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

Friday, 27 December 2013

BBC News

• Storms return to batter the UKHigh winds and rain return to the UK, leaving thousands without power and disrupting rail services.
• Are roads through cities needed?Should UK cities do away with major roads running through the middle of them?
• Two injured after plane crash-landsA light plane crash lands in County Armagh on Christmas Day and its pilot and passenger are taken to hospital.
• Airport rail link closes for repairsA major link between Gatwick Airport and London closes until 2 January for maintenance work.

Financial Times

• No hands on deck: Dawn of the crewless shipProponents of crewless vessels on the high seas point to the potential to cut operating costs by cutting weight and creating more space to carry goods
• Gatwick airport in storm chaos probeTens of thousands of people were still without power on Boxing Day and almost 1,000 homes were flooded – with more bad weather blowing in
• Crossrail project on track at midpointAndrew Wolstenholme, the head of the scheme, has warned of bigger challenges to come, but says work is running on schedule and on budget

The Herald

• Union in call for helicopter safety inquiryA LEADING union is stepping up calls for a public inquiry into helicopter safety after a number of incidents this year.
• Bill urges overhaul of bus industryA BILL calling for re-regulation of the bus industry in Scotland is being lodged at the Scottish Parliament after a consultation attracted more than 100 responses.

The Independent

• Tories attacked over shortage of train services on Boxing Day Labour have accused a Conservative transport minister of “hypocrisy” over the shortage of train services on Boxing Day.    

The Telegraph

• Disabled drivers face prospect of losing their blue badges due to delays in disability assessments, it is claimedBlue Badge holders face losing parking privileges due to measures designed to combat fraud    

Mail Online

• Airlines are making seats even smaller with new 'slim line' designs that take away reclining backs and cut down on legroomA comfortable amount of legroom and reclining seats may well become a thing of the past since those are seen as easy revenue areas.

This is Money

• UK car industry enjoyed a good 2013 - but can motor manufacturers find fifth gear in 2014?It has been a stellar year for the car industry with manufacturing up and new car sales continuing to grow – but can it continue to drive in the right direction?

Sky News

• Weather: Ireland And UK Battered By StormsWinds of up to 109mph lash Britain, flights are diverted, trains cancelled, trees uprooted and a 'red alert' is issued in Ireland.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bus driver impaled after Manchester Road crash leaves nine people hurt A bus driver had a miraculous escape after he was impaled by a metal rod when his vehicle smashed into railings.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Pont Briwet to be closed to trains until 2015Buses will replace rail services between Harlech and Pwllheli for another year
• North Wales councils make £5.3m from parking tickets in five years They hand out more than 195,700 penalty notices to motorists illegally parked on the region’s roads
• North Wales Weather: Icy roads causing havoc for motorists with more wind and rain on the way Warnings across roads after a spate of RTCs - with five in an hour in Flintshire alone

Northern Echo

• Weather warning for the North East as gales expected for Friday MOTORISTS have been warned to check the forecast before they travel tomorrow (Friday) after weather warnings for severe gales across the North East.

Sheffield Star

• £500,000 boost for resurfacingMore than £500,000 is being invested in road repairs and safety improvements across Derbyshire in January.

Wales Online

• Number of rail staff in Wales on the up - despite call for industry to slim downHow Arriva Trains Wales is employing about 300 more people now than when it took over the Wales and Borders franchise in 2003
• Ten years after Arriva Trains Wales took over are commuters better or worse off?Rhodri Clark says commuters have seen a massive improvement in punctuality and smarter timetables - but they put up with ageing rolling stock and increasing fares

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Driver dies as lorry smashes into Wednesbury social clubA lorry crashed into a social club in the Black Country, embedding itself in the building.

Yorkshire Post

• Safety fears over cycle highway planA PLANNED £30m “cycle superhighway” between Leeds and Bradford – dubbed a Highway to Health – could become a “highway to hell” for many pedestrians and towpath walkers unless action is taken now, council chiefs have been warned.

Blackpool Gazette

• Ice warning after motorway accidentsPolice were today warning motorists to take extra care on the roads after two accidents on the M55 caused by the icy weather.

Bucks Free Press

• Extra Chiltern line trains for New Year's revellers NEW Year's Eve revellers visiting London will be able to see in the celebrations without leaving them early, with extra train services being run by Chiltern Railways.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Peterborough railway station will close for a day for worksPeterborough station closed on 27th December 2013

Other Regional Press

• School traffic could soon trap us indoors RESIDENTS will be trapped in their homes by gridlocked roads if a proposal to speed up the intake at Croft School goes ahead, it is claimed.
• Western Daily Press published Businesses fear for 3-months of road closuresArticle
• Delays ahead as major railway work starts TRAIN passengers will face delays from today as workmen carry out repairs in Oxford.
• Delays ahead as major railway work starts TRAIN passengers will face delays from today as workmen carry out repairs in Oxford.
• Bike security month is set to launch in the new yearPolice will be launching a new bicycle crime prevention initiative in the new year.
• Multiple accidents on county’s roadsDrivers faced treacherous conditions as a sudden cold snap and ice caused traffic chaos.

C.N.N.

• Ship stuck for days in Antarctic ice should be rescued by Friday

Railway Gazette

• High speed inspection vehicle orderCHINA: China Railways Corp has approved series production of a fleet of diesel railcars designed to enable overhead electrification equipment on high speed lines to be inspected and repaired during...

Other News Sources

• Explore using Bike & Go scheme in Blackburn and Todmorden NEVER mind the Boris Bikes in London - East Lancashire now has its own two-wheeled solution for intrepid tourists.
• Gatwick Express suspends services Week-long closure for commuter service