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

Saturday, 21 July 2012

BBC News

• Londoners prepare for Olympics commuting revolution Keeping London moving was always going to be one of the biggest challenges of hosting the Olympic Games.
• London cycle route safety upgrade plan details unveiled Transport for London (TfL) has published a list of the top 100 junctions it has prioritised for cycling safety improvements.
• VIDEO: Alcohol ban on ScotRail trainsDrinking alcohol has been banned on Scottish trains every night between 21:00 and 10:00.
• Peugeot defends plan for job cutsThe head of PSA Peugeot Citroen warns that French government criticism of the carmaker's restructuring is creating a
• Green Port Hull factory boosted by Siemens turbine deal A new wind turbine factory for Hull is set to benefit from a major order secured by engineering firm Siemens.

Department for Transport

• Tackling road works disruption in Greater ManchesterUtility firms in Greater Manchester will have to cut the disruption caused by their road works after approval of the country's first joint permit scheme.
• £1M for Manchester Victoria access improvementRail Passengers using Manchester Victoria are to benefit from a new lift and other facilities that will help increase access to the station.

Financial Times

• IAG cancels bond backed by Heathrow slotsAirlines group cites lack of demand for withdrawing plans for the product, believed to be the first attempt by a European airline to use airport slots to raise funding

The Guardian

• At the Olympics, transport chiefs must trust the wisdom of crowds Crowd control is often driven by a fear of panic and selfish behaviour, but this view is out of date – communication is key
• International Airlines cancels proposed £250m British Airways bond issue after lack of demand Shares in International Airlines Group have lost nearly 2% after a bond issue for its British Airways subsidiary failed to take off.

The Herald

• Alcohol curfew on trains beginsSCOTRAIL passengers saw the introduction of the UK's first blanket ban on alcohol last night as police and rail staff stepped up their presence to enforce the 9pm curfew.

The Telegraph

• Councils make half a billion pounds profit from parkingCouncils made more than half a billion pounds profit from parking last year, despite warnings that they should not treat motorists as

Reuters News

• British Airways drops slot-backed bond issue IAG-owned British Airways has cancelled plans to issue its first secured bond backed by its valuable take-off and landing slots at London's Heathrow airport due to insufficient demand.

Edinburgh Evening News

• £500k wage bill as drivers paid to use tram test trackDRIVERS are being paid to steer the city’s trams round and round a test track to stop them breaking down, it has emerged.
• Extra staff at rail stations as late-night booze ban beginsEXTRA staff will be on duty at key railway stations tonight including Waverley and Haymarket as ScotRail brings in its ban on alcohol on late-night trains.

London Evening Standard

• Road signs ruled ˜confusing™ after costing motorists £5 million in finesThe floodgates have opened for drivers disputing fines over notorious road signs in north London branded œthe most confusing in Britain.�
• London™s road network faces shutdown as Olympic D-day arrivesRoad bridges over the Thames are likely to be shut as the Olympic torch relay brings much of central London to a standstill on opening ceremony day next Friday, transport chiefs warned today.
• Traffic wardens to be fitted with 'body cams' after rise in assaultsTraffic wardens London are to be fitted with body cameras to help catch violent or abusive motorists.

Manchester Evening News

• Sunny weekend ahead as thousands head to the Manchester airport for great summer holiday getawayAround 297,000 passengers are expected to fly out from Manchester over the weekend, as the weather looks to be taking a turn for the better. After a sodden June and a soaking July the weather over the weekend promises sunshine with little chance of rain.
• Pete Waterman calls for East Lancashire Railway to opened up to commuter trainsPop music impresario Pete Waterman hopped on board an East Lancashire Railway locomotive with transport minister Norman Baker “ and called for the line to be opened up to commuter trains.

Sheffield Star

• Bus company reprimandedSHEFFIELD bus operator Linburg Touring has been issued with a formal warning by the Traffic Commissioner after staff repeatedly worked longer than permitted hours.
• Campaigners win battle to save Sheffield busRESIDENTS are celebrating after transport chiefs confirmed a threatened Sheffield bus route will be saved.

Wales Online

• Congestion charge considered for motorists driving into CardiffMotorists from outside Cardiff could be charged for driving into the capital under radical proposals being considered by the city’s council.

Other Regional Press

• Hitachi will make Aycliffe an Important Focal PointThe proposed £77m investment by Hitachi Rail Europe in a new train assembly plant will revitalise Newton Aycliffe writes a special correspondent.
• “Railway bridge collapse” near Grantham EAST Midlands Trains is reporting “major emergency engineering work” at Allington after a “railway bridge collapse”.
• City gearing up for bicycle balletA new cycling craze is rolling into Preston as part of this year’s Guild celebrations.

Global Rail News

• Network Rail: Governments on course for £310m rebateAt the Network Rail annual general meeting, chief executive, David Higgins, predicted that by 2014 the UK and Scottish governments will have received a rebate of around £310m as a result of the company’s success at delivering substantial cost savings with high levels of safety and performance. David Higgins said: “We are acutely aware of [...]
• Embarrassment: East Midlands Trains drivers to strike during OlympicsASLEF™s Executive Committee has announced that approximately 450 ASLEF members employed by East Midland™s Trains will take strike action on the 6th, 7th and 8th August, right in the middle of the Olympic Games, as part of their on-going dispute with EMT over pensions contributions. Previous strike action planned to take place from June 23-25, [...]
• £1m for Manchester Victoria access improvementRail Passengers using Manchester Victoria are to benefit from a new lift and other facilities that will help increase access to the station as, Rail Minister Norman Baker has today announced. Under the Coalition Government™s Access for All scheme, £1 million will be used to provide a new lift to the footbridge, ensuring level access [...]
• £100m to ˜completely renew the railway™ around NottinghamThe railway infrastructure in Nottingham stands on the brink of big changes, from new and refurbished station buildings, to a complete redesign of the tracks and signals. Network Rail is embarking on a £100m plan to completely renew the railway around the city, with the relaying of six miles of track, and the installation of [...]
• The RSSB “ What do they do?In an occasional series, RailStaff looks at people and organisations within the rail industry. RSSB stands for the Rail Safety and Standards Board, but what does it do? Nigel Wordsworth met chief executive Len Porter and his deputy Anson Jack to find out. Strategic undertakings usually have an industry-wide system and process safety organisation. The [...]

Railnews

• Last orders called on ScotRail at night A complete ban on carrying alcohol on ScotRail trains after 21.00 has come into force, after a 'soft' trial period. The new clampdown will not affect the Caledonian Sleeper nor trains operated by Virgin and East Coast.

Other News Sources

• MP Jake Berry praises rail investment A MULTI million pound investment in the rail network in and around Manchester has been welcomed by Darwen and Rossendale MP Jake Berry.