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

Tuesday, 26 November 2013

BBC News

• Tackle port 'bottlenecks' say MPsThe government should be doing more to support the growth of UK cargo ports by tackling bottlenecks in local transport links, MPs are urging.
• Met Police target cycle danger areasAbout 2,500 traffic police officers are to be on London's streets during rush hours following the deaths of six cyclists over 14 days.
• Tube staff to vote in strike ballotTube workers may go on strike over plans to cut 750 jobs under proposals to close all ticket offices on the underground.
• Business concern over Prestwick dealBusiness leaders fear Glasgow Airport could suffer after nearby Prestwick was bought by the Scottish government.

Financial Times

• Chinese route approval requirement to end in DecemberFurther relaxation of rules on private flights will benefit the non-airline aviation industry

The Herald

• Prestwick Airport's public takeover raises fears for GlasgowBUSINESS leaders have called for reassurance that the public takeover of Prestwick airport by the Scottish Government will not have a
• High Speed Rail Bill presented to parliamentA major Bill to legislate for the building of the controversial High Speed 2 rail link has been formally presented to Parliament.

The Telegraph

• HS2 bill literally 'weighs a tonne' complain campaignersCampaigners are enraged that they will only have 56 days to read and respond to a 50,000-page Government document on HS2 that would weigh one tonne if it was printed out.    

Mail Online

• Father who took kids to school on wheelbarrow bike says it was safeBen Watson was stopped at Euston Junction by police charged with cracking down on road safety as he cycled his two daughters to school this morning.
• Bob Crow says he has 'no moral duty to leave council house despite generous salary'The general secretary of RMT rail union lives with his family in social housing, even though millions of much more needy people are stuck on waiting lists.
• 'Bongo Bongo' MEP to stand as drivers' champion: Godfrey Bloom says speed has 'nothing' to do with car accidentsThe controversial MEP, who resigned the UK Independence Party whip in Brussels earlier this year, will be unveiled today as the new face of campaign group the Driver’s Union.
• HS2 environmental report runs to 50k pages with just 60 days to read itMinisters have given until January 26 which would mean getting through around 833 pages per day – whether in hard print or on screen.
• Warwickshire County Council's decision to turn off street lights contributed to death of Archie WellbeloveUniversity fresher Archie Wellbelove, 18, right, was killed when the car struck him on the A452 near Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, left, in the early hours of December 7 last year.

The Mirror

• Student killed on blackout road after cash-strapped council turns off street lights to save moneyIt took over 45 minutes for the emergency services to find his body which was only discovered after the street lights were switched back on

Birmingham Mail

• HS2 must not become a 'rich man's toy' transport union warns As a hybrid bill for HS2 is published, TSSA leader Manuel Cortes called for the line to be kept in the public sector with affordable fares for everyone
• City bus lane drivers caught by traffic cameras 'deserve to be fined' Man behind Priory Queensway scheme which caught 250 A DAY said motorists ignoring signs had broken law

London Evening Standard

• Traders claim they'll fight HS2 rail link to save Camden Market and 9,000 jobsStallholders and shopkeepers at Camden’s markets vowed today to unite against the proposed HS2 rail link, amid claims it threatens the future of the world-famous destination.
• Heathrow hires high-wire team to change tens of thousands of 'out of reach' light bulbs Heathrow Airport is calling in a team of high-wire artists to replace tens of thousands of out-of-reach light bulbs at Terminal 5.
• Cyclist taking kids to school in 'cargo bike' hits out at police officer who stopped him during safety blitzHundreds of police officers were deployed across London today in a road safety blitz after the death of six cyclists in a fortnight.
• HS2 Bill to kick off rail projectThe Government is publishing a Hybrid Bill today to get the first phase of the £50 billion HS2 high-speed rail project up and running.

Northern Echo

• Transport Secretary insists most rail fares MOST rail fares are “quite cheap”, the Transport Secretary has insisted – as he ruled out an end to above-inflation hikes.

Sheffield Star

• Bus drivers recognised for customer serviceTwo Sheffield bus drivers who have made a lasting impression on their passengers have been given awards for ’outstanding’ customer service.
• Robin Hood Airport gears up for big Christmas getawayDoncaster’s Robin Hood airport is once again gearing up for the great Christmas and New Year ’getaway’ with around 18,000 passengers expected to pass through the terminal building over the holiday period.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Stop 'white elephant' HS2 - Campaigners take protest to ParliamentThey came in their droves. Congregated in Old Palace Yard against the imposing and iconic backdrop of the Houses of Parliament, they numbered around 500 and their message was clear. Stop HS2.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Record numbers using Leeds busesBus bosses today hailed rising passenger numbers as proof they are heading in the right direction.
• Work on Leeds-Liverpool canal nearing completionWork is nearing completion on a £100,000 project to replace a set of ageing lock gates on the Leeds-Liverpool canal.

