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

Friday, 28 August 2009

BBC News

• Safety fear over lorry fuel raids Concerns have been raised about the safety of truck drivers following thefts from lorries parked in lay-bys.
• Bypass plans out to consultation Plans to reduce congestion in Powys' busiest town are going on display to get residents' feedback.
• Anger over cut school bus route A Berkshire council has criticised a bus company's decision to cut a service used by many pupils to get to school.
• 'Cycling is like brushing your teeth' [video]Copenhagen has launched its plan to become the world's best city for cyclists. The Danish capital is hoping 50 per cent of commuters will get around by bike by 2015.
• High-speed rail plan questioned More West Midlands towns and cities should share in the benefits of high-speed trains, a transport leader says.
• Network Rail plans 1,800 job cutsNetwork Rail, the company that owns and runs Britain's rail infrastructure, says it intends to cut 1,800 jobs by April 2011.
• Boeing 787 to fly by year's endThe much-delayed 787 Dreamliner passenger aircraft should get its first test flight by the end of 2009, Boeing says.

Financial Times

• Investors reject revised National Express bidNational Express investors have indicated that they would not accept a revised all-cash 450p takeover offer from the train and bus operator's largest investor
• Trafficmaster beats expectationsShares in the traffic information provider rose to their highest point in a year after results from the group beat market expectations
• Arriva cautious on rail industryThe UK bus and train operator suggests a gloomy picture of the rail industry after revenue growth at its CrossCountry franchise falls to 1.8% in the first half
• Virgin Blue aims to break evenThe Australian airline reports a net loss of A$160m for the year to June as results were held back by launch costs and start-up losses for its long-haul brand challenging Qantas
• DP World warns of 'bleak' outlook Net profit at Dubai's DP World falls by more than a third as the world's fourth-largest container terminal operator warns the outlook remains 'bleak' for the industry
• Aer Lingus losses tripleIrish airline's chief does not expect an improvement 'in the near term' as consumer confidence remains weak and long-haul numbers declined

The Guardian

• National Express receives new £700m Spanish takeover offer • Consortium raises pressure on troubled operator of east coast mainline trains by raising its bid to 450p a share • But National Express confirms it is in talks with investors about a rights issue as it fights to avoid breaching banking agreements
• Network Rail to cut 1,800 maintenance jobsMove to axe 5% of workforce likely to bring accusations from RMT union that public's safety is being put at riskNetwork Rail is preparing to cut up to 1,800 jobs, or 5% of its workforce, as part of a cost-saving programme.The owner of Britain's rail infrastructure has opened consultations with trade unions about removing 1,800 jobs from its maintenance workforce, in a move that is likely to reignite a safety row at the company.The RMT union warned this year that cutting Network Rail's maintenance budget could threaten the company's strong safety record. The cuts are being made in response to d...

The Herald

• Unions to fight Network Rail plan to axe 1800 maintenance jobsTrade union leaders in Scotland last night vowed to fight proposals by Network Rail to shed 1800 maintenance jobs. The company announced jobs could go under plans to restructure maintenance teams.

The Independent

• Network Rail plans maintenance restructure Network Rail is planning to restructure its maintenance operations in a bid to improve the way it operates the UK's rail network, the company said today.

The Scotsman

• Britain braced for the great train rumpus IT IS one of the most ambitious transport schemes in modern history but, if it is to be realised, equally grand decisions must be made. As the first details of Network Rail's masterplan, which aims to carry passengers from Scotland to London in a little over two hours, began to be digested yesterday, so, too, the first questions began to be asked.

The Telegraph

• NatEx shareholders prefer rights issue instead of £689m takeover National Express, the beleaguered train and bus group, is ready to reject a new £689m cash takeover offer and instead launch a rights issue of up to £350m.
• Airline passengers face new stealth fare risesMillions of passengers face stealth fare rises as a number of major airlines including British Airways impose new charges for checking in more than one bag.
• Barnet council adopts easyJet and Ryanair business model A Conservativerun council is adopting the business model of nofrills airlines easyJet and Ryanair in an effort to rein in public spending.

