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

Sunday, 04 February 2018

BBC News

• Assembly should decide on M4 relief road, says Adam PriceThere should be a vote in the assembly on the M4 relief road when the public inquiry ends, an AM says.
• Cardiff's Splott Bridge closed for rail upgrade workA Cardiff bridge will be shut for demolition, with some train services affected.
• Huge fire breaks out in west London car workshopTen fire engines and 72 firefighters are still tackling the blaze in West Drayton.
• Airlines probed over 'confusing' seating policyA review will examine whether passengers are deliberately split up so they pay to sit together.
• Carillion collapse: UK puts up £100m to back Carillion contractor loansThe British Business Bank will guarantee £100m lending to its contractors, the government says.
• 'Swan walk' near route of new A6 road at ToombridgeThe internationally protected wetland has been the subject of a high-profile court challenge.

Financial Times

• VW seeks US trial delay after ‘prejudicial’ TV showCarmaker claims linking of monkey experiment to Nazis renders fair hearing impossible

The Guardian

• Carillion: government to back loans to firm's struggling contractorsCompanies owed money by collapsed outsourcing giant will be able to apply for supportContractors hit by the collapse of Carillion will be able to apply for government-backed loans from high-street lenders as part of a £100m support package.The business secretary, Greg Clark, said the British Business Bank would support high street lenders to give loans to small and medium-sized businesses, and individuals owed money by the failed outsourcing giant. Continue reading...
• Russian warplane shot down in north-west SyriaRussia says pilot died after Su-25 jet brought down near rebel-held town of Saraqeb in Idlib provinceSyrian rebels have shot down a Russian warplane and killed its pilot in the north-west of the country during fierce fighting with the forces of President Bashar al-Assad and his foreign backers. Related: Syrian Kurds outraged over mutilation of female fighter Continue reading...

The Herald

• Glasgow council officials: Clyde Tunnel tolls would raise vital revenueGLASGOW City Council officials have suggested introducing tolls on the Clyde Tunnel as a way of raising revenue for the city.

The Scotsman

• ‘Pop up’ railway stations could test passenger demand, say Greens“Pop-up” rail stations should be built to test passenger demand at new stops, the Scottish Greens have urged.

The Telegraph

• Top Gear stars escape burning £50,000 sports car after it bursts into flames during filming
• Pilot killed as Russian jet shot down by Syrian rebels

Times Online

• Two cars a minute break speed limit outside West Mercia police chief Anthony Bangham’s HQ [Subscription]A top officer wants fines for going even slightly too fast. So what happened when we set up a radar trap on his doorstep?
• Glasgow tech start-up speeds up car leasing[Subscription]A Glasgow-based tech start-up will launch the UK’s first dedicated car leasing comparison website this week.
• State’s support for ferries questioned [Subscription]A plan to pump tens of millions of pounds of public money into one of Scotland’s busiest ferry routes has been questioned by a businessman who claims to run a “superior” service on the crossing — at no cost to the taxpayer.

Reuters News

• Britain to probe if airlines deliberately split passenger groupsLONDON (Reuters) - Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) said on Saturday it was beginning a review into airlines' seating policies, including whether some operators were deliberating splitting up groups of passengers travelling together.

Daily Record

• Drivers could appeal fines after sign for notorious bus lane money trap vandalised by football fans The warning sign at the bus gate at Nelson Mandela Place in Glasgow has been partially covered with football stickers for a fortnight.
• Taxi firm owned by controversial businessman paid almost £300,000 by council to transport vulnerable kids Penny Cars have 10 school contracts with North Lanarkshire Council, which are worth £279,398 over three years.

Mail Online

• Video of drone flying dangerously close to airplane Vegas A drone flew within feet of a plane landing at Las Vegas' McCarran International Airport and then the video it took was posted online.  
• Royal helicopter flights given to drone pilots in advance Detailed plans of Royal helicopter flights have been made public in advance for the first time, posing a massive security risk to the Queen and her family.
• Police chief wants drivers to film law breaking motorists Controversial police chief Anthony Bangham - who called for a crackdown on drivers who break the speed limit by 1mph - also wants motorists to spy on their fellow road-users with in-car video cameras.
• Russian fighter jet is 'shot down' in north-west Syria  The Sukhoi 25 is reported to have been shot down over the north-western province of Idlib on Saturday, with rebels taking its Russian pilot captive.Its not clear which faction is holding him.

The Mirror

• John Prescott: Let co-operatives run our services, not City shysters like Carillion and Capita Sunday columnist argues that with no private shareholders or directors, the benefits are passed on to the customers instead

This is Money

• RAY MASSEY: Honda gambles on a new diesel-powered civic Honda is boldly adding a diesel variant to the line-up of its British-built Civic. Is it mad? Bosses don't think so. Modern diesels that are cleaner, leaner and more fuel-efficient are still in demand.
• How to beat rip-off flight charges Airlines are busy persuading us to book our Easter holiday flights with them. But before doing so, it is vital to get on top of all the crafty ‘extras’ that can turn a bargain into an expensive trip.

Bolton News

• Northern Rail reveals first glimpse of new electric trains coming to Bolton THIS train is the first of a bigger, faster, and better fleet that will be arriving in Bolton.

East Anglian Daily Times

• A12, A120 and A14 among areas for Highways England roadworks this weekImprovement work on the A12 and A11 are among the roadworks set for the week ahead, according to Highways England.

Other Regional Press

• Bike racks will be installed at the Westgate...but much later than plannedWESTGATE developers will not be forced to provide bike parking spaces immediately – despite more than 2,000 people calling for Oxford City Council to take enforcement action.
• Options drawn up to beat High Street bus stop bottleneckTALKS have been taking place to beat a bottleneck for buses in Oxford High Street.
• Invicta locomotive engine returning to WhitstablePart of Kent's rail heritage is to return to the town where it first operated in 1830.
• 'Looks like a prison' - Reaction to new city centre car park Readers react after images revealed of planned new multi-storey car park
• Check before you travel this weekend, warns GWRPASSENGERS planning on travelling by train this weekend are being urged by rail operator Great Western Railway (GWR) to check before they travel as engineering work will continue in the local area.
• Bike racks will be installed at the Westgate...but much later than plannedWESTGATE developers will not be forced to provide bike parking spaces immediately – despite more than 2,000 people calling for Oxford City Council to take enforcement action.
• Options drawn up to beat High Street bus stop bottleneckTALKS have been taking place to beat a bottleneck for buses in Oxford High Street.
• PHOTOS: The changing face of travel in Hampshire THE way we travel has dramatically changed over the last two centuries with the rise of the railway, the automobile and our pursuit of flight.
• Bluestar to divert bus route during major city roadwork schemeA BUS company has announced plans to temporarily change one of its routes in the wake of a major city roadwork scheme.
• £10million road funding boost will unlock 6,000 home developmentTHE final piece of funding for a major road scheme will allow a 6,000-home development to go-ahead.

Other News Sources

• County's transport chief meets bus operators to discuss easing cuts pressureA HAMPSHIRE Councillor met with bus company directors to discuss how to ease the pressure of public sector cuts on services in the county.