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

Saturday, 16 May 2009

BBC News

• Man shot in rail station incidentA man has been shot and injured in an incident involving police at Carfin railway station in North Lanarkshire.

Financial Times

• Big rail electrification scheme called forA compelling case for the first big electrification programme for 20 years is to be presented by the company that runs Britain's railways “ a move that would cut costs and lead to faster and cleaner journeys
• Branson hits out at BA/AA tie-upSir Richard Branson warned that British Airways' planned transatlantic venture with American Airlines could imperil Virgin Atlantic Airways, the carrier he founded 25 years ago, if it wins approval from US regulators

The Scotsman

• Police shoot 'armed' man on railwayA man is in hospital after being shot by police on railway tracks in Scotland.

Times Online

• Tempus at lunchtime: First-time buyers ... Network RailThe great mortgage divide
• The Saturday Interview: Lord TebbitLord Tebbit insists on meeting at the railway station because his house is being renovated. Ah ” another politician on the take. Is he charging a glitter loo seat, swimming pool or bath plug to the taxpayer? œNo, I™m not having my wistaria cut or my sofas redecorated, the former Conservative Party Chairman says as the trains whizz by.

ATOC

• TRAIN COMPANIES CALL FOR EARLY COMMITMENT ON ELECTRIFICATIONCommenting on the publication by Network Rail of its proposed electrification strategy, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: œNow that Network Rail has published its strategy, the Government should honour the commitment it made in January to make a decision, by giving the green light to electrifying the Great Western and Midland Main Lines.

Liverpool Echo

• South Liverpool train misery over United Utilities workLONG-SUFFERING commuters in south Liverpool face continuing disruption on city centre train services because of work being carried out by United Utilities.

London Evening Standard

• Finally! Crossrail gets out of the sidings after 20 yearsWork started on a new railway under London that will transform travel across the capital London as Boris Johnson pressed the button that kick-started drilling
• Crossrail gets out of the sidings after two decadesBoris Johnson and Gordon Brown kickstart work on new railway under London that will transform travel across the capital

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Port rakes in millions as fuel imports increaseTAKING coal to Newcastle is now big business. There was a time when the thought of importing our most famous resource would have been laughable.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Train vandal to pay £1,290 compensationBRITISH Transport Police yesterday welcomed the £1,290 compensation penalty imposed on a German woman for spray painting graffiti on the side of a train carriage in the far north.

Burnley Express

• Police warning to Clarets fans over Wembley transportPOLICE in Burnley have issued travel advice to Clarets fans ahead of the play offs at Wembley on May 25th.

Chester Standard

• Police alert city shoppers to crackdown on vehicle crimePOLICE are urging shoppers to help tackle car crime by keeping their vehicles secure.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Brown hails £16bn Crossrail projectPrime Minister Gordon Brown cast the cares of the Westminster expenses scandal aside for a while by celebrating the start of major construction work on the £16 billion cross-L

The Shields Gazette

• Record profits fuel port job hopesRECORD-breaking business is full steam ahead at Port of Tyne, despite pressures from the global recession.

Washington Post

• Airline industry changes raise safety issues WASHINGTON -- Revelations this week about pilot pay and working conditions at the regional airline involved in an air crash that killed 50 in upstate New York have raised broader concerns that long-term structural changes in the aviation industry may be undermining safety.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Government pledges further highways cash to councilsThe government has announced that a further £7.5 million will be made available to local authorities in England in order to help them to manage their highways assets.Intended to provide councils with funding for roads, bridges and other items such as streetlights, the Department for Transport money has been allocated to 14 plans for innovative projects.Transport minister Paul Clark explained that local authorities will be able to use the grants to boost information holdings on highways assets in order to improve management systems, sharing techniques with other councils in their regio...

Railnews

• News: Coucher foregoes bonus as Adonis marks completion of £9bn West Coast project AS Transport Minister Lord Andrew Adonis officially marked the completion of the £9 billion West Coast route modernisation project, Network Rail’s chief executive Iain Coucher said he would forego his annual bonus this year.
• News: Top Tories split over future of £16bn Crossrail scheme AS Prime Minister Gordon Brown marked the start of construction work on the £16 billion Crossrail project, and London Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson welcomed the scheme, another top Tory said the party could scrap it if they win the next general election.

Transport for London

• Transport for London's Henlys Corner plans on displayA Local exhibition will provide an opportunity for the public to view proposed plans and find out more about the junction improvement scheme.

Other News Sources

• Regenerating inner cities with sustainable transport The Government has announced plans to regenerate inner city areas through sustainable transport initiatives.
• Environmental campaigners to cycle around the world Three environmental campaigners have set off on a round-the-world bicycle trip to show the potential of solar power in the fight against climate change.
• 15/01/2009 - Eurotunnel 2008 traffic and revenue figures15/01/2009 - Eurotunnel 2008 traffic and revenue figures
• Pirate networks are local, says IMBTHE IMB has dismissed reports that pirates are allegedly making use of international contacts.
• Crossrail faces review if Tories win next electionFears for the future of London™s £16bn Crossrail scheme resurfaced this week after the Conservatives said they could scrap it if they win the next General Election.The Conservatives said they planned to review œall major projects should they come to power, and have already committed themselves to axing a second runway at Stansted.Fears about the Conservatives™ commitment to Crossrail surfaced during a debate on Treasury spending in the House of Commons last wee
• Prime minister and mayor launch Crossrail constructionPrime minister Gordon Brown and London mayor Boris Johnson this morning launched the first pile for Canary Wharf station in London, signalling the start of major construction work for mega project Crossrail.
• Europcar Continues To Innovate For The EnvironmentEuropcar provides new environmentally friendly CO2 emissions information service on its rental invoices
• MPs reject SNP fuel duty regulator proposalParliament has rejected a plan for a fuel duty regulator.
• Government awards £7.5m for local road improvementsLocal authorities have been awarded grants for road improvements.
• Gazelle Transport Services reaps rewards from joining PalletforceGateshead-based Gazelle Transport Services says it has experienced an influx of customers since joining Palletforce in early May.
• The value of unions to UK businessA joint statement setting out the positive contribution that modern union reps can make to the workplace has been launched today (Wednesday) by the Department for Business, the TUC and the CBI.
• Toronto gets nearly $1-billion for light railTORONTO — Stepping off a clanging, 30-year-old streetcar at an elaborately staged news conference inside a TTC maintenance garage, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuin...
• Flight consolidator bids to increase travel agent salesFlight consolidator Major Travel is hoping to increase its sales by up to 20% through working with more agents.