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

Sunday, 11 October 2015

BBC News

• Woman charged over train narrow escapeA woman is charged with drink-driving after a car crashed through a fence and down a railway embankment, narrowly avoiding being hit by a train.
• Roads reopen after pipe repairsRoads closed while engineers worked to repair a damaged gas pipe in Cwmbran, Torfaen reopen.
• Death crash driver 'may not have known'Police say a driver involved in a fatal collision in Edinburgh may not have realised they had struck someone.
• Mayoral candidates join Heathrow protestMayoral candidates from across the political spectrum unite at a central London protest in their condemnation of plans for a third runway.

The Guardian

• 'Poisoned' air killing residents near Heathrow, says John McDonnellShadow chancellor tells rally to oppose third runway at UK’s largest airport that aviation industry has ‘consistently lied to us’People are dying from air “poisonedâ€� by the aviation industry, which has “consistently liedâ€� about expanding Heathrow airport, the shadow chancellor has said.John McDonnell addressed hundreds of people gathered in London’s Parliament Square for a rally to oppose a third runway at the UK’s largest airport. Continue reading...
• Grilling of VW bosses over emissions scandal moves to the UKMPs on Commons transport committee to question company’s plans to repair 1.2m affected vehiclesPoor old Paul Willis. You probably don’t recognise his name, but he is about to become the face of the Volkswagen scandal in Britain. Willis, the managing director of VW UK, will appear in front of the Commons transport select committee on Monday to face questions about the rigging of diesel emissions tests.Judging by the reception that Michael Horn, the US boss of VW, received from Congress last week, Willis is in for a rough ride. More than twice as many cars are affected in the UK as the US, so pe...
• Met police urged to investigate garden bridge contractsCampaigners to issue formal complaint about Boris Johnson and his role in procurement processScotland Yard is to be asked to investigate misconduct allegations involving London mayor Boris Johnson and the Transport for London (TfL) procurement process behind the capital’s proposed garden bridge.Campaigners are to submit a formal complaint to the Metropolitan police over allegations of “malfeasance in public officeâ€� regarding the mayor and the decision to award designer Thomas Heatherwick and the engineering firm Arup lucrative contracts for work on the controversial bridge across the Thames. C...

The Herald

• John McDonnell: 'Poisoned' air killing residents near Heathrow People are dying from air
• Lighthouses mark maritime ambitionsChina has completed the construction of two lighthouses in the disputed South China Sea, the official Xinhua news agency reported, as tensions in the region mount over Beijing's maritime ambitions. A completion ceremony was held for the lighthouses on Cuateron Reef and Johnson South Reef in the Spratly islands. The United States and the Philippines have opposed the construction. China claims most of the energy-rich South China Sea, through which $5 trillion in ship-borne trade passes every year, and the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Taiwan and Brunei have overlapping claims. The issue is cen...
• Scrapping car parking charges saves staff and patients £25 millionScrapping car parking charges at most Scottish hospitals has saved staff and patients more than £25 million. Health Secretary Shona Robison said the savings had been made since parking fees were axed at all but three hospitals at the end of 2008.
• Pilot safety talks scheduledThe Pentagon has said it expected to hold new talks with Russia's military on pilot safety in Syria's war this weekend, as the former Cold War foes seek to avoid an accidental clash as they carry out rival bombing campaigns. Russia's entry into Syria's civil war last week has complicated America's more than year-old campaign of airstrikes against Daesh, leading to at least one US jet to course-correct to avoid an incident. The United States, which opposes Moscow's support for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has ruled out cooperation with Russia but has agreed to work on air safety procedures...

The Observer

• New Transport for London chief optimistic despite threat of cutsMike Brown hopes Osborne’s northern powerhouse – and the funding it will require – will not eave the capital out in the coldGwyn Topham
• The joy of the big railway station revampNew Street in Birmingham is the latest station to get a new look and smart retail spaces, but some say glitzy projects are not the best way to investGwyn Topham

The Telegraph

• Queen's airfield is not safe for planes, secret MoD files showRAF Northolt, London, which is used by the Queen is unsafe aviation report reveals

Daily Express

• Russian jet SHOT DOWN by Turkey after it flew into their airspace, according to reportsA RUSSIAN jet has been shot down by Turkish forces after it flew into the country's airspace, according to as yet unconfirmed reports circulating on social media.

Mail Online

• Shadow chancellor John McDonnell hits out at lying aviation officials over third runway Addressing hundreds of people gathered in London's Parliament Square, John McDonnell, 64, declared the aviation industry has 'consistently lied' about expanding the UK's largest airport.
• Network Rail high-speed link delayed for a year over animal colony Work, which was due to start this winter on three bridges in Royal Wootton Bassett in Wiltshire so Great Western Railway’s new fleet of electric trains could use the track, has been delayed for a year.

Birmingham Post

• VW loses legal battle over key security hackBirmingham computer scientist Flavio Garcia has won a two-year legal battle to finally publish research revealing a major security flaw that could leave scores of car models at risk of being stolen

Bolton News

• Car park could be turned into "urban village" of 136 apartments DEVELOPERS want to build an 'urban village' of more than 130 apartments near to Bolton Town Centre.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Trans-Pennine taxi tensions escalate as Lancastrians hit back at Bradford Council ROSSENDALE Council has hit back at its Bradford counterpart in the escalating row about taxi licences.

