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

Thursday, 12 February 2009

BBC News

• New train fleet 'to boost jobs'A multi-billion pound order for a new fleet of inter-city trains is to create or safeguard 12,500 jobs, the government has announced.
• Freight trains return to terminalFreight trains have returned to a Shropshire terminal after an absence of 16 years.
• China to build Mecca rail systemChina has signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to build a new railway system linking the main sites of the annual Muslim pilgrimage, the Hajj.
• Tories seek quicker rail trips The Conservatives say a new high-speed rail line will slash journey times between London and other English cities.
• Peugeot Citroen cuts 11,000 jobsFrance's biggest carmaker, Peugeot Citroen, announces it will slash more than 11,000 jobs in 2009, starting with European plants outside France.
• EU offers Spanish car workers aidThe European Commission approves 1.7m euros (£1.5m; $2.2m) in aid for unemployed Spanish car workers hit by globalisation.

Department for Transport

• Passengers and economy to benefit from biggest investment in trains for a generation Passengers on some of the country's busiest rail routes will benefit from the single biggest investment in Intercity trains for a generation, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon announced today.
• Transport statistics * Transport Trends 2008

Financial Times

• Japanese group in line for £7.5bn UK train orderOne of the UK’s most valuable train orders ever is to set to go to a Japanese manufacturer after the Department for Transport named a consortium based around Hitachi as preferred bidder for a £7.5bn tender to build the next generation of long-distance express trains.
• Brussels to probe Lufthansa dealThe European Commission has launched a formal investigation into the planned takeover of Austrian Airlines by Lufthansa. The German carrier in December agreed to buy...
• Former pilot favourite to be chief aviation regulatorRandy Babbitt, a consultant and former airline pilot, has emerged as the leading candidate to become the next leading US civil-aviation regulator. US officials are...

The Guardian

• 'Super express' trains contract gives boost to British jobsThe government has awarded a £7.5bn rail contract to British-led consortium Agility Trains in a move that will safeguard and create over 12,500 UK jobs.

The Herald

• Plan to save £6m on bridge upgradeMillions of pounds will be cut from the bill for repairing the Forth Road Bridge after its operators said an upgrade can be delayed until the new crossing is opened.

The Independent

• Huge trains order brings jobs boostMore than 12,500 jobs are to be created or safeguarded through a multi-billion pound order for new trains, the Government announced today.

The Telegraph

• Next generation of Intercity trains to be built in BritainAfter months of delay Geoff Hoon, the Transport Secretary, announced that the work will go to Agility – a consortium made up of John Laing, Hitachi and Barclays.

Times Online

• Sculpture will help to revive the Flying Scotsman A 24-inch bronze sculpture of the Flying Scotsman made in copper from the famous locomotive is to be sold as part of an effort to raise £250,000 for its restoration. A limited edition of copies of the artwork, each costing between £15,000 and £20,000, will raise more money for the appeal by the National Railway Museum in York. The master sculpture, designed by Stephen Allen, an artist from Harrogate, took 18 months to complete and weighs 30kg (66lb). In 1934 the Flying Scotsman, built in 1923, became the first steam engine to reach 100mph.
• Payout victory for stranded air passengers Air passengers will be able to claim millions of pounds in compensation for cancelled flights after a secret deal between British Airways and a group of complainants, The Times has learnt.

Daily Express

• BAA stays upbeat despite Gatwick fallBritain's biggest airports operator BAA yesterday reported another steep fall in traffic but offered a glimmer of hope that the pace of decline could be slowing.

Daily Record

• Fury over rail link safety barriers which failed 21 times in nine monthsLEVEL crossing safety barriers on a new £85million rail link failed a shocking 21 times in the first nine months.

Mail Online

• Airline slump clips Rolls-Royce's wingsThe biggest airline industry slump in history is set to hit profits at Rolls-Royce.
• Government buys British for intercity train fleet British industry got a shot in the arm today after the Department for Transport ruled that up to 1400 new intercity express trains and carriages will be made in the UK.

Network Rail

• NETWORK RAIL RESPONDS TO TORY RAIL REVIEW
• EXTRA SERVICES ADDED ON WEST COAST (NW)
• EXTRA SERVICES ON WEST COAST ADDED

Transport Briefing

• £7.5bn Intercity Express order will be built in BritainHitachi has been selected by the government to build a new generation of 'Super Express' trains for Britain's inter-city railway lines as part of a £7.5bn contract, the largest ever rolling stock order placed for the UK rail network.
• Super Express Trains add seats and cut journey timesBritain's next generation of inter-city trains will have carriages 13% longer than existing vehicles and faster acceleration, enabling up to 15 minutes to be shaved off journey times between London and other cities.
• Metropolitan line recast gives Chesham direct trainsChesham in Buckinghamshire will be served by direct Underground trains into London throughout the day under a recast of the Metropolitan line timetable announced this week.
• Eight-point rail blueprint published by ConservativesGreater powers for the Office of Rail Regulation and measures to safeguard disused rail alignments for future use are included in a new strategy for Britain's railways published this week by the Conservative Party.
• Waverley steps Transport and Works Act bid submittedNetwork Rail has submitted plans to replace Edinburgh's famous Waverley Steps to Scottish ministers.
• Full West Coast rail timetable begins next weekTrain operators Virgin, London Midland and Southern will launch a tranche of new services on Monday (16 February), completing the roll-out of a new timetable made possible by the £9bn West Coast Route Modernisation project.

