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

Thursday, 20 September 2018

BBC News

• Chris Grayling: Passengers were let down [Video]Transport secretary says he will work to make the system better to avoid a repeat of the timetabling problems that caused mass cancellations on the railways over the summer.
• Train services disrupted after derailment at InvernessA freight train was derailed on the Highland Main Line after striking fallen branches.
• West Midlands Police spots drivers using mobiles from busOfficers use a double-decker bus to find and report motorists using their phones at the wheel.
• Storm Ali: Hundreds queue at Glasgow Buchanan Street for buses to get homeHundreds of passengers were forced to queue - many for more than an hour - at Glasgow's Buchanan Street station for buses to Edinburgh following the cancellation of ScotRail trains due to Storm Ali.
• Rail: 'Lack of accountability' led to timetable chaosPoor accountability was to blame for severe rail disruption last May, a regulator has said.

ITV News

• Plans for massive expansion at Southampton AirportRadical plans to expand Southampton Airport have been announced. Passenger numbers would more than double with almost 20,000 extra flights a year. And the runway would be extended to cope with extra traffic.
• Rail review ordered after timetable chaos inquiry concludes ‘nobody took charge’A major review of Britain’s railways has been launched as an investigation into what caused the May timetable disruption found “nobody took charge”.

Department for Transport

• Government announces 'root and branch' review of railSweeping rail review will report next year.
• Innovative ideas to transform UK rail in line to bid for millions in government grantsFirst of a Kind competition is seeking ideas to decarbonise the railway and improve the passenger experience in rail stations.

Financial Times

• Former BA chief called in to lead review of railwaysMinisters seek to counter public resentment over state of the network

The Guardian

• Partygoers on flights warned 'excessive drinking' will lead to hefty finesAirline industry says revellers flying to end-of-season parties in the Med risk fines of £5,000 or being kicked off flights for antisocial behaviour
• New data reveals most dangerous London borough for pedestriansOnce the number of walking trips is taken into account, Barking and Dagenham is the borough where pedestrians are most in danger of death or injury
• EU must end new petrol and diesel car sales by 2030 to meet climate targets – reportAutomotive industry risks blowing its carbon budget within 10 years without drastic change, analysis shows
• 'No one took charge': rail industry and Whitehall rebuked for timetable chaosMistakes by Govia, Northern, Network Rail and DfT led to collapsed services and missed chances to avoid disruption

The Independent

• Rail: government brings in British Airways man to advise on better trainsKeith Williams, who was BA boss until 2016, is to lead what the government claims will be the most significant review of rail since privatisation
• MPs criticise Chris Grayling over rail plansThe transport secretary and his department have been criticised by the Transport Select Committee for their “apparent unwillingness” to engage on rail investment.

The Scotsman

• Storm Ali: the train lines that are still affectedRail, roads, flights and ferry services were all affected by Storm Ali on Wednesday which saw gusts of up to 100mph and trees blown down and buildings damaged by the force of the wind.

The Telegraph

• Timetabling chaos caused by lack of leadership, inquiry finds, as Chris Grayling promises rail 'revolution'ummer timetabling chaos was caused by a lack of leadership within the government and the railway industry, an official inquiry has found as Chris Grayling signalled a “revolution” is needed to make Britain’s trains fit for the 21st Century.

Times Online

• Stalling rail growth hits StagecoachStagecoach has suffered a slowdown in growth on its East Midlands Trains franchise and a drop in revenues from London buses.
• Ryanair’s flight extras boost income by £1.8bn [Subscription]Ryanair made almost £1.8 billion last year through the sale of add-ons such as reserved seats and checked-in bags amid rising government concerns over flight charges.
• Change of Platform [subscription]Chris Grayling’s rail review needs to make a convincing case for reform of the privatised network or it will be seen as playing for time
• Don’t bet on new inquiry bringing significant change [subscription]The inquiry is billed as the biggest since privatisation (Graeme Paton writes). It will report next year and reforms will be brought in in 2020. Its launch coincides with the findings of an interim review into the failure of timetables.
• Rail failings exposed by timetable chaos [subscription]Passengers stranded when ‘nobody took charge’

Mail Online

• Official report into timetable chaos that ruined train services expected to warn there is 'no leadership' in the rail industry and slam Transport Secretary Chris GraylingThe official report into the timetable chaos that cancelled thousands of trains is expected to warn there is 'no leadership' in the rail industry and lash Transport Secretary Chris Grayling, it emerged tonight.

Labour Party

• Transport Secretary Chris Grayling presided over timetabling fiasco – Rachael MaskellRachael Maskell, Labour’s Shadow Rail Minister, commenting on the Office of Rail and Road’s assessment of the introduction of the May 2018 rail timetable, said:

Sky News

• EU airports unable to cope with safety risks of 'no-deal' Brexit, leaked memo revealsSky News obtains a letter warning of "heightened safety risks" and building project costs passed on to passengers.
• Transport secretary says railways are 'no longer fit to meet today's challenges'A fresh review is announced as a report blames the government and rail companies for this summer's timetable chaos.

