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

Saturday, 19 December 2009

BBC News

• Thousands freed from Channel Tunnel after trains fail More than 2,000 people spent hours trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to cold weather.
• Copenhagen summit battles to save climate deal Delegates at the climate summit are battling to prevent the talks ending without reaching a final deal.
• Man jailed over £250k bus rampageA man who stole a bus and went on a
• Art of grittingHow exactly are icy roads and paths made safe?
• To the rescueAir ambulances fly to the aid of road crash victims
• Dog mess row politician in clearA government minister admits rowing with a train passenger who complained after her dog fouled a railway platform in central London.
• Ryanair pulls out of Boeing dealBudget airline Ryanair confirms it has ended talks with Boeing over the purchase of 200 new aircraft.
• Scrappage lifts UK car productionUK car production rose by 15.7% in November compared with year earlier, the first increase in more than a year, figures show.
• BA union to call new strike voteBritish Airways cabin crew will be balloted again on industrial action after a planned Christmas strike was declared illegal.
• GM to 'wind down' Saab businessGM says talks have broken down to sell its Swedish business Saab and it will start winding the car brand down.

Financial Times

• Road™s end for Saab as GM sale plan failsUS carmaker is to begin winding down operations at its Swedish unit after attempts to sell it to Dutch automotive group Spyker failed
• Thousands trapped under Chunnel and at airportMillions of Britons face transport frustration this weekend as poor weather is expected to complicate already difficult conditions at the start of the Christmas break
• Holiday operators fear BA action in FebruaryHolidaymakers planning to go to the Caribbean for the February half-term are set to be particularly vulnerable to a renewed attempt at strike action by British...
• Why O'Leary is miscast as Ryanair's new Mr DullIf peace on earth at EasyJet still sounds implausible, goodwill between Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the airline's founder, and Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's chief...
• Global airlinesThe grounding of Scotland's Flyglobespan, along with more histrionics at BA, has reignited speculation about the next airline likely to go kaput
• Globespan was 'badly let down'The collapsed Scottish airline was owed £34m by the company handling its credit card bookings, and £20m of this came from passengers who had already flown, according to a Holyrood cabinet secretary
• Jetstar and AirAsia in partnership talksThe two carriers confirm they have entered preliminary discussions regarding a potential cost-saving joint venture that could cement their positions as the lowest-cost airlines in the region
• CMA CGM revamps to access $500m facilityThe world's third-largest container shipping line overhauls its governance in a deal that will enable it to tap into a badly needed credit facility
• Thai Airways chairman faces baggage probeWallop Bhukkanasut, executive chairman of Thai Airways, is to face an investigation after he and his wife boarded a recent flight with 30 pieces of luggage, tipping the scales at 380kg, without paying excess baggage fees
• Ryanair chief in attack on BoeingMichael O'Leary, Ryanair chief executive, accuses the US aircraft maker of being 'a bunch of idiots' for failing to seal an agreement to sell him 200 new 737 jets

The Guardian

• General Motors to shut down SaabGeneral Motors announces closure of 62-year-old Swedish carmaker after collapse of negotiations with SpykerOne of the most famous names in European motoring, Saab, is set to be consigned to automotive history following a decision today by its owner, General Motors, to shut down the business after a last-ditch attempt at a sale failed.GM announced that negotiations towards a buyout of the 62-year-old Swedish carmaker by a Dutch sports car firm, Spyker, had broken down. Expressing
• Snow hits UK Christmas getawayAirports closed, flights cancelled, trains delayed and roads hazardous as eastern parts of England see up to 12cm of snowIn pictures: England under snowThe Christmas getaway got off to a miserable start today for thousands of travellers who were stranded after heavy snow caused major disruption at airports, on the roads and to rail services.Eastern and south-eastern regions were worst affected. The Met Office said 12cm of snow fell at Wattisham in Suffolk, with 8cm of lying snow reported across East Anglia and parts of Yorkshire, Sussex, Surrey and Kent.Gatwick was closed for seven hours on on...
• Right to strike eroded, says BA unionPrevious dispute at bus firm uncovered loophole seized on by lawyers in British Airways caseA swath of strike ballots are in danger of being struck down under legal challenges using the same loopholes that disabled the 12-day British Airways strike.According to sources close to active industrial disputes, a number of strike ballots involving rail and bus operators are facing legal challenges using the same arguments that won BA a surprise injunction this week.BA's lawyers were inspired by a case against a bus strike in London last year that was ruled illegal due to irregularities in the ballot...

