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

Wednesday, 09 July 2008

BBC News

• EU includes aviation in CO2 curbsThe European Parliament has backed a law to include aviation in Europe's CO2 Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) for cutting greenhouse gases.
• Euro MPs to vote on airfare adsEurope's MPs will vote on a ban on airlines advertising fares that do not include hidden taxes and charges.
• Mother bids to run school serviceA Hereford mother is trying to organise a school transport service following a council cutback
• City to replace aging underpassAn underpass near the main rail station in Leicester will be filled in and replaced with a pedestrian crossing, city officials say.
• New delay for troubled rail firmContinuing technical problems have forced rail firm Grand Central to delay a return to full service.
• Managers hail rail route successA new rail route from north Wales and Shropshire to London has been hailed a success by managers.
• Action needed to improve railwayNetwork Rail has been urged by two councils to start improving the Norwich to London line.
• Vandals strike at network viaductVandals have struck at the first phase of a UK-wide network of walking and cycling routes less than a day after it was officially opened.
• Motoring cheaper but drivers angrier than in 1988, report saysThe cost of motoring has fallen by 18% in real terms since 1988, despite sharp increases in the cost of fuel, an RAC report says.
• Trains are 'not value for money'A survey indicates 40% of rail passengers are dissatisfied with the value for money of the service.

Department for Transport

• Update on Heathrow ConsultationThe Secretary of State for Transport (Ruth Kelly): The 2003 White Paper 'The Future of Air Transport' made clear that given the economic benefits to the UK, the Government supports the further development of Heathrow by adding a third runway and exploring the scope for making greater use of the existing runways, subject to meeting strict local conditions on air quality and noise and improving public transport access.

Financial Times

• Airline investment fears amid emissions dealThe concern comes after European lawmakers gave the go-ahead to a deal forcing the airline industry to start paying for greenhouse gas emissions in four years
• Neptune laments size limitationsThe new chief of the Singapore-based container shipping group stresses the importance of expansion and economies of scale as the company bids for Germany's Hapag-Lloyd
• Iberia looks to lead Spanish airline shake-upThe Spanish flag carrier aims to merge its Clickair low-cost operation with Vueling, a struggling rival budget carrier which began flying in 2004 but has suffered from stiff competition and soaring fuel costs
• Southwest and WestJet unveil allianceSouthwest Airlines and WestJet, the biggest US and Canadian low-cost carriers, have agreed to an operating and marketing partnership that will extend their reach into neighbouring international markets

The Guardian

• EU transport chief eyes tough tolls, less pollutionSTRASBOURG, France, July 8 (Reuters) - The European Union's transport chief proposed on Tuesday new measures to make road and rail more environmentally friendly across the bloc, such as higher congestion charges for trucks and reducing train noise.
• Flights into Europe must cut CO2Business & money: Europe MPs approve heavily watered down plans, risking escalation of dispute with US

The Herald

• Wind power offers politicians a quick fix in energy debateThe vital issue of energy and CO2 emissions is the subject of much debate.

The Independent

• Delay in Heathrow plan decisionOpponents of proposed expansion at Heathrow airport will have to wait a few more months before learning if the Government backs the plans, it was revealed yesterday.

The Telegraph

• Oil price shock means China is at risk of blowing upThe great oil shock of 2008 is bad enough for us. It poses a mortal threat to the whole economic strategy of emerging Asia. The manufacturing revolution of China and her satellites has been built on cheap transport over the past decade. At a stroke, the trade model looks obsolete.
• Metal theft is the second biggest threat to the railways after terrorismA huge rise in metal thefts has been described as the most serious threat to Britain's railways after terrorism.
• MEPs vote to increase cost of European flightsA family of four could face paying almost £160 more for holiday flights after the European Parliament voted to impose pollution limits on the airline industry, it is claimed.

Times Online

• Porsche victory as Boris Johnson drops £25 congestion charge Boris Johnson, the Mayor of London, has scrapped plans to make owners of gas guzzling cars pay a £25 congestion charge – costing the taxpayer an estimated £400,000.
• High-speed trains seize short-haul market as fuel cost cripples the airlines The lounge was thronged with bleary-eyed and grumpy suits looking in vain for seats. The endless queue for coffee snaked past whimpering children and inconsiderate backpackers. As the PA speakers announced imminent departure, the throng became a mêlée at the exit - an escalator had jammed.

