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

Thursday, 13 June 2019

BBC News

• M6 Toll bosses announce price increaseThe cost of driving on the M6 Toll will increase by up to 50p per journey next month, its operator has announced.
• Cross-country rail services resume after disruptionPassengers had faced lengthy delays and cancellations due to damage and blocked lines.
• Technical issue forces Caledonian Sleeper passengers onto busesCaledonian Sleeper passengers are given bus tickets after the service was terminated mid-journey
• Ford recalls 1.2 million vehicles in US over suspension faultThe Explorer sport utility vehicle is being recalled over suspension issues which could affect steering.

ITV News

• Work to start on Jersey Airport's 'no traffic zone' in the autumnWork to build a new plaza area in front of the passenger terminal at Jersey Airport is due to start in the autumn.

The Guardian

• What will it take for the UK to reach net zero emissions?We will have to change almost everything, from our homes to our meals. The net zero carbon target will require sweeping changes to almost every aspect of British life, affecting our homes, food and the way we get around, as well as jobs and businesses across the board. Ministers hope there will be health benefits and improvements to the natural environment along the way, as well as helping to stave off the global climate emergency.
• Hi-tech solutions mean ‘leaves on the line’ may be a thing of the pastDepartment of Transport has spent £8m on 24 schemes to make rail network greener and more efficient. The expensive disruption that autumn “leaf fall” spells for Britain’s railways could be a thing of the past if government-funded trials prove an inventor’s theory: that adding more water will make the tracks less slippy.

The Independent

• Ford recalls more than 1.2m cars over fears of 'loss of steering control'The recall is expected to cost the company £142m

The Scotsman

• Uber to test drones to deliver McDonald's mealsUber is looking to the skies for the future of its food delivery service, carrying out a test using drones to speed up the delivery of McDonald's meals.
• David Spaven: Transport infrastructure investment must put carbon-reduction centre-stageThe recent news that the Welsh Government has decided not to build the controversial M4 ‘relief’ road near Newport should encourage Scottish Ministers to change direction on transport policy. The scrapping of the £2,000 million, 14-mile motorway plan – for cost and environmental reasons – has been hailed by Friends of the Earth Cymru as ‘great news for Wales and the planet’.
• Caledonian Sleeper trains cancelled tonight after fault halts serviceA Caledonian Sleeper service from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh was cancelled in the early hours of the morning as problems continued for the new trains.

The Telegraph

• Caledonian Sleeper passengers woken up and kicked off train at Stafford after latest blow to hit new serviceCaledonian Sleeper passengers were woken up and kicked off their train at Stafford in the latest blow to hit the new service.

Times Online

• Passengers on Caledonian Sleeper forced to take bus [Subscription]A Caledonian Sleeper service from London to Glasgow and Edinburgh was cancelled in the early hours of yesterday morning as problems continued for the new trains.
• Leaves on the line? AI signals end to commuters’ train pain [Subscription]It has been the bane of commuters’ lives for decades. Now experts are working on a high-tech solution to the most primitive problem affecting Britain’s railways: leaves on the line.
• Tourists cycling in streets are a danger, say residents [subscription]Tourists cycling through the historic streets of London should face tougher regulations because they are a serious risk to pedestrians, residents say.

City AM

• Getlink blames Brexit for slump in traffic numbersChannel Tunnel operator Getlink has blamed dwindling passenger traffic numbers on the political uncertainty caused by Brexit.

The Mirror

• Airport opens epic amusement park for families with mazes, bounce nets and a forestChangi Airport has finally opened its highly-anticipated Canopy Park to the public, and it's sure to make families want their flights to be delayed.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Esther McVey says the Conservatives must fix the North-South DivideON MONDAY newspapers throughout the North - including the T&A - called on politicians of all parties to come up with a new deal for our region. Here, Tory leadership contender Esther McVey lays out her blueprint for tackling the North-South Divide...

