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

Monday, 01 February 2010

BBC News

• Flight management key to aviation emission cutsThe quickest way to cut emissions from aircraft could be better flight management rather than new technology, an Oxford University study has found.
• Failing firms must face public, says governmentA parliamentary bill will outline rules to ensure transport firms and utility providers are forced to go to meetings
• London councils' three-decade parking error revealed Five London councils may have to repay millions of pounds of parking fines to motorists after a BBC London investigation proved hundreds of their parking bays have been unlawfully operated for decades.

Department for Transport

• Seat belts advert shows deadly consequences of not belting up - embargoed until 0001 Monday 1 February 2010A hard-hitting THINK! campaign reminding drivers of the potentially fatal consequences of not wearing a seat belt was launched today by Road Safety Minister Paul Clark.

Financial Times

• BA faces up to key antitrust decisionsBritish Airways is no doubt pleased that EU competition authorities are moving on its application for approval for a deeper alliance with American Airlines and Iberia
• Gatwick chief to woo airlinesThe airport's head is gearing up to poach customers from rivals Heathrow and Stansted, in a taste of the tough competition to come between the UK's three biggest airports
• Asia-Pacific air travel overtakes N AmericaChina emerges as the world's strongest single aviation market after the global financial crisis prompts substantial cuts in US capacity
• BA edges closer to global allianceCompetition officials have begun consulting with rivals about concessions the three carriers have offered to address potential anti-competitive implications

The Guardian

• We need ideas to stop a third runwayAfter buying a stretch of land at Heathrow, we're looking for a design to protect the site and stop the bulldozers rolling in
• It's all aboard the gravy train for Network Rail bossesWhile European train users get exemplary service, British rail bosses splash out on Highland estates
• Northern Line could shut every evening for a year for engineering worksLondon Underground passengers face disruption with plans to close section of tube network from 8.30pm on weekdays
• British Airways tries to start againSqueezed by falling demand and rising fuel prices, the UK carrier has turned to radical plans to cut the cost of cabin crew staff. Can it succeed?

The Herald

• Driving down spending on roads and railIf past recessions are anything to go by, transport can expect to take some of the heaviest hits in the austere years ahead.

The Telegraph

• Bosses of failing firms to be forced to attend public hearings over poor serviceBosses of failing bus, rail and energy firms, which routinely offer poor quality service will be called to account at new public scrutiny panels, ministers will announce today.
• Ticket collectors on commission on penalty fares Ticket inspectors on some of Britain's busiest commuter routes are being paid commission on fines they issue to passengers without the correct ticket, it has emerged.
• Crossrail's Terry Morgan in optimistic moodTerry Morgan, Crossrail chairman, tells Jonathan Sibun that Europe's biggest construction project is vital for Britain's prosperity

Times Online

• All aboard for HSBC’s £1.7bn train sell-offA THIRD of Britain’s trains have been put up for sale, with a £1.7 billion price tag. HSBC Rail, the rolling-stock leasing arm of the banking giant, owns more than 4,000 trains, including those used on the east coast main line from London to Edinburgh. The business was one of three created and sold off when the government broke up British Rail in the 1990s.
• Penalties for utility firms who dig up busiest roadsUtility companies face charges of around £750 a day for digging up busy roads under proposals being drawn up by ministers.

Reuters News

• UK must move beyond carbon cuts to stay competitiveLONDON (Reuters) - Britain needs to focus on more than just carbon dioxide emission cuts and manage its water, waste and food resources better to remain competitive, a report by the Aldersgate Group said on Monday.

Mail Online

• 11,000 cars 'cloned' in £13m scam after DVLA logbook theft

Belfast Telegraph

• Translink launch money-saving travel cardsBus users could save almost a third in fares through a new tax-free scheme.Related StoriesRBS unveils £1bn manufacturing fundKraft poised for Cadbury takeoverEnergy firm to axe up to 800 jobsTraders hit by poor Christmas salesInvest NI toasts Dutch market

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford Council gritting bill hits £1.5million Bradford Council has forked out nearly £1.5 million to keep the district™s roads useable over the recent severe bad weather, it has been revealed.

Manchester Evening News

• Airport chief Geoff Muirhead to retireMANCHESTER Airports Group chief executive Geoff Muirhead is stepping down after 22 years with the company, it was announced today. Mr Muirhead, 60, will retire later this year once a successor is appointed. He has spent a total of 22 years with the group, joining in 1988 as business development director. Mr Muirhead was promoted to CEO in 1992 and took on his current role in 2001 when the group was formed.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Campaigners to petition over Kimberley tram planCAMPAIGNERS who want Nottingham's tram network extended to Kimberley are asking for public backing for the idea.

Other News Sources

• Coaches to the capital are 'faster' from todayNational Express has unveiled big changes to its Portsmouth and south coast network in an attempt to provide faster services to London and Heathrow airport.
• Bombardier welcomes high-speed rail investmentBombardier Transportation officials say the $151 million in stimulus funding for high-speed rail in New York represents "a historic step forward."
• Sydney gets new transport ticket system A new transport ticketing system will make commuting across the greater Sydney region easier and cheaper, the NSW government says.

News from Europe

• Bilbao rebuilding planSPAIN: The Ministry of Development has unveiled plans to rebuild Bilbao Abando station for high speed services, placing tracks underground in order to free up 85000 m2 of land for redevelopment in the city centre.