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

Tuesday, 19 January 2010

BBC News

• Airline ticket firm in administrationE-Clear, the company responsible for online ticket sales at the failed airline FlyGlobespan, is placed into administration.
• London road gets average-speed cameras Average-speed cameras are to be used on an urban road with multiple entrance and exit points for the first time, Transport for London (TfL) says.
• British Airways strike vote for cabin crew British Airways cabin crew will vote again on possible strike action, the Unite union has announced.
• Underground relief road is openedA £27m relief road has opened in Tipton, taking cars underneath the railway line rather than using the level crossing.
• Eurostar pay £10m compensationEurostar admits that it expects to pay up to £10m in compensation to passengers affected by the travel chaos before Christmas.
• Cold leaves roads full of holesThe cold weather has left many of Scotland's roads needing repairs, with more potholes than usual appearing.
• What happened to the 10-year transport plan? When Labour's £180bn, 10-year transport plan was unveiled by John Prescott in 2000, there were high expectations that it was to usher in a new era of light rail, road pricing and a much-improved bus service. So what happened, asks Chris Ledgard.

Financial Times

• BA raises stakes by asking staff to retrain as cabin crew Willie Walsh has asked British Airways staff to start retraining as cabin crew from today as the dispute between the carrier and its crew descended into deeper turmoil.
• New law prompts Air France to stall rail plans Plans by France's national airline to run high-speed trains have been put on hold after the French government introduced legislation widely viewed as restricting new operators' freedom.
• Turkish group flies ahead of the packTurkish Airlines has made a flying finish to a decade of rapid expansion in which it has become the fourth-biggest player by passenger numbers in the Association of European Airlines
• JAL plans radical cuts as bankruptcy loomsRadical restructuring plan is part of an expected bankruptcy filing in which the airline will also sell or close half the group's subsidiaries

The Guardian

• Britain needs high-speed lines, not Victorian-era railways Building a new network is cheaper and less disruptive than upgrading the existing track, says Mark Bostock
• BA to train ground staff as cabin crewCall for strike breakers by chief executive, Willie Walsh, has triggered an angry reaction from flight attendantsBritish Airways baggage handlers and check-in agents could find themselves handing out drinks and demonstrating the brace position on flights after the ­airline asked them to retrain as cabin crew in an attempt to avert a crippling strike from 1 March onwards.The call for strike breakers by Willie Walsh, BA chief executive, triggered an angry reaction from flight attendants today as the Unite trade union announced a new ballot on industrial action.In a ­letter to BA's 38,000 staff, ...

The Herald

• Residents lose cash fight over trains at night Residents living next to a recently reopened railway line carrying night-time freight trains have had the bulk of their claims for compensation rejected after it was found they should have known the route would be reactivated.
• Police threaten action against motorists who ˜jump™ level crossingsPolice in Scotland have mounted a crackdown on motorists who take risks at level crossings.
• Bus lane network proposed in drive to cut city™s trafficA new dedicated bus lane network could be introduced as part of a radical strategy to improve public transport in Glasgow.

The Independent

• New rail pass targets retired travelers European rail agency Eurail has launched two new InterRail passes aimed at senior citizens and holiday makers.

The Telegraph

• British Airways faces Easter strike threat British Airways is facing the threat of an Easter strike by cabin crew after the trade union, Unite, announced a fresh ballot on industrial action.
• Average speed cameras to be installed on major urban stretch for first time Permanent average speed cameras are to be installed on a major urban road for the first time.

Times Online

• BA faces Easter strike as Unite union orders new ballotBritish Airways is asking its ground staff to retrain as cabin crew as the airline faces the threat of a walkout that could ruin Easter holidays.

