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

Thursday, 19 November 2009

BBC News

• Fewer lights 'good for economy' Some of London's traffic lights could be removed after a report showed the economy could benefit from such a move.
• Tests loom for record solar plane The prototype of a solar-powered plane destined for a record round-the-world journey will make its first trip across a runway on Thursday and Friday.
• Call for new driver passenger ban New drivers should be banned from carrying passengers, according to the mother of a teenager who survived a crash in which two of his friends died.
• Debate on transport and housing A consultation is getting under way in Gloucestershire, looking at future provision of new housing, managing traffic and public transport.
• Plans to boost transport in town Plans to improve bus services and road safety in a Cambridgeshire market town are going out for consultation. Residents of Chatteris are being asked for their views on a draft transport strategy for their town
• Airbus beats Boeing at air showEuropean plane maker Airbus receives over five times the orders of US rival Boeing at the Dubai air show.
• Tube strike looms as staff voteDrivers, station and technical staff at London Underground will ballot for action on four local rows, a union says.
• Virgin ticketing staff to strikeTicket staff at Virgin Trains are set to walk out in a row over the increased use of machines.

Financial Times

• CMA CGM to restructure debtsThe world's third-largest container shipping line still needs an urgent restructuring of its debts and supplier contracts in spite of returning to profit on a key route, said a senior executive for Marseilles-based CMA CGM
• Bombardier chosen by SNCFThe Canadian train and aircraft maker confirmed that the French rail group had picked it as the preferred bidder for a contract to supply suburban and regional train sets
• Delta woos JAL with $1bn aid packageDelta Air Lines sweetened its offer of financial support to Japan Airlines, while US buy-out group TPG could inject as much as $1bn into the Japanese carrier
• Fuel hedges weigh on Air FranceAir France-KLM, Europe's largest airline, unveils a net loss of €147m in its second quarter after suffering a further drop in revenues from its cargo operations and large hedging losses

The Guardian

• Green technology lights the way A new, government-sponsored, awards scheme is helping to showcase the UK's innovation in science and green technology

The Telegraph

• Diesel bursts through £5 a gallon barrierDiesel has burst through the £5 a gallon barrier as pump prices hit a new high for the year according to the AA.

Mail Online

• Fuel prices soar as oil tankers refuse to unload until prices rise even higher

Birmingham Post

• Virgin Train staff to strike at Birmingham and CoventryTicket office staff at five busy railway stations, including Birmingham and Coventry, will stage the first in a series of lightning strikes tomorrow in a row over the increased use of machines.

Bristol Live

• Shadow minister praises Bristol Evening Post traffic lights campaign The Evening Post's Put That Light Out campaign was singled out for praise by the Shadow Transport Secretary at a traffic conference. Theresa Villiers used the push for a reduction in the number of traffic lights across the former Avon area to highlight the plight of frustrated drivers across the country at the seminar in London.

London Evening Standard

• £50bn down the line, trains are worse than ever Far from the grandiose promises of ministers and the Queen's Speech, there's a more simple statement that sums up the start of the day for thousands in the nation's capital.

Wales Online

• Call for free transport for vets wins support A CAMPAIGN to reward South Wales war veterans with free public transport is gathering support. The Royal Naval Association, Cardiff, is calling for special provision for injured servicemen and women under the age of 60.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Profits plunge at Leeds-based Jet2's parent companyThe parent company of Leeds-based airline Jet2.com has seen pre-tax profits plunge by almost a quarter in the half year ended September 30.

Yorkshire Post

• Yorkshire university wins royal accolade for transport research CUTTING-EDGE research by a Yorkshire university has earned it the prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize in recognition of its work in the field of transport.

Other News Sources

• Crossrail considers case for extra station Crossrail chiefs are considering adding a new central London station to the £16 billion cross-capital rail link.
• Turn London's traffic lights off at night, says report Traffic lights in parts of London should be turned off at certain times or removed completely to smooth the flow of vehicles and bring economic benefits, a report says.
• Retford railway station is included in revamp RETFORD railway station has been included in a £3.25 billion revamp programme which will see massive improvements over the next five years. A consultation programme is being launched by Network Rail, which has unveiled plans to improve 240 stations in the Midlands alone.