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

Thursday, 31 December 2009

BBC News

• France to rethink carbon tax planA new carbon tax that was supposed to go into effect in France at New Year is struck down, in a blow to President Nicolas Sarkozy.
• Low-cost 250mph rail 'is future'Low-cost high-speed trains are the best way to improve the UK's inter-city links, Transport Secretary Lord Adonis says.

Financial Times

• JAL in fresh plunge on collapse fearsShares in Japan Airlines plunged for a second day as investor fears intensified that the airline could be headed towards bankruptcy protection

The Telegraph

• New Year travel news: road, air and rail Here are the latest updates on disruption to the transport network on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

Times Online

• Passengers to be scanned after details emerge about Somali bomb plotA man was arrested last month when he attempted to board an aircraft in Somalia carrying powdered chemicals, liquid and a syringe, in a potential forerunner of the Christmas Day bomb plot.
• Blow to President Sarkozy as carbon tax is thrown outPresident Sarkozy suffered a blow to his ambition to lead a green revolution yesterday when France's constitutional court annulled a carbon tax that was to be introduced on Friday.

Reuters News

• High-speed rail proposals eyedLONDON (Reuters) - The government will publish proposals for a high-speed rail line between London and Scotland by the end of March if a government-commissioned study backs the link, Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis said on Wednesday.

London Evening Standard

• Three killed in M-way crash namedPolice have named three men who were killed in a crash on a snow-affected motorway.
• High-speed rail plans submittedPlans for a high-speed rail line with 250mph trains have been submitted to the Government.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Model railway buffs invite youngsters on boardA LONG-RUNNING model railway club in Moray has announced an ambitious plan to bring younger members on board.
• I missed vital exam because of poor bus service, says studentA NORTH-EAST student claims she missed a vital exam because two buses failed to turn up.
• Work to tackle landslides on Argyll roadA HILL road hit by two major landslides in as many years, cutting off many areas of Argyll, is to undergo £760,000 worth of work.
• Inquiry into school bus girl™s death A fatal accident inquiry is to be held into the death of a north-east teenager who was killed as she stepped off a school bus last year.
• Fort William anger at plan to close only road southTransport bosses are facing an angry backlash from residents and businesses as they push ahead with proposals to close Fort William™s only link with the south.
• Scottish attack on high-speed railway claims Transport Secretary Lord Adonis was under attack last night for declaring 2010 œthe year of high-speed rail in the UK

The York Press

• North Yorks road crash figures hit 20-year-lowThe number of serious and fatal road crashes in North Yorkshire has fallen to its lowest level since 1990.
• Decision due on A19 Fulford Park junction plan A DECISION on whether to go ahead with a controversial proposal to narrow a York road junction is due to be made next month.

Blackpool Gazette

• Drivers face New Year traffic hellDRIVERS are facing New Year traffic hell as roadworks begin at a notorious Fylde coast jam hotspot.

Bucks Free Press

• Back controversial high speed train plan, Government urges A CONTROVERSIAL bid for a high speed train line “ which could come through Buckinghamshire “ is a œmoment to seize a transport boss said today as he was given final plans.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Motorway closure saves pigs' bacon after crashA busy motorway near Bishop's Stortford had to be closed after a herd of pigs escaped and ran on a carriageway.

International Herald Tribune

• Council in France Blocks a Carbon Tax as Weak on PollutersThe decision, which said the proposed law contained too many exceptions for polluters, is a blow to President Nicolas Sarkozy.
• G.M. Extends Deadline for Saab BidsG.M. has set a Jan. 7 deadline for bidders, including Spyker Cars, which has been in talks to buy Saab for the last month.

Washington Post

• Geely gets China's support for Volvo, 2010 auto sales HONG KONG (Reuters) - Geely, China's No.1 private carmaker, said on Thursday that its parent company has strong support from the Chinese government to acquire Ford Motor's Volvo unit, and expects robust growth for China's auto industry in 2010, also with help from Beijing.

Other News Sources

• Domestic travellers switching to railFifteen per cent more passengers have used Virgin Trains since the start of a high frequency service on the West Coast mainline a year ago. The company carried a record 25.4 million passengers in the 12 months, helped by 30% rise in train frequency and faster journey times.
• FAA and taxpayers prop up small, little-used airportsThe FAA has given $5.4 million to Randall Airport in Middletown, N.Y. The money includes $1.2 million to build an access road, $506,000 to install security fencing and $130,000 to erect a building for...
• Mideast carriers lead global passenger growth in NovMiddle East airlines continued to lead the way for passenger growth in the global aviation industry, latest figures from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) showed.
• Rail firms 'hiding' 15% fare increasesRail passengers are facing inflation-busting fare rises of up to 15% in the New Year, sparking accusations that 'rip-off' increases are being disguised
• Airbag InjuriesCertainly, airbags installed in today's passenger vehicles are important safety features. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that more than 20,000 lives have been saved by airbags.
• Causes of Car AccidentsIt is no secret that automobile accidents can be stressful. There is typically damage to your car, and injuries can range from a few scratches to serious injury and even death.
• Tories attack high speed rail plansThe Conservative Party has slammed the government™s high speed rail plans for a lack of detail beyond Birmingham and for failing to focus on a rail hub for Heathrow airport.
• Crossrail: 2010 set to be London mayor Boris Johnson has said 2010 is set to be a œhuge year for the £15.9bn Crossrail project with main construction works beginning in earnest.
• Reply is a 'waste of government-headed paper'A driver who received a response from his MP nine months after he wrote asking for help with the rising cost of fuel has branded the reply a
• Scots haulier Hayton Coulthard in mergerOne of Scotland™s oldest haulage firms, Hayton Coulthard, has merged with the Scottish arm of Gregory Distribution Limited (GDL) to create a joint-venture company, Hayton Coulthard Transport Ltd.
• FD Bird & Sons firm closes transport armBeverley, East Yorkshire-based FD Bird & Sons is closing its transport arm as a result of the recession. Director John Bird says he is pulling out now before things get even tougher next year.
• Shipping fund takes off in ChinaCHINA has kicked off a shipping fund aimed at helping cash strapped domestic ship owners and initially targeting gas ships and semi-submersible vessels.
• Singapore signs IMO conventionSINGAPORE is set to sign the instrument of accession to the IMO convention on the control of harmful anti-fouling systems on ships.