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

Thursday, 12 January 2017

BBC News

• Stonehenge tunnel plans finalised by governmentLong-awaited plans for a road tunnel past Stonehenge have been finalised by the government.
• VW pleads guilty to emissions cheatingThe German carmaker will pay $4.3bn in fines after admitting three criminal charges in the US.

Department for Transport

• Next step in major investment for south-west as A303 Stonehenge plans publishedPlans for tunnel under Stonehenge, part of roads package to cut congestion in the south-west.

Financial Times

• VW cannot speed up the half-life of its scandalBP’s shaming teaches some tough lessons to the German carmaker, writes Andrew Hill

The Guardian

• Chris Grayling gives go-ahead to road tunnel under StonehengeTransport secretary takes ‘big decision’ to transform A303 in move experts say could irreparably damage world heritage siteA tunnel is to be built under Stonehenge under plans announced by ministers, in a move that will reignite the controversy over improving major roads around the ancient site.Chris Grayling said he was taking a “big decision” to transform the A303, one of the main arteries to the south-west and a notorious bottleneck for lorries and holidaymakers, as part of a £2bn investment. Continue reading...

The Herald

• Volkswagen to pay �3.5 billion fine after admitting charges in emissions scandalCar giant Volkswagen has pleaded guilty to three criminal charges in the US in connection with the emissions scandal and will pay a 4.3 billion US dollar (�3.5 billion) penalty.

The Telegraph

• 'Clarkson parking' trend fuelled by fat cars and fat drivers, AA boss says

Daily Record

• Forth Road Bridge fully reopens ahead of schedule after lorry crash Transport Minister Humza Yousaf praised the repair team for their efforts in getting traffic moving across the bridge after the lorry overturned in high winds.

Mail Online

• Controversial tunnel under Stonehenge gets the go-ahead after ministers approve plan as part of �2bn transport scheme� New plans for the World Heritage Site in Wiltshire announced by the Department for Transport include burying the A303 in a 1.8mile dual carriageway tunnel.
• Will anyone in government have sense to reverse decision to ditch paper road tax discs? Of all the counter-productive measures brought in by governments in recent years, the abolition of the paper tax disc in 2014 should surely be put at the very top of a shameful list.

Birmingham Mail

• Volkswagen 'approves �3.5bn settlement' over emissions scandal The penalty, which will be paid to the US government, is the largest against a car maker in American history

London Evening Standard

• Sadiq Khan’s £10 pollution charge 'will cost Londoners £23 million a year but hardly improve air quality at all'Sadiq Khan’s “toxicity charge” will cost Londoners £23 million a year despite having only a “negligible” impact on air pollution, it was claimed today.
• Late-night London black cab fares to be slashed under TfL plan London's black cab drivers have lashed out at plans to slash fares for longer journeys late at night.

Other Regional Press

• ‘No stones will be left unturned’ in A34 review A TRANSPORT minister has vowed to leave ‘no stone unturned’ in a safety review of the A34.