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

Sunday, 08 March 2009

BBC News

• Three killed in two-car accidentAt least three people die and five are injured in a collision involving two cars in Herefordshire, emergency crews say.

The Herald

• British Airways braced for two years of lossesBritish Airways warned yesterday that it now expects two successive years of operating losses just weeks after the company appeared on course to stay in profit.
• Edinburgh tram project could shelve Princes Street stretchContingency plans for the stalled Edinburgh tram project could include shelving the milestone Princes Street stretch, which was supposed to begin weeks ago but was halted after a contractual row.

The Independent

• Mandy attack: 'Green slime on his face? I thought he was leaking'Peter Mandelson was splattered with green slime last week as he arrived outside the Royal Society in central London to deliver a speech on low-carbon energy initiatives. One radio caller said he though the Secretary of State for Business was leaking.
• Why I threw green custard over the Business SecretaryPeter Mandelson epitomises all that is wrong with our democratic system. His CV is a reason for us to give up on democracy and take direct action. After several disgraces and resignations, Mandelson is back from exile in Europe to be shoe-horned into government as an unelected minister, via an archaic loophole which allows the Prime Minister to create peers and place them in power for his own political ends. This is what democracy in the UK looks like.

The Telegraph

• Learner drivers face test on following road signs Learner drivers are to be tested on their ability to follow road signs.
• Speed limit on rural roads to be cut to 50mphMinisters are drawing up plans to cut the speed limit on singlecarriageway roads in the countryside from 60mph to 50mph.

Times Online

• Ford S-Max At first, the S-Max looked a risky move for Ford. The company had one seven-seat people carrier — the Galaxy — so why launch a competitor that could split sales?
• Supercars revealed at Geneva motor show Dreams sell when times are hard, which is why people flocked to the movies during America’s Great Depression, and why last week they came in their thousands to the 2009 Geneva motor show. The best and brightest of all the car exhibitions, Geneva always showcases the most desirable machines. Detroit may be famous for muscle cars, and Tokyo for high-tech vehicles, but it's at Geneva that the costliest, most prestigious cars are displayed.

Journal Live

• Nissan car sales rise as buyers back North East companiesNORTH East car manufacturer Nissan is bucking the recessionary trend by selling more cars in the UK than last year.
• German airline bosses’ joy as numbers riseA GERMAN airline has reported soaring numbers of passengers using Newcastle International Airport. In a boost for The Journal’s Think North East First campaign, Lufthansa says more than 75% more people chose their service from Newcastle to Dusseldorf last year.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyrail hails its Young Achievers of the Year at Liverpool’s Liner HotelMERSEYRAIL honoured youngsters in its Young Person’s Achievement Awards.Winners: Sporting Achievement, Hannah Wain, 13, King David High; Anti-Bullying Campaigner, Sankeerthana Arulsabesan, 13, Hillside High, Bootle; Good Citizenship, Laurence Hancock, 21, former pupil of Mosslands School, Wallasey; Charity Fundraiser, Oliver Bryce, 14, Meols Cop High, Southport; Academic Achievement, Gareth Cottrell, 16; and Young Carer, Grant Wray, 17, both of Mosslands School, Wallasey; Courage: Jessica Clayton, nine, St Sebastian's PrimarySchool, Liverpool.

The News (Portsmouth)

• Horror attack leaves man electrocuted on railway tracksA young man is fighting for his life after he was attacked at Portchester train station and landed on the tracks.

The York Press

• Profit ˜hypocrisy™ of bus company BUS operator First York has been accused of œhypocrisy after slashing services while recording bumper profits.

Doncaster Free Press

• Road closures for repairs worksTHE main road running through a town is to be closed over the next two months to allow for major repairs.

Aviation Industry

• S&P downgrades British Airways rating to junkBritish Airways PLC's corporate credit rating has been cut to junk status Friday by Standard & Poor's amid mounting concerns about the airline's ability to make money in the sharp global economic downturn.

Other News Sources

• Air freight market hits rock bottomThe double-whammy of high inventory levels and low sales that has had such a disastrous impact on air freight traffic could be beginning to ease.
• Vice President Biden, U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood, Announce Availability of $8.4 Billion in Public TransportVice President Joe Biden, U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, and Miami Mayor Manny Diaz today announced the availability of $8.4 billion from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to states and local transportation authorities to repair and build America™s public transportation infrastructure. The announcement took place at the future site of the Miami Intermodal Center, which is slated to serve as a 21st century hub for all types of mass transit.

Other Subscription Services

• ExxonMobil to spend $30bn a year for next five yearsEXXONMOBIL intends to spend $25bn-$30bn per year for the next five years to meet its long term oil production growth ambitions.