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

Saturday, 22 July 2017

BBC News

• Severn tolls announcement a 'cynical attempt to stop bad news'Wales' economy secretary dismisses UK government's announcement of the scrapping of the Severn tolls as a bid to overshadow the cancellation of rail electrification to Swansea.
• Cardiff bus station plan faces funding 'challenges'Plans to build the new Cardiff bus interchange have
• Princess pushes buttons on helicopter tour in HamburgPrincess Charlotte and her family ended their visit to Germany with a visit to an Airbus factory.
• Holiday flight departs after 38-hour delayA flight from Aberdeen to Portugal has finally taken off after being delayed since early on Thursday morning.
• Machete-wielding man challenges car clampers in BelfastA man armed with a machete challenges two people as they attempt to clamp a car in north Belfast.
• Happy travellingThe government is consulting on a new strategy which puts the consumer
• Kenya's colourful bus journeysNairobi's matatu taxis are inspiring its public bus network to embrace bold artwork.
• Audi offers diesel emissions upgrade for 850,000 carsThe VW subsidiary offers a free upgrade which it says will counteract possible bans on diesel cars.

Financial Times

• Amateur drone pilots face flight safety test in UKRising number of near-misses with aircraft prompts proposal for tighter regulation
• Lyft to double staff numbers in drive to develop autonomous carUber rival aims to mix robot fleet with real drivers in new hybrid network

The Guardian

• Why I’ve never reported being sexually assaulted on public transport | Poppy NoorA sense of disbelief has always stopped me calling the police. And many friends have reacted in the same way. But new figures show things might be changing• Poppy Noor is a freelance writerThe first time I was sexually assaulted on public transport, I was 12 years old. Though at the time I wasn’t sure whether I had been. Like many young women, I’ve never felt too confident in calling out these events with certainty. Related: Why we need to break the silence around rape and violence against women | Waqar Azmi Continue reading...
• Cross-party group of MPs call on Gove to adopt clean air billSixty-five MPs have written to the environment secretary urging him to include the measures in his new strategy to tackle the air pollution crisisA cross party group of MPs is calling on Michael Gove to adopt a clean air bill in his new strategy to tackle the crisis of air pollution in the UK.Sixty five MPs have written to the environment secretary as he prepares to address the most pressing issue in his intray – a demand by judges for a new air quality strategy by 31 July to cut illegal levels of pollution from diesel vehicles. Continue reading...
• UK airspace faces busiest ever day as big summer getaway beginsAir traffic controllers say they are close to their limit as record 2.4 million UK holidaymakers head overseasUK air traffic controllers were expecting to handle more than 8,800 flights on Friday – the busiest day on record for UK airspace – while millions take to the roads as the summer school holidays begin for many pupils.A record 2.4 million UK holidaymakers will be heading overseas, according to the travel association Abta. Continue reading...
• Unaccompanied child taken off overbooked easyJet flight at GatwickAirline begins investigation after 15-year-old was removed from plane to Toulouse and left alone at departure gateEasyJet has opened an investigation after an unaccompanied child was removed from an overbooked flight from London Gatwick.The 15-year-old was taken from his seat on flight EZY8333 to Toulouse on Thursday morning, and left alone at the departure gate. Continue reading...
• Chris Grayling calls for end to first-class carriages on commuter trainsThe transport secretary, who travels to Westminster by rail, says he will make the change to put an end to overcrowding The days of commuters crammed cheek-by-jowl in overcrowded train carriages while first-class compartments remain half-empty could be coming to an end. Related: Rail firms to be judged by 'to the minute' train punctuality Continue reading...

The Herald

• Video: Air traffic controllers prepare for record number of flights in single dayThe UK’s leading air traffic control service has revealed it is preparing for the busiest day ever in the skies above the UK as it expects to handle a record-breaking 8,800 flights in and out of the country today.
• HMS Glasgow: a tradition as old as the British navy she will serveHer name is as old as the British navy itself. The next HMS Glasgow will be the ninth called after Britain’s greatest shipbuilding city. The first - like the latest, a frigate - was commissioned in to the Royal Navy of the fledgling and fragile British state in 1707.
• Thousands of jobs secured on Clyde as work starts on navy shipsTHOUSANDS of shipyard jobs on the Clyde have been secured for the next two decades as work got under way yesterday on a new generation of Royal Navy frigates.�
• Flight delayed for 38 hours finally leaves Aberdeen AirportA flight bound for Portugal has finally left a Scottish airport after a delay of more than 38 hours.