Yorkshire Post

• Government pledges better rail deal for NorthThe Transport Secretary has pledged new trains and carriages for commuter rail routes across Yorkshire as part of a landmark deal to devolve control of local rail networks to the North.
• Transport Secretary calling for high-speed spending on fast railThe Transport Secretary will hold high-level talks with the Treasury over speeding up the Government’s annual spend on HS2 to deliver the project more quickly.

Blackpool Gazette

• Video: Pilots flying high with TV comedy adA company based at Blackpool Airport is flying high after securing a national TV advert deal with Go Compare.

Bucks Free Press

• Bus company signs up to improvement deal A BUS company has agreed to a new deal with the council in a bid to improve reliability of its services.
• Rail crash in Gerrards Cross forms disaster drill A DEVASTATING crash between a train and a car unfolded in Gerrards Cross yesterday, with more than 100 emergency service personnel attending – but thankfully the terrible incident was merely a practice drill.

Doncaster Free Press

• Robin Hood Airport gears up for big Christmas getawayDoncaster’s Robin Hood airport is once again gearing up for the great Christmas and New Year ‘getaway’ with around 18,000 passengers expected to pass through the terminal building over the holiday period.    
• Doncaster rail services set to change under new partnershipRail services in Doncaster and the North are set to change as the Northern and TransPennine franchises are renewed.    

Lancashire Telegraph

• Hyndburn MP Graham Jones quizzes minister over railwayHYNDBURN and Haslingden MP Graham Jones has asked the secretary of state for transport about the provision of rolling stock on the Manchester to Burnley rail line as soon as it is completed.

North Wales Live

• HS2 must not become a 'rich man’s toy' transport union warns As a hybrid bill for HS2 is published, TSSA leader Manuel Cortes called for the line to be kept in the public sector with affordable fares for everyone

The Shields Gazette

• Battle for drivers’ backing in bus warBUS workers in South Tyneside are on a collision course with their boss over the biggest transport shake-up in a generation, it has emerged.

Other Regional Press

• Video: Shadow Transport Secretary visits Calder ValleyMary Creagh and Josh Fenton-Glynn, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for the Calder Valley, spent time at Todmorden Railway Station discussing matters including what could be done to get trains running on the reinstated Todmorden Curve as soon as possible.
• 'Crash, bang - bollards': Calls for 'talking bollards' after police, taxis, guided bus and cars hit Cambridge's rising barriers A guided bus, police cars and a fleet of taxis have all been in crashes involving Cambridge’s notorious rising bollards – and collisions are increasing.
• Bus boss' anger at Cambridgeshire council's running of park and ride sitesPassengers trapped inside the toilet for three-and-a-half hours is just one example of the council’s poor management of Cambridge’s park and ride sites, says the snubbed boss of a bus company.
• Transport is key to boost area’s economic growthRidding Tarleton village of heavy goods vehicles and easing traffic congestion in Ormskirk town centre are just two of the schemes included in an ambitious transport masterplan for West Lancashire over the coming years.
• Report backs idea of revamp of area around Winchester Railway Station A NEW report has backed the idea that the area around Winchester Railway Station could be rejuvenated in a multi-million redevelopment.

Global Rail News

• HS2 Hybrid Bill introduced to ParliamentThe HS2 Hybrid Bill, described as project’s planning application, has been published by the Department for Transport (DfT). If the bill’s passage through Parliament goes smoothly, construction of the line[...]
• Montreal shows of prototype metro carAlstom and Bombardier have presented a prototype metro car to officials in Montreal to show the future urban rail travel for the city. The first of 52 nine-car trains ordered[...]
• Talgo trainsets to run on Moscow-Kiev routeRussia and Ukraine’s state-owned rail operators have agreed to use Talgo rolling stock on services between Moscow and Kiev. New trains built by the Spanish manufacturer are due to enter[...]

Railnews

• Main HS2 legislation begins its journey The main legislative framework which would allow High Speed 2 to be built, forming Britain's first domestic high speed railway, begins its controversial journey through Parliament today. The start of this progress is being accompanied by a chorus of renewed protests from opponents, which is being met by vigorous justification for the £50 billion project from its supporters. Some of the opponents will be protesting in Westminster, while MPs will formally consider the implications of the HS2 hybrid Bill for the first time.

The Business Desk

• Rail North enters partnership with DfT on rail devolutionRAIL North has agreed to enter into a partnership with the Department for Transport (DfT) for the renewal of the Northern and TransPennine rail franchises.

Aviation Industry

• SAS to resume flights from BristolAirline will restore summer services to Stockholm after five-year gap
• Emissions trading row set to flare up againUS politicians accuse EU of “contravening” global deal on airline emissions

Other News Sources

• Public Wi-Fi to be rolled out across London Underground networkWi-Fi access is to be extended across the tube network over the next year.
• London Underground to accept contactless payments in 2014The technology will help support the new weekend Tube "night service"
• Government launches ‘milestone’ HS2 billConstruction of first phase of line could start by 2016 if plans are approved