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

Wednesday, 09 December 2009

BBC News

• Rail transport hub idea proposed A multi million-pound food distribution railway hub could be built in Lincolnshire. South Holland District Council wants to create the Spalding International Food Park to help move produce from farms in the county more efficiently.
• Mountain railway to get more cashBosses from Highlands and Islands Enterprise are to give evidence to MSPs reviewing spending on the Cairngorms' funicular railway.

Financial Times

• Eurostar calls French tax bill protectionistThe rail operator says it will consider a complaint to the European Commission if the French parliament approves new lump-sum levies on moving stock used on the country's train network
• Aer Lingus chief warns of Ryanair threatThe new head of Aer Lingus warns that the Irish airline risks being taken over by its larger rival Ryanair unless employees agree to his plans for sweeping cost cuts

The Guardian

• Guardian Daily: Copenhagen to HeathrowGordon Brown has been setting out Britain's aims for the UN climate summit in Copenhagen. In an interview with deputy editor Ian Katz, the prime minister says the UK will press for drastic cuts in the European Union's emissions. Meanwhile transport correspondent Dan Milmo explains why the Committee on Climate Change reports today that a third runway at Heathrow is compatible with emissions targets.

London Evening Standard

• 70 jobs go as airport closesAround 70 jobs have been lost after struggling Coventry Airport closed down ahead of a winding-up petition due in court today. The West Midlands airport, which has only handled cargo since the last scheduled passenger flights were stopped over a year ago, shut its doors yesterday. The site's owner faces the winding-up petition from HM Revenue and Customs in the High Court. Coventry Airport has not been used for scheduled passenger flights since airline Thomsonfly ceased operations in November 2008.
• Pollution fears over high-speed rail linkHigh-speed rail link could lead to more noise and pollution over west London, it has emerged
• Virgin space tours ready for blast-offThis is the craft that Sir Richard Branson hopes will bring success to his venture into space tourism
• Heathrow pollution too high for third runway, says ex-ministerA Former Cabinet minister said pollution around Heathrow was still too high to consider going ahead with a planned third runway

The York Press

• Boost to York's rail headquarters future RAIL-WORKERS in York have been given a boost after the Government indicated it may force future East Coast Main Line operators to be based in the city.

Wales Online

• Rail police issued with stun guns British Transport Police officers armed with electric stun guns have been deployed on the rail network for the first time.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Rail strike threat avertedThe threat of a strike by train drivers on rail routes through Bedford, Peterborough, Cambridge and King's Lynn, ended when union leaders recommended acceptance of a pay o

Reading Evening Post

• £1 bus fare for Christmas Santa’s unlikely to give up his sleigh, but if Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet and friends are not available then Reading Buses is a safe second bet.
• £2m grant for hybrid buses will boost green credentials A fleet of hybrid-powered double-deckers will bolster Reading Buses’ green credentials, according to the company’s boss.

Forbes

• Big Oil Worries About The Next BoomThe top concern of energy execs is that they'll be too short-staffed when demand returns, according to Schlumberger consultant.

Transport for London

• First roadworks permit scheme in UK to start on 11 January 2010Permit scheme to be introduced on London's busiest roads. Scheme will help to reduce traffic disruption across the Capital.

Aviation Industry

• Stansted Airport™s Passenger Security Advice for Christmas TravelTo help ensure flying from Stansted remains a jolly experience over the festive season, and to avoid any unnecessary delays and disappointments, the airport is today setting out its œ12 Yeas and Nays of Xmas to make sure there are no unexpected surprises for the hundreds of thousands of passengers who will fly from Stansted over the Christmas period

Other News Sources

• Crossrail Academy is making tracks CROSSRAIL plans to set up a training academy - the first purpose-built centre of its kind in the UK - were the focus of two consultation meetings.
• South West facing booming years of rail use says survey ACROSS the South West, it is predicted that the Great Western railway network will have to cope with a huge increase in the number of passengers over the next 10 years. Further investment in the network is vital, meaning longer trains, more services and improved infrastructure.
• Committee on Climate Change reports on aviationThe Committee on Climate Change shows that allowing aviation to grow
• Pre-budget report must fast-track a low-carbon economyUrgently developing a low-caarbon economy must be at the core of the Pre-Budget Report, Friends of the Earth said.
• VIDEO: Virgin Galactic unveils SpaceShipTwo Virgin Galactic has released images and video of its completed SpaceShipTwo prototype vehicle attached to its WhiteKnight Two carrier aricraft hours before...
• 2012 Transport plans 'on track'The ODA has completed three quarters of its transport improvement programme for the 2012 Olympic Games - on time and to budget.
• Confusion over DfT's road responsibilitiesTransport minister Lord Adonis has admitted that there are stretches of road in the UK that the Department for Transport (DfT) is unable to authorise improvements for, no matter how pressing the need from a safety point of view.
• Big spending cuts are impossible without hitting public services, says TUCResponding to the report published today (Tuesday) by Reform, which calls for a million public sector jobs to be axed, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
• Heathrow can expand if growth capped LONDON (Reuters) - Britain could go ahead with a new runway at London's Heathrow airport if the growth in passenger numbers between now and 2050 is limited to 60 percent, the government's chief climate change adviser said on Tuesday.
• Instant View-Technology vital for aviation CO2 cutsLONDON (Reuters) - Government plans to expand Heathrow airport should be consistent with limiting passenger growth to 60 percent by 2050, the government's chief climate change adviser said in a report on Tuesday.