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

Monday, 29 March 2010

BBC News

• Drivers 'oppose work parking levy' in Nottingham Only two in 10 people support a workplace parking levy in Nottingham, a poll for the BBC has indicated.
• East Midlands Trains set to run during strike East Midlands Trains (EMT) is expecting to run a normal daytime service on main routes if a strike by signallers and maintenance workers goes ahead.
• Extra £19.3m for Liverpool Edge Lane area improvements Extra funding of £19.3m from the Department for Transport to upgrade Liverpool's Edge Lane West has been welcomed as a key regeneration move.
• Cut road building in Wales urge campaigners Wales will miss its climate change targets unless there is a move away from road building to "greener" public transport projects, campaigners warn.
• Cycle racks to be built in Belfast city centre Cycle racks are to be installed across Belfast city centre as part of a regeneration project.
• Review ordered of Darlington disabled transport scheme A review has been ordered of a council-funded service which offers an on-demand transport scheme for disabled people in Darlington.
• Princess Royal to open new Metro station in Newcastle Princess Anne will meet representatives from transport operator Nexus, passenger groups and then unveil a commemorative plaque on Monday.
• Air pollution is 'killing thousands of Londoners' Early results of a study commissioned by the mayor suggest 4,300 Londoners will die prematurely every year as a result of poor air quality.
• More flights cancelled by strikeSeveral flights to and from Scotland are cancelled as British Airways cabin crew strike for a second day.
• Talks due over rail strike threatTalks between both sides in the threatened national railway strike on 6 to 9 April are due to begin later.
• Business fears over Tube closuresSome businesses in north London's Camden Town fear they could fold due to weekend Tube line closures.
• Volvo sale deal signed by GeelyThe Chinese car maker Geely has signed a deal to buy Volvo from US car giant Ford for $1.8bn (£1.2bn).

Financial Times

• Building chief with measured ambitionsIan Tyler could be forgiven for having felt vindicated last week. Even as the death knell rang for Jarvis, the troubled rail maintenance company that went into...
• A driven man at the controlsThe head of the world's lowest-cost airline and the Lotus Formula One team defends his multi-tasking approach
• BA and union trade blowsBritish Airways faces a sixth day of strike action in just over a week as thousands of cabin crew stay away in what is turning into one of the airline's most protracted industrial disputes “ with no sign of fresh talks
• Strike hits BA Heathrow flightsThe airline cancelled 42% of its flights scheduled to leave Heathrow, fewer than it did last week, but may have to lose more as it struggles with its second cabin crew strike in a week

The Guardian

• BA cabin crew union disputes Walsh's claims about strike's success BA chief infuriates Unite union with healthy flight figures, as Cameron says Brown's response shows 'weakness'

The Independent

• Strikes slash BA schedule Striking British Airways cabin crew succeeded in getting 30 per cent of the airline's flights from the UK cancelled yesterday, the second day of their five-day walkout.

The Scotsman

• First things first as transport group prepares for update TRADING updates from Aberdeen-based transport heavyweight FirstGroup and parenting chain Mothercare will come under scrutiny this week, while restaurant chain Prezzo is among those reporting annual figures ahead of the Easter break.
• Talks aimed at averting rail strikeCrucial talks aimed at averting a crippling strike by thousands of rail workers after Easter are to be held, with the Government hoping for a breakthrough in a row over jobs.

The Telegraph

• Rail strike to cost economy £600m a day Millions of people are expected to stay at home on the first working day after Easter due to the rail strike, costing the economy an estimated £600 million.
• Commuters hit by rail strike may not get refund Commuters affected by the first national rail strike in 16 years may not get a refund even if train services are crippled by the threatened disruption after Easter.
• British Airways reports 'strong start' as strike continues Airline says the number of cabin crew reporting at Heathrow are at the levels needed to operate its published schedule.

Times Online

• BA grounds one in three of its flights as strike enters fifth dayBritish Airways cancelled hundreds of flights from its hub at Heathrow airport yesterday as the cabin crew strike entered its fifth day.
• Network Rail hoping to stay on track as talks resumeTalks to avert a national rail strike next week open today, with rail bosses and union leaders insisting that they are committed to making a deal.

Reuters News

• Hitachi aims to double railway business in 6 years TOKYO, March 29 (Reuters) - Hitachi Ltd (6501.T), Japan's largest electronics maker, said it aims to double sales from its railway-related businesses in six years by tapping growing demand overseas, sending its shares four percent higher.

Liverpool Echo

• Merseyside pensioners will not lose free public transport despite national rule change The Department for Transport announcement means over the next 10 years the age at which people are entitled to their free bus pass will gradually rise from 60 to 65.

London Evening Standard

• BA services strong despite strikeBritish Airways said its services had got off to a
• BA strike war of words intensifiesThe war of words over the British Airways strike intensified, with the airline claiming more cabin crew had returned to work, while political leaders clashed over disputes which have broken out in the run-up to the election.
• Third strike day in bitter BA rowBritish Airways cabin crew are beginning a third day of strike action as a bitter war of words over the dispute intensified.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Business show Nottingham South candidates opposition to WPL THE Conservatives could review plans to widen the A453 if the party gets into power, according to a Tory candidate for Nottingham.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Hunt for stand-in Highland air routes operators draws a blank CONCERN FOR LIFELINE SERVICES AS TALKS FAIL TO PRODUCE A DEALUncertainty continued to surround the future of lifeline air services across the Highlands and islands last night. Highland Airways went into administration on Wednesday, leaving services grounded and more than 100 staff out of work.

Bucks Free Press

• Bus timetable revised over Easter BUS travel in Buckinghamshire during the Easter bank holidays will follow a revised timetable so passengers are asked to check running times before travelling.

Other Regional Press

• Oxford to Stratford rail link backed PLANS to reinstate a direct Rail connection between Oxford and Stratford-upon-Avon have been backed by Network Rail.

Other News Sources

• Doncaster To Receive £26m Transport BoosDoncaster is one step closer to benefiting from a £26.8m project to increase capacity on the A6182 White Rose Way - cutting congestion and helping regenerate the town, Transport Minister Sadiq Khan announced today.
• Candidates join train fare campaign in St AlbansTRANSPORT campaigners will be outside St Albans City Station on Monday morning to push home their message that train fares should be cheaper. Stephen Joseph, who is employed by national charity Campaign for Better Public Transport and lives in Carlisle Avenue, will be with parliamentary candidates Sandy Walkington and Roma Mills, wearing giant train tickets and giving commuters postcards with which to register their support.
• Piccadilly station to get cycle centre Manchester's first cycle centre is to be set up at Piccadilly railway station. It will offer secure parking for bikes and may also have facilities such as an information point, cycle hire and bike maintenance.
• Business chiefs hoping for deal in rail disputeNORTH-EAST business experts have urged rail unions and bosses to come to an agreement today as talks aimed at averting a strike get under way.
• Busiest speed cameras in Sussex netted £1,000 per day The three busiest speed cameras in Sussex netted more than £400,000 last year.