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

Tuesday, 21 March 2017

BBC News

• Ardrossan Harbour 'should keep Arran ferry link'The mainland port for the Arran ferry should remain at Ardrossan in North Ayrshire, a report recommends.

The Guardian

• The government must give councils the power to pull local buses out of crisishe trouble with transport is that headlines tend to go to big infrastructure projects, while everyday local transport, which is what matters to most people on a daily basis, tends to slip under the radar or be treated as a purely local issue.
• Thousands join UK legal case against VW over emissions scandalMore than 35,000 motorists taking part in class action lawsuit seeking compensation for use of ‘defeat device’ on carsMore than 35,000 motorists have joined a class action lawsuit against VW in England and Wales over the emissions scandal.The size of the group is increasing at the rate of 500 drivers a day and lawyers are confident the legal action will eventually involve about 100,000 owners of VW, Audi, Skoda and Seat cars. Continue reading...
• Four select committees launch joint inquiry into UK air pollution crisisMPs say unprecedented investigation will study harm caused by toxic air and scrutinise government efforts to tackle it MPs from four influential committees are coming together to launch a joint inquiry into the scale and impact of the UK’s air pollution crisis.In an unusual development, the environmental audit committee, environment, food and rural affairs committee, health committee and transport committee will hold four sessions to consider mounting scientific evidence on the health and environmental effects of toxic air. Continue reading...
• Charge electric cars smartly to take pressure off national grid – ministerSSE trials ‘demand-side response’ where vehicles start charging a few hours after being plugged in, when demand is lowerElectric cars are putting increasing pressure on the UK’s power grids, making it vital they are recharged at the right time of day, a minister has said. John Hayes, transport minister, said it was important that such battery-powered cars were topped up in smart ways to avoid unduly stressing the energy system.

Birmingham Post

• New HS2 college appoints first principal Jackie Grubb takes the hot seat at new college in Birmingham which will educate the next generation of rail engineers

Daily Post (North Wales)

• EasyJet pilot reveals just how founded some of those flying fears really are With thousands of people from North Wales set to jet off on holiday in the coming months, airman Chris Foster debunks some of the most common myths about flying

London Evening Standard

• Motorists face year of disruption as work starts on Westminster Bridge cycle routesMotorists and bus passengers were today warned of almost a year of delays when work starts next week to create two segregated cycle lanes on Westminster Bridge.
• Three Overground stations to be run without staff in 'breach of passenger safety pledge'Rail bosses are considering operating three London Overground stations without staff in a breach of earlier pledges, it was claimed today.
• Electronic devices to be banned from US-bound flights over 'terror threat'Passengers flying to the US from around a dozen countries will be banned from carrying electronic devices due to a terror threat, authorities say.

Manchester Evening News

• Why your local train station could become a GP surgery, post office and gymTransport bosses are bidding to ‘take over’ Greater Manchester’s 97 rail stations - to give them back to the community.
• She's about to become Manchester's most powerful person - this is what she really thinks New council boss pledges boom will benefit all and sets her sights on tackling homelessness, transport and child protection

Bucks Free Press

• 'Dangerous' mini roundabout will finally be moved, councillors sayA “dangerous” mini roundabout on a busy road that residents campaigned to make safer will finally be repositioned in a bit to prevent accidents.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Read which areas of Bury St Edmunds will benefit from �2.8m transport improvements during 2017-2018Details of a multi-million-pound project to make travelling in Bury St Edmunds easier for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians have been announced today.

Get West London

• Heathrow third runway: New anti-expansion group claims residents are unaware their homes will be under the approach pathBrentford & Hounslow Stop Heathrow Expansion and local MP Ruth Cadbury urge people in Hounslow to attend public meeting TOMORROW

North Wales Live

• New train depot for Kirkdale- and builder pledges to use local workersDepot will look after new Merseyrail fleet that has sparked industrial dispute

