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

Thursday, 02 February 2017

BBC News

• Network Rail apology over Dyffryn Ardudwy station accessNetwork Rail has apologised for work at a Gwynedd railway station which made it difficult for the disabled and elderly to get to the platform.
• Feasibility study into Aberdeen mountain bike trail centreA feasibility study into the creation of a major mountain biking trail centre in Aberdeenshire has been launched.
• Bombardier calls for political resolutionThe manufacturing sector needs to see a swift political resolution at Stormont, says head of Bombardier in Northern Ireland.
• Southern rail commuters apply for judicial reviewBeleaguered Southern rail passengers seek answers from the government.
• Brexit and falling pound boost UK luxury car salesMany of the world's wealthy are taking advantage of the fall in the value of the pound since the Brexit vote by buying luxury cars in the UK.
• VW and Bosch propose deals to settle US diesel claimsGermany's Volkswagen and Bosch have offered more payouts to settle US diesel emissions claims.

Department for Transport

• Airport capacity and airspace policy Details of upcoming consultations on airport capacity and airspace policy, and plans for a new UK aviation strategy.
• Work to improve disabled access to toilets on trains and at stations is underwayIndustry has committed to improve accessibility for disabled passengers after talks with the Rail Minister.
• Existing booster seats and cushions are not affected by new rules coming into force by March 2017.By 1 March 2017 new rules are being introduced across Europe that will change how backless booster seats (booster cushions) are made.

The Guardian

• Southern commuters launch legal claim to force government's handApplication for judicial review of Department for Transport’s handling of crisis-hit rail network filed by lawyersSouthern rail commuters have launched a legal claim in an attempt to force the government to take action over the failing train service.An application for a judicial review of the Department for Transport’s handling of the crisis was filed on Wednesday by lawyers for the Association of British Commuters. Continue reading...
• Heathrow third runway plans published for public consultationTransport secretary Chris Grayling says plans send a signal that Britain will be open for business after BrexitPlans for the third runway at Heathrow are to be published on Thursday as the government begins a four-month public consultation on its decision to expand Britain’s biggest airport.The transport secretary, Chris Grayling, is expected to herald the launch as a sign that Britain will be open for business after Brexit and that the government is delivering the major infrastructure the nation will need.

The Herald

• Airport boss questions claim rail services will be hit by air passenger duty taxClaims that around a third of Edinburgh to London rail journeys could be lost to air travel if air passenger duty (APD) is abolished are not plausible, the chief executive of Scotland's busiest airport has told MSPs.
• Heathrow expansion heralds increased flights to ScotlandA BIG increase in flights to and from Scotland, including a new link to Prestwick are to be unveiled as plans for a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport are revealed.

The Scotsman

• Transport Minister Humza Yousaf dismisses "crass" claims over why head of ScotRail quitTRANSPORT Minister Humza Yousaf has dismissed "crass" claims the outgoing head of ScotRail quit due to a fall-out with the Scottish Government over free fares.

The Telegraph

• VW emissions scandal: Owners could be compensated 100pc of the cost of newer cars�

Mail Online

• Heathrow's third runway is vital to UK, says Grayling Chris Grayling will today herald the biggest shake up in airspace in generations, describing it as a ‘major step forward’ in preparing Britain for leaving the EU.

The Mirror

• Deadline for campaigners against third Heathrow runway has been revealed Objectors will have until May 25 to raise concerns after today sees the publication of the plans to expand the airport

This is Money

• Last ever Rolls-Royce Phantom VII to be made The final Phantom is an extended wheelbase car with a nautical theme created for a 'renowned contemporary Rolls-Royce collector'. Send-offs don't get much more flamboyant than this.
• Budget airline price war threatens to hit Wizz Air The low-cost airline, which competes with the likes of Ryanair and EasyJet, warned that cheap flights and severe weather would hit earnings hard.

Sky News

• Heathrow given list of rules for third runway approvalThe Government is set to publish its expectations for the airport once it undergoes expansion, including limits on night flights.

Birmingham Post

• Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says Moseley Rail Station could re-open Funding could be found to re-open historic Birmingham rail line, says Government Minister in charge

Liverpool Echo

• Transport chiefs told to remove Mersey Tunnel tolls as they "divide families" ahead of key meetingsThe call comes ahead of two crunch meetings this week

London Evening Standard

• Sadiq Khan accused of 'giving in to unions' as Tube strike loomsSadiq Khan was accused of "giving in" to the unions today by dramatically scaling back plans to reduce the number of Tube station staff.
• Rail firms ordered to improve disabled toilet access Rail firms have been ordered to improve access to disabled toilets after Paralympian Anne Wafula Strike was forced to wet herself.
• Commuters raise �26,000 to launch legal review into 'breakdown' of Southern Rail servicesCampaigners are set to take steps to launch legal proceedings against the government's "failure" to deal with on-going issues over Southern Rail.