The Scotsman

• UK airports prepare for ‘busiest day in history’Air traffic controllers are dealing with the busiest day in UK aviation history.
• Swedish rail firm names new train ‘Trainy McTrainface’A rail firm in Sweden has delighted thousands after its decision to name a train ‘Trainy McTrainface’.

The Telegraph

• CCTV shows hit-and-run driver knocking down cyclist�
• Now Audi recalls thousands of its cars over harmful emission levels
• Unaccompanied child taken off EasyJet plane and left at gate after flight is overbooked
• Prince George follows in father's footsteps in helicopter pilot's seat as Princess Charlotte coaxed back into good spirits after tumble

Times Online

• Carlingford ferry chief fears Brexit could whip up a storm on the lough [Subscription]The head of the newest transport link between the Republic and Northern Ireland has urged a speedy resolution to the Brexit border question.
• Ryanair ready to cut flights from UK [Subscription]Ryanair will drop its flights between Britain and the EU if London and Brussels fail to agree on terms for post- Brexit air travel by September 2018, a senior executive said yesterday.
• Record number of flights prompts warnings over lack of UK airspace [Subscription]Britain had its busiest day in the skies yesterday as air traffic controllers warned that planes were running out of airspace.
• Severn crossing toll to be abolished next year [Subscription]Campaigners are celebrating the end of the “tax on Wales” after it was announced that the toll on the Severn crossing, paid by only by motorists entering Wales across the Bristol channel, will be scrapped next year.
• Airline laptop ban on flights from Middle East and north Africa to be scrapped within week [Subscription]A ban on the use of laptops on flights from the Middle East and north Africa will be scrapped as early as next week, to be replaced by tough security measures at the airport departure gate.
• Drone pilots must prove they know safety rules and register online [Subscription]Drone owners will be forced to sit safety tests after government research confirmed that an unmanned device could bring down a passenger jet.
• Undercover bike police seek out dangerous drivers [Subscription]Undercover police officers wearing plain clothes and video cameras have been sent out on bicycles to catch motorists who endanger cyclists by driving too close or cutting them up.

Mail Online

• Swedish train to be called Trainy McTrainface Swedish rail operator MTR Express accepted the will of the people after 49 per cent of those who replied to an online poll wanted to name their new rail service Trainy McTrainface.
• EasyJet kick 15-year-old boy off flight to Toulouse Schoolboy Casper Read, from Worthing, West Sussex, had just got on the easyJet plane at London Gatwick when he was told to leave after the flight to Toulouse was overbooked.
• Pilot jailed for trying to fly illegal migrants into UK In the first prosecution of its kind, David Green, 54, and Edward Buckley, 46, were accused of being members of ‘an extensive network of English people smugglers’.
• Great British summer getaway begins as 9m hit the roads The Great British summer getaway has started today with nine million Brits set to hit the roads - bringing 'chaos' to the country's motorways including the M25 around London and M5 near Bristol.
• Network Rail's �500,000-a-year boss claimed for 57p crisps Just days after the taxpayer-funded operator revealed the bumper pay package of chairman Sir Peter Hendy (pictured) it became embroiled in a fresh row over public sector greed.
• Jet2 airline charges you to bring on hand luggage Jet2 introduced a fee to ‘guarantee’ that cabin baggage does not go in the hold and prices start at £2.59 per person per bag each way, so a couple would add at least another £10 to their fare.

The Mirror

• Poignant Dunkirk survivors reunion with the little ships who crossed the Channel to save them Dunkirk veteran Ted Oates was one of the brave men to be rescued from the daring mission
• Trainy McTrainface will exist after rail operator agrees to go with results of public vote (unlike in UK...) Last year the Natural Environment Research Council in Britain overruled a poll to name a £200m polar research ship 'Boaty McBoatface' - despite it being the most popular choice with the public
• Brexit fallout hits families at the petrol pump as they now pay an extra �142.56 for fuel Figures from the AA reveal on average it costs £3 more to fill a hatchback than it did a year ago as millions pay for a plunging post Brexit pound

This is Money

• Airport snoops on the mobile phones of travellers London Southend Airport in Essex is using mobile phone technology to monitor where locals are flying as it embarks on an ambitious strategy to reach 2.5m customers by 2018.
• Nationwide travel insurance bans cyclists without helmets Nationwide has sparked a travel insurance row after changing its policy to mean that those riding bikes while on holiday will only be covered if they wear a helmet.

