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

Wednesday, 16 October 2019

BBC News

• Luton airport expansion 'reckless and irresponsible'Plans to expand Luton Airport are "reckless and irresponsible" at a time when the UK should be reducing air travel, opponents have said.
• Rail fares: Why do prices vary around Wales?Have you ever wondered why some train tickets are more expensive than others?
• Harley-Davidson puts the brakes on electric bikeThe company halts production of the LiveWire after finding a glitch in its charging system.
• Manchester Airport passengers face 'longest security queues' in UKAverage security wait times at Manchester are double those at Gatwick and Heathrow, say Which?
• Car financing crackdown 'to save drivers £165m'The UK's financial regulator plans to ban the way some car dealers earn commission.
• HS2 must be built in full, say the CBI's regional headsThe call by regional heads of the CBI business lobby comes amid worries HS2 could be scaled back.

ITV News

• Wales' first ever climate change conference set to take place in CardiffWales' first ever conference on climate change is set to take place on Wednesday 16 at Cardiff City Hall.
• £25m road aims to boost access to Cardiff AirportA new route for a road linking parts of the Vale of Glamorgan has been officially opened. The £25m scheme for the A4226, known locally as Five Mile Lane, joins the busy A48 and north Barry. Planners hope it will also make access to Cardiff Airport easier.

Financial Times

• How Nottingham cut air pollution with a parking levyEast Midlands city has used funds to finance a £580m tram network and improve buses
• How Nottingham cut air pollution with a parking levyEast Midlands city has used funds to finance a £580m tram network and improve buses
• EU risks trade fight over carbon border tax planBrussels wants to help businesses compete while pursuing climate change targets
• United boosts profit outlook again amid robust travel demand
• Northern business leaders warn against HS2 rail cutsReport highlights huge economic boost as official review considers axing section to Leeds

The Guardian

• Bus food ban and the battle against obesity [Letters]Your correspondents (Letters, 11 October) complain that the recommendation by Sally Davies, the former chief medical officer, to ban eating on public transport is impracticable and patronising. This is not helped by your article’s focus on one minor but eye-catching recommendation in a detailed report from Davies (Ban eating on buses and trains, health chief urges, 10 October).
• UK plans to accelerate decarbonisation of transport sectorGovernment vows to unveil climate roadmap next year but critics demand action not more policies and plans
• Northern Powerhouse seeks more control of HS2 rail schemeBusiness and city leaders warn of economic damage of cancellation and call for 2012 Olympics-style authority. A review of HS2 by northern business and city leaders has called for control of construction of the high-speed railway to be devolved to the north and Midlands – and warned that its possible cancellation would leave no viable alternatives for transforming their economies.

Times Online

• Smart motorways a dumb idea, say fearful road users [subscription]The permanent removal of the hard shoulder on motorways should be scrapped in the face of escalating concerns from motorists, according to a report published today.

Reuters News

• Alitalia gets qualified thumbs up from Atlantia, state railwaysMILAN (Reuters) - Italian loss-making airline Alitalia said on Tuesday it won a commitment from toll-road operator Atlantia (ATL.MI) and state railways Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) to come to its rescue provided a number of conditions were met.

The Mirror

• One trillion pound jackpot for North if HS2 gets go-ahead, says reportThe Northern Powerhouse Partnership revealed the potential bonanza as a review of the rail scheme is underway

Sky News

• UK airport expansion plans make 2050 climate change target unlikelyLondon Heathrow, with its plan for a controversial third runway, is hoping to attract a further 50 million passengers on its own.
• CBI calls for no more 'dither or delay' on HS2 rail linkA scaled back version of HS2 will not deliver the connectivity across the country businesses are crying out for, says the CBI.

Birmingham Mail

• John Lewis stops selling drones in huge shake-up after airport chaosDrone sightings at Gatwick in December caused around 1,000 flights to be cancelled or diverted over 36 hours, affecting more than 140,000 passengers in the run-up to Christmas
• Desperate attempts launched to save HS2 amid government review as CBI demands it be built 'in full'The chairs of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) all signed up to a statement claiming a scaled-back version "will not deliver the improved connectivity across the country that businesses are crying out for"

Birmingham Post

• Liverpool transport chief 'confident' both Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 WILL come offFrank Rogers said PM Boris Johnson is a "strong supporter" of the schemes
• Business bodies tell government to deliver HS2 and unlock potential of the North and MidlandsIn two separate reports released today the Northern Powerhouse Partnership and the CBI have said failure to deliver HS2 will be damaging to the North and the rest of the UK

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Government urged to re-commit 'all the way' to HS2MPs have joined together to urge the Government to re-commit 'all the way' to HS2.