The Herald

• CAA say stranded Flyglobespan customers can fly homeHolidaymakers hit by the collapse of the airline Flyglobepsan were returning home as a probe began into what happened to £34 million the firm was due.
• Crew members stranded in Muslim holy cityThirty Flyglobespan crew members are stranded in the Muslim holy city of Medina in Saudi Arabia.
• Union to call new BA cabin crew strike vote British Airways cabin crew are to be balloted again on industrial action after its 12 day Christmas and New Year strikes were declared illegal.
• Fears for thousands of UK jobs as GM winds down SaabThousands of British jobs were put at risk after it emerged the Saab car brand is to vanish.

The Independent

• No action to be taken against dog mess row minister A Government minister today admitted rowing with a train passenger who complained after her dog fouled a railway platform.
• BA cabin crew union begins new strike ballotUnion officials representing cabin crew at British Airways have started preparing for a fresh ballot giving a mandate for a strike. Unite sent a letter to BA yesterday to inform management of its decision to hold a second ballot.
• Snow comes down “ and Britain grinds to a halt Staff at Luton airport had been insistent: this time they would still be open despite the snow. They would bring in extra staff, they had tonnes of salt to grit the runways and they had been preparing for this since the summer. Besides, they said, it was not going to be that bad. But yesterday, it was the same old British story: unable to cope as the snow fell, they cancelled flights and shut their doors to shivering travellers yet again.
• Thousands spend night trapped in Channel Tunnel More than 2,000 people spent the night trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to wintry weather.

The Scotsman

• Eurostar passengers on move againMore than 2,000 people left trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to wintry weather are now on the move again.
• Anger over 'weak' climate dealCampaigners have reacted furiously to the climate deal struck in Copenhagen, after hours of frantic talks between world leaders.

The Telegraph

• Eurostar: cold weather traps 2,000 in Channel Tunnel Around 2,000 passengers were trapped in the Channel Tunnel overnight as four Eurostar trains broke down amid freezing temperatures that have brought travel chaos to Britain.

Times Online

• Three-day strike at BA looming after union vows to reopen ballotBritish Airways faces the prospect of a three-day strike in the new year after the union representing cabin crew told the company that it was to reopen a ballot of its members.
• Sad end to love affair with a racy Swedish supermodel I am saddened to hear that Saab has gone bust. I’ve owned my secondhand 93SE for five years now and every time I turn the key — in that quirky position by the handbrake — I get a superior warm glow, enhanced a few moments later by the one delivered to my rear via the heated seats. I don’t drive a car, I drive a Saab. And, yes, I’m smug about it.
• Saab splutters to a halt as US owner is accused of failing to make iconic brand flyGeneral Motors announced yesterday that it was winding down Saab, one of the world™s best-known car brands, prompting immediate protests from the Swedish Government that GM had not done enough to save the troubled company.
• Ryanair puts brakes on cheap air travelThe era of cheap air travel is set to come to an end as Ryanair and easyJet, the budget airlines famous for their low-cost tickets, change strategy to maximise returns for shareholders.

Reuters News

• Snow traps three Eurostar trains in Channel TunnelLONDON (Reuters) - Three Eurostar trains travelling from Paris to London were stuck in the undersea Channel Tunnel linking France and Britain early on Saturday because of snowy weather, a Eurostar spokesman said.

