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

Monday, 27 October 2008

BBC News

• Is electricity the future for cars?
• £100m electric car test plannedMinisters plan a £100m scheme to test the use of electric cars and vans in cities, the BBC learns.

Financial Times

• MPs reach climate bill deal on transportUK government will 'take account' of shipping and aviation in emission reduction targets under a compromise struck after pressure from backbenchers and environmental campaigners

The Guardian

• Biofuel flying will take off in three years, says BoeingBiofuel-powered aircraft could be carrying millions of passengers around the world within three years, according to Boeing.
• Minister bows to calls on climate change billThe government is to announce tomorrow that it will include rapidly growing aviation and shipping emissions in Britain's commitment to curb its carbon footprint by 80% by 2050.
• Global demand for flights nosedivesThe airline industry's woes deepened yesterday as it posted its biggest drop in passenger numbers in five years and Ryanair abandoned a Spanish base in a costs row.

The Herald

• Experts warn SNP against upgrading A9 for political gainTHE SNP government has been warned not to fall prey to the "pork-barrel" politics of previous administrations when deciding on its transport priorities.

The Independent

• Willie Walsh: No, we should not build a new airport in the seaNo new runways have been built at major South-east airports in the past 60 years. In the meantime, air travel has increased exponentially and is now as vital to the success of the UK as the shipping lanes were in the early industrial era.
• Will Boris's airport sink or swim?To some it is the perfect antidote to the frustration experienced by millions of Heathrow passengers each year and the misery of those who endure the drone of jet engines passing over their homes. A new airport built at sea that is easy to reach, passenger-friendly and doesn't keep anyone awake at night.

The Scotsman

• Overtaking of school buses 'to be banned'DRIVERS would be banned from overtaking school buses while picking up and dropping off pupils under a planned Scottish pilot scheme backed by the transport minister.

Times Online

• Rail operators fear delays to upgrades Rail operators are concerned that a multibillion-pound programme to buy much-needed new carriages could be delayed because two thirds of the country's train leasing industry is about to change hands.

Mail Online

• 'You took that corner a bit fast' - Introducing the sat nav that's worse than a backseat driver It may be the ultimate labour-saving device - an incar navigation system that lets back-seat drivers take a back seat. The gadget - already dubbed 'sat nag' - will chastise drivers who take corners too quickly or drive erratically.

Transport Briefing

• National Express gives up on Dot2Dot airport shuttleNational Express is to abandon its Dot2Dot airport shuttle bus service less than a year after launching the brand.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• New £2m road for Angelsey opensA NEW £2m road designed to serve a business park on Anglesey was officially opened yesterday.

Manchester Evening News

• MPs in drive to stop road tollsA CROSS-PARTY group of seven MPs and two council leaders have joined forces to campaign for a `no' vote in Greater Manchester's transport referendum.
  

Metro

• Full throttle? Not in this £3.5m carIt was a chance of a lifetime - take a gorgeous 157mph Ferrari for a spin. Unfortunately, we couldn't go over 30mph.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Buses may get flashing signs and alarmsAlarms and flashing signs on school buses will be considered by Aberdeenshire Council bosses trying to boost safety following the deaths of two young pupils, it has emerged.

International Herald Tribune

• Wyoming is putting roadside monuments to restWyoming has started enforcing a ban on roadside memorials, after they began appearing so often that transportation officials felt they could distract and obstruct drivers.

Aviation Industry

• Scarecrow Bio-acoustic Systems Unveils Redesigned WebsiteScarecrow Bio-acoustic Systems, specialist in the dispersal of airport birds has redesigned its website.
• Lufthansa bids for Austrian Airlines, but deal in doubtGerman airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG has submitted a valid bid for Austrian Airlines AG , the country's takeover watchdog confirmed Thursday, but it said it was still uncertain if there would be a deal.

Other News Sources

• STOBART AIR TO ANSWER CARLISLE AIRPORT QUESTIONS AT DEBATEThe company behind a plan to redevelop Carlisle Airport will answer questions about the proposal at a meeting next week.
• MPs to lobby air minister over flightsTWO Suffolk MPs are meeting a government minister on Monday to try to persuade him to intervene and change proposals for a new holding stack for Stansted.
• Green light for bikes in bus lanesMayor Johnson has today announced that motorcycles will be allowed to use bus lanes from the new year.
• Clacton: The 136 bus is a 'resounding success'A trailblazing bus service launched two years ago linking Jaywick to Clacton has proved twice as popular as predicted.
• Time is right now for light railThe time is right for light rail in Kansas City. When you vote yes on light rail, you’re voting yes on the city’s future. Don’t accept the argument made by some light-rail opponents...
• 'Green vans' plannedHundreds of electric vans are to be bought with taxpayers' cash in a bid to kick start the market for environmentally-friendly vehicles under new Government plans. Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon will announce that some local councils and other public bodies will be given a £20m fund to buy and run electric vans.