Birmingham Mail

• Astonishing footage shows motorbike zooming on pavement at high speed past bus shelter Police hunting for dangerous rider who showed total disregard for the safety of others
• Dangerous and 'inconsiderate' parking continues in Sparkhill, despite police action Wheelchair users and parents with prams forced to go into the road as a result of 'inconsiderate' drivers

Bolton News

• New pub car park could put a stop to traffic problems outside schoolA NEW pub car park could alleviate a school’s traffic problems.
• MAJOR TOWN CENTRE ROADWORKS: Find your way around when they start on MondayTHE final stage of a town centre roadworks scheme will be completed next week.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• New homes and railway station car park plans given green light PLANS for a housing development and car parking near Shipley Railway Station have been approved.
• Council buys car park in multi-million pound deal as plans for rail station revamp progress A MASTERPLAN to expand the Interchange rail and bus station has moved a step closer, with Bradford Council buying up a key site nearby.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Manchester Airport starts �1bn 'super-terminal' work today and this is what it will look likeThe airport - popular with North Wales passengers - is investing in the new facilities
• Colwyn Bay promenade road won't re-open for another three weeks as waterfront work continues The prom highway was originally due to open tomorrow but ground conditions have delayed road resurfacing work

London Evening Standard

• Cycle hire company oBike accused of 'littering' London's streets as bikes vandalisedA smart bike hire company has been accused of littering London's streets with abandoned cycles.
• London commuters call for total ban on food on the Tube, following plan in New York A proposed ban on smelly food on New York's subway has sparked calls among London's commuters for similar action on the Underground.
• Passengers left stranded at Gatwick Airport after parking company goes bustA police investigation has been launched after travellers who left their cars with a meet-and-greet parking firm at Gatwick Airport returned to find the company had gone bust.

Manchester Evening News

• Plans for Manchester-Leeds electrification are set to be downgraded Transport Secretary Chris Grayling appears to have confirmed that the scheme has been ‘modified’ - but he denied that the north was losing out to the south

Northern Echo

• Commuters treated to a dose of comedy with interactive installation on a County Durham train platformCOMMUTERS will have their routine trip brightened up thanks to a comical installation created by youngsters.
• Boss says airport is key to North-East economy post-Brexit AIRPORT bosses are calling on the Government to put the North-East at the heart of its new strategy for the skies to safeguard the region’s economy in a post-Brexit world.

Wales Online

• Seven cars in the same Pontypridd street were damaged in less than 24 hours Police are now appealing for information
• 7 other things that stopped at Cardiff and never reached Swansea before or since After the news rail electrification won't go beyond Cardiff, people in Swansea might be feeling a sense of deja vu
• Plans drawn up for Bristol underground train system which includes line to the airport Plans for the underground are part of a leaked £8.9billion transport report
• The plans for Cardiff's new bus station are in disarray The original plans for flats have been proved unviable and it means the scheme will go back to the drawing board
• Park-and-ride plans are left in 'limbo' after mainline rail electrification is ditched by UK Government Brackla in Bridgend has already been waiting 16 years for a station

East Anglian Daily Times

• Suspects escape after destroying train crossing barrier at Lakenheath during two county police chaseA high-speed car chase led police across two counties and smashed through rail crossing barriers at Lakenheath train station, Station Road, last night.