Times Online

• GM Europe braced for risk of insolvencyGM Europe, the owner of Vauxhall and Opel, has sought professional insolvency advice to prepare for the possibility that it may not attract a firm buyer in time to rescue the carmaker, The Times has learnt.
• Network Rail prepares to cut 1,800 jobs by 2011Network Rail has confirmed it is preparing to cut 1,800 jobs across the UK, a day after outlining plans to launch a £34 billion high-speed line between London and Glasgow.
• Network Rail puts 1,800 maintenance jobs on the line in quest for savingsNetwork Rail has revealed plans to cut 1,800 maintenance jobs the day after it unveiled proposals for a £34 billion high-speed line between London and Glasgow.

Reuters News

• Stagecoach sees slower revenue growth Transport operator Stagecoach (SGC.L) said it was seeing slower revenue growth as conditions remained tough across the group, although profitability since April was in line with expectations. Revenue growth at its British rail business, which includes London commuter franchise South West Trains, was 0.9 percent for the 12 weeks to July 26, down from a 6.2 percent like-for-like rise in the year to end-April, the rail and bus operator said in a statement on Friday .

Daily Express

• Seatbelts on again at turbulent Aer LingusTROUBLED Irish flag carrier Aer Lingus is braced for a third takeover approach from budget airline Ryanair after plunging deeper into the red and warning of a
• Fresh bid for Nat ExTHE battle for control of bus and train operator National Express moved up a gear yesterday after its biggest shareholder made an increased takeover proposal worth £688million.

Mail Online

• Network Rail plans to axe 1,800 jobs in cost-cutting move

Belfast Telegraph

• Bombardier helps community project get off the ground Bombardier has launched a Sustainable Communities programme in partnership with Business in the Community. Related StoriesWater firm is hit with £2,000 fine for pollutionAer Lingus reports €93m operating lossFujitsu: Northern Ireland cutbacks ‘minimal’UK property prices up for fourth month in a rowTennent’s sold for £180m to Magners cider brewer

Birmingham Post

• Planners approve delay in towers construction at New Street StationPlanners have approved a delay in constructing two tower blocks at the £600 million New Street Station redevelopment scheme.
• Centro boss Geoff Inskip hails benefits of 46-minute Birmingham-to-London rail linkTransport authority Centro has praised Network Rail’s proposals for a high-speed rail line from London to Birmingham.

Bristol Live

• Bristol bus passengers feel the crunch as city centre services axed First Bus will be cutting a number of services serving Bristol city centre from September. The company is set to withdraw the 8A and 9A from Temple Meads from September 27, and revise a number of other routes.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Train arm knocks Arriva off the rails TRAIN and bus operator Arriva has seen half-year operating profits at its rail division fall 30 per cent after the economic downturn hit passenger revenues.

Journal Live

• Transport needs of the North East are ignored REGIONAL leaders are calling for the development of a high-speed train network after rail chiefs left the North East out of their plans. They want Transport Secretary Lord Adonis to reject Network Rail’s plans for a £34bn London-Scotland high-speed route running on the West side of the country in favour of a network that includes the North East.
• Spend cash and we can have high-speed rail MINISTERS are to be told they must spend millions of pounds on the East Coast Main Line or risk permanently labeling the region as second best.

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool to London in just 83 minutes under high-speed rail plansSUPERFAST trains will slash the journey time between Liverpool and London to just 83 minutes under new plans.
• Liverpool Pier Head Ferry Terminal voted Britain's ugliest buildingLIVERPOOL’S flagship Pier Head Ferry Terminal has beaten off stiff competition to scoop a national award.

Liverpool Post

• Bus operator Arriva feels the impact of high fuel costs MERSEYSIDE’S biggest bus operator reported better interim revenues today, although pre-tax profits failed to match previous levels.
• Architecture critics name Liverpool ferry terminal UK’s worst new building MERSEYTRAVEL’S flagship Pier Head ferry terminal is the winner of this year’s “Carbuncle Cup”. The award is made by a panel of experts from the highly-respected Building Design magazine.

London Evening Standard

• Wheels come off growth at Stagecoach The depths of the crisis at South West Trains was laid bare today as operator Stagecoach admitted underlying revenue growths have plummeted.
• Warning over Tube safety as trains go through red lightsUnderground bosses told to dramatically improve safety on the District line after three trains passed red 'danger' signals

Metro

• Safety fears 'could shut District Line'One of the busiest Tube lines in London could be closed after safety failures that could have ended in disaster, it's been reported.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Plans to revamp Gosforth's roads unveiledA MASSIVE shake-up of city roads is planned to ease congestion. Newcastle City Council is looking at revamping junctions around Gosforth to get traffic flowing more easily and prevent accidents.
• MP slams £34bn rail link that misses regionRAIL bosses stand accused of snubbing the North East over a new £34bn high-speed train link. Network Rail have released a report that says a new 200-mph line should bypass the region.

