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

Thursday, 13 November 2008

BBC News

• Alitalia ordered to pay back loanThe European Commission told bankrupt Alitalia airline to repay a 300m euro rescue loan to the Italian government.
• Glass makers hit with huge fineFour car glass makers have been hit with the European Commission's highest cartel fine after

Financial Times

• Plotting fresh course for ferries veteranThe elderly Isle of Man Steam Packet Company (IOMSP), the island's main lifeline with the UK, is enjoying a renewed lease of life. It has a new chairman and chief executive, a new brand identity, and is about to take delivery of a new flagship which will be the fastest vessel in its 177-year history.

The Guardian

• London estuary airport best for environment, says JohnsonMayor appoints Crossrail chairman to study alternative to Heathrow expansion Johnson today defended his plans to build a new London airport in the Thames estuary as an "imaginative" response to growing demand to air travel.
• British commandos kill two pirates in stand-offBritish commandos killed two suspected pirates who tried to seize a Danish ship in the Gulf of Aden during an unprecedented operation involving a Royal Navy and a Russian warship, it was revealed yesterday.The suspected pirates were shot after the Royal Marine commandos, in rigid inflatable boats launched from the frigate HMS Cumberland, were fired at from a Yemeni flagged dhow, the Ministry of Defence said.The Cumberland had been conducting routine Nato security operations in the Gulf of Aden, the MoD said, when a number of its crew boarded the dhow, which was towing a skiff. The British crew...

The Telegraph

• Heathrow runway project would strain FerrovialBuilding a third runway at Heathrow costing up to £13.7bn would require a big jump in airport landing charges and test the precarious financing of BAA's majority owner, Ferrovial, experts have warned.

Edinburgh Evening News

• £8.5m to keep traffic movingFLEETS of gritters and hundreds of staff are being mobilised as part of a £8.5 million plan to keep traffic moving on Scotland's roads this winter.

Journal Live

• Airports at risk as Heathrow fills upTHE North East faces losing crucial air links if a third Heathrow runway is rejected and the region’s economy left “devastated” by a new aviation tax, according to airport bosses.

London Evening Standard

• MPs queue up to attack Heathrow third runwayTHE Government's push to expand Heathrow was weakened after Labour backbenchers hijacked a Commons debate and staged a protest.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Cracked rail problem affects Metro commutersPACKED trains of commuters were caught up in rush-hour chaos as part of the Metro ground to a halt.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Update to be staged on plans to link major city routesAn update on proposals for a so-called œtrunk link road in Inverness will be held next week.
• Boss gets behind wheel and does shift on the No 59AS DOZENS of his employees walked out in a dispute over pay, Stagecoach Bluebird chief executive Brian Souter played his part in keeping Aberdeen moving yesterday.
• Strikers and Stagecoach both claim victory in one-day action over payStriking bus drivers showed their strength of feeling by picketing depots throughout the north and north-east yesterday “ from Tain to Aberdeen.

The York Press

• York cyclists pumped up by ˜eco™ community plan CYCLE campaigners have welcomed York council™s bid for £65 million of Government money to build an eco-community in the city.
• Selby villagers urged to use their bus service œUSE it or lose it! That was the message from parish councillors in a Selby village that has just had a vital weekend bus service restored.

Wales Online

• Rail bosses admit they could do better as MPs slam poor train servicesTRAVELLING on Arriva Trains Wales is “uncomfortable”, the firm’s boss admitted yesterday – and blamed a lack of trains.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Motor misery as Leeds blackspot works delayedTRAFFIC misery that has dogged commuters in south west Leeds for almost a year is set to continue well into 2009. Highways Agency bosses have admitted that the £6.5m revamp of Gildersome roundabout – the city's worst accident blackspot – is facing further delays.

Chester Standard

• Chester bus users baffled over dispaearnece ofChester bus users have been left baffled after a new shelter went missing.

Reading Evening Post

• MP opposes third runway planA growing band of MPs and ministers urging the Government to drop plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport has been joined by the Reading West MP.
• Award for town’s wireless traffic infoA revolutionary high-tech system to make travelling around Reading easier has scooped a prestigious award for transport innovation.

