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

Monday, 22 December 2008

BBC News

• Carry on cycling [video]Lord Heseltine and Lord Kinnock discuss how to deal with reckless cyclists with Carry On actor Leslie Phillips.
• Aber-London rail link may reopenA rail service linking Aberystwyth and London, which was scrapped in 1991, could be restored.
• Rail firm may restore old routePassengers in Shropshire could soon have access to a second direct rail service to London.

Department for Transport

• Invitation to tender issued for crossrail project representativeExperienced project managers have been invited to bid to help oversee the building of Crossrail, Europe's largest construction Transport Minister Andrew Adonis announced today.
• New police powers crack down on yobbish behaviourYobs who cause misery for other passengers by smoking, drinking or causing a nuisance on the railways will face on-the-spot fines under new police powers, Transport Minister Andrew Adonis announced today.

Financial Times

• Car import curbs have Russians on streetsRiot police in Vladivostok broke up an unauthorised protest against a government decision to increase car import duties to protect Russia's ailing motor industry. At least 100 people were arrested
• Promise of Opec cuts fails to stop oil price slideInvestors delivered a vote of no confidence in Opec last week when oil prices fell by their most in almost two decades even though the cartel decided to curb production
• Tata agrees to cash boost for JaguarTata, the Indian owner of Jaguar Land Rover, has agreed to inject

The Guardian

• Protesters beaten as anger grows at Russian car import taxA wave of protests over raised duties on imported cars is sweeping across Russia in the first sign of mass discontent with Kremlin measures to tackle the impact of the global financial crisis.Riot police in Vladivostok broke up a demonstration against the tariffs yesterday, beating some of the 500-odd protesters. Vladimir Sayapin, a photographer who was arrested, said police special forces had attacked him.
• Tata leaps in to rescue Jaguar Land Rover and avert government bail-outA major government rescue package for Jaguar Land Rover is expected to be placed on hold amid signs that the company's Indian owners are prepared to make an emergency cash injection.As Canada became the second G8 economy to bail out its motor industry, British government sources indicated that Tata is prepared to stave off an immediate crisis.Lord Mandelson, the business secretary, warned in yesterday's Observer that the company's owners must

The Telegraph

• Jaguar Land Rover's owners 'to put tens of millions' into brandThe owners of Jaguar Land Rover JLR have agreed to put

Times Online

• Aer Lingus in shock 2009 profit forecastAER LINGUS will this week drastically revise its 2009 trading forecasts as part of its defence against a hostile bid from Ryanair. It will say it could return to profit next year, or break even, rather than lose €20m (£18.6m).
• Gordon Brown puts millions on table to save car maker Jaguar Land Rover A planned government bailout worth tens of millions of pounds to keep Jaguar Land Rover afloat has helped the company’s owners to secure last-minute funding.

Transport Briefing

• Stagecoach buys Eastbourne Buses from local councilTransport group Stagecoach says it has completed the acquisition of Eastbourne Buses from Eastbourne Borough Council.
• Crossrail shortlists nine for £24m P-Rep contractNine project management specialists have been shortlisted for a contract worth up to £24m to help oversee the building of Crossrail, Europe's largest construction scheme.
• Aston and Fosters win Routemaster design challengeAston Martin and Fosters + Partners are among the winners of a competition to design a next-generation Routemaster bus for London.

Belfast Telegraph

• Aer Lingus to reverse Shannon decision Aer Lingus is expected to announce today that it intends to reverse its controversial decision to axe the Shannon-Heathrow route.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• MP backs direct Aberystwyth - London rail link movesA DIRECT London service from Aberystwyth would be a big boost for Ceredigion, claims an MP.

Edinburgh Evening News

• New members soar by 93% at Capital Car ClubA CAR sharing scheme which operates in the Capital has seen its number of new members soar by 93 per cent in the past year.

London Evening Standard

• Transport watchdog fights sackLondon's public transport watchdog, sacked for backing Boris Johnson for Mayor, took his case to the Employment Tribunal
• Chinese use molotov cocktails against Somali piratesA Chinese sailor prepares a petrol bomb to use against Somali pirates during an attack on his ship in the Gulf of Aden

Metro

• Ministers 'considering Jaguar loan'Ministers are weighing up a direct loan worth hundreds of millions of pounds to ailing car maker Jaguar Land Rover, it was reported.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Residents want new stop for MegabusRESIDENTS in Stonehaven have met transport officials to discuss the possibility of a new stop for the discount Megabus service.

Carlisle News & Star

• Carlisle airport plan gets go-aheadA £25m plan to redevelop Carlisle Airport is ready for take-off, potentially safeguarding 565 jobs and creating 100 more.

Aviation Industry

• Despite 6% fare increase Northern Rail is still cheaper per mile.Northern Rail is still cheaper per mile than a number of other operators. Although Northern Rail’s fares go up by 6% in January, well above inflation, it is still one of the cheapest operators at 27p per mile in comparison with other train companies. However after waiting for an hour for a connection on a drafty Preston Station I’d still like to see a more frequent service on the South Fylde line.
• The Japanese System Eco Cycle Parks Bikes UndergroundOne of the main problems that deter bicyclists from going about their business on their alternative means of transportation is the fact that there are virtually no parking spots for their bikes, not even in major urban sprawls. If people chain them to a lamp post, there's a good chance they'll only find the chain when they return, so the issue is still opened for discussion in most countries in the world, except a select few.

Other News Sources

• OPEC Output Cut May Hit ShippingAccording to a report from The Economic Times, the Indian shipping industry is concerned with the steady fall in crude oil prices and is waiting for the outcome of an important upcoming OPEC meeting. Industry officials feel that if Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) cuts production...