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

Tuesday, 29 January 2013

BBC News

• Elmbridge Transport Scheme £16.5m plans published Revised plans for a £16.5m scheme improving transport links between Gloucester and Cheltenham have been published.
• HS2 rail line plans 'ignore' cityPeople in Stoke-on-Trent say the proposed route for the HS2, high speed rail line ignores the city.
• Villages hit by 'north' HS2 plansVillages in north Warwickshire will be hit by the next stage of HS2 plans from Birmingham to Nottingham.
• Five new stations for HS2 rail routeThe proposed route for the high-speed train network linking Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds will stop at five stations, the government reveals.
• Leeds to get new HS2 rail stationThe proposed route for the high-speed train network linking Birmingham to the north of England will stop at a new station in Leeds.
• HS2 to run in tunnel under cityThe HS2 network, which will link Manchester to Birmingham and London via high-speed rail, will enter the city via a tunnel.
• Derailment caused by poor packingA rail accident report reveals poor packing of a freight train caused it to derail in Reading.
• BA flight makes emergency landingA British Airways jumbo jet en route from the United States to Heathrow with 138 passengers makes an emergency landing at Cardiff Airport.
• Heathrow HS2 spur work on holdWork on a proposed new rail link to Heathrow Airport as part of the HS2 high-speed network is put on hold pending a report on future airport capacity needs.
• Glasgow poaches Prestwick flightsThe European airline Wizz is switching two of its services to Gdansk and Warsaw from Prestwick to Glasgow Airport.
• Calls for HS2 Scottish timetableA "concrete timetable" is needed for extending the HS2 high-speed rail network to Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Scottish government has urged.
• Crews tackle bus fire at garageFire crews tackle a major blaze involving buses and caravans at a garage in the village of Torrance in East Dunbartonshire.
• Carmakers agree fuel cell pactFord, Renault-Nissan and Daimler agree to jointly develop a hydrogen fuel cell system to try to speed up the availability of zero-emission vehicles.
• No Boeing 787 battery fault foundSafety inspectors in Japan have found no faults with the battery used on Boeing's Dreamliner aircraft, raising fears about how long the 787s will be grounded.
• Osborne: HS2 is engine for growthThe chancellor responds to criticism of the HS2 high-speed rail network, saying it will be an

Financial Times

• Cameron to stress importance of HS2The prime minister will commit to building the line as the government braces itself for a backlash on publishing its preferred route and station locations
• Cosco shares drop after profit warningChinese shipping group which made a Rmb4.87bn first-half loss in 2012 blames overcapacity and lower freight rates for ˜significant™ full-year loss
• Demand boosts Ryanair™s profits outlookPre-Christmas traffic allows Europe™a largest low-cost airline to lift its average fares following the successful introduction of reserved seating
• Government outlines HS2 rail routeFive new stations are proposed for northern extension of £32.7bn high-speed service linking London, Manchester, Sheffield and Scotland
• Advantages of HS2 divide MPsSplits emerge between MPs with constituencies along the proposed route of the HS2 extension and the national parties, which all back the plan
• Fast track: France, Japan, S‰Korea, SpainFrance has its TGV, South Korea the Korea Train Express, Japan the nearly 50-year-old Shinkansen and Spain the Ave
• Boeing 787 battery maker cleared in probeAuthorities find no evidence of quality control problems at GS Yuasa after a week-long inspection of its lithium-ion cell plant in Kyoto
• HS2 cost rises £2bn in 12 monthsCameron says link will ˜spread wealth and prosperity™ across UK, close north-south divide, and no amount of opposition will turn him against it

The Guardian

• HS2 route: ministers tread a fine line to win over sceptical nation Coalition claims £33bn project will create 100,000 jobs but fears out-of-town stops could become flashpoints for protest

The Herald

• High-speed trains to be hit by Scots delayThe UK Government's controversial £33 billion project for high-speed trains would see services grind to a halt in Scotland as trains are split into two.
• New blow to Prestwick as airline quitsPRESTWICK airport has been dealt a further blow as low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced it would relocate its two Polish routes to Glasgow Airport.