Sheffield Star

• High-speed rail line call outh Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) director general, David Brown welcomed Network Rail's backing for a new high speed line from London to Scotland, but said the line had to benefit all northern cities, including those in Yorkshire.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Shuttle bus service shortlisted for awardAN ABERDEEN shuttle bus service established to create a link between rail, air and heliport services in the Dyce area has been shortlisted for a national transport award.

The York Press

• High speed hopes derailed HOPES of bringing a £34 billion high-speed London to Scotland rail line through York have been quashed, triggering dismay among city leaders.
• Rail museum hits summer visits record ONE of York™s top attractions hit a visitor milestone last month possibly due to more people holidaying œat home.

Carlisle News & Star

• New Glasgow-London high-speed train won't stop in CarlisleA high-speed rail link between London and Glasgow would bypass Carlisle, a report has revealed.

Railnews

• News: 1,800 jobs to go under Network Rail maintenance changes NETWORK Rail is to restructure its maintenance operations and will cut out 1,800 jobs by April, 2011.

Aviation Industry

• FAA investigating Southwest Airlines - AgainThe Federal Aviation Administration is investigating Southwest Airlines after a routine inspection found that the airline had installed unauthorized parts on 46 of its planes.
• Aer Lingus "to launch cost cuts"Way open for third Ryanair takeover bid  read more

Other News Sources

• CALL FOR HIGH-SPEED RAIL LINE TO LINK WITH CUMBRIA THE leader of Allerdale council is calling for West Cumbria’s rail services to be boosted by a planned £34bn high-speed link between London and Glasgow.
• New Preston station in £34bn rail plan Preston could get a new multi-million pound railway station on the outskirts of the city as part of a radical £34bn high-speed rail revolution.
• BOSSES SITTING ON ISSUE OF WORKINGTON BUS STATION BENCHES BENCHES may not return to Workington’s bus station following improvements by Stagecoach earlier this month.
• Bus service shake-up will be one of the biggest ever ONE of the biggest ever shake-ups of bus services in Worcester will deliver much improved services to passengers when it is launched next week, transport bosses say.
• London Bus iPhone app updatedThe London Bus iPhone application, which promises to tell you where your nearest bus or tube stop is, has been updated to add augmented reality overlays for the iPhone 3GS.
• Ministers rush through hunt for rail expertThe government has 'accelerated' plans to appoint a consultant to help ministers run failed rail franchises, as fears grow that more collapses are on the way
• DfT pledges £122m for Kent road improvementsThe Department for Transport (DfT) has given the thumbs up for £122m-worth of transport improvement schemes in Kent.
• High speed rail best option for increasing UK rail capacityA new 320kmh high speed line to the Midlands, the North West and Scotland is the best option for increasing capacity of the UK rail network, Network Rail revealed today
• VisitBritain appoints Joss Croft as European directorVisitBritain, the national tourism agency, has appointed Joss Croft as regional director for Europe.
• Goldenport's profits slipGREEK shipowner Goldenport Holdings today announced a drop in profits for the first half of 2009.
• Electrifying cars: How three industries will evolve
• Cut Your Engine and Cut Pollution This Bank HolidayQueuing drivers asked to turn of engines to help reduce air and noise pollution.

News from Europe

• Siemens and Deutsche Bahn Plan US High-Speed Rail OffensiveGerman engineering giant Siemens and national railway operator Deutsche Bahn are making plans to penetrate the US rail market. They hope to benefit from President Obama's promised $8 billion in investments in the country's high-speed railway infrastructure.

Other Subscription Services

• Gulf port projects worth $1.7bn shelved or cancelledA NEW study estimates that some $1.7bn in new port projects around the Middle East have been either put on hold or cancelled.
• SeaFrance sets deadline to agree on rescue planSEAFRANCE wants agreement on a complete recovery plan by the end of September.
• Weaker tanker rates and book losses hit Aries MaritimeTANKER and containership owner Aries Maritime has slumped to a second quarter loss.