Other Regional Press

• First glimpse of guided busway extension to Cambridge North stationThe extension of Cambridgeshire's guided busway is nearing completion as constructors work to connect it to the new Cambridge North railway station.
• Freight train derailment update: Services remain cancelled but cause wont be known for a 'few weeks' Distruptions are expected to continue today (March 21) after a freight train derailed late yesterday evening.
• Driverless car scientists warn PM: protect EU citizens rights or you will drive us abroad ROBOTICS scientists at Oxford university warned Theresa May that a hard Brexit threatens the UK’s poll position in the race to develop driverless cars.
• Free Wi-Fi rolled out to train routes across county Free Wi-Fi now available to all Chiltern Railways passengers
• Huge support for 20mph speed limit campaign A CAMPAIGN to reduce the speed limit on Oxford’s Botley Road to 20mph is receiving ‘overwhelming support’ from the community.
• �120m cycling vision unveiled to get county 'riding like the Dutch' A �120m vision to get Oxfordshire cycling like the Dutch has been unveiled in a bid to make the county one of the easiest places in the UK to get around by bike.

C.N.N.

• Electronics banned from cabins on some Middle Eastern and African flights to U.S.Airlines that fly from certain countries in the Middle East and Africa to the U.S. will be covered by new security procedures, a U.S. official said.

Buying Business Travel

• Italian air traffic strike disrupts flightsAlitalia cancels 40% of services
• UK rail industry promises 6,400 extra trains a week by 2021Rail unions reject figures as ‘PR spin’
• United Airlines launches ‘Jetstream’ corporate toolUnited Airlines has launched online portal – United Jetstream – for its corporate and agency customers

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• �23 million boost for hydrogen-powered vehicles and infrastructureA new £23 million fund to accelerate the take up of hydrogen vehicles and roll out more cutting-edge infrastructure has been announced by the government. Hydrogen fuel providers will be able to bid for funding in partnership with organisations that produce hydrogen vehicles to help build high-tech infrastructure, including fuel stations. The funding will boost the creation of hydrogen fuel infrastructure and uptake of hydrogen-powered vehicles. A competition will be launched this summer, and will invite proposals from public organisations, businesses and hydrogen operators. The governm...

Rail Technology Magazine

• Pioneering scheme equips Edinburgh Airport to sell London rail ticketsPassengers travelling from Edinburgh to London’s airports will for the first time be able to purchase their express rail tickets into the capital from ticket agents in Scotland. The idea has been brought in to encourage passengers to use the train travelling out of the airport, as research...
• Southern make RMT offer to end latest strike actionSouthern has offered to re-enter negotiations with the RMT to end the year-long dispute over driver-only-operated (DOO) trains on the condition that the union drop plans for further industrial action next month, it has been revealed. In a letter from Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR)...
• TfGM submits innovative plans to take control of 94 GM stations Plans to devolve powers for station ownership to Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) from Network Rail (NR) and train operators were today submitted to the DfT. The proposals submitted by TfGM, called ‘Case for Change’, will look to bring regional accountability to Manchester by...

The Business Desk

• New Smartcard for West Midlands rail usersThe West Midlands’ answer to London’s Oyster card has been extended to thousands of additional commuters.

Aviation Industry

• French joins UK investigation into alleged Airbus fraudFrench authorities have joined a UK investigation into alleged misuse of third-party agents and European export credit by Airbus. read more
• Alitalia CEO confirms 2,000 jobs to goAlitalia CEO Cramer Ball has confirmed that 2,000 jobs are to be cut, representing 51% of the airline’s office staff and 20% of nonflying operational roles, under a recently announced restructuring strategy. read more
• Airbus breaks ground on Indian training centerIndia’s civil aviation minister P. Ashok Gajapathi Raju broke ground for the Airbus India Training Center, accompanied by Airbus CEO Tom Enders, on March 17. read more
• Airline tweet prompts new US security rules speculationA statement posted on Royal Jordanian Airlines’ Twitter feed Monday prompted speculation that the US was about to issue a new set of security rules banning airlines flying between the US and certain Middle Eastern and African countries from allowing passengers to bring onboard electric devices, including computers, in their carry-on. read more

Other News Sources

• Rail 820: Franchising is the problem, not the solutionIn this post-truth age, there are not just the alternative facts put out by the White House. There are also the bits of conventional wisdom that are seen as so obvious and axiomatic that no one would wish to challenge them.