Bristol Live

• What is it like on the A4174 ring road three months after changes to the road layout were introduced?Here's what motorists and South Gloucestershire Council have to say about it
• Busy link between A38 and A370 to close for five daysThe scheme will need complete closures and night time closures for the work to be carried out

Edinburgh Evening News

• Edinburgh Council's transport director 'not particularly happy' with Lothian Buses' response to Royal Mile re-routingBUSES chiefs have been blasted by a top council director for not pulling their weight in attempting to ensure that Old Town residents are not isolated when the Royal Mile is closed to traffic.

London Evening Standard

• Boris Johnson urged to provide money to pay for £3bn Bakerloo line upgrade A Bakerloo line extension was today demanded by a cross-party group of politicians and business chiefs.

Manchester Evening News

• Just hand over OUR half of HS2 instead of cutting it, northern leaders tell 'irresponsible' governmentA scathing report has hit back at suggestions the Leeds leg of the line could be axed to cut costs
• Metrolink section named 'busiest' in the world - but crime and antisocial behaviour is on the riseThe total number of recorded anti-social behaviour and crime incidents rose by nearly a third in the last year, with most incidents occurring at night and during the school holidays

The York Press

• Bus service passengers told to 'use it or lose it'COUNCIL chiefs are urging residents to use their local bus service or face the prospect of losing it altogether - after falling passenger numbers left the long-term future of one section of its route in jeopardy.

Wales Online

• How Transport for Wales is doing one year on from taking over our rail serviceHave rail users benefited 12 months on? Our reporter Lydia Stephens documented her commute to work

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Last-ditch bid to save Leeds section of HS2 launched by North's political and business leadersSenior civic and business leaders in the North have launched an 11th-hour bid to persuade the Government to deliver HS2 in full amid rumours the Leeds leg of the high speed rail scheme is to be scrapped.

Bucks Free Press

• HS2 'will help tackle climate change’ claims spokesman in response to Great Missenden protests An HS2 spokesperson has released a statement to the Bucks Free Press, in response to the protests against the project currently taking place in Great Missenden.
• Protesters gather in Great Missenden to 'fight the destruction' of HS2's controversial road-widening project Protesters have gathered in Great Missenden today to “fight the destructionâ€� of a number of trees as part of HS2’s controversial road-widening project.

Plymouth Herald

• Plymouth Citybus becomes first UK bus company to install defibrillators on busesDefibrillators can raise survival rates from 6% to an amazing 74%

Other Regional Press

• Ryanair airport bus order contract lands 60 jobs for Northern Ireland firmSpecialist firm making "largest capacity" airport bus in the world
• New London to Shropshire trainA new direct train from London through Shrewsbury and onto Wrexham is to be introduced by the First Train Italia Franchise company.
• New train service for Malton and Norton delayedPlans for a half-hourly train service between Malton and York have been cancelled this year.
• Dundee MSP in talks with Network Rail to save ‘historic’ railway bridgeA city MSP is calling for a rethink on a plan to demolish a “historic” railway bridge at Dundee’s docks.
• 'Positive discussions' on improvements to Luton Train Station could see disabled accessSeniors officials from Govia Thameslink have engaged in "positive discussions" about improvements to Luton Train Station, with the prospect of full disabled access.
• Bus sailed past waiting group of 17 who had planned trip for two monthsMan baffled after First Bus fails to stop and company refuses to explain why
• TransPennine Express train boss gets 44 per cent wage hikeTransPennine Express chief Leo Goodwin's salary rose even though two thirds of his company's trains are late