The Independent

• HS2 northern route stations revealed as government braces for fierce backlash The routes of high-speed rail links to cities in the north of England have been unveiled, in a move Prime Minister David Cameron said would boost Britain's stagnant economy.Related StoriesNeglected: lessons of fatal error in NHS careBeen there... epic journey takes in all 201 countries, and a lot of sofasJustice minister admits five children were detained in adult jailsCatholics hand out 1 million anti-gay marriage postcardsRiver rescue fails to save canoeist

The Scotsman

• Call for high-speed rail link to come to ScotlandSCOTLAND’s transport minister yesterday called on his Westminster counterpart to commit to a “concrete timetable”, showing when the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail link will be extended north of the Border.

The Telegraph

• David Cameron: HS2 vital for BritainPrime Minister David Cameron says HS2 will be a long time in delivery but that it is
• This bold vision will keep Britain on trackTelegraph View: HS2 is a long overdue declaration that Britain still has ambition
• Richard Wellings: HS2 will have a negative effect on British economyHead of Transport at the Institute of Economic Affairs Richard Wellings says HS2 is a
• Farmer: HS2 could affect ability to produce foodExecutive Director of the Cheshire County Show Nigel Evans questions the need for the government's proposed HS2 line.
• Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin announces HS2 rail link plansTransport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has told MPs that the case for going ahead with HS2 proposals rests on the capacity it will provide.
• HS2 sketch: How can something so fast be so slow?Michael Deacon watches MPs debate today's announcement on the route for the High Speed 2 railway.
• Small diesel and hybrid cars to lose congestion charge exemptionDrivers of hybrid cars, such as the Toyota Prius. could be forced to pay the capital's congestion charge in full under plans by Transport for London.
• Tory MPs: HS2 route plunges through rural BritainConservative MPs voice concerns over HS2 route proposals, saying
• HS2: Saved, by £600m high-speed detourMinisters were accused on Monday of

Mail Online

• Congestion Charge exemption: End of the road for 'green' discount with hybrids and low emission cars to be chargedTransport for London is to remove the Congestion Charge exemption for diesels and some Hybrids because an explosion in their popularity has increased pollution and traffic.
• High-speed rail? The Victorians would be horrified by how long it'll take to build HS2CORRELLI BARNETT: Isambard Kingdom Brunel the whole Great Western Railway in just five years, so why on earth is the planned high speed North-South rail link going to take so long to build?
• HS2 will leave Bucks looking like it's been hit by asteroidsQUENTIN LETTS: Transport Secretary PatrickMcLoughlin claimed that the scheme was good for jobs, good for the economy. It was odd to hear such a Thatcherite figure produce this Keynesian argument.
• HS2 route: London to Manchester by train in one hour (in 20 years)Former postmistress Elfrida Harper-Tarr cannot sell her home because the bank has said that due to the disruption HS2 will cause, the value of the property is zero pounds.

Bolton News

• High-speed rail link to slash London journey time to just over an hour Britain's high-speed rail link will mean the journey from Manchester to London will take just one hour and eight minutes.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Superfast train plan set to be unveiled Plans for a new superfast railway linking London with Leeds and Manchester are due to be unveiled today.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• High speed rail link routes unveiled to cut journey times to the North of EnglandTHE routes of high-speed rail links to cities in the north of England have been unveiled, in a move Prime Minister David Cameron said would boost Britain’s stagnant economy.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented Bombardier: We can win deals to seal future in DerbyA BOSS at train-maker Bombardier says the company will fight for new work for its Derby site – and is confident it will...

Journal Live

• Nick Clegg urged to back North East road upgrades and flightsA TRANSPORT wish list set to land on Nick Clegg’s desk will see the deputy prime minister asked to back road upgrades and daily flights from Newcastle to the United States.

