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

Wednesday, 30 November 2016

BBC News

• £300m Cardiff rail upgrade to disrupt Christmas travelRail services will be disrupted across south Wales over Christmas due to
• Humza Yousaf: 'Commuters will benefit from rail improvement plan'The Scottish government publishes a rail improvement plan designed to encourage ScotRail Alliance to provide a better service.
• Call for improvement as ScotRail improvement plan publishedScotland's transport minister has called for "immediate improvement" in rail services as a major improvement plan for ScotRail was published.
• Richmond Park by-election: Airport and Brexit issuesSome of the candidates on why they are standing in the Richmond Park by-election.
• Virgin cancels East Coast Main Line services after derailmentRails services between Edinburgh and London Kings Cross face disruption due to a derailment at a depot in Edinburgh overnight.
• London Underground staff vote for industrial actionLondon Underground office staff vote for industrial action in row over ticket office closures.
• Boeing tax break ruled unlawful by WTOThe US is given 90 days to drop a special tax exemption for the giant aerospace company Boeing because it amounts to an unlawful subsidy.

The Guardian

• London Underground station staff vote to strike in row over safetyTSSA, which represents 540 station staff, says 67% of votes cast supported walkout after ticket office closures and job losses
• Two-wheel takeover: bikes outnumber cars for the first time in CopenhagenDenmark’s capital has reached a milestone in its journey to become a cycling city – there are now more bikes than cars on the streets. Can other cities follow?Bicycle sensors in Copenhagen clocked a new record this month: there are now more bikes than cars in the heart of the city. In the last year, 35,080 more bikes have joined the daily roll, bringing the total number to 265,700, compared with 252,600 cars. Copenhagen municipality has been carrying out manual traffic counts at a number of city centre locations since 1970, when there were 351,133 cars and 100,071 bikes. In 2009, the city inst...

The Herald

• New report suggests Brexit could mean extra �1,500 on new cars imported from EUUK motorists could be charged an extra �1,500 for new cars imported from the European Union after Brexit, according to a new report.
• ScotRail tensions spill into openTENSIONS within the unique alliance running Scotland’s railways spilled into the open yesterday, as one of the two partners publicly attacked the other at a conference.

Times Online

• All change! Rail bosses given list of improvements [Subscription]Scotland’s railway managers have been told to make almost 250 changes to the way they operate, from putting up more fencing to improving signalling, to make sure more trains run on time.

Mail Online

• London Heathrow arrivals furious over ‘absolute shambles’ at British border  Furious travellers complained of ‘monster’ queues at Heathrow immigration yesterday amid mounting fears of a shortage of border guards.

The Mirror

• Traffic congestion isn't just annoying - it costs business �767MILLION each year The shocking waste of time for drivers in traffic jams is highlighted in two separate reports

Birmingham Post

• JLR throws down the gauntlet to government Professor David Bailey examines the latest noises coming from Jaguar Land Rover about its plans to conquer the electric vehicle market

Bolton News

• REVEALED: Plans to create 2 major link roads for Bolton under �5 billion Government scheme TWO major new link roads costing up to �5 billion could be built to benefit Bolton motorists.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• STOP THE DANGER DRIVERS: MP to raise campaign in Parliament during call for tougher sentences ONE year on from its launch, the Telegraph & Argus Stop the Danger Drivers campaign is set to be raised in Parliament today.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Anglesey clampdown targets bus stop blocking driversBus passengers are having to be picked up and dropped off in the middle of the road due to cars and vans in the bus stop

Liverpool Echo

• Transport Secretary cites Widnes technology centre in Brexit debateChris Grayling highlights Alstom facility being built in Halebank

London Evening Standard

• Heathrow Airport in row over secret recording of Richmond voter quizHeathrow was embroiled in a by-election row today after quizzing Richmond Park residents on whether a legal challenge to a third runway at the airport was a “waste of time and money”.
• Heathrow Airport in row over secret recording of Richmond voter quizHeathrow was embroiled in a by-election row today after quizzing Richmond Park residents on whether a legal challenge to a third runway at the airport was a “waste of time and money”.
• Southern Rail strike to be even worse than feared thanks to driver overtime banHundreds of thousands of Southern Railway passengers face even worse disruption than forecast from next week because of a ban on train driver overtime, it was revealed today.
• More Tube staff set to walk-out in fresh strike, TSSA union announcesMore Tube staff are set to walk-out in a fresh strike, a union announced on Tuesday.
• Revealed: London has the WORST traffic of any city in EuropeLondon now has worse traffic congestion than anywhere else in Europe, a new study reveals today.
• Night-time cycling in London: Shoreditch in the saddleExplore the capital's lively East End by bike
• Swiss Cottage Tube station evacuated after fire alertSwiss Cottage Tube station was evacuated at the height of rush hour after a fire alert.

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport director calls for direct flight to Japan Stephen Turner asks business community to help build a case for new route

The York Press

• Nigel Adams takes Church Fenton HS2 complaints to Chris GraylingA NORTH Yorkshire MP has called for a meeting with the Transport Secretary over residents’ anger at the HS2 rail plans.
• Thieves steal batteries from 28 York & Harrogate buses THIEVES stole bus batteries worth thousands of pounds from a North Yorkshire firm.
• 8 bus firms hold talks with council over York's Park&Ride system YORK’S transport chiefs are trying again to get a company to take on the running of the city’s Park&Ride network.

