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

Monday, 10 October 2016

BBC News

• Scottish government backs Heathrow expansionThe Scottish government has said it is backing the plan to add a third runway at London's Heathrow airport.
• Saying goodbye to the traditional railway signal boxesNick Higham visits one of the last remaining traditional signal boxes on Britain's railways.

The Guardian

• RMT calls for further talks to avert Southern rail strikeUnion leader Mick Cash says rail company owner GTR turned down offer of Acas meeting but ‘offer still stands’The union at the centre of the bitter Southern railway dispute has called for last-ditch talks to try to avert a three-day strike this week.Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union will take action from Tuesday in the long-running row over the role of conductors. Talks aimed at breaking the deadlock collapsed on Thursday, but the union has suggested making one more attempt to reach a deal, at the conciliation service Acas on Monday. Continue reading...

The Herald

• SNP sets sights on Scotland windfall on the back of airport expansion in the south-east England
• Hell on wheels: Life for commuters on Scotland's over-crowded trainsTHINGS don't look good for ScotRail. Latest figures show that trains on a third of routes are late more often than they are on time. Figures also show that at stations like Arbroath, Glasgow High Street and Ardrossan Harbour only 10% are running on time.
• Prestwick Airport costing taxpayer �750,000 a monthTHE airport that was bailed out with a �1 Scottish Government buyout is costing taxpayers �750,000 a month and is now over �21m in debt.

The Independent

• If Gatwick and Heathrow both build extra runways, it could mean the UK becomes future-proofedIt will upset many people living on flight paths, but for the rest of us, it would be a relief
• Gatwick says Heathrow will ‘likely fail’ to build new runway if Government gives go-aheadBosses at the West Sussex airport say they will push on with plans to build a new runway even if their bid loses out to rival

The Scotsman

• Thousands protest against poor Abellio ScotRail performanceNearly 14,000 people have called for ScotRail operator Abellio to have its contract terminated early if performance does not improve.

The Telegraph

• Travellers at risk of 'disgraceful' 'exchange rate profiteering' at airports
• Britain to strengthen post-Brexit border controls at Ireland's ports and airports

Times Online

• Thousands call for ScotRail operator to lose franchise [Subscription]Almost 14,000 people have signed a petition calling on the company operating ScotRail to be stripped of its contract unless train services improve.
• Johnson retreats in battle over Heathrow runway [Subscription]Boris Johnson, a strident critic of Heathrow expansion, has indicated that he will not resign if a third runway at the airport is approved.

City AM

• Heathrow vs. Gatwick expansion: Airports decision still stuck on the tarmacThe question of where to build a new runway in the south east is an issue that has been stuck in the hangar for years.

The Sun

• BOJO OK ON AIRPORT Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson rules out resigning if Heathrow third runway approvedAirport expansion opponent is set to stay even if Theresa May gives a green light to a third runway

Sky News

• Gatwick Airport to plan new runway even if Heathrow winsGatwick Airport will continue preparations to expand, even if Heathrow gets the go-ahead for a third runway, according to a spokesman.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• 'Packed like sardines' - protests as rail services in the north lose carriages to the south RAIL commuters in Bradford are suffering due to rolling stock being transferred to other train companies.

Liverpool Echo

• Wirral Line closure: Mayor tells commuters to "bear with" disruption for long-term gain Businesses urged to help keep region moving during masssive closure works
• Revealed: All you need to know about the Wirral line closures "High quality express buses" will take travellers from Birkenhead to the city centre while loop line shut

London Evening Standard

• New Art on the Underground short film reveals old Tube maps created by TfL retireeA new short film created by artist Zineb Sedira reveals old Tube maps created by a TfL retiree, as part of Art on the Underground.
• Southern Rail: RMT union attempts last-ditch talks to avert more strikesThe RMT union has called for last-ditch talks with Southern Railway to try to avert a three-day strike this week.
• West Ham: Station evacuated after two suspicious packages found on trainWest Ham station has been evacuated and placed on lockdown after two suspicious packages were discovered on a train to London.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Plans for new �8million bus station that could transform part of Durham City If approved, it will cost an estimated £8million and construction would start in the next two to three years

Sheffield Telegraph

• Hundreds march against revised HS2 plans for South YorkshireHundreds of people have marched against plans to run the HS2 line on a revised route through South Yorkshire.
• Barnsley bus service saved from axe by new transport operatorA bus service in Barnsley has been saved from cancellation after another operator agreed to take over the route commercially.

Reading Evening Post

• Reading cyclists do not feel safe, study finds University researchers found many older people are reluctant to hit the road because "cycling is regarded as dangerous"
• Rail companies to hold Reading meeting for passengers - but during work hours Staff at Network Rail and Great Western Railway will hold an event for passengers between 2pm and 4pm - when the vast majority of regular train users will be at work

Other Regional Press

• Spitting, singing and the other unknown Merseyrail byelawsThe rules are part of restrictions that apply to all Merseyrail services

Railway Gazette

• World rail freight news round-upThe Antwerpen port authority has invited proposals for new or improved intermodal rail connections...

Other News Sources

• Gatwick Airport second runway going ahead regardless of Heathrow outcomeGatwick Airport says that it will be going ahead with its second runway plan regardless of Heathrow Airport’s outcome. In other words, if the decision goes Heathrow’s way, Gatwick says it will build the second runway anyway.