Liverpool Echo

• Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman to oversee Liverpool’s new bike hire scheme (VIDEO)OLYMPIC cycling legend Chris Boardman will oversee Liverpool’s new bike hire scheme.

Liverpool Post

• Business leaders push for high-speed rail link directly into LiverpoolBusiness leaders in the Liverpool city region have welcomed the Government’s announcement outlining plans to extend the proposed £32.7bn high-speed rail (HS2) network to the North West.

London Evening Standard

• Transport Secretary ready for HS2 backlashTransport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin admitted he was braced for a backlash when the proposed route of a controversial new high-speed rail line is revealed next week.
• HS2: campaigners against third Heathrow runway hail delay in spur link decisionCampaigners against Heathrow expansion today hailed a delay in deciding on a spur link to the new high speed rail line as proof that a third runway is not a œdone deal.
• End of the free green run... now hybrid cars will have to pay congestion charge tooDrivers of all diesel and most hybrid vehicles will be forced to pay the congestion charge in a crackdown on traffic and pollution.

Northern Echo

• MP urges Government to use North-East steel industry for £32bn high-speed rail network THE Government must use the North-East steel industry to build its £32bn high-speed rail network and safeguard thousands of Teesside jobs, it was claimed last night.

Sheffield Star

• Nick Clegg defends Meadowhall decisionDeputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was in Sheffield to defend the decision to site the new HS2 station three miles from the city centre.
• Bus customers to give adviceBUS users are to have their say in planning future changes and improvements to services.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Full steam ahead for bid to reopen train lineAberdeenshire councillors have made a firm commitment to investigate the feasibility of reopening one of the region™s disused railway lines.

The York Press

• Route of new HS2 high-speed rail network unveiled Updated: BRITAIN™S new high speed railway line will end up near Tadcaster to ensure York is fully linked to the network, it emerged today.

Wales Online

• Concerns for future of rural communities as transport funding cut againConcerns are growing that dramatic cuts to bus funding will undermine the Welsh language and the sustainability of rural communities.
• Transatlantic 747 makes emergency landing at Cardiff AirportA jumbo jet made an emergency landing at Cardiff Airport after issuing a Mayday alert during its transatlantic flight.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Ryanair boss predicts a recovery from bumpy rideRyanair reported weaker average fares in January although it expects them to recover in February and March.

Yorkshire Post

• Video: New Leeds and Sheffield rail lines - full detailsTHE routes of high-speed rail links to cities in the north of England have been unveiled, in a move Prime Minister David Cameron said would boost Britain’s stagnant economy.
• Cabinet in Leeds video: Yorkshire demands Tour De France fundingTHE team behind next year’s visit of the world’s greatest cycle race to the UK, starting in Yorkshire, has told the Cabinet how the Government can help support the event.
• Tourism chief praised over cycle race coupWELCOME to Yorkshire chief executive Gary Verity “fired up” the Cabinet’s support for Yorkshire’s hosting of the Grand Départ of the Tour de France, according 
to Prime Minister David Cameron.
• Line™s northern extension hailed as victory for lobbyingTHE decision to continue the HS2 line to within a few miles of York was last night hailed as a victory for lobbying by the city.

Bucks Free Press

• Gillan: Build HS2 from north to south A BUCKS MP has today said the northern part of the planned HS2 line should be built first because of question marks over the Government's transport policy.

East Anglian Daily Times

• East Anglia: HS2 ˜must not district Ministers from needs of existing rail network™BUSINESS leaders today welcomed Government plans for extending the new HS2 high-speed rail link – but there was a warning that the need to address failings within the existing network, including East Anglia’s main line, must not be ignored.

Sleaford Standard

• Tory MPs blast HS2 rail link plans David Cameron is facing a backlash from Conservative MPs opposed to the HS2 high-speed rail link as the Government published draft plans to extend the line to the north of England.

