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

Saturday, 01 May 2010

BBC News

• Bank Holiday 'misery' on the wayTemperatures are set to tumble over the Bank Holiday weekend, while rail and road passengers are warned to prepare for disruption.
• Tram works lifted during disputeTraffic restrictions for Edinburgh's tram system are removed in the Haymarket area while a legal dispute delays works.
• Forth bridge damaged by harvesterA combine harvester rips off about a dozen metal bars from the Forth Road Bridge while being driven across without permission.
• Airline suspends new Derry routesAer Arann shelve plans to operate new routes from City of Derry Airport to Edinburgh and Manchester.
• Bikers protest over fuel pricesBikers staging a protest over fuel prices could cause major delays on motorways around Manchester, police warn.
• Candidates debate Crossrail linkMaidenhead's parliamentary candidates back the £16bn Crossrail scheme, which will run through London.
• Drunk van driver killed pensionerA driver accepts he was five times over the legal alcohol limit when he fatally struck a pensioner.
• Oil price buoys Total and ChevronOil companies Total and Chevron report improved quarterly profits as the higher price of oil helped boost revenues.
• BA cabin crew vote on strike dealBritish Airways cabin crew belonging to the Unite union begin voting on the latest offer to resolve their dispute.

Financial Times

• United-Continental tie-up draws closerUAL, the parent of United Airlines, and Continental Airlines estimate that combining the two carriers could generate about $1.1bn in cost savings and revenues. A deal...
• US airlines could yield $1bn merger benefitsCombining United and Continental in a stock swap could yield synergies, of which about $200m would be cost savings, net of additional costs associated with renegotiating labour contracts

The Herald

• Consortium not expected to make more Forth bidsThe consortium which this week had a third bid for Forth Ports rejected is unlikely to come back to the table, City sources suggested as the company™s annual general meeting passed off in 18 minutes without a shareholder question.

The Telegraph

• First flight from Baghdad to London in 20 years ends in farce with plane impounded The first flight from Baghdad to London in 20 years has ended in farce with the plane impounded at Gatwick airport after Kuwait went to the High Court demanding £780 million for planes stolen by Saddam Hussein.

Times Online

• Union calls on BA staff to reject pay offer amid fresh rail unrestBritish Airways was facing the threat of another round of strikes yesterday after the Unite union urged the airline™s 12,000 cabin crew to reject a new pay deal.
• Airline offers volcanic ash insuranceGatwick and Southampton based airline Flybe is offering
• New strikes feared as union calls on BA crew to reject offerThe Unite union has begun balloting 12,000 British Airways cabin crew on a new pay offer in a move that could lead to another round of industrial action.

Reuters News

• Eurostar staff to boycott trains in safety rowLONDON (Reuters) - Eurostar staff have voted unanimously to take industrial action, short of a strike, on all passenger trains in a row over the introduction of lone working for train managers, rail unions said Friday.
• BA cabin crew begin voting on strike actionLONDON (Reuters) - British Airways cabin crew began voting on possible strike action on pay and working conditions on Friday, the Unite union said, a move that could herald a third wave of industrial action this year.

Daily Record

• Police set sights on seven taxi firms with alleged gangland links EXCLUSIVE: SEVEN taxi businesses are facing closure due to alleged gangland links.

The Mirror

• YOU CAN ONLY FLY IF YOU WALK ON BOARD What airline told Paralympics star

Birmingham Mail

• Spy cameras to target Birmingham bus yobs YOBS who make life hell for Birmingham bus passengers face being caught red-handed by police using a new Spooks-style spy kit.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Ramp built for Go Safe police speed van to park along A525 A PAVEMENT ramp has been specially built at the side of a busy road – just so that police and council officials can park up and catch speeding drivers.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Shops given break from tram works restrictionsTRADERS in the city centre are set to win some respite from tram works this weekend as a bitter row with the project's contractors shows no sign of ending.

Liverpool Post

• Liverpool road to close for eight months A MAJOR city road is to be ripped up leading to diversions running into the New Year.

London Evening Standard

• Bikers stage petrol price protestHundreds of bikers are expected to bring traffic to a standstill in a mass protest at the record price of petrol.

Sheffield Star

• Motorist dies in M1 smash - hours after two cop cars crashA MOTORIST died today when two lorries crashed on the M1 motorway - just hours after seven people were injured in a smash involving two police cars.

The News (Portsmouth)

• Tragedy of boy killed on rail lineA SCHOOLBOY was electrocuted after stepping on to a railway line to get a cigarette lighter.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Passengers evacuated from plane in Inverness Airport smoke alertPassengers were evacuated from a Flybe flight moments before it was due to take off from Inverness Airport yesterday afternoon when smoke was reported in the cockpit.

The York Press

• 600 Jarvis staff ˜have been paid™ ABOUT 600 workers at collapsed York-based rail maintenance firm Jarvis have now received their redundancy payments, according to the Government.

Bucks Free Press

• High Speed rail compensation scheme CAMPAIGNERS have called for a compensation scheme for people affected by a proposed high speed rail route to be replaced “ saying the planned one is œunjust.