Bristol Live

• Bristol to get new trains and depotA new generation of high-speed trains will be running on the main line between Bristol and London by 2015.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Airline to recruit more staffAN Edinburgh-based airline is looking to recruit around 30 new employees.
• City to put off final vote on new Forth crossing until 2011MOVES to get the final decision on a new £2 billion Forth road bridge put off until 2011 have been backed by councillors on the city's transport committee.
• Transport chief says sorry for Seafield and admits blundersEDINBURGH's transport chief has vowed there will be no more mistakes on major transport projects – as he apologised for long delays on a £2 million scheme to replace a busy city roundabout.
• Gas guzzler tax set for green light next springA TAX on gas guzzlers in Edinburgh is set to be introduced by spring next year – but only after disgruntled motorists have another chance to protest.

Journal Live

• New name means changes, travellers promisedTRANSPORT Minister Paul Clark promised North passengers improved bus services but stressed the need for local leadership.
• Government rethink on biofuels could cost jobsTHE prospect of up to 8,000 potential North East jobs could be threatened by a Government rethink over biofuels, a top energy expert warned last night.

Liverpool Post

• Rail carrier links docks terminal to power stationFASTLINE Freight has begun rail-hauling coal for E.ON from the power and gas producer’s Liverpool Bulk Terminal to its Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station, near Nottingham.

London Evening Standard

• Trains contract brings jobs hopeA new fleet of trains for intercity services from London will be built in Britain.
• East London railway extension to Clapham is given the go-aheadThe planned extension of the East London rail line was today given the go-ahead by Boris Johnson, and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon.
• Tories propose 45-minute fast rail link to BirminghamThe journey from London to Birmingham would be cut to 45 minutes under Tory plans for high-speed rail unveiled today.
• Olympic express routes 'will cause traffic chaos'Plans to allow Olympic athletes and VIPs to be driven in express road lanes will bring chaos to London, a Games insider claimed today.
• Boris pledges to cut pay and bonus deals of top TfL managersBoris Johnson has promised to review millions of pounds worth of bonuses paid out to senior Transport for London staff during the economic downturn

The News (Portsmouth)

• Council bid to solve traffic congestionEVERY road in Havant borough will come under scrutiny as council chiefs aim to cut congestion and solve parking woes.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Plan to restore Fort railway hits the buffersAn ambitious project to restore a railway that once ran in the foothills of Ben Nevis, near Fort William, has hit the buffers.
• Anti-bypass group urges ignoring transport chiefs™ statementA pressure group opposing the proposed Aberdeen bypass has appealed to Scottish Government Reporters to ignore Transport Scotland™s closing statement for the public local inquiry.

The York Press

• Rail boss backs York station barriersRAIL chief Richard Bowker has stepped into the row over controversial plans to install ticket barriers at York station, claiming they would make it a safer place for passengers.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Government announces new fleet of eco-friendly supertrains for East Coast routeA NEW fleet of eco-friendly super trains is to be built to replace ageing high speed services on the East Coast main line, it was announced today.
• Tories plan Leeds high-speed rail lineA high-speed rail line linking London, Birmingham, Manchester and Leeds is among Conservative plans put forward today to improve the railways.

Bucks Free Press

• Salt crisis: council warns to "expect the unexpected" BUCKINGHAMSHIRE™S road boss today said she did not know when vital salt would be delivered “ and warned drivers to œexpect the unexpected.

Burnley Express

• Wheelie bin stickers handed out in Lanehead to drive home 20mph messagePOLICE in the Lanehead area of Burnley are handing out stickers to be slapped on wheelie bins to remind motorists to stick to the area's 20mph speed limit.

Doncaster Free Press

• Plan for 'port' to create 5,500 jobsA PLANNING application to build a multi-million pound "inland port" which developers say could create 5,500 jobs has been submitted to Doncaster Council.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Cash hope for new link roadsWork on two major road schemes has moved a step closer with the submission of a multi-million pound package to the Government.
• Fury as gritters ignore icy roads Icy roads left ungritted have caused upset among residents and motorists.

Forbes

• Safe Bulkers Needs A Safe Haven Shipowner slashes dividend and says it will try to amend two loan covenants after a massive loss.

Transport for London

• Chesham to get all day direct Tube services to central LondonLondon Underground publish the results of the Chesham and Amersham consultation.

