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

Thursday, 21 August 2008

BBC News

• Travellers face long wait for changeThe words are cautious and carefully chosen. But this is a damning report. The Competition Commission finds that BAA has shown a "lack of responsiveness" to its airline customers. And its "lack of initiative" in planning new airport capacity has harmed passengers.
• Search for clues in Madrid crashAccident investigators are to scour the wreckage of a plane that crashed at Madrid's Barajas airport, leaving 153 passengers dead.
• Fifth bus strikes railway bridgeA double decker bus has had part of its roof ripped off after crashing into a bridge.
• The London Gateway will be 60 times the size of Wembley stadium [video]A deal has been signed to build Europe's largest container port in east London, which will create more than 12,000 jobs.
• Stansted baggage strikes haltedStrikes by baggage handlers in the GMB union at Stansted airport over the bank holiday period are called off.

Department for Transport

• Bidders for South Central franchise announcedThe Department for Transport today announced the list of shortlisted bidders for the new South Central franchise. They are:
• Passengers set to benefit from extra carriagesPassengers on one of the UK's busiest rail networks are set to benefit from new carriages, longer and more frequent trains as well as a greater choice of destinations due to changes to franchise agreements agreed between the Department for Transport and the train operating companies Southeastern, First Capital Connect and Southern Railways.

Financial Times

• BAA slams 'flawed' watchdog reportBAA, the embattled owner of Heathrow, is facing the threat of a forced sale of three of its British airports next year after a damning report by competition authorities attacked its dominance of the industry
• Ferrovial faced with selling three UK airportsFerrovial is facing the threat of a forced sale of three of its British airports next year, after a damning report by UK competition authorities attacked its dominance of the industry
• Four on South Central franchise shortlistNational Express and Stagecoach are among four rail companies that have made the shortlist to run the lucrative South Central rail franchise

The Guardian

• BAA must sell three UK airports, watchdog rulesThe Competition Commission today signalled the break up of BAA when it called for the company to be forced to sell off three of its seven airports, including two in London.
• Cars with a green conscienceA technology that uses hydrogen to reduce motor emissions could be on the market in three years

The Herald

• Stagecoach among front runners for new rail franchiseStagecoach is among four bidders for a lucrative new trains franchise in London and the south of England, which would increase its rail revenue by more than 50%.
• Manchester set to make £700m bid for Glasgow AirportExclusive: The owners of Manchester Airport are poised to make an early bid for its Glasgow counterpart. Publicly-owned MAG became the first operator to break cover in the anticipated scramble for Scotland's biggest long-haul gateway.

The Independent

• Clegg reveals his grand vision on renewable energy"I hardly drive a car any more," said Mr Clegg. "I bought an electric moped which I think is the technology of the future. I got rid of the leader's car shortly after I got in."

Times Online

• Madrid holiday crash plane had cancelled two flights previously Pilots threatened strikes at 'chaotic' airline | Analysis: what went wrong? | Pictures: Madrid air carnage
• BAA monopoly heads for break-up as report takes aim at poor service BAA could be forced to sell three of its airports after the Competition Commission criticised the company for what it said was decades of poor service to airlines and passengers.

Daily Express

• SFO probes SilverjetTHE Serious Fraud Office is planning to investigate the collapse of business class-only airline Silverjet, it emerged yesterday.

Daily Record

• BAA could face Glasgow or Edinburgh airport sell-off after watchdog reportWATCHDOGS today warned BAA that they need to get rid of Glasgow or Edinburgh Airport because they were preventing competition between the two facilities.

Birmingham Post

• National Express among four contenders for SE rail franchiseBirmingham-based National Express has been revealed as one of the four runners in the race for a major franchise deal to run South-East rail services.

Liverpool Echo

• Face screening at John Lennon Airport in war on terrorNEW high-tech facial recognition screening equipment will be fitted at Liverpool’s John Lennon airport as part of the war on terror.

Liverpool Post

• The race for cleaner and more efficient fuel could put Ellesmere Port in the electric car spotlightIF YOU don’t believe electric cars are making a real noise in the motoring world, then last month’s news from Lotus should get you thinking.
• IoM Steam Packet Company owner buys Channel Islands operatorTHE owner of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has acquired Channel Islands ferry operator Condor.
• Fury after rail chiefs jeopardise £20m safety plan for Merseyside’s busiest stationsA KEY £20m investment to improve safety at two of Merseyside’s busiest train stations is under threat.