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Caernarfon airport boss wants to create 200 jobs in bid to buy up bust microlight companyBritish microlight manufacturer P&M Aviation, based in Wiltshire, went into administration last month

London Evening Standard

• 'Leaves on the line' rail delays could be a thing of the past if Hi-tech trials are a successCommuters facing delays sparked by leaves on the line could be a thing of the past if new modernising trials aimed at improving Britain’s railway infrastructure are a success.
• Butcher joined by Felicity Kendal and Jeremy Clarkson in revolt against £42m cycle lane plan in Notting HillA butcher is leading a celebrity-backed revolt against plans to build a £42 million cycle lane through one of London’s most affluent neighbourhoods.
• First glimpse inside Uber Air's futuristic flying taxis ahead of planned commercial launch in 2023Uber Air has unveiled its new flying taxis ahead of the planned commercial launch in 2023.
• Chunnel traffic tails off in May as Brexit doubts deal blow to importsTruck and tourist traffic through the Chunnel fell sharply last month in the latest sign political uncertainty is affecting economic activity.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Tory leadership candidate Andrea Leadsom plans electric buses to boost the NorthAndrea Leadsom is the latest Conservative leadership candidate to respond to the Power Up the North campaign

Yorkshire Post

• How no-deal Brexit and scrapping HS2 will Power Up The North under my Tory premiership – Esther McVeyCONSERVATIVES can never claim to be a One Nation party as long as the gulf between the North and the South and the inequalities it spawns remain unchecked.

Carlisle News & Star

• New fines to be introduced on Northern Rail linesPassengers of Northern's Cumbria coastal line will pay a stiff penalty for attempting to buy tickets on the train. The new penalty will be introduced on June 30. It will equate to double the price of the ticket of £20, whichever is the largest amount

Sunderland Echo

• £12.6million for Sunderland station redevelopment and more frequent Metro links set out in £377million transport wishlist for North EastTransport chiefs have included £12.6million towards the redevelopment of Sunderland Railway Station and improvements to the Metro system on their £377million wishlist for the North East.

Other Regional Press

• Government awards £9.5 million to HS2 hub station as plans drawn upThe Department for Transport funding will allow Network Rail to develop plans to support the proposed Crewe station revamp
• A SPECIAL train smashed the record for the quickest journey between Oxford and London Paddington today.

Rail Technology Magazine

• TransCityRail MidlandsThe Midlands is currently experiencing a 'rail revolution.' It is central to the £57bn HS2 Phase 1 & 2 projects, is home to over 300 rail supply companies, has world class rail test facilities, a number of station upgrades and freight investment. The

The Business Desk

• Airport sees increase in passenger numbersPassenger numbers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport rose by two per cent in May compared to last year. Just under 480,000 passengers passed through the airport – 10,000 more than in May 2018.

Aviation Industry

• British Airways pilots reject pay offer, consider strikeBritish Airways (BA) pilots are considering a strike action after voting to reject the latest pay package offered by the airline. read more
• Virgin Atlantic exec to lead Flybe relaunchVirgin Atlantic executive Mark Anderson will lead the overhaul of Flybe after being appointed CEO of Connect Airways, the consortium that took over the UK regional airline. read more
• American: Crew planning prompted MAX schedule extensionAmerican Airlines’ recent removal of the Boeing 737 MAX from its schedules until early September was made to ease the carrier’s pilot and cabin-crew bidding process, rather than because of signs of continued delay in getting the grounded fleet cleared to fly, CEO Doug Parker said. read more

Other News Sources

• World’s largest fleet of fuel-cell train orderFahma, a subsidiary of RMV (the Rhine/Main Regional Transport Association), has placed an order with the French manufacturer Alstom (www.alstom.com) for 27 Coradia iLint fuel-cell trains.
• New link road could be built on to ring road as part of station masterplanIt is said the aim of the road will improve the capacity of public transport in the city centre
• Green light for £22m student digs over Belfast railway tracksA £22 million apartment block for 253 students is to be built on land created over railway lines in Belfast
• Scotland – England trains cancelled after tree falls on wiresThe damaged wires, between Carlisle and Lockerbie, had led to the entire line being closed.
• Transport for London (TfL) has finally awarded a contract to replace the oldest of its DLR trains, although the contract had been due to be awarded last year.TfL first announced its intention to replace its older trains in May 2015 when it sought design ideas. The confirmation that they would go ahead with ordering new trains was made in March 2017, with the intention to award the contract by summer 2018, and delivery 3-years later, in summer 2021.
• Restoring Northumberland rail links on £377million transport wishlist for North EastA £377million wish list of ideas to spark a radical transformation of the North East’s transport network has been revealed. A restored rail service between Newcastle and Northumberland, station redevelopments, new cycling infrastructure are all part of an ambitious campaign to secure a massive pot of Government cash.