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

Monday, 15 February 2010

BBC News

• Belgian train crash: At least 20 feared dead in Halle Reports from Belgium say at least 20 people have been killed in a head-on collision between two trains outside the capital, Brussels.
• Main entrance at Sunderland railway station reopens The main entrance to Sunderland railway station is to reopen as work continues on a £7m modernisation project.
• Albert Bridge across the Thames closes for 18 months Motorists face 18 months of disruption following the closure of a major route across the River Thames.
• New proposals for ferry terminal in Penzance Revised plans have been submitted for a new seafront ferry terminal linking the 37 miles between the UK mainland to the Isles of Scilly.
• Last passenger trip for MetrobusThe Metrobus makes its last passenger journey in the West Midlands as it makes way for newer models.
• BA in deal for jet biofuel plantBritish Airways strikes a deal to build in the UK the first plant in Europe to produce jet fuel from waste matter.
• Branson slams US airline decisionA US decision to back American Airlines and British Airways working together is a

Financial Times

• Call for northern rail investmentFuture investment in Britain's rail network should focus on northern England instead of the south-east, a parliamentary committee recommends in a report published...
• BA and AA to give up fewer slots for tie-up approvalBritish Airways will have to give up only a handful of landing slots at Heathrow if it wants to go ahead with its long-sought transatlantic tie-up with American Airlines and Iberia, regulators in Washington said
• Investors in BA focus on open skies talksAfter a long-waited decision from Washington giving British Airways preliminary approval for its tie-up with American Airlines, investors' attention will move to talks in Madrid on the second phase of the open skies agreement
• New National Express chief arrives earlyDean Finch starts as chief executive of National Express, in a move that signals a new era for the bus and rail group after surviving board splits, takeover battles and a bitter row with the government

The Herald

• Council bids to cut congestion and pollution with car clubMotorists in Glasgow are to be offered membership of a car club after the city council revealed plans to promote its own scheme to relieve congestion and reduce emissions.
• Transport boss resigns after expenses rowThe boss of one of Scotland™s biggest transport organisations is to quit after being caught up in an expenses row.
• Rail and tram work costs doublePlans for a major rail and tram project west of Edinburgh have been delayed by a row as costs have soared by 100%.

The Independent

• Branson attacks US anti-trust move on BA tie-up Sir Richard Branson yesterday launched a scathing attack on the US Department of Transportation (DOT), labelling its decision to grant anti-trust immunity to the proposed transatlantic tie-up between British Airways and American Airlines (AA) as a "kick in teeth for consumers".

The Telegraph

• Conservatives call for inquiry into Lord Adonis' handling of East Coast rail franchise The Conservative Party has called for an inquiry into Lord Adonis' handling of the crisis on the East Coast rail franchise that prompted the Transport Secretary to seize control of the London to Scotland services.
• Britain's rail network 'creaking at seams' says Transport Committee The influential group of MPs said greater investment should be made in the existing network and mothballed lines and stations should be brought back into service to ease congestion.

Times Online

• UN must investigate warming ˜bias™, says former climate chiefThe UN body that advises world leaders on climate change must investigate an apparent bias in its report that resulted in several exaggerations of the impact of global warming, according to its former chairman.
• New plan for fast rail link hits red signal over HeathrowPlans for a North-South 185mph high-speed rail link that would transform travel in the UK in the next decade could be derailed before publication of a White Paper on the project ” in a row over what role Heathrow airport should play.

Daily Express

• BA clear for landing tie with American Airlines BRITISH Airways' efforts to pull clear of recent turbulence over its financial performance and cabin crew unrest have been boosted by a provisional green light from US regulators for its tie-up with American Airlines (AA).

Bolton News

• Transport chiefs press for trainsREGIONAL transport chiefs are to meet with secretary of state Lord Adonis to ask him to honour the Government™s commitment to provide more railway carriages for the region.

Liverpool Post

• People say what they think about the bus lane fine“Drivers are annoyed with the fines but for commuters it’s an inconvenience when people drive in the lanes.”

London Evening Standard

• Branson slams airlines link planThe US government's decision to support a plan allowing American Airlines (AA) and British Airways (BA) to join forces is

Yorkshire Post

• MPs support the electrification of county rail link to London TRANSPORT leaders have told the Government that electrification of a rail line into South Yorkshire should be a "top priority", predicted to generate nearly £20m a year for the region's economy.

Burnley Express

• Trees near Burnley railway line spark safety fears ENVIRONMENTALISTS have been accused of 'playing Russian roulette' with people's lives because they want to preserve 18 trees next to a railway line.

Railnews

• News: MPs warn that rail spending will be under pressure for at least the next ten years The House of Commons Transport Select Committee is warning that the amount of money available for rail investment will be restricted for at least the next decade. But the Committee says more electrification remains very important, with the Midland Main Line seen as a priority.

Other News Sources

• Call to take transport cash from the south AN INFLUENTIAL Commons committee dominated by northern MPs has called for transport funding to be sucked away from the South and pumped into other parts of the UK.
• U.K. Should Widen Railway Electrification, Lawmakers Say The U.K. should widen the electrification of its railway network and act to expand capacity in the north of England in the next 10 years, a panel of lawmakers said.
• Crossing is small price to pay for rail link benefits [letter]AS a car driver and a former train driver, I think I'm better placed than EC Coleman (February 4) to see Lincoln's railway issue from both sides of the argument.
• Transport partnership boss quits amid expenses rowStrathclyde Partnership for Transport confirms that Alistair Watson has resigned as chairman, but says it is due to ill health.
• Station designer's son in rescue pleaThe son of the architect who designed Preston bus station has accused the city's council of selling off one of its few architectural gems for "short-term profit".
• Council wants to borrow £1.1m for car park scheme PLANS have been unveiled for a major revamp of Eastleigh™s rundown multi-storey car park which will include CCTV, hi-tech ticketing and lighting and resurfacing work.
• BAA asked to clarify airport plansTHE Government Minister responsible for dealing with proposals for a second runway at Stansted Airport has asked its operator to clarify whether it still wants to continue with its expansion plans.