Manchester Evening News

• Transport bosses say better connectivity could lead to 60 million more passengers The region has demonstrated its potential to be a performer on the world stage says new report

Morning Star

• Commuters stand up to "unlawful and arrogant' Grayling

The York Press

• Train fares are to be overhauled - and York passengers will help trial the new system AN OVERHAUL of Britain's rail fares is to be trialled on routes including the East Coast mainline from York to London to make it easier for passengers to buy the cheapest tickets.

Wales Online

• A driver stopped a train in its tracks to avoid a potential crash in CardiffThe 'serious signalling irregularity' caused a day of rail chaos in south east Wales on December 29

Yorkshire Post

• North economy ‘needs better air links’ MAKING IT EASIER for passengers to reach Manchester Airport should be at the heart of plans to improve the North’s global connections, according to a new report.
• From the wrong type of snow to slippery rain - some of the train delay excusesAs commuters are left stuck on a train after the driver set off without the conductor, Chris Bond looks at some of the strange reasons given for rail delays over the years.

Bucks Free Press

• New relief road and cycle route on cards for south Bucks village A new relief road and cycle route could be on the cards for Iver following a discussion by a new strategy group early this month.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Trial digital signalling on our railways, Colchester MP Will Quince tells Prime MinisterThe main line from Norwich and Ipswich to London represents the most “compelling” case for digital signalling, Colchester’s MP has told Theresa May.

Other Regional Press

• New ‘green route’ would keep services on the M4 THE details of an alternative M4 relief road scheme which would keep Magor Services on the main motorway have been revealed.
• 'Make lorry drivers use commercial sat-navs to stop roads chaos' COUNCILS are calling for all lorry drivers to have to use commercial satnavs, with vehicles causing
• “Catch me if you can”: Fare dodger goaded South West Trains for a year on Twitter A FARE dodger who goaded a rail company with taunts of

Buying Business Travel

• Major overhaul of rail ticket pricing system plannedRail Delivery Group to trial scheme to simplify fares
• Easyjet reports record growth on Scotland routesMore than 2 million travelled for business in 2016
• US travel ban spreading ‘fear and uncertainty’ across industryACTE study surveys buyers on impact of Trump’s executive order
• British Airways to operate all flights during strike actionAirline to merge a small number of short-haul flights from Heathrow

Rail Magazine

• First view of livery for West Midlands franchiseWest Midlands Rail has launched the livery for the West Midlands franchise that begins in October.
• Vivarail reveals hybrid trainVivarail has confirmed to RAIL that battery-powered and hybrid diesel versions of the D-Train have both entered advanced stages of development.
• DfT sets out to improve facilities for disabled passengersImproving access for disabled passengers at stations and on trains is under way following meetings with senior rail industry representatives.

Railnews

• Ticket-splitting comes in from the cold A series of reforms affecting fares for longer-distance rail travel has revealed an official alternative to the long-established practice of 'ticket-splitting' for the first time. The Rail Delivery Group has described the changes as 'radical'. They will only apply between London and Sheffield or Scotland at first, although passengers will still be free to arrange their own ticket-split on any route. The plans have had a mixed reaction. The Labour Party welcomed them, but said the changes announced so far were just 'tinkering around the edges'.

Aviation Industry

• Sweden’s BRA operates first ATR biofuel flightSwedish regional carrier BRA has operated a flight from Stockholm Bromma Airport to Umeå in northern Sweden with an ATR-72-600 using a fuel blend comprised 45% of used cooking oil. read more
• Bombardier, CityJet finalize agreement for up to 10 CRJ900sBombardier and Irish regional CityJet finalized a conditional purchase agreement for six CRJ900s plus four options, which was previously announced Jan. 24. read more
• IATA: Air cargo traffic up 3.8% in 2016 after 2H reboundGlobal air freight traffic increased an overall 3.8% in 2016, rebounding in the second half and nearly doubling the industry’s average growth rate of 2% over the last five years, according to IATA’s latest Air Freight Market Analysis. read more

Other News Sources

• Southern Rail: Commuter group applies for judicial review of government's handling of franchise The Association of British Commuters has raised £26,000 to pursue legal action over the Department for Transport's 'ongoing failure' to hold Southern's owners to account