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

Thursday, 14 June 2018

BBC News

• French MPs back Macron's controversial rail reformsFrance's National Assembly has overwhelmingly backed President Emmanuel Macron's controversial rail reforms.
• Rail timetable disruption inquiry launchedThe Office of Rail and Road will publish its report on the rail timetables saga by December.
• Jubilee Line workers strike called off in timetable rowJubilee Line staff were due to walk out in a row with London Underground about a new timetable.
• Gatwick invests over £1bn to expand North TerminalThe airport's North Terminal will be extended, as part of the five-year investment plans.
• Rising fuel prices spur inflation in MayPetrol and diesel prices rose at the fastest monthly rate since January 2011.

The Independent

• The government is about to cancel a billion-pound energy project in Wales – if this happened in London, there would be uproarDuring the 2017 general election campaign, the Tories promised us they would electrify the Trans-Pennine, Midland Mainline and Great Western routes – but they scrapped that just six weeks later.

Times Online

• Minister backtracks over ban on new petrol and diesel cars [Subscription]A proposed “ban” on new diesel and petrol cars has been criticised after the government admitted that certain types could still be sold beyond 2040.
• Road deaths in Scotland at lowest level on record [Subscription]The number of people killed on Scotland’s roads has fallen to a record low.
• Heathrow runway not yet cleared for take-off [Subscription]At last the government has made a clear decision about expanding Heathrow airport. The official announcement last week by the Department for Transport was bullish in the extreme.
• Southend prepares for take-off with Ryanair flight deal [Subscription]Ryanair is to open a new front in the battle for passengers by starting flights from Southend.

City AM

• Rolls-Royce confirms 4,600 job cuts in restructuring to save £400mRolls-Royce has announced a £500m restructuring that will see around 4,600 job cuts, which it said will deliver cost savings of around £400m per year by the end of 2020.

Bolton News

• Calls for Greater Manchester congestion zoneGREATER Manchester should consider introducing a congestion zone to reduce the “invisible killerâ€� of air pollution, according to a new report.

Manchester Evening News

• Prime Minister Theresa May fends off bid for more power over transport for northern leadersDuring Prime Minister’s questions, Withington MP Jeff Smith called for Transport for the North (TfN) to be given control to 'run the railways properly'

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Northern Rail vows to scrap pacer trains in the North East amid timetable chaosNewcastle City Council leader Nick Forbes called for better compensation packages for passengers affected by the disruption

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Passengers of the Caledonian Sleeper will be able to explore the wonders of the west coast as a direct bus connection is reintroduced.The complementary non-stop connection between Oban and the services nearest stop at Crianlarich is being reintroduced following a successful trial in the region last year.
• Caledonian Sleeper reintroduces Oban bus link after successful trialPassengers of the Caledonian Sleeper will be able to explore the wonders of the west coast as a direct bus connection is reintroduced.

Yorkshire Post

• Greater rail powers must be seized THE opportunity offered by the Prime Minister for this region to have greater control over its rail network is one that should be grabbed with both hands and acted on without delay.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Low-cost airline Ryanair launches 13 new European routes with $300m investment to create 750 jobs at London Southend AirportRyanair has announced it will open a new base at Southend Airport with three aircraft at an investment of $300million.

Other Regional Press

• Parliament’s ‘angriest’ MP tells rail boss Carne to decline CBEWelwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps says he has become known as the “angriest MP” when it comes to discussions about trains.
• http://www.braintreeandwithamtimes.co.uk/news/south_essex_news/16289963.pitsea-councillor-calls-for-resignation-of-c2c-boss-after-fenchurch-street-chaos/SCOTRAIL has been asked to consider compensating passengers hit by three weeks of disruption on a Glasgow line.
• Pitsea councillor Luke Mackenzie calls for resignation of c2c bossA councillor has called for the boss of c2c to resign after more nightmare delays for commuters.
• NICK HERBERT: Rail services situation is totally unacceptable This week the House of Commons has been voting on Brexit. I have voted to reject the Lord’s amendments to the Bill. My position remains that the referendum result must be respected.

New Civil Engineer

• Heathrow Southern Rail spends £1M despite uncertaintyHeathrow Southern Rail (HSR) has spent £1M on developing its rail route into Heathrow, but still has no timeframe from the government as to when the scheme might be taken forward.

Aviation Industry

• France moves forward in Paris airports privatization driveFrance’s economy ministry plans to present a draft law on June 18 that will pave the way for the state to reduce its stake in Paris airports operator Groupe ADP, part of a wider privatization drive that also includes lottery operator FDJ and energy company Engie. read more
• Ryanair to open London Southend baseIrish LCC Ryanair will base three aircraft at London Southend Airport, which is located 40 miles to the east of the city. read more
• Gatwick Airport invests further $1.48 billion on infrastructure growthLondon's Gatwick Airport will spend an additional £1.11 billion ($1.48 billion) on infrastructure to enable it to deal with a predicted 53 million passengers a year by 2023.
• EasyJet reiterates interest in London Heathrow AirportUK LCC easyJet has again voiced its support for London’s Heathrow Airport expansion, arguing that increased capacity could open the way for low-cost carriers to fly from the London hub. read more
• US air cargo pre-screening program now mandatoryThe US Air Cargo Advance Screening (ACAS) program became mandatory as scheduled June 12, requiring airlines flying to the US to provide advanced information of cargo shipments to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). read more

Other News Sources

• Disabled bus passengers see red over free bus plansFURIOUS disabled residents staged a protest outside the council offices this week amid plans to scrap 24/7 free bus travel.
• Instead of expanding Heathrow, the government should listen to Norman FosterIt was probably inevitable that Heathrow would get the government’s backing for expansion, even though prime minister David Cameron delayed it deliberately for political purposes, and then sacked his transport secretary, Justine Greening, for supporting government policy to oppose a third runway.