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

Saturday, 30 November 2013

BBC News

• Nearly 60,000 get bus lane finesNearly 60,000 fines were handed out to motorists for driving in bus lanes in Birmingham over just 11 weeks, the council reveals.
• Ferry returns to port after 'fire'A Stena line ferry returns to port in Anglesey after reports of a fire on board.
• Motor racing team cars up for saleScotland's legendary Ecurie Ecosse motor racing team
• A82 reopens after lorry crashesThe A82 in the Highlands reopens after a lorry carrying empty gas cylinders crashed, ending up on its side.
• Police helicopter crashes into pubA police helicopter with three people on board crashes into a busy pub in Glasgow, leaving
• Road users handed 2,000 penaltiesMore than 2,000 fixed penalty notices are issued to motorists and cyclists in the first three days of a road safety campaign.
• Hundreds of cyclists stage 'die-in'Hundreds of cyclists take part in a

Financial Times

• US urges airlines to comply with China air rulesThe Obama administration has urged US commercial aircraft to comply with Beijing’s new controversial air defence zone, in a move that is likely to anger Tokyo and Seoul
• Q&A: What is an air defence zone?China sparked controversy with the creation of its air defence identification zone in the skies above a disputed set of islands but what is an ADIZ and why would any country want one?

The Guardian

• At least three feared dead after police helicopter crashes into Glasgow pubWitnesses spoke of there being 'multiple injuries' at the Clutha Vaults bar, which was hosting a music eventAt least three people were feared dead after a police helicopter crashed on to the roof of a busy pub in the city centre of Glasgow as it was hosting a live music event.A band was playing inside the Clutha Vaults bar when the aircraft hit the building just before 10.30pm, causing multiple injuries as dust and debris was thrown across the venue. The police helicopter was reported to be carrying two police officers and a civilian when the accident happened. Eyewitnesses described multiple ...
• China scrambles fighter jets towards US and Japan planes in airspaceWashington tells airlines to notify Chinese authorities if flying through area amid escalating tensions in South China SeaChina scrambled fighter jets to investigate US and Japanese aircraft flying through its new air defence zone over the East China Sea on Friday as the regional clamour over the disputed airspace escalated.The ministry of defence announced the move, which is the first time China is known to have sent military aircraft into the zone alongside foreign flights, stepping up its response to the challenge after its unilateral establishment of the zone. It previously said it had mo...

The Independent

• Minister for Cycling Robert Goodwill road-tests London’s cycle safety On a fold-up bike with a business suit under his hi-viz jacket, the recently-appointed Minister for Cycling could have been any other two-wheeled commuter yesterday morning.    

The Scotsman

• Minister slams poor, ‘unacceptable’ train timesMINISTERS have ordered urgent improvements to the “unacceptable” performance of Scotland’s two main rail firms, The Scotsman has learned.

The Telegraph

• HS2 tunnel through Chilterns 'could save money'Plans for surface line through beauty spot are attacked in a new report but developers claim proposals will put countryside on display    

Reuters News

• Government sells off tube stationLONDON (Reuters) - The government has sold off a disused London underground station used as a secret wartime command centre, as part of its drive to repair battered public finances.

Mail Online

• How waste heat from the Tube will warm-up hundreds of London homesThe scheme will reduce heating bills by 10 per cent and is part of Boris Johnson's plan to cut the capital's carbon dioxide emissions by 60 per cent.
• British couple killed when their car is crushed between two lorries moments after disembarking from ferry in FranceThe man and woman, both aged 54, had just disembarked from a ferry at the Channel port of Dunkirk today when they were crushed by the lorries. (file picture)

Bristol Live

• The Bristol Post commented Improvements to M4 'made traffic worse'THIS week drivers have been able to use the hard shoulder on a motorway near Bristol for the first time. The aim has been to keep the M4 between the Almondsbury Interchange and the M32 junction moving during the busiest periods.The traffic-management scheme cost just under £90 million and has taken took four years to complete.As well as introducing varied speed limits, the scheme means that drivers can use the hard shoulder during the busiest periods. Similar schemes are already in place...

