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

Monday, 24 November 2008

BBC News

• MP with... the longest commuteAs he peers out of a plane window or leans gingerly over the side of a fishing boat, Alistair Carmichael could be forgiven for harking back to an earlier age.
• Bid to cut UK transport emissionsTransport emissions in the UK could be cut by 25% by 2020 if the government shifted its policies, a report claims.
• EU warns against car subsidy raceEU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes tells France and Germany not to start a

Financial Times

• National Express job cuts strike note of fear for transport sectorAmong the flurry of job cuts announced by UK companies last week, some raised more eyebrows than others. Not because of their size, or their importance to the economy,...
• Tanker on move following threat to piratesNews agency reports say Somali hijackers holding the Sirius Star have moved the vast Saudi crude oil vessel because of the risk of attacks from Islamist groups opposed to piracy
• Founder to woo investors over EasyJet plansSir Stelios Haji-Ioannou is stepping up his campaign to persuade the airline's institutional shareholders to adopt an ultra-cautious approach to growth as the recession deepens
• Piracy blow to ships' insuranceShipowners and operators are set to face higher costs due to escalating crime off Somalia, which has prompted marine insurance specialists to step up advice to improve security
• Sir Stelios spells out fears for EasyJetThe founder and largest shareholder of the low-cost airline is in disagreement with the board over an Airbus contract and the lack of focus on conserving cash amid the recession

The Guardian

• Get back on the busesTen years ago, John Prescott boldly promised that we would reduce our total number of car journeys by 2003. But instead, car use has increased. And bus journeys have dropped. Not a great result, John.

The Independent

• On and off the rails: Britain's old railway routes are being reclaimedThe destruction of Britain's railway network in the 1960s was a disaster for millions of people. But now, as Simon Calder discovers, some of the old routes are being reclaimed
• Running out of road? Manchester mulls C-charge Sir Richard Leese was stuck in a traffic jam. Which was fortunate really, since I’d been told he’d only have a short window in which to speak. Thanks to the congestion on the road to Wigan, however, we had plenty of time to talk about one of the most ambitious urban road-pricing schemes in the world – which he is currently fighting to introduce.
• Hoon under fire for stalled crash inquiry Families of the Potters Bar rail crash victims have criticised Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, for delaying his decision over whether to grant a public inquiry into the accident.

Times Online

• Lure of Saddle SoarsIn a world where an object's contribution to mankind's progress is measured by how much effort it spares us (think of cars, dishwashers, remote controls for switching TV channels if Rocky V suddenly appears on TV), the bicycle stands as a monument to the virtues of running up a sweat.
• Jaguar pleads for Government’s help over £1bn loan Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) is pressing the Government to help it to secure a £1 billion loan as it contends with plunging car sales and a lack of credit.

ATOC

• ATOC announces 2009 rail fares changesThe Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) today announced that many rail fares will change from Friday 2nd January 2009.

Transport Briefing

• Airdrie-Bathgate rail corridor clearance works beginNetwork Rail has appointed civil engineering firm QTS Group to clear trees and plants from the 15 mile corridor where new track for the Airdrie-Bathgate rail link will be laid.
• Cross Country and Capital Connect top rail fare risesTrain fares across Britain will rise by a minimum of 5% from the start of next year.
• Cross Country and Capital Connect top rail fare risesTrain fares across Britain will rise by a minimum of 5% from the start of next year.
• Arriva to service Virgin train fleet after buying LNWRTransport group Arriva has acquired train maintenance company LNWR for £2.4m from music producer and rail enthusiast Pete Waterman.
• Crossrail tunnelling to create habitat for Essex birdsEarth and other material excavated to build the Crossrail tunnels across London could be used to create a giant wildlife reserve in Essex.
• Manchester congestion charge referendum papers sent outBallot papers will be sent out this week for next month's referendum on plans to introduce road pricing in Manchester.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Public take-off for groupCAMPAIGNERS opposed to the expansion of Edinburgh Airport are set to hold a public meeting next week.
• Cash bonus offer for bus drivers to catch ticket cheatsBUS drivers in the Capital are being offered cash incentives to inform on passengers who use fake tickets.

London Evening Standard

• Your chance to name a train'I couldn't help but be awestruck by the cutting-edge technology,' said Steve. 'When you think these trains can travel at twice the speed of an Olympic winning javelin throw, then it's easy to see how this is a huge leap forward for everyone who travels by train in the South East.'

Manchester Evening News

• Tea party airport protestPROTESTERS staged a tea party in the grounds of an historic cottage to show their opposition to plans to expand Manchester Airport.
  

Metro

• Rail users launch a sardine protestCommuters who are fed up with being packed on to trains like sardines are targeting rail bosses with a fishy postal campaign.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Bus lane to boost punctualityThe first bus lane in North Lincolnshire is set to be installed at the beginning of next year.
• Back to 80s in West Yorks petrol price warA WEST Yorkshire supermarket that slashed the price of petrol to below 90p per litre has sparked a fresh round in the fuel price war.

Aviation Industry

• Church of England commits to London Gatwick AirportThe Church of England has shown a commitment to London Gatwick Airport with the relicensing of the Anglican Chaplain, Father Jonathan Baldwin.
• Glasgow Airport close to filling gap left by demise of Zoom, XLEfforts by Glasgow Airport to fill the gap left by the demise of two major airlines have paid off, with thousands of extra seats already secured for 2009, and more in the pipeline...
• Automated Passenger Authentication: IER SpeedBoarding® GatesThe need for automated self-boarding at airports is no longer in question.

Other News Sources

• Better London rail links for Wetherby?A NEW bus link from Wetherby to Cattal could be brought in as part of proposals for a direct train link from Harrogate to London.
• British cycle seller to expand as commuters ditch carsBritain’s leading bicycle seller is planning a rapid expansion of outlets, hoping to attract commuters hit by high petrol prices and an economic slowdown.Halfords, which has a chain of bicycle and car accessories stores across Britain, said it hoped to open 50 stores devoted entirely to cycles.
• AM's concern on rail stationA NEWPORT politician has raised concerns in the Assembly about suggestions that ambitious redevelopment proposals for the city's railway are being cut back.
• Fears over scrapping bus lanesSCRAPPING bus lanes in Newport could put people off public transport, it has been claimed.
• Bid to cut UK transport emissionsUK transport emissions could be cut by a quarter by 2020 if the government shifted its policies, a report claims. The Campaign for Better Transport study urges ministers to focus on the biggest possi...
• Car rental boom amid public transport shortageHertz, the world’s largest car rental firm which now has 15 branches in the UAE, said one of the factors contributing to the rise is difficulties experienced by expats and holidaymakers to get a tax...
• Will European Transport Hub Stay Cool Under Pressure?Brussels International Airport will receive a visit from cold chain supply experts as part of IQPC's 8th Cool Chain Europe Conference
• The Civils debate: short haul flights vs High speed railWatch the LSE's professor of economic history, Dr Tim Leunig, and founder of high speed rail pressure group Greenguage21, Jim Steer, debate the pros, cons and economics of building new high speed rail lines.