Daily Express

• Saab to close after last-ditch deal failsONE of the car industry's best known brands Saab is to disappear after last-ditch efforts to find a buyer by owner General Motors -collapsed.
• Ryanair cancellation has Boeing in a spinBUDGET airline Ryanair has grounded talks with Boeing about a £8.6billion deal for up to 200 aircraft and said it would speed up returns to share-holders instead.
• Motor industry needs such decisionsGENERAL Motors' decision to close Saab is a bitter blow to its employees and to fans of the famously reliable Swedish-built cars.

Daily Record

• Repeat drink-driving offender has car seized by the courtsA RESTAURANT boss yesterday became the first drink-driver in Scotland to have his car confiscated by the courts.
• Credit card firm boss failed to pay £15m he pledged days before Flyglobespan's collapseTHE boss of a firm who owed Flyglobespan £36million pledged to hand over £15million just days before the airline collapsed.

Mail Online

• Fury in Sweden after company offers to grind up bodies of 291 drowned reindeer to make biofuel

The Mirror

• Blame British Airways bosses for bumpy rideWith the Christmas strike off thanks to the High Court ruling in favour of BA, it’s clear cabin crew lost the PR battle.
• Failed Ryanair plane deal is threat to ticket pricesMillions of passengers could face higher fares, after Ryanair bailed out of talks with Boeing for £9billion of new planes.
• Eurostar passengers on move againMore than 2,000 people left trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to wintry weather are now on the move again.
• Motor-makers go up a gearCar production in the UK has risen for the first time in more than a year.

The Sun

• Boozy yob jailed for bus joyride DRUNK hooligan stole bus and went on a 30-mile rampage causing £250k of damage

Network Rail

• NEW WEST HAMPSTEAD THAMESLINK STATION APPROVED
• SIGNALLING IN THE FUTURE AT SCARBOROUGH

Belfast Telegraph

• Ryanair ends talks with Boeing over purchase of 200 planes Low-cost airline Ryanair said today it had pulled out of talks with Boeing over a potential multibillion-dollar order for up to 200 new aircraft. Related StoriesFurniture firm builds business with GB takeoverRetailers say reports of bumper trade are humbugConsultancy firm forges Saudi linksBorrowing hits an all time high of £20.3bnTourism’s £100m fillip as families stay home

Birmingham Post

• Highways Agency slammed over treatment of residents near M6 in WalsallAn MP has condemned the Highways Agency as “despicable” over its treatments of residents affected by work on the M6.

London Evening Standard

• Tube power staff walk out over payTube union bosses have ordered Christmas walkouts by staff who maintain the power supply
• Davina McCall stranded in car for 10 hours but keeps twitteringTV presenter Davina McCall was one of hundreds of motorists left trapped in their cars by the snow
• Snow disrupts Christmas getawayHeavy snow has derailed the great Christmas getaway as swathes of Britain were brought to a halt by the big freeze.
• BA union set for new strike ballotThe union representing British Airways cabin crew is set to move
• Bus thief went on 30-mile rampageA man who stole a bus and took it on a 30-mile joyride has been handed an indeterminate jail sentence.
• Anger over 'weak' climate dealCampaigners have reacted furiously to the climate deal struck in Copenhagen, after hours of frantic talks between world leaders.
• Eurostars trapped amid snow and iceMore than 2,000 people are trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to wintry weather.
• Eurostar passengers on move againMore than 2,000 people have spent the night trapped inside the Channel Tunnel after four Eurostar trains broke down due to wintry weather.