North Wales Live

• Liverpool bus cuts come in this weekend - but popular 101 could be saved Routes including the C4 and C5 set to be changed or cut
• Best times to travel to avoid traffic chaos as summer getaways beginGridlock predicted on the roads over the next few days - but you can avoid peak times

Other Regional Press

• New electric Mini 'will be built in Cowley.OXFORD’s Mini plant is the favoured location for building the new electric version of the car despite Britain leaving the EU, it has been claimed.
• LIVE: Secretary of state for Wales set to officially announce end of tolls on Severn Crossing Drivers will see an end to tolls on the Severn crossings in 2018, it has been announced. This morning, the secretary of State for Wales, Alun Cairns, is due to tell business representatives from the South West of England and South Wales that drivers will benefit from free crossings from next year. Follow our live blog for updates as they come.
• Car park scheme for new Oxford Station masterplan could 'devastate' residential streetsHOUSEHOLDERS are calling for changes to the latest masterplan for Oxford Railway Station – fearing they will 'devastate' their quiet residential streets.
• Bus companies vow to 'fight to the end' over Queen Street closureTHE city’s two main bus operators have vowed to fight to the end to overturn a ban on buses in Queen Street which they said will cause 'absolute chaos'.
• 'Uber for bikes' set for launch in Oxford A CHINESE firm dubbed 'Uber for bikes' could launch in Oxford to help tackle air pollution and get more people cycling.
• Train track electrification will go ahead in OxfordshireTHE electrification of the railway between Oxford and Didcot will go ahead as planned despite the project being scrapped across parts of the country.
• New electric Mini 'will be built in Cowley.OXFORD’s Mini plant is the favoured location for building the new electric version of the car despite Britain leaving the EU, it has been claimed.
• WATCH: Shocking child car seat 'flies off' in crash test simulationConsumer product tester 'Which?' has found the Recaro SmartClick to have a 'high risk' of injury in crash
• WATCH: Timelapse video shows part of �800m rail upgrade getting underwayA timelapse video shows a new footbridge - part of an �800m upgrade - being built�at a busy station.
• Here's how to drive in torrential rain (and yes, there's MORE wet weather forecast)Drivers are being urged to take care on the roads with more heavy rain forecast for today.
• 'You're well served by helicopters' - minister's response to concerns on coastguard aircraft coverageA GOVERNMENT minister has attempted to calm fears over the gap in coastguard helicopter coverage in Dorset following the loss of the Portland aircraft.
• The last bus... 'Appalling' cuts to transport service will leave communities isolated “APPALLING” cuts to Dorset’s bus services will go ahead.

C.N.N.

• JetBlue passenger gets an in-flight feet surpriseForget

Buying Business Travel

• US ends laptop ban on Middle East flightsDepartment of Homeland Security lifts ban on final airport
• Government opens consultation on future of aviationPublic asked for views as work begins on Manchester airport’s £1 billion “super terminal”

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government sets out vision for future of UK aviation (Image Source: Parliament UK) Shaping aviation to help boost economic growth, connectivity and skills will be at the centre of a new strategy to prepare the industry for the next three decades and beyond, the government has announced. The public are being asked to have their say on how this vital sector should respond to a range of technological, security, environmental and customer service challenges. It also looks at how the government can support future growth in an industry which directly supports 240,000 jobs and contributes at least £22 billion to the UK economy each year. Tran...

Rail Technology Magazine

• Was the HS2 route decision for Sheffield correct? This week has been a busy one for HS2. A number of important announcements were made by Chris Grayling, who will surely be glad to head off on holiday for some rest and relaxation as Parliament heads into its summer recess. Major details of £6.6bn worth of construction contracts were...

Aviation Industry

• AEF calls for halt to Heathrow expansion as Government launches call for evidence on aviation strategy​Embargoed until 00:01 on Friday 21 July 2017  Contact: Tim Johnson// tim@aef.org.uk// 07710 381742 Anticipating tomorrow’s launch of an 18-month process to develop an aviation strategy for the UK, beginning with a call for evidence, AEF[1] has responded with disbelief …
• Philippine Airlines takes first Bombardier Q400Philippine Airlines (PAL) has taken delivery of its first dual-class, 86-seat Bombardier Q400 in Toronto, Canada. read more

Other News Sources

• What is a 'dragon patcher'? It's a new weapon in the war against potholesThe machine, which uses flames to repair potholes in minutes, will become a familiar sight on roads
• Roadworks planned on A259 accident black spot JOURNEYS along the A259 on Brighton seafront could be delayed temporarily from next week as the council carries out essential roadworks.
• "Full and frank" exchange of views in latest rail talksA
• Victims of fake bus ticket fraud will ‘not be left stranded’A BUS company has promised customers who were given fake tickets will not be left stranded.
• More cycle lanes could be coming to the city CALLS have been made for more cycle lanes across the city.