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

Tuesday, 01 July 2008

BBC News

• Buoyant future for Port of Tyne"Taking coals to Newcastle" - a phrase coined to describe a pointless exercise. For centuries, the idiom was well-observed - especially on the docks of the River Tyne, from where vast quantities of the locally-mined fossil fuel were shipped abroad.
• Grids stolen for scrap cashThieves from across the North West have been stealing grids from the side of roads to sell them on as scrap metal.
• 3-D speed bump unveiledDrivers in Philadelphia have been confused by 'fake' speed bumps that have started to appear around the city.
• Hi-tech images on Tube platformsTube users are able to watch moving advertising images and film trailers while they wait for their next train.
• 'Go faster' paint for ships - VideoA Tyneside company has developed a marine coating that helps ships glide through water and cut their fuel consumption.
• End of the road for classic busesA bus company which brought back Routemaster double decker buses to the streets of Nottingham has decided to withdraw them from service.
• Airport eyes future after attackSecurity measures introduced at Glasgow Airport in the wake of last year's terror attack are only part of a massive upgrade, managers have said.
• Eco-town protesters holding demoHundreds of campaigners from many of the 15 sites in England earmarked for "eco-towns" have marched on Parliament in protest at the plans.
• Sinclair dreams of 'flying cars'Personal flying machines will be a reality, home computer and electric car pioneer Sir Clive Sinclair has said.
• Ex-boss of Airbus in shares probeThe former president of Airbus is questioned as part of an investigation into alleged insider dealing, reports say.

Financial Times

• Neptune Orient ponders anchorage in HamburgThe Singaporean company is the frontrunner to acquire Germany's Hapag-Lloyd to combine it with APL, a deal that would create the world's third largest container fleet
• Long-distance express train programme suffers setbacksA troubled government programme to purchase long-distance express trains has suffered two new blows after one bidder failed to comply with the tender requirements and the other made a last-minute move to include new partners.
• Forth Ports unveils renewables push Britain's sole remaining listed ports operator is setting up a joint venture with Scottish and Southern to develop renewable energy projects, it announced as it reported first-half trading well ahead of last year

The Guardian

• Kill your speed and save the planetThe news that people are finally slowing down on the UK's roads (Britain goes slow as trains, planes and ships cut fuel costs, June 28) suggests that the price of fuel is now approaching a more realistic level.
• Lorry drivers protest: New oil price record fuels hauliers' angerThe price of oil hit a record of nearly $144 a barrel yesterday, threatening further pressure on pump prices ahead of the first fuel price protest to be officially backed by the Road Haulage Association.

The Independent

• The Big Question: What are eco-towns, and how green are they in reality?Why are we asking this now? Because yesterday the Government closed its consultation process on 15 potential eco-towns that could be sited across Britain, while protesters angry at the whole idea demonstrated outside Parliament.
• Sean O'Grady: A freeze in fuel duty will do little to ease motorists' painLike a driver trying to catch the tail of his car in a nasty skid, Britain's motorists should know that, when it comes to the cost of running their cars, things are likely to get alarmingly out of control before some sort of calm returns.
• Hutton leads cabinet calls for immediate pledge to freeze dutySenior members of the Cabinet have warned Alistair Darling that he must make an immediate pledge to freeze fuel duty to respond to public concern about spiralling petrol prices, The Independent has been told.

The Telegraph

• Cambridge is the latest to drop pay as you drive scheme plansCambridgeshire County Council, which was set to follow Manchester with a congestion charging scheme, has decided to "go back to the drawing board".
• Police force orders bicycles to cut fuel billA police force has been forced to order 120 bicycles for officers to use instead of cars in an effort to cut its £2.5 million fuel bill.
• Rail fares to soar due to rising inflationCommuters face the threat of soaring rail fare rises because of the increasing rate of inflation.

Times Online

• Alistair Darling's Budget proposals see the wheels start to fall offAlistair Darling is said to be mulling plans to “fix” the tax problem sparked by his Budget proposals for a retrospective green levy on cars bought between 2001 and 2006.
• Pendragon seeks Alistair Darling's help to sell carsBritain’s biggest car dealer has urged the Government to cut taxes on petrol after revealing that consumers are steering clear of garage showroom

Edinburgh Evening News

• Hard task of nailing down costs of buildingMost of Scotland's major construction projects cost more than forecast. Our Scottish Political Editor asks what chance do trams and a new Forth crossing have of coming in on budget?
• Forth Ports says plan for docks on coursePORTS and property group Forth Ports said today that it remains "committed" to the regeneration of Edinburgh's Waterfront, despite the current challenging property market conditions.
• £14m development work set for take off near city airportWORK is due to start this week on a new £14 million hotel and office development close to Edinburgh Airport.
• Threat hangs over BA flights from the city to HeathrowTHE number of British Airways flights between Edinburgh and London's Heathrow airport could be cut, the Evening News has learned.

Manchester Evening News

• Virtual Tube ride unlocks paranoiaA SALE-based virtual reality company has teamed up with King's College London to study the levels of paranoia in Tube passengers.

Metro

• Big fare hikes for train passengersThe high level of inflation will mean rail passengers having to face huge hikes in fares in the new year, it was revealed today.

Wales Online

• Arriva buys up rival service offering cheaper bus fares - WalesTHE biggest public transport operator in Wales is paying a small bus company to withdraw a rival service which offers passengers cheaper fares.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Yorks road injuries rise while rest of country sees dropTHE number of serious injuries on West Yorkshire's roads increased last year, bucking the national trend.

Other News Sources

• Arriva buys up rival service offering cheaper bus faresTHE biggest public transport operator in Wales is paying a small bus company to withdraw a rival service which offers passengers cheaper fares.
• Solar-powered civil servant sails the ThamesA senior civil servant is voyaging 150 miles along the Thames in a solarpowered wooden boat.
• Accident figures aid Routemaster returnOnly two passengers have suffered accidents requiring medical treatment on London's two remaining Routemaster bus routes during the past three years.
• Energy costs to force huge rise in rail faresCommuters face inflation-busting increases in train fares as rail companies are hit by the economic turmoil, the Standard can reveal.
• Branson attacks third runway criticsVirgin boss Sir Richard Branson threw his weight behind the airport's expansion plans, saying that thousands of jobs depended on it.