Derby Telegraph

• CarolineJones published Derby City Half Marathon: Which roads will be closed in Derby...DRIVERS are being warned to expect delays on Derby's roads today because of the Derby City Half Marathon. More than 800 runners will be on the start line at the University of Derby's Kedleston Road campus this morning at 9am, to take on the 13.1 mile route through the city centre. Many roads through Derby will be affected by the event during the morning and early afternoon and signs have been placed to give drivers notice in advance that the race is taking place. As a result, the...

Northern Echo

• Public asked for views on car use COUNCIL chiefs are looking at ways of encouraging more people to use public transport or walk.

Sheffield Star

• Meeting over bus cut fight as change date due this monthResidents in the Foxhill area of Sheffield are invited to a meeting over proposed bus cuts next week.
• Wheels in motion for city bikes schemeSheffield joined London and Paris this week with the launch of the city’s public bike share scheme.

Wales Online

• Could diesel vehicles really be banned in Wales following VW emissions scandal? Government document says areas will breach EU pollution limits for years if diesels are not kept out

Sleaford Standard

• CCTV for schools’ parking problemsA van fitted with CCTV is set to be deployed outside schools in Lincolnshire to tackle problem parking at pupil drop-off and pick-up times.

Other Regional Press

• Preston pub goes pay and display to drive away rogue parkersA busy suburban pub has turned its car park into a pay and display after problems with commuters leaving their vehicles all day.
• Traffic news: no new delays on the roads but expect the M5 to get busy later Driving conditions are good today with no rain expected.
• Crawley News published Air quality around Gatwick Airport has improved, report findsAIR quality around Gatwick Airport has improved further a new report has found.The annual nitrogen dioxide levels at the airport fell from 32 to 31 micrograms per cubic metre in 2014 - below the legal limit of 40.The same report also shows the airport is using less water, electricity and gas while there has been an increase in the number of passengers using public transport to get to and from the airport.The airport's electricity consumption fell by 2.2 per cent and the amount of gas consumed by...
• Leicester Mercury commented Speed humps to be installed on busy city roadControversial traffic calming measures will be installed in part of the city this month.The city council is set to install rubber speed cushions and a raised speed hump in Middleton Street, Leicester, which connects Aylestone and Braunstone.The road will also be made into a 20mph zone as part of a wider £82,000 scheme covering a number of residential streets to the west of Aylestone Road.The project has been postponed a number of times but work is due to take place during the...
• Leicester Mercury published Roadworks on major routes in Leicester from Monday, October 12Roadworks in Leicester this weekNew work starting week commencing Sunday 11 October:• Raw Dykes Road: Rugby World Cup match day. Road closed as required around match times on Sunday 11 October (kick-off at 12 noon). Also affects Almond Road.• Burgess Street: cleaning work. Road closed between Junior Street and Long Lane on Sunday (11 Oct) only. Access to John Lewis car park and resident access will be maintained. Diversions in place.• Melton Road: carriageway works. Off-peak...
• Major search for missing cruise ship passenger The man is believed to have gone overboard from Ventura in the early hours of this morning
• CitizenChip published 'Invisible pavement' in Gloucester's Southgate Street causing...It has caused several broken bones and led to more than a hundred people losing their balance, but people claim nothing is being done to deal with an "invisible" pavement in Southgate Street.The deceptively-dangerous kerb by Brunswick Baptist Church where there are several bus shelters has resulted in dozens of people stumbling each day and some suffer serious injuries.Samantha Cooke, owner of Cooke's Coffee and Curios opposite the danger zone, said she could not figure out why the...
• CitizenChip commented 'Tacky' adverts on Gloucester roundabouts are an eyesore and...Liberal Democrats are slamming the city council for "tacky" advertising signs on Gloucester's roundabouts.The party claims the signs for various firms are not worth the money it is bringing in and they have been installed "by stealth".It is estimated the signs all around the city will bring in about £10,000.Advertising boards have been erected on the three roundabouts along Estcourt Road. The Liberal Democrats are critical that planning approval for the signs was done...
• Fallen tree completely blocks the road in one of Hitchin’s poshest streets - but nobody is injuredA chainsaw crew had to move into action in one of Hitchin’s poshest streets on Saturday morning after a mature tree toppled without warning. completely blocking the road.

Aviation Industry

• Bombardier gains as United Airlines shows interest in CSeries, Embraer jetsFor UAL, reaching a deal would assure labor peace with an important labor union for new CEO Oscar Munoz and bring back some flying now done by regional partners with cramped, less-efficient 50-seat planes. For Bombardier or Embraer, a sale to UAL would be a victory as they try to place their biggest narrow-body models at the largest U.S. carriers.

Other News Sources

• The price of a third Heathrow runway will be catastrophic, says Tory London mayoral candidate Zac GoldsmithThe price of a third Heathrow runway will be catastrophic, says Tory London mayoral candidate Zac Goldsmith
• Plane drama after landing gear installed upside down PASSENGERS endured a four-hour mid-air scare after a plane part was installed upside down.