Highways Agency

• Highways Agency statement in response to a report from Campaign for Better Transport about value for money of major project schemes: A Highways Agency spokesperson said:œWe are committed to tackling congestion and providing a safe, reliable and sustainable road network that delivers value for money. œThe schemes focused on by Campaign for Better Transport do provide value for money and have improved safety, reduced congestion and made journey times more reliable for road users - as well as improving the local environment for many residents. œTo ensure decisions are made using the most robust information, we use the latest data and traffic modelling methods available to us. However we are not complacent...

Birmingham Post

• New tunnel for Tipton relieves 50 years of traffic chaosA £27 million tunnel designed to end nearly 50 years of traffic problems in Tipton by directing traffic under a rail route has been opened.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Ticket barriers go in at Bradford Interchange London Underground-style ticket gates are being installed at the Bradford district™s busiest railway station to beat fare-dodging passengers.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Construction outside city centre is on track say bossesWHILE tram work in the city centre may be progressing more slowly than many have hoped, elsewhere along the route the project is said to be going well.
• Traders' fury at latest tram works delay in West EndTRADERS in the West End today said they were "deeply concerned" about plans for tram works in the area, as an ongoing dispute with contractors looks set to delay the s

Liverpool Post

• Bootle-based Tram Power aiming to develop Preston trams system Tram Power, in Stanley Road, is in talks with rail infrastructure group Network Rail and Preston City Council to take control of a stretch of track through the city centre, extending out to junction 31A of the M6 motorway and a nearby business park development.

London Evening Standard

• Train company could lose Thameslink franchiseRail company First Capital Connect could be stripped of its Thameslink franchise if it fails to restore the full timetable.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Save county transport scheme, urges Labour candidate LABOUR'S prospective parliamentary candidate for Sherwood has joined a campaign to save a transport scheme for older people.

The York Press

• York bus fares petition goes to No 10 Downing Street A COUNCILLOR will hand in a petition to 10 Downing Street tomorrow calling for an end to bus route cuts and a freeze on fares in York.

Blackpool Gazette

• Tram line faces two-year closureTHE tram line between Starr Gate and the Pleasure Beach will be closed for the next two years.

Other Regional Press

• More road spending needed for potholes caused by snow, says Clr David SheardKIRKLEES will need a massive cash injection to its road budget to deal with potholes caused by the snow.
• Virtual tram plan for GlasgowA NETWORK of œvirtual trams could be introduced in Glasgow at a fraction of the £550million cost of the Edinburgh system.

Wall Street Journal

• LaHood Presses for Ban Against Texting While DrivingTransportation Secretary Ray LaHood stepped up his campaign against texting while driving, saying he would support legislation to deny federal funds to states that permit cellphone texting in cars.

Aviation Industry

• London Gatwick introduces innovative solutions to airport securityLondon Gatwick Airport is working closely with the Department for Transport (DfT) to develop the best solutions for airport security...
• Log on for Stansted Meet The Buyers 2010Companies can now register online to secure a place at Stansted Airport's Meet The Buyers event in March 2010.

Other News Sources

• MP calls for train fare reversal MP Claire Ward has called on rail company London Midland to reverse its decision to increase and restrict off-peak fares.
• A82 Stuckindroin Bridge to benefit from £1.1m upgrade A £1.1m bridge upgrade on the A82 is to start next month, Transport Minister Stewart Stevenson announced today. Transport Scotland recently awarded a contract to the ERDC Group Limited to undertake maintenance, strengthening and refurbishment works on the current bridge. The work, which will  commence on 1 February, will  widen the bridge as well as improve safety for road users. Mr Stevenson said: read more
• Debenhams awards £113m contract to DHL DHL Supply Chain has signed a new contract worth £113.2 million with Debenhams, extending its twelve-year partnership with the department store until 2012. read more
• New Norwich Airport flights revealedHolidaymakers are being offered a boost with the announcement of more holiday routes for the winter months this coming year.
• Iberia signs GDS deal with Amadeus Amadeus, which is part-owned by Iberia, has signed a five-year deal which gives the IT company guaranteed access to the Spanish carrier's fares, schedules and inventory.