planned ‘reorientation and safeguarding’ of its...

Aviation Industry

• Southwest Airlines trims Cuba services; sees no market pathSouthwest Airlines is ceasing operations to two Cuban cities that it launched just seven months, saying there is “not a clear path to sustainability” in the market. The decision comes after the US Trump administration earlier in June reinstated broad prohibitions on US citizens traveling to Cuba as tourists. read more
• US Senate FAA bill directs DOT to regulate airline feesThe US Senate’s version of FAA reauthorization, which easily cleared a key vote June 29, includes a provision enabling the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to determine which airline fees “are not reasonable.” read more

Green Miscellany

• Harvie hits out as Scot Gov assessment shows doubling of climate impact from Air Tax cutPatrick Harvie MSP, Finance spokesperson for the Scottish Greens, today (30 June) hit out at the Scottish Government after its transport officials quietly published a revised assessment showing a doubling of the climate change emissions from the SNP's plan to cut Air Departure Tax.

Other News Sources

• Committee sets out 10 priorities for “heroically ambitious” rail contractThere are ten priorities which should shape Wales’s new rail franchise according to a National Assembly for Wales Committee.
• Senior figures back £1bn rail campaignSenior figures in the rail industry have backed a campaign to secure £1bn in improvements across the Mersey Dee, Cheshire and North Wales.