Other Regional Press

• Western Morning News published Closed city airport will not be nationalisedArticle
• Western Morning News published MP: Where is rail investment for South West?Article
• Decision due over J10a improvementsA key decision on improving the Luton Airport junction of the M1 is imminent, the Herald&Post understands.
• Not chuffed with rail plansFears have been voiced that the public are not well informed about proposed mass development – including a huge rail freight interchange – on Green Belt land north of Luton.
• High-speed rail route would be major boost for PrestonA report will show how Preston would benefit from a new high-speed rail route through the country, campaigners have said.
• 'Positive impact' for Kirklees as HS2 rail route unveiledA NEW station in Leeds will form part of the high-speed rail links to cities in the north of England.
• HS2 route gets Bedfordshire backingTHE second phase of the HS2 route has been backed by the Bedfordshire Chamber of Commerce after it unveiling today (Monday).
• Train company to send free disruption alerts to passengersFIRST Capital Connect (FCC) has launched ‘My Free Alerts’ – a free email and text service that warns rail passengers of delays to specific trains.

Global Rail News

• HS2: Phase 2 route mapHS2 phase two route map published today.  
• Reaction to HS2 announcementReaction from around the country to the government’s HS2 announcement. Network Rail – David Higgins, chief executive œA new high-speed network is valuable not only for the railway but also for Britain™s prosperity. The railways don™t just move people and freight; they create jobs, connect economic centres and open up new markets. œUnprecedented growth in [...]
• HS2: Second phase route announcedThe government has revealed the preferred route for the second phase of Britain’s high-speed rail project between Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds. The 211-mile Y route of HS2 will include new stations in Manchester city centre, Manchester Airport, Leeds city centre, Sheffield Meadowhall and in the East Midlands between Nottingham and Derby in Toton. Last January, [...]
• New year start for apprenticesA partnership between Vital Rail and Transport for London (TfL) has led to the creation of more than one hundred apprenticeships for 16 to 18 year olds across Greater London. More than 100 teenagers, including eight former offenders, have been recruited to take an apprenticeship in railway engineering. Following 12 months training and hands-on experience [...]
• Siemens Vectron tested in the Channel TunnelA Siemens Vectron locomotive has completed a series of trial runs through the Channel Tunnel, as the operator continues to look to simplify rail freight between Europe and the UK. The Vectron loco, in standard configuration and hauling wagons with a total weight of 1,350 tonnes, entered the tunnel via the French portal at 22.42 [...]
• Gallery: Edinburgh Tram releases latest construction imagesNew images show the progress of Edinburgh’s long-awaited light rail project.
• Brazil seeks UK investment for rail infrastructure plansA trade delegation from Sao Paulo has arrived in the UK looking for British companies to invest in Brazil’s infrastructure projects. Members of the Government of Sao Paulo are in the country to present eight Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects totalling $20 billion. Outside investment is being sought for the construction and maintenance of three [...]

Railnews

• Preferred HS2 route to north revealed Details of the second phase of Britain's new High Speed line HS2 have been published today. The maps released by the Department for Transport confirm that there are to be two spurs north of the West Midlands, going to Manchester and Leeds.

Aviation Industry

• Budget airline Wizz Air moves operations from Prestwick to Glasgow AirportA BID to attract more passengers is behind the airline's switch of venue for flights to the Polish cities of Warsaw and Gdansk.
• Ryanair profits rise, confirms Aer...Ryanair on Monday said that net profit rose 21 percent in the group's third quarter, as the Irish no-frills airline confirmed a proposal it hopes will enable it to finally win a battle to buy rival Aer Lingus.
• Air France launches new regional carrierCarrier will introduce Hop from March 31 with more than 500 daily short-haul flights

Other News Sources

• Walsh to speak at Business Travel ShowAirline boss will open London event next week with welcome speech