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

Tuesday, 07 April 2009

BBC News

• Tech safety threat to steam lineTechnology to improve track safety could halt future steam trains on the Cambrian Railway between Machynlleth in Powys and Pwllheli, Gwynedd. The European Rail Traffic Management system (ERTMS) is being piloted on the line, before UK-wide installation.
• Challenge to Heathrow runway planCouncils opposed to the decision to approve a third runway for Heathrow are to launch a legal appeal in the High Court.
• BT chairman joins Easyjet boardBT chairman Sir Michael Rake is appointed deputy chairman of Easyjet amid a rift between its board and founder.
• Aer Lingus chief executive quitsThe chief executive of Aer Lingus says a new face will bring fresh ideas to the loss-making Irish airline.
• Carmaker Ford cuts debt by $9.9bnFord sees its shares end 16% higher in New York, after saying it had cut 38% from its $25.8bn debt figure.
• UK car firms tipped to get fundsThe European Investment Bank is expected to approve significant funding for two car makers in Britain, Jaguar Landrover and Nissan, on Tuesday.

Department for Transport

• Workplace travel planning saving businesses time and money CAMDEN COUNCIL TRAVEL PLAN INCREASES CYCLING AND WALKING Hundreds of businesses are benefiting by providing sustainable workplace travel plans for their staff.

Financial Times

• Aer Lingus considers allianceAer Lingus, the Irish airline that has been under hostile takeover pressure from Ryanair for more than two years, is considering whether to seek a protective alliance with another leading European carrier.
• World's their Oyster with Thames travelPassenger services on the River Thames are to be improved and more integrated with London's transport system, in an effort to make better use of the lightly used waterway
• Aer Lingus chief resigns suddenlyDermot Mannion, the chief executive who oversaw the listing of Aer Lingus and has defended the airline against two hostile bids from Ryanair, has stepped down suddenly leaving the chairman to take over executive responsibility until a successor can be found
• Chandler to step down as EasyJet chairman Sir Colin is to leave at the end of June, up to six months earlier than expected, amid frustration at the continuing unrest on the airline's board

The Guardian

• Boris Johnson to open up boat services to Oyster cardsTravellers will be able to use prepaid Oyster cards on the River Thames as part of plans to make boat services an integral part of London's transport provision.
• EasyJet entrepreneur Stelios wins boardroom battle after chairman quits earlyHe is the affable consumer champion who brought cheap flights to a grateful British public before launching a succession of enterprises ranging from internet cafes and buses to hotels and cruises. But six years after stepping down as chairman of easyJet, Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has his hands back on the controls of his most famous creation.
• Car industry begs for budget boostManufacturers and dealers want UK to follow Europe into scheme to give cash to drivers who scrap old cars to buy newThe government was facing renewed pleas to bail out Britain's ailing motor industry yesterday as figures showed sales of new cars had dropped by almost a third year on year.Only 313,912 cars were registered in March - a 30.5% fall in sales from this time last year, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed, prompting fresh calls for the government to pay motorists to trade in their old cars for new ones.The motor industry and lobby groups are hopin...
• You are being fleeced in the biggest, weirdest rip-off yet: a widened M25The state's road-building deal guarantees profits to private firms, while taxpayers put up the money and take the risksHere's what the banks have taught us: wherever you come across unnecessary complexity, you know that someone is being swindled. So please bear with me on this one. The tale I'm about to tell is a tangled one, but you should read it. Why? Because the person being fleeced is you.Over the next few days, the deal to expand the M25 (the orbital motorway around London) will be completed. Construction has to start by the end of the month if the road is to be ready in time for the Oly...

The Herald

• Downturn claims two airline scalpsPressures on the airline industry claimed two scalps yesterday as easyJet replaced its chairman and Aer Lingus lost its chief executive.
• New car sales in Scotland plunge by 23%Sales of new cars slumped by 23% last month, prompting warnings that the Scottish motor trade is in a “fragile” state.

The Telegraph

• BA and Virgin propose carbon trading for airlinesBA and Virgin Atlantic are among five groups taking the lead in volunteering to be included in global climate change agreement that could open the way for extending the growing emissions trading system to the airline industry.
• 32000 speeding drivers caught in one week Police recorded 32000 speeding drivers in a one week on a single city centre road.
• Ecotowns cannot go ahead without support of local community say townhalls Ecotowns could be illegal because of a failure to consult properly according to legal advice given to town halls.

Times Online

• Aer Lingus boss falls on sword after €119m loss The chief executive of Aer Lingus stepped down this morning with immediate effect, declaring that "fresh thinking" was needed at the loss-making Irish airline.
• Carmakers make new appeal for help in Budget Global car markets could take five years or more to return to pre-recession levels, industry experts said yesterday, as figures showed that British car sales for March fell 30.5 per cent compared with the same month last year.
• Virgin declares price war on rival train operator that restored routes The train company that offers Britain’s cheapest rail tickets is engaged in a battle with Virgin that threatens to force it out of business.
• British Airways showdown looms as Willie Walsh seeks to cut staff pay British Airways has proposed a shake-up of employee pay and conditions in a move that could lead to substantial cuts in remuneration and holidays for its 13,500 cabin crew.

