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

Wednesday, 28 August 2019

BBC News

• HS2: Ministers and bosses knew railway was over budget years agoThe public were not given the full picture about the true cost of the high-speed railway, documents show.
• Ex-Google and Uber engineer charged with theftAnthony Levandowski is accused by the US Department of Justice of stealing car technology secrets.
• Oil giant BP to pull out of Alaska as sells business for $5bnThe energy giant agrees to sell its Alaskan business to private oil and gas operator Hilcorp.

The Guardian

• Former Google self-driving car engineer charged with theft of trade secretsAnthony Levandowski worked on autonomous vehicles at Google for nearly a decade before going to work for Uber
• Fresh £10m Brexit fund for English ports ‘tiny amount of money’British Ports Association says new grants won’t be significant for no-deal Brexit preparedness

The Herald

• ScotRail slated as passenger journeys fall by 1mPassengers made more than one million fewer journeys by ScotRail last year, figures reveal. Rocked by a historic cold spell and major engineering disruption, the train operator suffered its first setback after years of rapid expansion.

The Independent

• British Airways strike: regulator holds airline to account over failingsBA has been telling passengers 'it is likely that you will not be able to travel' on dates when pilots are walking out, even though alternative flights are available

The Telegraph

• BA told to explain its strike cancellation policy after passenger anger and confusion [subscription]British Airways has been ordered by the aviation industry regulator to explain why it appeared to be attempting to avoid paying compensation to passengers hit by next month’s pilot strike.

Times Online

• South Western rail strike to hit commuters and weekend travellers [subscription]Rail passengers are facing four days of disruption on one of the country’s busiest networks after union leaders vowed to press ahead with a strike over the closure of train doors.
• Fuel duty must rise if we are to cut carbon emissions [subscription]Britain has committed to a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. But speculation is growing that fuel duty could be cut in an emergency pre-election budget next month. At a time when “hottest year” records are now routinely broken, should the prime minister contemplate cutting fuel duty?

London Evening Standard

• South Western Railway strike: Staff set for four-day walkout this weekend over guard safety rolesSouth Western Railway staff are set for a four-day strike starting on Friday.
• BA strike September 2019: Airline brings in extra staff to deal with complaints amid pilot walkout chaosBritish Airways has brought in almost 100 extra staff members to deal with customer requests and complaints, as it braces for next month's pilot strikes.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Peter Rhodes on the HS2 sums, the grisly truth about graveyards and the public suffering of princesMATHS for beginners. Michel says Boris's divorce bill is £39 billion. Boris says it is only £9 billion. Both Michel and Boris have consulted their lawyers. Question: By the time the lawyers have finished, how many billions will be left?

Construction Enquirer

• Leeds looking for help on mass transit system plansWest Yorkshire Combined Authority is calling for ideas and experience from across the world to help develop a mass transit system for Leeds.

New Civil Engineer

• Bechtel steps aside for HS2 to sign Old Oak Common station contractBechtel has withdrawn its challenge to High Speed 2 Ltd’s (HS2 Ltd) application to lift the suspension of its Old Oak Common station contract, New Civil Engineer can reveal.
• Leeds puts out call for ideas for new mass transit systemWest Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA)has issued a global call for ideas to develop a new mass transit system for the Leeds City Region.
• Podcast | Crossrail 2 boss on making the project happenThe latest episode of The Engineers Collective podcast is out now. This month on The Engineers Collective, New Civil Engineer editor Mark Hansford and deputy editor Alexandra Wynne are joined by the managing director of Crossrail 2 Michèle Dix.
• HS2 could be forced to restart Old Oak Common procurementA source close to the government-ordered review told New Civil Engineer that if the High Speed 2 (HS2) line was to terminate at Old Oak Common instead of Euston, procurement of the West London station contract would have to be restarted to cover changes to the scope of work.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Rail Freight Group's Maggie Simpson on supply chain opportunities, Digital Railway, and HS2Rail freight is vital to Britain's economic success. Contributing £1.7bn to the economy, it is a vibrant, growing sector. As Director of the Rail Freight Group, Maggie Simpson, plays a key part in ensuring the voices of Rail Freight Group members are heard.

Aviation Industry

• French XL Airways in discussions with two buyersXL Airways is in talks with two potential buyers, the French airline has confirmed. read more

Other News Sources

• Norwich Airport lands multi-million pound investmentA new 54,000 sq ft hangar will be built at Norwich Airport to meet increased industry demand.
• Ministers knew HS2 was over budget three years ago, letter claimsMinisters knew HS2 was over-budget at least three years ago, it has been reported. The warning was given in May 2016, two months after legislation for the first stretch of the line was approved by MPs, according to the BBC.
• Engineering firm’s Derby site to be flattened to make way for redevelopmentThe home of a Derby engineering firm which is a key supplier to city train-maker Bombardier is set to be demolished. Morgan Industrial Properties has been given the green light by Derby City Council to pull down all the buildings at Garrandale, in Alfreton Road, with a view to redeveloping the 2.9-acre site.

EIN News Subscription

• Flight shame: can airlines ever reduce their emissions?When cyclist Anna Hughes stopped flying 10 years ago, it seemed like a radical fringe idea. But now the founder of Flight Free UK has convinced thousands of people to join her — and to avoid flying due to the climate impacts of air travel.
• EU agrees to drop restrictions on leasing of U.S. crewed planesWASHINGTON — European governments have agreed to scrap restrictions on foreign airlines leasing planes and crews from U.S. carriers under a deal reached with the European Union, Iceland and Norway, the United States said on Tuesday