Forbes

• Diana Makes Investors Take The Long View Shipper cuts dividend, freeing up cash for bargain-basement acquisitions.

Washington Post

• Showdown Begins Over Lifeline to Automakers The Bush administration signaled yesterday that it would reject a proposal by congressional Democrats to immediately advance $25 billion in government loans to ailing Detroit automakers.

Transport for London

• Transport for London to licence youngest ever taxi driverNineteen-year-old steals title from his brother as he becomes the youngest person ever to pass the Knowledge.

Aviation Industry

• Britain attempts to push for leading position on green transportA high powered meeting of industry experts, academics and policy makers was held in London in October 2008 to discuss how to get the mass market production of electric vehicles and other low carbon transport properly started
• Grangemouth puts case to HolyroodThe campaign to boost Grangemouth’s transport infrastructure has taken another step forward with a presentation in the Scottish Parliament, arguing that improvements to Grangemouth’s road and rail links should be a national priority
• Hybrid bus enters London serviceA red London, British built, hybrid double decker bus has just joined the transport fleet in the Capital. Built by Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) it has the BAE Systems hybrid electric drive train described in our October 27th 2008 news story, and was delivered to Transport for London and Metrobus at the Euro Bus 2008 Expo in Birmingham.
• BAA airport gift list takes off onlineStuck for ideas on Christmas gifts? Travelling soon? BAA has launched an online gift wish list - www.airportgiftlist.co.uk
• Southwest plans flight accord with Mexican airlineSouthwest Airlines Co., the largest low-fare carrier, plans to expand its ability to book passengers on international flights through an alliance with Mexican airline Volaris by 2010.

Other News Sources

• Ports firm says road pricing would boost shippingPD Ports says the introduction of a congestion-busting road tax would also encourage operators to move freight by sea to regional ports.
• Final tests soon for Dubai Metro ticketing systemThe ticketing system that will operate in the stations of the $4.2 billion Dubai Metro will undergo final tests by the end of the year, transport chiefs have revealed.
• FedEx Reports Progress to Reduce EmissionsFedEx Corp. announced plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from its FedEx Express aircraft fleet by 20% by 2020. It says it will also improve fuel efficiency of its FedEx Express vehicle fleet by 20%
• New look for Stratford StationNew images showing how Olympic station, Stratford will look in 2012 have been revealed by the Olympic Delivery Authority as £100m upgrade work begins on the front of the station
• Crossrail chairman Doug Oakervee to advise London Mayor on Thames Airport feasibilityEx president of the Institution of Civil Engineers and executive chair of Crossrail Doug Oakervee has agreed to lead the Greater London Authority's preliminary feasibility study into a new airport in the Thames Estuary, the Mayor confirmed today.
• Maritime unveils £4.2m profitMaritime Transport saw its pre-tax profit soar by nearly a quarter in the year to 31 December 2007.
• Gatwick Airport wins top British Travel AwardGatwick Airport has been voted best UK airport for leisure travel by passengers and the travel industry.
• Debate highlights uncertainty over third Heathrow runway Following a debate yesterday in the UK Parliament on the proposal to add a third runway to relieve congestion at London Heathrow, the project is looking...
• Hanjin cuts start CKYH schemeTHE CKYH alliance “ made up of COSCO, ˜K™ Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping “ unveiled a service rationalisation scheme today to respond to the rising market sluggishness.
• EU offered plan to commercialise carbon captureAn EU demonstration  to bring forward the large-scale deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) by ten years was unveiled on 10 November by a multi-stakeholder platform of industry, scientists and NGOs united in support of the technology.
• Existing climate actions 'not good enough', EU warnedGlobal warming is driving major environmental changes more quickly than expected, with the Earth's average temperature racing towards dangerous levels and the transition to a low-carbon economy stalling, leading climate experts say. 
• Group: We didn’t fund TIF advertThe Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisations has claimed it did not have a role in funding an advert backing the congestion charge and the £2.7bn Transport Innovation Fund package.
• Menzies Aviation cuts jobs at Manchester AirportMenzies Aviation is cutting jobs at Manchester Airport in a shake-up of its ground handling and cargo business.
• Lorry drivers and cyclists educated in new campaignPolice in London have been helping lorry drivers and cyclists learn more about each other.