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

Monday, 30 July 2012

BBC News

• First phase of Derby railway station facelift completed The first part of a £2.2m project to modernise the entrance to Derby's railway station has been completed.
• Londonderry to Coleraine railway line is closed for nine months A section of the railway linking the two biggest cities in Northern Ireland - Belfast and Londonderry - has been closed for the next nine months.
• London 2012: Commuters urged to avoid London Bridge Commuters have been advised to avoid London Bridge station on Monday as thousands head to south-east London for an equestrian event.

Department for Transport

• New Great Western franchise to deliver new express trainsThe new 15 year Great Western franchise will see passengers benefit from new express trains, additional capacity and more.

The Guardian

• Brunel's Great Western railway given preservation head of steam English Heritage lists or upgrades status of dozens of bridges, tunnels and other structures along 'God's wonderful railway'
• Olympics 2012: transport chiefs urge Londoners to heed travel advice Locals told to expect congestion on public transport as commuters join Games fans, despite smooth running so far
• FirstGroup trumps Virgin as frontrunner for west coast rail franchiseBus, rail and coach group pushes incumbent Virgin Rail into second place with improved offer for 14-year contractFirstGroup has lodged the highest bid for the west coast rail franchise, making it the frontrunner to take over the prestigious London-to-Glasgow route.The bus, rail and coach group is believed to have pushed incumbent Virgin Rail into second place on price with an offer that is 15 to 20% higher than the nearest contender.FirstGroup and Virgin had been vying for the contract after the other two shortlisted bidders, Dutch-owned Abellio and a bid backed by SCNF, the French rail group,...
• India train fire kills dozens “ reportElectrical fault said to have caused blaze on rail service in the town of Nellore, south of HyderabadAt least 25 people have died in a fire that swept through a running train in southern India, according to an official.District collector B Sridha says the train stopped after fire in one coach was noticed by an official at a railway station on Monday.He said the fire was believed to have been caused by a short circuit in the coach. It had been extinguished and at least 22 injured people have been hospitalised.The fire was reported at Nellore, a town about 310 miles south of Hyderabad in Andhra ...

The Herald

• More passengers made to stand on peak-time trainsPASSENGERS are finding it increasingly hard to find a seat on peak-period trains as the number of ScotRail services without enough spaces has shot up by 50% in five years.

The Telegraph

• Olympics travel: commuters told to change route home An estimated 35,000 commuters will see their journey home disrupted tonight as the transport network juggles the needs of Olympic spectators and ordinary Londoners going to and from work.
• Britons to pay more than French to use mobile phone in Channel Tunnel The Channel Tunnel is being treated as French territory by telecoms firms leaving British mobile phone users facing roaming fees while those from France will be charged their domestic rate.

Mail Online

• End of the line: Spectacular photographs show abandoned railway stations left to crumble and decay Once bustling transport hubs sending countless commuters in all directions, scores of spectacular railway stations now stand empty, having been left to fall to pieces as train travel in America, and around the world, declined.
• At least you're guaranteed a seat! The giant tube carriage-shaped tent that will set you back £1,999Not only will its bold, eye-catching design stop all other campers in their tracks, the giant 2.5m x 15.5m, five-compartment tent can hold 72 people.

ATOC

• Olympic National Rail travel bulletin: Sunday 29 JulyThe railway has significantly increased capacity today to provide a special Olympic service,...

Derby Telegraph

• New taxi rank at Derby train station to be unveiled this weekendA new permanent taxi rank at Derby Station will open on Sunday. The new rank is at the front of the Hallmark Hotel and has been redesigned with level access for wheelchair users and to help those with luggage.

Other Regional Press

• Plans to give rail station a makeoverFrome Railway Station looks set to get a major makeover, if planners give the green light.
• Transport staff to join in action over cutbacks planTRANSPORT workers in Swansea will walk out next Friday in an ongoing dispute over Government cuts.
• Western Morning News commented Fight on to save South West rail services as Government confirms...The Government has confirmed one-third of direct train services between London and Cornwall are under threat as it finally...
• Deputy mayor under fire over rail-link callA conservative councillor has challenged the deputy mayor over why he took a last-minute decision to commit 4m of the councils money behind closed doors despite having five months to publicly scrutinise it.