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

Monday, 12 October 2015

BBC News

• Hastings HS1 rail extension 'would supercharge area'Extending the high-speed rail link to Sussex would "supercharge" the local economy, creating hundreds millions of pounds, according to a new report.
• Network Rail apology over Plumpton level crossing closureNetwork Rail has written to the residents of a village in East Sussex apologising for disruption caused by the closure of a level crossing.

Financial Times

• COMPANIESHeathrow latches on to 'northern powerhouse'Heathrow Airport is trying to piggy-back the government's rhetoric about a "powerhouse" in the north of England, as it posted record traffic figures for September.
• Gatwick piles pressure on Heathrow plansFightback continues in lead-up to government decision on where to build runway

The Guardian

• Shopping threatens to stifle our railway stations rebirthA host of British cities are enjoying multimillion-pound makeovers of their railway stations;it's a pity that retail opportunities seem so high on the agenda. Should you look up as your train approaches Liverpool Lime Street you will witness an astonishing man-made canyon, hewn out of red rock as if by giant hands, an industrial Petra. Arriving at Birmingham New Street was, until recently, a matter of creeping through a seemingly endless warren of dingy platforms and tunnels, which eventually, begrudgingly, released you onto the street. The two stations perform identical functions, but give ent...

The Herald

• Transport quango ordered to pay £100,000 damages after Sheriff rules it waged A TRANSPORT quango has been ordered to pay damages to a bus company after a ruling it behaved unreasonably in terminating a £200,000-a-year contract.

The Independent

• HS2 review delayed over fears team behind project might fail crucial testsExclusive: George Osborne believes the £42.6bn railway will provide huge benefits to the North and Midlands

The Telegraph

• Why a tipple on the train is a trend we are raising a glass toRail operators and supermarkets are reporting a surge in the amount of wine they sell on board and at station outlets, as stressed commuters take to rounding off their working week with a relaxing glass

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

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Big changes planned for Bradford's bus services MAJOR changes are planned to more than a dozen of the district's bus routes.
• 'Scores on the doors' system planned for Bradford cab firms CABBIES' groups have given a thumbs-up to the idea of an official ratings system for minicab safety.

Lincolnshire Echo

• Thank you Mr Beeching for Lincoln’s shocking rail service to London For regular travellers to London, the suggestion that the journey by rail would take 80 minutes or fewer is pure fantasy

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport boss leads customer service driveChief executive Andrew Cornish takes on 'front line' role to garner customer feedback

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• North East could get thousands more electric cars as NECA bids for share of £35mNorth East Combined Authority is among 12 organisations shortlisted for money from the Office for Low Emission Vehicles
• Newcastle Airport had 10 laser pen attacks in first quarter of 2015, new figures have shownThe Civil Aviation Authority says there were seven incidents in January, one in February and two in March.

Wales Online

• One-way system, 20mph zone and new cycle lanes proposed as part of possible reforms to Cardiff's transport networkThe possible initiatives could be introduced around the Cathedral Road area of Pontcanna as part of a bid to increase use of sustainable modes of transport

Yorkshire Post

• Network Rail picks Carillion for electrification projectsCarillion said it has won the Network Rail contract to work on the electrification of the north-west rail project.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Platform rebuild stops sinking feeling at Brampton’s rail stationImprovements work costing £350,000 has been carried out at village station on the East Sufolk line.

North Wales Live

• M56 slipway closure for Mersey Gateway work as project bosses confirm bridge scheme is on schedule The M56 eastbound exit slip road at junction 12 for Runcorn will be closed for up to five weeks
• Liverpool John Lennon Airport boss leads customer service drive Chief executive Andrew Cornish takes on 'front line' role to garner customer feedback

Plymouth Herald

• Campaign to reopen Plymouth airport attracts 'major financial backer' believed to have given £5m A FINANCIAL backer has come forward pledging their support to get the airport back open - with £5million rumoured to have been made available to campaigners.

Other Regional Press

• Have your say on ‘ugly’ rail gantries A DROP-IN meeting to discuss the electrification of the railway line in Goring has been announced.
• New plans for Stamford station canopy submittedNetwork Rail has unveiled a new proposal to replace the roof on platform one at Stamford railway station.
• Scenic Railway at Margate's Dreamland opens this weekIt's been a real rollercoaster ride... but Dreamland's star attraction, the Scenic Railway, will finally open on Thursday.
• Packed, squashed and no seats - and it's not going to get any better: Rail traveller's complaint about Huddersfield service brings admission from train operatorPacked in standard class, passengers struggled to get to the doors in order to get off before a tannoy announcement said there were seats in first class - if you wanted to pay an upgrade
• Plan to electrify rail line is back on trackElectrification of the railway line north of Bedford is back ON.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• National Express spreads its wings at GatwickNational Express is spreading its wings at Gatwick Airport with the launch of a new round-the-clock service providing a daily direct link between the airport and Kent.   The UK’s largest coach operator is launching a 24/7 straight-to-the-terminal service - the only means of travelling between Gatwick and Kent direct via public transport.    Starting in December, a dedicated National Express service will serve both terminals from locations throughout Kent eight times a day, with journey times taking as little as an hour. Tickets are bookable from today (Friday, October 9). ...

Other News Sources

• Carillion clinches £1.7bn dealCarillion has signed contracts, secured preferred bidder positions and been awarded frameworks, worth some £1.7bn, since 30 June 2015. Within this total are a number of major contract successes.
• Completed: £1m train contract win for Gateshead-based PetardsGateshead-based Petards, a developer of advanced security and surveillance systems, has been awarded a £1m plus contract to supply Bombardier Transportation with Petards’ eyeTrain systems.
• Crossrail’s Andrew Wolstenholme is talking over from Network Rail’s David Higgins as chair of the Construction Leadership Council.Andrew Wolstenholme, chief executive of Crossrail, will take over after the next quarterly meeting of the recently reconstituted council on 21st October.
• Could endless driving around for a parking space be a thing of the past? THE SCOURGE of circling Brighton and Hove in search of a prized car parking space might become a thing of the past with a trial of new technology.
• Sixth award for multi-million pound cycle lane improvements once branded a "death trap" A MULTI-MILLION pound cycle lane - which was branded a