London Evening Standard

• Airlines set for a £3.3bn hit from rise in fuel costsA "perfect storm" of soaring fuel costs and slipping demand could cost global airlines $6.1 billion (£3.3 billion) this year, the International Air Transport Association said today.
• Gatwick and Stansted go up for saleGatwick and Stansted airports have effectively been put up for sale after competition chiefs signalled an end to BAA's monopoly
• £4,600 for some as Tube bosses agree strike dealTube workers who threatened eight days of strikes will receive pay increases of up to £4,600, it was revealed
• Plastic signs put brakes on thievesHighways bosses are replacing metal road signs with plastic alternatives in an attempt to thwart scrap thieves

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Tourists walk into danger disembarking from busesPEDESTRIANS could die without urgent action to provide left-hand drive holiday coaches with sufficient parking in Inverness, according to a city councillor.
• Call for better access to advice for disabled rail travellersAn Aberdeenshire MSP last night called for disabled railway passengers to be given more advice on the help available to them as they travel.
• Blue Toon to get green light for cycle schemeA NORTH-EAST town is poised to become a haven for cyclists under new plans to change the way people travel.
• BAA to be told to sell various airports “ but not AberdeenA report proposing the break-up of BAA™s virtual monopoly of British airports is expected to recommend that Aberdeen Airport stays with the company.
• Argyll council attacked over its airport spendingThe Federation of Small Businesses has slammed Argyll and Bute Council on its œapparent lack of accountability regarding Oban Airport.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Fury at choice of Leeds for spy-in-sky road charge trialTHE deputy leader of Leeds Council said it would be "wholly unacceptable" for the Government to allow "spy-in-the-sky" road charging technology to be trialled

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Use Eurostar link to sell the townKettering's Eurostar link should be used to attract international companies to the town, according to borough council leader Jim Hakewill.

Sunderland Echo

• Holiday flights will get away, says airport bossAirport bosses today reassured bank holiday travellers that flights in and out of Newcastle International Airport will not be hit by strike action.

C.N.N.

• Inspector's method grounds 9 aircraft, TSA saysNine commuter aircraft were grounded for safety inspections Tuesday at Chicago's O'Hare airport after a federal security inspector climbed onto them by grabbing sensitive outside instruments, the Transportation Security Administration said Wednesday.

International Herald Tribune

• U.K. proposes breaking up airport holdings of BAAThe British Competition Commission said that BAA was likely to be required to sell two of its three London area airports and either its Edinburgh or Glasgow airport in Scotland.

Wall Street Journal

• Gas Prices Fuel New ViewsGasoline prices have become a focal point for voters' economic concerns, and Democratic candidates across the country are rewriting the party line on offshore drilling.

Washington Post

• Checkpoint-Friendly Laptop Bags Some words seem destined to go together, like

Aviation Industry

• BAA responds to Competition Commission's provisional findingsColin Matthews, BAA's chief executive said:
• American Airlines Kicks Off In-Flight Internet ServiceAMR Corp's American Airlines began offering Internet access on long-haul domestic flights on Wednesday, making American the first U.S. airline to offer full in-flight broadband.
• United Pilots to CEO: Stop Nickel and Diming Our PassengersPilots for United Airlines strongly oppose the airline's plans to drastically change its onboard meal service by raising prices for food and drink on most flights and by discontinuing complimentary meal service ...
• BAA airports re-financedOn the day before the Competition Commission reported on the probable break-up of BAA, the airport company completed its re-financing deal

Green Miscellany

• 'Government should invest in affordable high-speed rail'Green campaign group Friends of the Earth has said the government should invest in high-speed rail as an alternative to air travel.
• UK: Cars account for 10% of man-made CO2 - govt adviserWhile acknowledging that cars are part of the problem and solution to climate change, adviser to the UK government and former Ford exec Richard Parry-Jones has also pointed out that cars produce just 10% of man-made CO2.

Other News Sources

• Chamber of Shipping welcomes Japan’s move to eco-labelThe shipping industry has welcomed the move by Japan to start eco-labelling food and other products.
• Airports see domestic passengers shift to railThe three largest airports in Scotland reported decreased passenger numbers for July, which their owner described as another result of the high price of fuel and the credit crunch.
• Bus shake-up to ease N&N parking painA new bus service is set to make it easier for visitors and staff to get to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.
• Travel industry welcomes BAA break-up planThe Competition Commission has recommended that BAA may be forced to sell off Gatwick, Stansted and a third airport in Scotland
• DfT to review drivers' hours rulesThe Department for Transport (DfT) is to review the UK domestic drivers' hours rules to decide whether there is a need to change the current regulations.
• Transfrigoroute calls for 20cm longer trailersA pressure group that represents the temperature-controlled sector has called on the European Union to allow a 20cm increase in trailer lengths.
• Indian airline Kingfisher seeks UK-based marketerKingfisher, the privately-owned Indian airline, is seeking a UK-based marketer as it prepares to launch its international routes.
• £400m contract marks start for London GatewayDP World has signed a £400 million contract to build the first phase of London Gateway, the new container port and logistics park at the old Shell Haven site at Stanford-le-Hope.
• Airports break-upProposals by the Competition Commission to break up BAA, have been welcomed by the British International Freight Association.
• London Gateway Port deal signedA CONTRACT to build London Gateway Port “ a deepwater, fully automated box facility on the River Thames “ was signed today.
• MAG hails Competition Commission findingsThe Manchester Airports Group has today welcomed the decision by the Competition Commission that BAA may be forced to sell three of its airports.
• Quiet cars 'a threat for the blind'Quiet cars 'a threat for the blind'
• Byrne designs unusual bike racksByrne designs unusual bike racks