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

Monday, 01 March 2010

BBC News

• Energy efficiency should be part of driving test LEARNER drivers should be tested on energy efficiency as part of their test under plans to cut transport emissions and save motorists money, a leading business group urged today.
• Council mends record number of potholes in Torbay A record number of potholes have been mended in Torbay since the start of the year, the local council has revealed.
• Road safety targets 'need to reflect where people live' Targets to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the roads need to take more account of where people live, according to a report.
• A80 bridge upgrading goes ahead Work to install four huge beams as part of the M80 upgrade project has been completed, transport officials said.
• Rail strike 'business as usual'Train operator First Scotrail claims it will operate nine out 10 trains during a strike by RMT union members

Financial Times

• Tiger Airways plans third Asian airlineTiger Airways is planning to set up a third Asian subsidiary alongside its Singapore- and Australia-based operating companies, according to Tony Davis, the low-cost airline's chief executive.

The Guardian

• Unite and BA hurl brickbats as talks to avert strike begin • Union accuses airline of harassing staff during the dispute • British Airways vehemently denies intimidating cabin crew
• BA trains strike crew by using staff as 'passengers' on special flights Friends of the Earth condemns 'ghost' flights as walkout looms

The Herald

• Salmond threatens under-fire SPT with the axe First Minister Alex Salmond has threatened to pull the plug on Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, following the expenses row that has engulfed the ­Glasgow-based organisation.
• National transport agency™s million pound communication billThe national transport agency for Scotland spent more than a million pounds on communications last year.
• Rail travel disruption expected as staff walk outRail passengers face disruption across much of Scotland today when the second of a series of conductors™ strikes will halt trains on four lines and cancel or disrupt more than 100 on other routes.

The Scotsman

• Waverley 'ruled out' as high-speed service hub EDINBURGH'S main railway station has been all but ruled out of being able to accommodate a new high-speed rail link between Scotland and London, Scotland on Sunday has learned.

The Telegraph

• Half of drivers crash or have a near miss swerving to avoid potholes, survey finds Half of British drivers have had a crash or a near miss while swerving to avoid a pothole, according to a new survey.
• Roadwork fines to increase tenfold At the moment councils can only fine utility companies or those responsible for the works up to £2,500 a day.

Times Online

• BA flies ’ghost planes’ to train strike-breaking crews BRITISH AIRWAYS is running “ghost flights” to train strike-breaking cabin crews ahead of a threatened walkout next month.
• Alex Salmond: I’ll axe Strathclyde Partnership for TransportAlex Salmond has threatened to axe Strathclyde Partnership for Transport (SPT), after an expenses scandal at the Glasgow-based quango.
• Penalties for utility companies' roadwork delays go up tenfold Utility companies that allow roadworks to overrun deadlines will face a tenfold rise in penalties. Offenders will be fined £25,000 a day, compared with the current £2,500 daily charge. Sadiq Khan, the Transport Minister, also set out proposals for a tougher inspection regime, giving councils more powers to charge for inspecting roadworks.

Mail Online

• 'Environmentally-friendly' biofuels are more harmful to the planet than normal fossil fuel A new government study shows that the Department of Transport's aim to increase the level of biofuel in fuel sold across Britain will result in millions of acres of forest being burned down and turned into plantations.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• £530m revamp, but we get second-hand trains Rail passengers in Bradford district may have to travel on 30-year-old œcast-off trains as part of a £530 million plan to ease congestion on some of the country™s most overcrowded routes.

Journal Live

• East Coast Main Line upgrade postponed HOPES for 500 North East jobs and a faster rail link to London appeared dashed last night as a £7.5bn overhaul of the East Coast Main Line was postponed.

Manchester Evening News

• Metrolink chief apologises to boss for making worker late Cheryl Hubbard wrote to Aidan Higgins' employers to say sorry after he lost his perfect attendance record because he was stranded on a tram on his way to work. The apology came after he wrote in saying:

Wales Online

• Train service to town is derailed by land sell-off A COUNCIL is coming under fire for selling part of an old railway line which leads to one of Wales’ most famous castle towns – despite having plans to reopen the line for passengers.

Other Regional Press

• '20mph's enough on our busy road' A COMMUNITY is calling for a 20mph speed limit to be introduced on a busy Oxford road.
• 'Green' vehicles could park in Weymouth for free WEYMOUTH and Portland Borough Council is to consider allowing electrically powered and ˜nil™ emissions vehicles to park for free.

Other News Sources

• Oyster cards for Potters Bar station? Following the introduction in January of Oyster pay-as-you-go fares on National Rail routes throughout the capital, Mayor of London Boris Johnson has met with rail company bosses for talks on how to further improve Greater London’s transport services.
• ZS awards first of three train contracts SERBIA: ZS has selected Russian firm Metrovagonmash to supply 10 two-car diesel multiple-units for regional and suburban services. These will form the first of three batches of rolling stock being procured to modernise the national railway's passenger fleet.
• Old bridge at hub of cycle track plan Safety inspectors have ruled Royston Footbridge, off South Park Avenue, is "not fit for purpose" and the rotten and corroded structure will be knocked down if Lincolnshire County Council's plans are approved.
• RMT demands legal action against Network Rail as Inspector exposes 'systemic failures' on track-work safetyUnion renews call to stop jobs cull as Inspector casts doubt on all routes
• Worries over £45 million East Lancashire transport plan THE deputy leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council says he fears a major £45million transport scheme will œnever happen - after a snub by a Government minister.