Train Operators

• FREE AND FRIENDLY WI-FI WITH LNERLondon North Eastern Railway (LNER) onboard and station Wi-Fi has become Friendly Wi-Fi certified.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• UK to go further and faster to tackle climate changeThe government has set out how it will go further and faster to tackle climate change, in response to recommendations from the Committee on Climate Change (CCC). This comes four months after the UK became the first major economy to legislate for net zero emissions by 2050. The government’s official response to the CCC’s recommendation includes plans to strengthen governance to galvanise the whole of government to do more to tackle climate change and a bold and ambitious plan to accelerate the decarbonisation of transport. The response to the CCC sets out details of the wide-rangin...
• What happens to EU shipments if there is a Brexit agreement?There has been a great deal of publicity in recent days about how to prepare for a no-deal Brexit, but ParcelHero says the procedures for shipping items to the EU from November 1st onwards will be very different if a deal is agreed. ParcelHero’s Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks MILT, says: ‘The Government’s £100m advertising campaign has concentrated on what exporters, couriers and everyone wishing to send items to the EU must do in the event of a no-deal Brexit on October 31st. However, there are currently signs that the negotiations may actually be successful; i...
• Ministers highlight vital projects around the country as government drives infrastructure revolutionThe government has reaffirmed its pledge to drive forward an infrastructure revolution with major investment in transport and the roll out of super-fast broadband to rural areas as ministers showcase the benefits of investment already taking place across the country. A series of visits highlighted the crucial work being made to increase access to opportunities across the UK and improve journeys for commuters, help the UK’s ports prepare for Brexit and roll out full fibre broadband to every corner of the country. The Transport Secretary visited Portsmouth International Port to see the cru...

Christian Wolmar

• Rail 887: HS2 in dangerIt had to happen. The biggest infrastructure project the UK has ever seen was never going to be nodded through without a reappraisal given all the leaks about increased costs and the solid phalanx of opposition within the country’s (just) ruling party.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Railway workforce celebrated on #StationsDay today Today (Oct 15) is #StationDay in the UK, dedicated to celebrating British railways, its stations and the hard-working staff and volunteers who keep it running day after day. A £48bn investment was announced by Government back in 2017 to upgrade and modernise the rail networks and stations...
• Life-saving defibrillators to be put in trains and stations across the north of EnglandLife-saving defibrillators are to be installed at TransPennine Express (TPE) railway stations and in new trains across the north of England and Scotland. The defibrillators will be the first port of call for anyone who suffers a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Network Rail and Transport for...

Aviation Industry

• Rolls-Royce to use former Qantas 747-400 for flying testbed Rolls-Royce has selected a Boeing 747-400 formerly operated by Australian carrier Qantas Airways for conversion to a flying testbed as part of preparations for developing its UltraFan and other next-generation commercial and business jet engines. read more
• EasyJet urges MRO providers to adapt UK LCC easyJet is calling on maintenance providers to take a more proactive approach to technical disruptions, which can trigger huge passenger compensation bills, directly impacting airline financial results. read more
• Flybe to be renamed Virgin ConnectUK regional carrier Flybe will be rebranded as Virgin Connect, reflecting its new ownership. read more

Other News Sources

• Strong year for Newcastle International AirportNewcastle International Airport has reported increased revenue in a year when passenger numbers also rose.
• National Express Secures Another Bus Contract In Morocco(Alliance News) - National Express Group PLC on Wednesday said its Spanish and Moroccan division, ALSA, has secured a contract to operate buses in Morocco's largest city Casablanca.
• Queen's Speech: Govia's Great Northern and Thameslink routes could be set for reformThe government has put reforming the railways at the heart of its legislative agenda known as the Queen's Speech.
• BCC and Chambers write to PM on importance of delivering HS2We write to you today as the British Chambers of Commerce, and as local Chambers, to reiterate the importance of delivering all phases of HS2.
• TfL wants you to name London’s two new tube stationsSouth London does have its transport perks: the shiny, air-conditioned Overground; the DLR, aka London’s slowest rollercoaster – and yes, the London Trams down in Croydon. Actual tube lines, on the other hand, are a bit lacking. Of the city’s 270 tube stations, only about 10 percent are south of the river.
• Spalding Railway Station improvements after police called for the second time in four weeksImprovements will be made to Spalding Railway Station following police being called to the site for the second incident in four weeks.
• Scrapping HS2 would derail efforts to boost the NorthScrapping HS2 in the North will derail efforts to close the UK’s economic divide, an independent review by the Northern Powerhouse has concluded.