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

Saturday, 17 January 2009

BBC News

• Tories warn firms off runway planDavid Cameron warns firms not to invest in building a third runway at Heathrow, as his party will scrap the plan if it wins power.
• Tories plan 'energy revolution'Street plug-points for electric cars, smart meters, and energy saving loans for all homes are among Tory proposals.
• Hertz says over 4,000 jobs to goCar rental firm Hertz cuts more than 4,000 jobs amid slowing demand as businesses and consumers cut back on travel.

The Guardian

• Salvage teams move in on wreckage of US Airways plane as New York rejoicesA giant crane last night set about hauling the broken Airbus A320 jet from New York's Hudson river as investigators sought to pinpoint what had caused the near-disaster, from which all 155 people aboard the stricken plane escaped alive.
• Hoon and Emma Thompson exchange flak over flightsThe cabinet minister who is pushing through the expansion of Heathrow last night hit out at celebrity environmentalists who talk green politics while flying across the globe.

The Independent

• Hoon accused of ignoring public with 'unpopular' Heathrow plans Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, has been accused of ignoring the views of the public by approving a third runway for Heathrow despite only a fraction of respondents to a government consultation supporting the idea.

The Scotsman

• 'Flash mob' demo planned at airportHundreds of activists opposed to a third runway at Heathrow are due to launch a "flash mob" protest inside one of the airport's terminals.

The Telegraph

• Heathrow's protesters bridge the class divideThe battle against Heathrow's third runway is pulling together an unlikely brigade of ecowarriors.

Mail Online

• The Suffra-jets: Activists hurl bricks at transport HQ in fury at Government's approval of third Heathrow runway Activists dressed up as suffragettes launched the fight against a controversial third runway at Heathrow today with a violent, pre-dawn raid at the Department of Transport.
• Vauxhall engine fault puts up to 30,000 drivers at risk Horrified drivers have reported narrowly avoiding crashes after sudden losses of power. Others have had to get up to six repairs at a cost of £2,500.

Metro

• Honda announcement adds to jobs woeMore jobs were lost and a leading car firm announced a four-month halt in production, ending another grim week for employment, with further cutbacks expected as the UK heads for an official recession.
• 'Flash mob' demo planned at airportHundreds of activists opposed to a third runway at Heathrow are due to launch a

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Rocketing fuel and material costs bring Highland road repairs cutsThe spiralling cost of fuel and materials is forcing Highland transport chiefs to cut back on repairs to roads in the north, it has emerged.

Wales Online

• Driver dead after pile-up on Heads of the Valleys RoadA MAN has been killed after a three-car pile-up on a hazardous stretch of road in the South Wales valleys.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• A43 to be closed for three weeksA major road linking two towns will be closed for three weeks for resurfacing work.

Washington Post

• Toyota and Honda cut more output amid EU gloom TOKYO/PARIS (Reuters) - Honda joined fellow Japanese carmaker Toyota in cutting output further on Friday, as a top European official warned some of the region's manufacturers might not survive a
• U.S. Expands Aid To Auto Industry The government expanded its bailout of the nation's troubled auto industry yesterday, announcing a new $1.5 billion loan for Chrysler Financial while Ford Credit said it was in talks to obtain federal aid.
• Give Priority to High-Speed Rail Putting millions of Americans to work and rebuilding our frayed infrastructure are Barack Obama's most pressing priorities when he takes office. He should start by creating a high-speed rail link between Boston and Washington.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Fall in BAA air transport movements reportedThe volume of air transport movements from BAA airports fell in December 2008 by 5.8 per cent compared with the same month of 2007.According to the latest figures from the airports operator, "many airlines trimmed services in line with weakening demand" over the month and total air cargo tonnage dropped by 15.1 per cent in December.

Other News Sources

• Cheapflights Welcomes Heathrow Third Runway DecisionCheapflights Ltd., the pioneer of and an international leader in independent online flight price search and comparison welcomes the Government's decision to allow a third runway for Heathrow. Hea...
• Rates hit all-time lowShippers and forwarders are being offered record-low all-in rates on westbound Asia-Europe services by shipping lines battling overcapacity.
• Spaniards abandon planes for high-speed trainsA new fleet of high speed trains in Spain has stolen hundreds of thousands of passengers from the airlines, slashing the country’s carbon emissions. Passenger numbers on domestic flights fell 20% in the twelve months to November, as passengers shunned cramped airline seats in favour of spacious, convenient, and fast trains.
• Heathrow Noise and Pollution Assumptions Fatally FlawedOur response to today's announcement on the expansion of Heathrow.
• Stobart Group says full-year results to meet expectationsWarrington-based Stobart Group Ltd said it is confident its full-year results will be in line with its expectations.
• Grand Prix glimpseFormula One (F1) teams Ferrari and Toyota have unveiled their new car designs in line with the regulation changes announced by the FIA for the 2009 season.
• Oyster deal lights touchpaper for new tech makeoverCubic Transportation Systems and EDS - which were part of the TranSys consortium - will take over the "future management and development of the Oyster card system and other ticketing services" from 2010.

EIN News Subscription

• Proposed EU directive calls for air and road haulage toll ... A PROPOSED new EU transport directive could add significantly to the cost ... cent per kilometre should be levied on air and road haulage companies to ensure they ...