Highways Agency

• A1 upgrade reaches milestone as new local access road opens at Wetherby A £68 million scheme to upgrade the A1 between Bramham and Wetherby to motorway standard is due to reach a significant milestone tomorrow night (Wednesday April 8th) when the final section of supporting local access road is opened to traffic. The upgrade work on the adjoining main A1 carriageway is due to be completed later this summer.

Daily Express

• Mannion quits after Aer Lingus nosediveAER Lingus chief executive -Dermot Mannion yesterday quit the troubled Irish airline less than a month after sounding a profits warning.

Mail Online

• CHARLOTTE LESLIE: Start rebuilding our railways if you want a green fiscal stimulus CHARLOTTE LESLIE: Start rebuilding our railways if you want a green fiscal stimulus
• Pothole UK: How crumbling roads cause more than £1m damage to cars every day Pothole UK: How crumbling roads cause more than £1m damage to cars every day

Network Rail

• RAIL CRIME DOWN IN YORKSHIRE BUT WORK CONTINUES - New figures reveal how young people continue to risk their lives by trespassing and vandalising the railway
• HALF OF RAIL CRIMES IN THE SOUTH WEST INVOLVED YOUNG PEOPLEThere were more than 500 recorded incidents of railway crime involving young people last year in the South West. Whilst overall railway crimes has dropped by about 15% from 2007 - 2008, figure shows that many young people are still putting their lives at risk.
• SCOTTISH RAIL CRIME DROPS BY 27% - BUT THERE'S MORE TO DO- Drop of 27% in Scotland - Significant ˜hot-spot™ areas to be targeted by No Messin! campaign

Edinburgh Evening News

• Bus firm boss saddles up for 'frightening' rush-hour rideCYCLISTS and bus drivers have never been known as the best of friends as they vie for position on the Capital's roads. But the often tense relationship could be about to improve, thanks to an "eye-opening" journey by the head of Lothian Buses.

London Evening Standard

• Councils' legal challenge to third runway at HeathrowCouncil leaders backed by Boris Johnson will this week launch a legal challenge against a third runway at Heathrow

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• New school bus safety campaign launchedThe families of children killed and injured while leaving school buses have launched a new campaign to raise awareness of their fight to keep youngsters safe.

The York Press

• Drivers™ anger at Clifton Green bike lane revamp ANGER among motorists in York is growing following the loss of a filter lane at Clifton Green to make way for a cycle route.

This Is Local London Network

• 2M group mounts challenge against airport expansionA LEGAL challenge has been launched today against plans for a third runway at Heathrow. Hillingdon Council, along with the rest of the authorities in the 2M group, has launched an application for judicial review.

Peterborough Telegraph

• EasyJet passenger numbers down in MarchLuton-based airline easyJet has said passenger numbers were down 6.3% in March as a late Easter hit its ability to fill planes.

New Scientist

• Airlines want governments to be stricter on emissionsFour of the world's largest airlines have called for a global cap-and-trade scheme to regulate carbon emissions

Washington Post

• Ford completes tender offers, cuts $10B in debt DETROIT -- Shares of Ford Motor Co. soared 16 percent Monday after the company said it completed tender offers that will reduce its debt by 38 percent and shave millions of dollars off its interest costs.
• GM and Segway unveil new two-wheeled urban vehicle NEW YORK -- A solution to the world's urban transportation problems could lie in two wheels not four, according to executives for General Motors Corp. and Segway Inc.

Aviation Industry

• London Underground use Confidex Ironside Tag on EscalatorsThe escalators of the London Underground carry more than three million passengers every day from the street to the platforms and back again. Most commuters and tourists don't give the travelling metal staircases a second thought; a fact that is a testament to the reliability of the system and the care taken over the maintenance of escalators.

Other News Sources

• Heathrow expansion challenge launchedCampaigners and councils have launched an application for a judicial review of the Government’s decision to approve a third runway at Heathrow. Richmond, Hounslow and Wandsworth Councils are all members of 2M, an alliance of local authorities concerned about the environmental impact of expansion at the airport which begun the action today.
• Plan to close entrance at railway stationSOUTH West Trains has submitted a planning application that could see the closure of the northern entrance to Salisbury railway station.
• Good news for rail passengers as Southeastern chief promises review of overcrowding, more trains and less disruptionTunbridge Wells MP Greg Clark met with Southeastern’s Managing Director Charles Horton on Friday, 3 April 2009, to discuss a long list of problems raised by his constituents during the last few months.
• Councils oppose Heathrow expansionCouncils opposed to expansion at Heathrow are launching a legal challenge to the Government's decision to approve a third runway at the west London airport.
• Deal 'agreed' for Swansea ferry A co-operative hoping to restart the Swansea to...
• Pirates seize British cargo vessel
• Councils oppose Heathrow expansion
• Councils oppose Heathrow expansionCouncils oppose Heathrow expansion

News from Europe

• Qualcomm Voices Support for 3GPP's New In-band Modem Specification to Enhance Safety on European RoadsQualcomm Incorporated (NASDAQ: QCOM) , a leading developer and innovator of advanced wireless technologies, products and services, today offered its endorsement for the Third Generation Partnership Project's (3GPP's) recent approval of the eCall in-band modem specification, which supports the EU's eCall road safety initiative.