Bristol Live

• 'There is unrelenting vibration' - people kept awake all hours say railway works affecting healthAn east Bristol resident has bemoaned the noise and dirt caused by rail works in the area.

London Evening Standard

• Damning report reveals ‘no one took charge’ of rail timetable chaosA damning report on Britain’s railways published today has claimed that “nobody took charge” of the timetable chaos that began in May.
• Rail travel review: Damning report reveals 'no one took charge' for rail chaos A damning review of Britain's railways has been launched, revealing that

Manchester Evening News

• Trains from London Euston to Manchester delayed due to balloon caught in overhead wiresRail passengers travelling from London to Manchester face delays after a balloon got stuck in overhead wires.

Bucks Free Press

• New environmentally-friendly hybrid train to come into service next year - and could 'cut journey times and need for maintenanceThe first low emission hybrid-drive train is set to come into service on Chiltern Railways services next year in a bid to reduce pollution.
• 'Fewer delays' for commuters as major London Underground improvement project expands to AmershamA major London Underground improvement scheme is expanding to Amersham – with a new signal equipment room, up to 30-metres long, set to be built near the station.

East Anglian Daily Times

• New Anglia LEP boss outlines its key role in developing local industrial strategyLocal Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) and the support they provide for businesses will continue to be relevant in post-Brexit Britain, bosses at the East Anglian partnership have said.

Other Regional Press

• Southampton airport expansion get backing from business bossesHAMPSHIRE businesses are invited to help shape the future of “one of the region’s most important economic assets”.
• Portsmouth to London railway needs updating urgently – Rick JacksonI was very interested to hear the government is to carry out an independent review of the railways and the former deputy chairmen of John Lewis will be leading it.

Rail Advent

• Essex to be showcased by Essex Community Rail Group at Cambridge rail stationGreater Anglia has announced that the good things about Essex are set to be showcased to people in Cambridge tomorrow as the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership showcase to the public.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Network Rail extends two-year £200m British Steel contract Network Rail has announced a £200m two-year contract extension with British Steel.
• DfT launches second round of £3.5m rail innovations competitionInnovative ideas that transform experiences for rail passengers could receive a slice from a new £3.5m funding pot as part of a new government announcement made today.
• DfT refuses to revisit scrapped electrification: ‘We will remain agonistic on solutions’Lilian Greenwood, chair of the Transport Committee, has urged Chris Grayling to take her work seriously after receiving what she considered to be a thoroughly disappointing response from the government to an in-depth infrastructure investigation.

Railway Gazette

• Siemens offers one-price locomotiveINNOTRANS: The first Siemens Smartron electric locomotive is on show at InnoTrans 2018 in Berlin.

Aviation Industry

• Manchester Airport execs: Shanghai-Manchester market severely unserved Airports and airlines in Shanghai, China and Manchester, England are missing out on a 160,000-passenger market annually if the nonstop route between the two cities is not being used, UK-based Manchester Airport executives said at World Routes 2018. read more
• Ryanair to hold AGM amid labor union dissentionEuropean pilots are calling for management changes at Ryanair, ahead of its annual general meeting (AGM) on Sept. 20, the European Cockpit Association (ECA) said in a Sept. 19 statement. read more
• Airbus Mobile delivers first biofuel-powered A321 to JetBlue Airbus sent JetBlue Airways’ latest A321ceo off on its delivery flight Sept. 19 from Mobile, Alabama, with 15.5% renewable jet fuel onboard, continuing a trend the manufacturer started with its Toulouse delivery flights two years ago. read more

Other News Sources

• When should you forget the bus and just walk?It can often be tempting to jump on a bus for a short journey through the city, especially when it’s raining or you’re running behind schedule. Where there are dedicated bus lanes in place, it can feel as though you speed past gridlocked traffic. But as city authorities begin new initiatives to get people walking or cycling, that could all change – and so could you.
• Rival ambitions of Bournemouth and Southampton airportsBoth have ambitious plans to attract more passengers – but is there room for both Bournemouth and Southampton to thrive?
• Stobart reveals 37% passenger increase at London Southend AirportStobart revealed passenger numbers at London Southend Airport rose 37% in its pre-close trading statement.
• ‘There’s no space at Luton Airport Parkway car park!’ A frustrated commuter claims he is fed up with the lack of spaces at Luton Airport Parkway Station Car Park, blaming TUI employees.
• Griffiths appointed chief operating officer at Stansted AirportSteve Griffiths has been appointed chief operating officer of London Stansted Airport.
• TFL ‘WON’T EXPLORE’ FURTHER PLANS TO RE-OPEN CAMBERWELL RAIL STATIONCampaigners, councillors and MPs argue that the station is necessary for the two hospitals in the area
• ORR slams lack of leadership in rail industryThe Office of Rail and Road inquiry into the timetable chaos on Britain’s railways earlier this year will say, in a damning report to be published tomorrow, that there is no proper leadership in the rail industry.