Metro

• Travel chaos follows heavy snowfallHeavy snow has brought travel chaos to Britain, with flights cancelled, roads closed, motorists stranded in their cars and rail services disrupted.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Fascinating glimpse into the North East’s pastOUR rich industrial past is brought back to life in a fascinating new book. These photographs are taken from Mines, Lines and Inclines, the title of County Durham author Bill Lees’ project on the region’s pits and railway industry.
• Snow and ice causes chaos on region's roadsSNOW and freezing conditions gripped the North East today sparking commuter chaos. Parts of the region were hit with icy winds and up to 5cm of snow causing treacherous driving conditions.

The News (Portsmouth)

• Cruise liner sails after sickness outbreakA cruise ship hit by a vomiting bug left Portsmouth last night.
• Crackdown on 20mph zones nets dozensDozens of drivers flouting the 20mph speed limit in parts of Portsmouth were caught out in a road safety operation.
• Trio attack man trying to protect his carA MAN was viciously attacked when he tried to stop three men from damaging a car.

Wales Online

• Wales must cut emissions by 10.5% to hit its targetWALES has retained its unwanted title as the highest carbon emitter of the UK nations, it has been confirmed.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Video: Man jailed for 30 mile West Yorkshire bus rampage A drunk was jailed after he took a stolen bus on a 30-mile rampage in West Yorkshire leaving a £250,000 trail of destruction - because he wanted to go home.

Burnley Express

• Heavy snow hits East Lancashire = PHOTOSHEAVY snow swept across East Lancashire overnight causing havoc on many of the region's roads this morning.
• Burnley and Pendle bus fares set to rise in New YearBUS fares in Burnley and Pendle are set to rise in the New Year.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Roads and schools before houses - demands bossWork will have to be done to ensure there is no adverse impact on existing residents when 5,500 homes are built to the east of Kettering.

Sunderland Echo

• Nissan's Sunderland plant could build new electric carsAn agreement was signed today which brings electric cars a step closer to the streets of Wearside.

C.N.N.

• Passengers stranded in Chunnel after trains break downSevere weather in France led authorities to shut the tunnel under the English Channel, but not before four Eurostar trains got stuck inside, leaving hundreds of people stranded, authorities said Saturday.

Forbes

• The New Definition Of A Luxury CarIn coming years a high-priced, prestigious car won't mean mainly big and roomy. It's just as likely to be small--and green.
• Boeing's Big FlightThe maiden flight of Boeing's 787 presages good things for the aircraft maker.
• Most Affordable 2010 CarsPay attention to more than price when looking for a wallet-friendly vehicle.

International Herald Tribune

• Ryanair Ends Boeing Talks, to Benefit of ShareholdersThe Irish airline Ryanair said Friday that it had pulled out of talks to buy 200 aircraft from Boeing, and would now trim its investment plans starting in 2011.
• G.M. Plans to Close Saab After Sales Talks CollapseNegotiations with Spyker Cars, a Dutch automaker, could not be completed by a Jan. 1 deadline, G.M. said.

Washington Post

• Airline stocks recover from a bummer summer -- Pilots say a good landing is one you can walk away from. Airline shareholders who hung on while their shares scraped along this summer probably feel the same way.

Railnews

• News: ’2000 stranded’ after snow halts Eurostar There are no Eurostar services from London this morning, after low temperatures caused several trains to fail inside the Channel Tunnel. Snow is also causing disruption on French railways.

Aviation Industry

• Branson Says It's `Unlikely' Virgin Workers Will Strike: VideoDec. 17 -- Richard Branson, billionaire owner of Virgin Atlantic Airways Ltd., talks with Bloomberg's Ryan Chilcote before a court order that blocked a British Airways Plc strike during the holidays, about the consequences of a potential strike.
• Budget carrier Ryanair stops talks with Boeing to purchase 200 short-haul 737-800 aircraftIn this May 10, 2009 file picture, a Ryanair aircraft is about to take off at the airport in Bremen, northern Germany.