Bristol Live

• Business news: New Bristol company offers roadside help for bikes
• Motorbikes get a better grip with new coversA New type of road access cover trialled during the past two years in Bristol is about to go on the market and could help reduce road fatalities, especially for motorcyclists.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Rail company on track with passengers [National Express]THE rail firm which took over the running of the east coast mainline has seen its levels of passenger satisfaction rise, according to an independent report.
• Lothian Buses: 'The council and the company face a dilemma'IT was to be expected that the city's largest public transport operator – Lothian Buses – would eventually face tough choices as fuel prices continue to soar.
• Bus chief's 'tough year'THE boss of Lothian Buses has warned of the "tough" commercial pressures facing the company.
• Trams are already on track to change the face of the CapitalProperty investors are snapping up sites to redevelop along the route, particularly at the stops and major interchanges, in anticipation of increasing numbers of passers-by

Liverpool Echo

• Congestion charge veto for city roadsTRANSPORT chiefs today pledged there would be no Liverpool congestion charge in the forseeable future.

London Evening Standard

• 'Dirty' drivers fined £5.2m but pay only £1mTruck drivers have been issued with more than £5.2 million in fines for contravening London's Low Emission Zone.
• Why Brown thinks we should all be happy that fuel costs are sky-highGordon Brown wants to see petrol-driven cars off the roads within 12 years as evidence that Britain can break its addiction to oil. The PM insisted all new vehicles could be powered by electric or hybrid engines by 2020.
• Passengers fear lack of staff on trains, says pollLondon's mainline rail passengers are more worried about lack of visible staff on trains than they are about escalating fares
• Race study delays Heathrow decisionA Government decision on a third runway at Heathrow has been delayed until the end of the year - to allow time for a

Manchester Evening News

• Drivers turning into bikersMORE and more drivers are learning to ride motorbikes in a bid to cut the cost of travel.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Outrage as council blocks the back roads in BuchanCouncil bosses were last night accused of putting lives at risk by using bags of sand and cement to block off a series of rural back roads on a busy commuter route.

This Is Local London Network

• Motorists flock to car clubs as cost of driving rocketsThe rising cost of motoring has sent membership of London's car clubs soaring to record numbers.

Wales Online

• More passengers unhappy with facilities at Welsh rail stationsMORE than two in three rail passengers are dissatisfied with facilities at Welsh stations, the passengers’ watchdog reveals today.
• Traffic plans target bus and stretch limo issuesTHE man charged with keeping Wales’ buses running on time today sets out his plans for improving reliability and safety on the network.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds waterbus scrapped after three weeksA WEEKDAY waterbus service aimed at commuters has been scuppered after just three weeks.

Bucks Free Press

• Passengers praise trains - but not pricesCHILTERN Railways has been rated the third best out of 21 operators in a major passenger survey - but users hit out at ticket prices.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Shippers back EC guidelinesEuropean Commission (EC) guidelines on future co-operation between shipping companies have been supported by the European Shippers Council (ESC).It follows last week's backing by the European Liner Affairs Association, which believes the way will be paved for a trade association to be established, Transport Intelligence reports.First published last September, the guidelines are intended to give the industry direction and clarify EU competition rules upon the abolition of the conference system later this year.The website quoted ESC secretary general Nicolette van der Jagt as saying the guidelin...

Aviation Industry

• UK Gallagher Review Calls for Significant Slowdown in Introduction of BiofuelsThe just-released Gallagher Review of the indirect effects of biofuels production, requested by the UK government from the Renewable Fuels Agency (RFA) earlier this year, concludes that while there is a future for a sustainable biofuels industry, feedstock production must avoid agricultural land that would otherwise be used for food production.
• Cenex to Host Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Information DayFirst phase to focus on delivery of low carbon and all electric vans London, 8 July 2008 – Cenex, the UK’s Centre of Excellence in Low Carbon and Fuel Cell Technologies, is today hosting an Information Day for potential suppliers to the Low Carbon Vehicle Procurement Programme (LCVPP), a major initiative from the Department for Transport.
• QANTAS FREIGHT GOES ELECTRONICQantas Freight has announced the roll-out of its e-Freight initiative in Australia by 2010, in conjunction with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and the local airfreight industry.

Other News Sources

• The fatal cost of bus privatisationBus company bosses jailed after exhausted Polish driver who couldn't speak English killed workman on a crane
• MEPs seek to cut biofuel goal in clash with CommissionThe European Parliament's Environment Committee last night (7 July) voted to scale down the proposed EU-wide 10% biofuels target by 2020 to 4% by 2015. But the Commission immediately insisted that "this is NOT the official opinion of the European Parliament".
• Airlines set to join emissions schemeEuropean Parliament backs proposal for inclusion of airlines in emissions trading scheme; EU member states have backed the plan.
• Road hauliers face environmental chargesProposed directive could increase road hauliers™ charges by five cents a kilometre, commissioner says.
• TIF backers promise shuttle buses for Trafford ParkBackers of Greater Manchester’s Transport Innovation Fund bid today laid out their plans for better public transport in the Trafford Park area prior to the proposed introduction of the congestion charge in 2013.
• TIF events begin SaturdayThe road show to explain details of Greater Manchester’s Transport Innovation Fund bid to the public gets underway weekend.