Aviation Industry

• Podcars inch from myth to realityPersonal rapid transit (PRT) has seen its fair share of political strife and skepticism, particularly in the U.S. where a few projects are stuck at the planning stage. But this novel way of getting around appears to have a good shot at flourishing overseas.
• Docklands Light Railway plans new LAN & VoIP-based public address systemtelent has been selected by Serco Docklands, the franchise operator of London's Docklands Light Railway(DLR), as its system integration partner on a new network upgrade project.
• Airport to re-open inner forecourt after £2 million security investmentNew plan to boost public transport use to 15%. Public transport vehicles have been allowed back onto the inner forecourt at Glasgow Airport...
• Southampton Airport supports international language challenge for Eastleigh schoolsStudents from senior schools and colleges across Eastleigh have taken part in this years international language challenge run by the Eastleigh Borough Twinning Association, and supported by Southampton Airport...
• Capital airport set to take on Europe's bestA multi-million pound plan to develop Edinburgh Airport into one of the most modern gateways in Europe and support hundreds of jobs...
• EC backs sale of Alitalia Troubled airline again hit by strike read more

Other News Sources

• Station funding hits the buffersRADICAL improvement plans to solve the congestion crisis at Alnmouth railway station have been dealt a huge blow.
• Humber Bridge Board calls for £1 toll trialTHE Humber Bridge tolls could be slashed to £1 if bridge bosses get their way.
• Statement From Express Rail AllianceLONDON, February 12 /PRNewswire/ -- We are extremely disappointed not to have been awarded preferred bidder status for the UK Government's Intercity Express programme led by the Department for Transport.
• 500 jobs may come to countyA factory employing up to 500 people could be built in Leicestershire to supply a new fleet of "super express" trains.
• £75M East London Line extension to Clapham Junction approvedThe London Overground will be extended from Clapham Junction to join the East London Line following an agreement between the Government and Mayor announced this morning.
• £326m rail upgrade to shut down linesWORK has begun on a £326million upgrade of the Overground train network - but the improvements will mean massive disruption for passengers.
• Protest at rising rail faresA CAMPAIGN has been launched to protest against rising rail fares in Suffolk and calling for an improved service for one of the county's market towns.
• Jobs boost with £7.5bn train orderMore than 12,500 jobs are to be created or safeguarded through a multi-billion-pound order for new trains.
• Carmakers' bailout bill so far: £527mBritain's car industry has already received taxpayer handouts of over half a billion pounds - even before a penny of Lord Mandelson's current £2.3bn bailout is dished out
• FTA challenges VOSA over feesThe FTA says its members are not prepared to pay the current 9% test fee hike until VOSA justifies the increase.
• MEPs consider green tax for trucksMEPs on the Transport Committee are today (11 February) due to vote on plans to charge a green tax on trucks.
• Tories pledge to tackle 'chronic' rail overcrowdingThe Conservative Party has finally released its rail review, some two years in the making, saying they would put Network Rail directly under the control of passenger groups, and reaffirmed their commitment to high speed rail lines in an 8-point plan.
• East London Line phase 2 announcement expectedA final announcement on funding for phase 2 of the East London Line (ELL) is expected tomorrow.
• Rise in UK flag fleetTHE UK-FLAGGED merchant fleet has grown significantly following tax changes in 2000 but is facing tough competition from other flag states, the UK™s National Audit Office revealed today.
• DVB launches opportunity fundGERMAN shipping and transportation bank DVB has launched a new investment fund for opportunities in the shipping and offshore sectors amid the growing squeeze on loans and equity.
• Cruiselines refund fuel feesTWO SMALL cruise lines operating from Florida have agreed to refund around $3M in improper fuel surcharges under an agreement with state officials.
• Cosco forced to slash costsSHRINKING foreign trade and uncertainty over container prospects in China during the downturn have forced Cosco to reduce costs, according to VP Chen Xiang.
• 350 EU cities pledge to cut carbonOver 350 European cities, including 15 in the UK, have committed to cutting back CO2 emissions more than 20% by 2020, compared with 1990 levels. The cities signed the Covenant of Mayors, which commits them to exceed carbon reduction targets for EU member states. Andris Piebalgs, EU Energy Commissioner, said: “Most of the energy produced in Europe [...]
• World’s first hydrogen powered breakdown serviceGerman breakdown service ADAC has purchased its first hydrogen powered vehicle for its roadside assistance agents in the Berlin region. The HydroGen4, manufactured by Opel (General Motors in the US, and Vauxhall in the UK) will be the world’s first hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicle used by a breakdown service. The only emission of hydrogen fuel-cell powered vehicles [...]
• Car firms unhappy as Korea talks continueCarmakers say that now is not the time to be signing up to an 'imbalanced' free-trade deal.
• Britain looks set to benefit most as EU parcels out airlines for carbon tradingBRUSSELS: Britain, home to Europe's busiest airport, looks set to reap the most reward from European Union plans to require airlines to buy permits to cover their carbon emissions, according to a list released Wednesday that matches each of the world's airlines to the one EU country that will be responsible for collecting payments.
• Pressure mounts for green levy on lorriesMEPs push ahead with proposals to charge hauliers for air and noise pollution.
• Proposed EU toll may push up pricesIRISH CONSUMERS could soon pay more for imported goods than other Europeans because of a draft law that would impose additional road toll charges on Irish hauliers.
• Cenkos Securities reduces stake in Stobart GroupCenkos Securities Plc has disposed of the majority of its 22 per cent holding in Warrington-based logistics firm Stobart Group Ltd, leaving the broker with less than a 3 per cent holding in the company.

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