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Anglesey postmaster says road closure has cost his business thousands It has already been three weeks to repair a culvert with some thinking Llangaffo is cut off

London Evening Standard

• 1,000 cyclists in safety protestMore than 1,000 cyclists sprawled across a central London road in protest at dangerous traffic conditions.
• I've never felt in danger on London's roads, says Cycling Minister Robert GoodwillThe Cycling Minister said today he saw both very good and very bad infrastructure on a ride around the capital but denied he felt in danger at any time.

Northern Echo

• Senior councillor criticised for 'guessing' cost of building new car park A SENIOR councillor has been told to ‘get a grip’ of development projects after the estimated cost of a multi-storey car park in Darlington rose by more than £1m.

The York Press

• Probe into state of Selby bypass as complaints soar ROADS bosses are investigating the structural condition of the Selby bypass after being inundated with complaints about the surface.

Wales Online

• Liverpool FC star Glen Johnson facing driving ban after losing court battle The England defender did not turn up in court to face a charge of failing to tell police who was driving his car

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Crossing agreed as Dudley bus station plans are axedA new pedestrian crossing near the spot where a man was killed after being hit by a car is to go ahead – despite the axe falling on proposals for a new bus station nearby.
• Broken down train leads to delaysA freight train broke down in Wolverhampton causing long delays for rush hour commuters.

Yorkshire Post

• Police praise driver who saved victim’s life in crash carnageA PASSING motorist who rescued a man from the wreckage of a car involved in a collision which claimed the lives of three people has been praised by police for saving the crash victim’s life.

Other Regional Press

• Shipyard suffers knock-back over warship repairsPORTSMOUTH’S dockyard workforce faces a fresh blow after a bid to keep all future warship maintenance work in the city was thrown into doubt.
• Cash boost for Rowans to carry on transportPATIENTS will continue to get transport to a hospice day care centre, following a £3,000 cash boost.
• Horse on Crosskeys tracks causes train delays A HORSE and owner delayed trains after a horse got onto the railway line between Newbridge and Crosskeys yesterday afternoon.
• Electric dreams failing to spark interest in motoristsGovernment support for electric cars appears to be failing to spark interest from drivers, according to a survey of more than 3,000 motorists.

Global Rail News

• Londoners show support for Crossrail 2Proposals to further expand London’s urban rail network have been given public backing, a consultation has shown. Out of 14,000 people questioned, 95 per cent supported the principle of building[...]

Rail Technology Magazine

• Angel Trains and Abellio Greater Anglia pilot re-engineered train UK-based train leasing firm Angel Trains and Abellio Greater Anglia have unveiled a pilot re-engineered Class 317 vehicle that was developed as part of a joint project between Angel Trains, Bombardier Transportation and Abellio Greater Anglia.

Aviation Industry

• A review of environmental landing charges at airports, report by CAAThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) published a review in October of environmental landing chargesat the three designated airports for noise management (Heathrow, Gatwick and Stansted) and three of the busiest airports in the UK  (Manchester, East Midlands and Birmingham). The study examined whether differential landing charges for noise and air pollution – where noisier and more […]

Other News Sources

• Police helicopter crash is latest setback for Eurocopter fleetThe manufacturer's aircraft have been involved in a series of ditching incidents involving North Sea offshore personnel.
• Morning of misery for rush hour motorists after lorries collide on A27 Rush hour motorists endured a morning of misery after a lorry collided with a parked trailer on a busy dual carriageway.
• Traffic chaos in Blackburn as bus station revamp begins THE subway from Railway Road across Salford to the site of the former Blackburn Market is being filled in.
• M65 cat's eyes 'not bright enough' claim motorists ROAD bosses have pledged to investigate the quality of cat’s eyes on the M65 after drivers raised concerns.
• Maersk Line Asia-Europe unit costs fall and ship size will rise with P3Maersk Line would benefit most from the planned P3 network, driving costs down and ship size up an investment bank said today.
• NAO completes $250M Oslo placementNORDIC American Offshore has completed a $250M private placement in Oslo, the first step towards an NYSE listing that the company expects to consummate in the first quarter of 2014.
• Mixed maritime response to Berlin grand coalitionTHE coalition deal between the Christian Democratic parties and the Social Democrats in Germany has sparked mixed reactions from the country’s shipowning, port and logistics sectors.