Other News Sources

• Less capacity from Scotland 'no bad thing', says Barrhead TravelReduced capacity from Scotland resulting from the demise of Flyglobespan is
• E-Clear says Globespan finances were 'complex'The credit card processing company suspected of witholding funds from Globespan Group has said it is working with administrators to address the
• TfL funds underground powerABB has been awarded $70m by Transport for London to build a bulk-supply-point substation to power the London Underground rail system.
• GM to wind down Saab operationsGeneral Motors has announced that it is to wind down operations at Saab Automobile after talks with a potential buyer, Netherlands-based Spyker Cars, broke down.
• Enter T&D's Hall of Shame AwardsCaravanners, OAPs, BMW drivers, cyclists or farmers - which are the worst group of road users in the UK? T&D wants your answer to this question and more¦
• British Airways and Malaga City Make Plans For A Joint FutureBritish Airways and Malaga City have announced plans for a joint future online to promote and sell tourism to the city in the next couple of years
• Briton missing after ship sinksA least one Briton is believed to be among dozens of crew members who are still missing after a cattle ship sank off the coast of Lebanon.
• Probe begins into Flyglobespan collapse An investigation is under way into what has happened to £34 million which was due to the Edinburgh-based airline, Flyglobespan.Related StoriesBrits keep donating despite downturnBA agrees to strike talksBoeing's new 'plastic plane' finally takes offOperation to bring stranded holidaymakers home
• Bus thief jailed for 30-mile rampage A man who stole a bus and took it on a 30-mile joyride was handed an indeterminate jail sentence.Related StoriesBoys aged ten charged with raping eight-year-oldMan charged with baby's murderKitten killer to be sentencedPeaches Geldof 'lucky to be alive' after crashMan admits child body needles injuries
• Eurostar trains stuck in Channel Tunnel Over 2,000 people spent Friday night trapped inside the Channel Tunnel, after four Eurostar trains broke down in the wintry weather.Related StoriesCommuters board 140mph trainsEurostar strike talks collapseSnow hits UK, but too early for Xmas prediction?More snow predicted as cold snap continues
• China gives go-ahead for A380 to operate The Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has given the go-ahead for the Airbus A380 aircraft to be operated in China. It presented a
• Boeing's 2nd flight test 787 may fly as early as 21 December ZA002, Boeing's second 787 flight test aircraft, may fly as early as
• Boeing hails WTO warning by CongressBoeing has praised 125 US lawmakers for signing a letter urging the US government to take action after the World Trade Organization (WTO) releases an
• Ports Sign Up To 10:10 Carbon Reduction PledgeThe Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port and London Thamesport - all owned and operated by Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited (HPUK) - have signed up to the 10:10 initiative, a national drive to cut the UK’s carbon emissions by 10% during 2010.
• Algeciras-Rock shuttle reopensA FERRY shuttle linking Gibraltar with Algeciras has reopened “ four decades after it was suspended with the closure of the Spain-Gibraltar border.
• Asian pirates hunt for bulkersTHERE were eight pirate attacks in Asian waters in November this year, according to the latest statistics from ReCAAP.
• SeaFrance to receive cash injectionSEAFRANCE is expected to receive a cash injection from parent company SNCF, the French rail operator, after majority union CFDT agreed to a recovery plan that will save more than 1,000 jobs.
• Carnival tops forecastCARNIVAL Corp posted better results than expected today, citing stronger onboard spending and lower operating costs.
• Brazil warns EU on biofuel sustainabilityEU rules for calculating indirect land-use changes caused by biofuel production would not be legitimate without an internationally-accepted methodology, a group of developing countries has told the European Commission.
• Commission Blasts Inadequate London Air Pollution PlansEC decision brings renewed pressure to tackle London's air pollution problems.
• One North East Signs Zero Emission Agreement With NissanRegional Development Agency One North East and car manufacturer Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., today entered the next phase of their partnership on the development of zero emission mobility in North East England.
• Eurostar passengers on move againEurostar passengers on move again

Other Subscription Services

• Maersk goes for brand unificationGroup to unify brands of some of its business divisions.