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

Tuesday, 26 January 2010

BBC News

• Council showing HGVs where to go Lorry drivers will be able to find their way across Surrey using only major routes thanks to a new scheme.
• Concern over Leicestershire school bus cut plans A head teacher in Leicestershire has raised concerns over a review which could see some school bus routes axed as part of county council cuts.
• Shropshire Council considers bus weight limits Moves to enforce an environmental weight limit on a lane where two buses got stuck are being considered by Shropshire Council.
• Clarity call on Welsh air routeThe future of the Cardiff to Anglesey air route is in doubt after the firm which runs it said it was facing 'continuing problems'.
• 'Increase trains' to ease trafficA rail users' group is calling for more trains on the far north line to help ease congestion on the A9 and in Inverness.
• New NI transport law for disabledRegulations making it illegal for transport operators to discriminate against disabled customers comes into force in Northern Ireland.
• Bid for more Tube money rejectedThe consortium behind upgrades to London's tube network loses a bid for a further £327m of public funds, Transport for London says.
• Heathrow locals divided over saleA quarter of residents of Sipson, which would be wiped out if Heathrow's third runway goes ahead, try to sell their homes.
• BA cabin crew start strike voteCabin crew at British Airways are to begin voting on whether to strike, in a long-running dispute with management.
• Spyker shares leap on Saab talk Shares in the small Dutch luxury car maker, Spyker, soar by 77% on fresh reports it may buy Saab from General Motors.
• Scrappage schemes lift Fiat salesItalian carmaker Fiat thanks the various government-backed car scrappage schemes for a rise in sales last year.
• Petrol body warns of job lossesPlanned rises to the business rates of independent petrol stations in England could cost 1,000 jobs, their trade body warns.
• Jaguar Land Rover boss to departThe chief executive of Jaguar Land Rover, David Smith, is to stand down, the Indian-owned carmaker confirms.

Financial Times

• DP World warns on container trafficLeading container terminal operator warns full-year profits are set to fall after it handled 8% fewer containers in 2009

The Guardian

• Body scanner trials to begin at Heathrow next month Trials will include type of machine that could have spotted underpants bomb used in Detroit attempt
• Union claims BA has too few 'scabs'Union says British Airways' strike-breaking workforce would replace only 2% of airline's cabin crew British Airways could be reduced to operating only a few flights during a cabin crew walkout after claims that its strike-breaking workforce has just 216 volunteers.The Unite trade union said that a programme to retrain employees as air stewards during industrial action would replace less than 2% of the airline's cabin crew. The recruitment initiative, which Unite has condemned as a

The Telegraph

• Average speed cameras could be used on all motorways Average speed cameras could be installed on all the country's motorways to cut carbon emissions under proposals drawn up by the Government's environmental advisers.

Times Online

• Jaguar chief executive makes surprise exitThe future of Jaguar Land Rover was thrown into confusion today after the British boss of the UK™s biggest carmaker parted company with its Indian owners. David Smith, a veteran of the British motor industry who oversaw the sale of the business from Ford to Tata Motors, is leaving the company shortly.

Birmingham Mail

• Centro narrowly misses awardA TRANSPORT website has just missed out on a top award.

Edinburgh Evening News

• 'Shambolic' tram project is up to two years behindKEY sections of Edinburgh's tram line have slipped up to two years behind schedule, it has emerged.

Sheffield Star

• Rail firm in price freeze RAIL company Cross Country has frozen advance fares on its routes through South Yorkshire.
• PTE shame over neglected station AT the most under-used railway station in South Yorkshire, some readers may not be aware that access to the island platform at Darnall, is by a dark and depressing pedestrian subway.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Second train derailment prompts plea from MSPRail chiefs were urged last night to ensure an investigation into the second train accident in the north this month is completely transparent.

Wales Online

• Assembly’s vision of our rail future ’would cost £5bn’ A SHOPPING list of rail improvements needed to keep pace with burgeoning demand for train services for Wales is likely to run to £5bn, a transport analyst said today.
• £5bn vision to put Wales on track for rail revolutionA £5BN rail revolution with high- speed lines, light railway systems in Wales’ major cities, and re-opened stations is needed to take the network into the 21st century, a report out today claims.
• ’Free b’ bus is a lonely experienceNICOLA SOAL tested out Cardiff’s free city centre bus several times last week and found it nearly empty every time.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Huge pothole bill for West YorkshireExtreme weather has cost West Yorkshire millions of pounds in road repairs.

Other Regional Press

• Calderdale Council’s £1.1 million winter weather overspendCALDERDALE Council has spent more than £1.3m keeping roads and pathways clear and gritted during the recent cold snap and it could contribute to an overspend of £1.1m by the council.

Aviation Industry

• Delta To Revamp Old Planes Instead Of Buying NewA Delta plane flies into Portland International Airport in Portland, Ore., in July 2009.

Other News Sources

• Liverpool drivers warned of potential tunnel toll increase Motorists in Liverpool could become subject to increased tolls when passing through the Mersey Tunnels, according to a pressure group.
• Change in law to tackle rogue bus operators Bus passengers and motorists have been put at greater risk from rogue transport operators because of a legislative “oversight” that has left Scots vehicle inspectors with fewer powers than counterparts south of the border.
• Virgin Trains Runcorn Railway Station named top of the league at Best Kept Station Awards RUNCORN railway station has been crowned the best station in Cheshire. The Virgin Trains facility - which has recently been given a facelift - received the accolade at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations awards.
• Newport should have tram system - Assembly report NEWPORT should look at for tram-like light rail services, an Assembly members' report says.
• Rail users' group lobby Government AN Essex rail users' group is lobbying the Government in its bid for a raft of improvements to train services when a new operator takes over next year.
• Rail users' group lobby GovernmentAN Essex rail users' group is lobbying the Government in its bid for a raft of improvements to train services when a new operator takes over next year.
• Highways Agency extends Area 2 MAC contract until 2012The Highways Agency has taken up the option to extend the Area 2 Managing Agent Contractor contract with the InterRoute joint venture by a further twelve months until June 2012.
• Highlands and islands airline faces "difficult trading" Highland Airways has stopped taking bookings for future flights, blaming severe winter weather for its financial difficulties.

News from Europe

• Leipzig excercises Flexity tram option GERMANY: Leipzig transport authority LVB placed a €29m order for a further nine Bombardier Transportation low-floor trams on January 21.
• VR keeps monopoly for now FINLAND: The Ministry of Transport has signed an agreement giving state railway VR a 10-year monopoly on long-distance passenger services. Local trains are covered by a separate agreement which runs for one year, as liberal isation of this market has not been ruled out.
• Siemens preferred bidder for ICx inter-city train deal GERMANY: The high-profile ICx programme to renew DB's inter-city fleet took a decisive step forward on January 25, when DB Chairman Rudige Grübe announced the selection of Siemens as preferred bidder for a framework agreement. Detailed negotiations will now begin, with the aim of signing a firm contract this summer.