Wales Online

• Plans revealed for huge new development and train station in Cardiff that could create 15,000 jobsThe project would see a new train station and nearly one million square feet of new office space
• Train services will be disrupted over the Christmas period as improvement works take placeNetwork Rail is undertaking ‘essential modernisation work’ in the South Wales area

Blackpool Gazette

• Bus firm fights licence axe bidA Blackpool bus firm is pressing ahead with plans to expand services despite being told its operating licence will be revoked.

Other Regional Press

• First offers cheaper bus tickets for morning travel across region as Christmas approachesA bus company is introducing discounted single tickets to concessionary bus pass holders in December.
• Bikes, dogs and even horses are welcome at Twin Lakes Cafe VeloCroston is a popular cycling spot, with its rural roads.
• When is a bus not a bus? When it's an old one from the pastDon't stick your hand out for this one because it won't stop

Buying Business Travel

• Liverpool John Lennon airport starts �4m refurb projectWork expected to finish in June next year
• Wizz Air introduces new fare categoryWizz Go includes large cabin bag, 23kg checked-in bag and seat selection

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government pledges �290 million boost for low emission vehiclesThousands of buses and taxis will be made greener and cleaner after the Transport Secretary confirmed a £290 million investment to support low emission vehicles today (29 November 2016). It reiterates the government’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions from transport and is a major step towards our aim for nearly all cars and vans to be zero emission by 2050. Improving air quality is a priority for this government and we are determined to cut emissions. We will invest £150 million in cleaner buses and taxis, which will include putting new, less polluting buses on the roa...

Global Rail News

• Alstom announces details of Belfort rescue dealAlstom and the French government have provided more information about a rescue package announced in October to protect the future of the manufacturer’s site in Belfort.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Former minister backs calls for Network Rail devolution in ScotlandAn independent Scottish think tank has called for a bold ‘strategy for the future’ to fix Scotland’s unsatisfactory railways in a new report, including by backing calls to devolve Network Rail in the country. The report, ‘Track to the Future’, written by Reform...
• Severe delays on Piccadilly Line as union urges total closure until fleet is fixedPassengers on the Piccadilly Line are suffering from severe delays as Transport for London (TfL) carries out urgent repairs on rolling stock – but RMT has called for the line to be closed altogether. TfL said it has to take the trains out of service because the wheels are locking on tracks...
• Weekend closures between Preston and Blackpool expected in January Passengers between Preston and Blackpool have been warned to expect service closures at weekends in the New Year as Network Rail carries out upgrade work. Trains between Preston and both Blackpool North and Blackpool South stations will be replaced by buses for 10 weekends from 21 January. The...
• Inspiring the next generation of engineersA new initiative has been launched by London Transport Museum (LTM) to help tackle the UK’s shortage in engineers by encouraging children as young as three to consider a career in the sector. The museum’s ‘Enjoyment to Employment’ programme offers children and teenagers...
• ScotRail publishes 249-point improvement planScottish transport minister Humza Yousaf has called for “immediate improvement” in Scotland’s rail services as ScotRail’s performance improvement plan was published in full. The Scottish government had come under pressure from opposition parties, including Scottish Labour...

Railway Gazette

• Alstom update on Belfort rescue packageFRANCE: Timescales for the government-backed rescue package for Alstom's Belfort plant which had...

Aviation Industry

• Finnair prepares for flight cancellations over pilot restrictionsFinnair is preparing for possible flight cancellations because of work restrictions set by the Finnish Pilots’ Association after a collective labor agreement expired Nov. 15. read more
• Russia’s passenger traffic up 4% in OctoberRussian airlines carried 7.7 million passengers in October, up 4% year-over-year (YOY), according to Russia’s Federal Air Transport Agency, Rosaviatsia. read more

Green Miscellany

• Cars are getting heavy in old ageIf you believe all that is said about driverless vehicle technology, cars as we know them are getting old. It might explain why they are piling on the pounds. The Fiat 500 was arguably the world’s first city car. In its earliest incarnation, the tiny vehicle weighed 500 kg and managed around 50 mpg. It’s 2016 descendent is considered no… The post Cars are getting heavy in old age appeared first on ETA.
• Diesel exhaust fumes give children asthmaIt’s become a tradition for drivers to complain about petrol prices, vehicle tax, insurance premiums and the other general expenses of running a car. However, new research that reveals diesel exhaust fumes give asthma to children is a stark reminder of who pays the highest cost of motoring. It has been known for some time that diesel exhaust fumes exacerbate… The post Diesel exhaust fumes give children asthma appeared first on ETA.
• Swap your water bottle for a bicycle thermos this winterWhen the weather feels this cold, why not swap your water bottle for a bicycle thermos? A mid-ride slug of coffee raises the spirits and does away with the risk of a water bottle freezing over. The Stanley�one-handed vacuum insulated mug is perfect as a bicycle thermos. One handed and fully leak-proof, you can drink your morning pick-me-up on the… The post Swap your water bottle for a bicycle thermos this winter appeared first on ETA.

Other News Sources

• GRADE A HERTS LETTING FOR ALSTOM TRANSPORTAlstom Transport has struck a deal to take more than 14,000 sq ft at a grade A office building in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.