Burnley Express

• East Lancashire dial-a-ride services up for tenderA DIAL-A-RIDE bus service that has been run by the same company in Hyndburn for 26 years is to be put out to tender.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Petition calls for a bus on market dayResidents have launched a campaign for a weekly bus service to a town market.
• Wellibus could face funding cutsFunding for a 'vital' door-to-door bus service for elderly, disabled and isolated people in the Wellingborough area is under threat.

Reading Evening Post

• The tiny particle which grounded Europe This may look like a lump of rock but actually it’s a tiny piece of volcanic ash from the Icelandic eruption found on a car in Reading.

Other Regional Press

• Truro bus station is closed over health and safety concernsPUBLIC safety fears closed Truro Bus Station on Monday as
• Forget about the bus pass - John™s behind the wheelMost pensioners choose to shift their life down a gear, but 66-year-old John Culshaw has decided to start a new life as a bus driver.

International Herald Tribune

• Car Crash During Campaign Event in Britain Not a Metaphor, Ruling Party InsistsAnother gift to reporters searching for ways to describe how troubled Prime Minister Gordon Brown's election campaign is: an actual car crash during one of his media events.

Railway Gazette

• First tram arrives in Edinburgh UK: On April 27 City of Edinburgh Council Leader Jenny Dawe received a key to the first of 27 low-floor CAF trams that will eventually work the light rail network being developed in the Scottish capital.The seven-module bi-directional tram was transported by road across Europe to Edinburgh in three sections, following completion of trial running at the Wildenrath test track in Germany. It is now on public display in Princes Street.The vehicle is 42·8 m long and 2 650 mm wide, with 78 seats and space for 255 standees. Six luggage racks are fitted as Edinburgh™s first light rail route will serve...

Aviation Industry

• Airlines call for compensation for volcano disruptionNow that flights have resumed, airlines are calling on governments to compensate them for loss of earnings during the grounding caused by volcanic ash. AEF is strongly opposed to compensation. Flights were grounded for safety reasons. It is standard practice that operators of all industries pay for health and safely measures as part of the normal [...]
• United and Continental close to airline deal, sources sayUnited Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc. are moving closer to announcing as early as Monday that they will combine to form the world's largest carrier by passenger traffic, according to people familiar with the matter.
• BAA Q1 losses blamed on weather, security and strikes  The volcanic ash crisis cost airport operator BAA £28 million, it said today. read more

Green Miscellany

• What the manifestos say about: Freight Moving goods around the country efficiently and with care for the environment is vital for our society. Yet most parties say little or noting about freight in their manifestos.read more
• What the manifestos say about: Motoring Motoring is the most dominant form of transport in our society. 85% of travel is by car so any changes to the impact transport has on the environment will have to effect motoring in some way.read more
• What the manifestos say about: Cycling I believe that a positive position on cycling is probably the best way for us to develop a high quality, effective transport system that promoted our heath and general well-being.read more
• Election 2010: What does the Conservative manifesto say on transport? This election is, perhaps, the most important election since 1910, when the House of Commons finally broke away from the House of Lords; the election could provide a similar shift in power towards the people.read more
• Election 2010: What does the Libdem manifesto say on transport? This election is, perhaps, the most important election since 1910, when the House of Commons finally broke away from the House of Lords; the election could provide a similar shift in power towards the people. With not a single question on transport in the three leaders™ debates the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has examined the Liberal Democrat party’s manifesto and commented on the policies.read more
• Election 2010: What does the Green Party manifesto say on transport? This election is, perhaps, the most important election since 1910, when the House of Commons finally broke away from the House of Lords; the election could provide a similar shift in power towards the people. With not a single question on transport in the three leaders™ debates the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has examined Green party manifesto and commented on its policy.read more
• Election 2010: What does the Labour manifesto say on transport? This election is, perhaps, the most important election since 1910, when the House of Commons finally broke away from the House of Lords; the election could provide a similar shift in power towards the people. With not a single question on transport in the three leaders™ debates the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has examined the Labour party™s manifesto and commented on its policies.read more
• Election 2010: What does the UKIP manifesto say on transport? This election is, perhaps, the most important election since 1910, when the House of Commons finally broke away from the House of Lords; the 2010 election could provide a similar shift in power towards the people. With not a single question on transport in the three leaders™ debates the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) has examined UKIP’s manifesto and commented on its policies.read more
• If only everything in life was as reliable as a bicycle: The VW folding e-bike that charges in the boot When Volkswagen recognises the need for having an electric bike permanently stored in the boot of its vehicles, the company reveals much about how it imagines congestion, low-emission zones and parking restrictions will affect the way we use our cars in the future. read more

Other News Sources

• Unmarked police cars in motorway crashTwo vehicles involved in a crash in South Yorkshire which left four children injured were unmarked police cars, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) sai
• Ford reports soaring profitsCar giant Ford has reported that its first-quarter net income this year was $2.1bn, a $3.5bn improvement from the same period last year.
• Volcanic ash in aircraft air-con concernAircraft throughout Europe may have to make emergency landings as a result of the residual effects of the volcanic ash, according to Leeds University lecturer, Stephen Wright.
• Your road transport election questions answeredWith the election less than one week away (6 May), all parties are looking for your support and our exclusive guide to the party policies relating to road transport gives you the best way of seeing what they are promising you.
• Ford unveils special edition TransitFord is unveiling a special edition Transit van at its Southampton plant to mark the production of the six millionth vehicle over 45 years since it was launched.
• Country's tallest bridge gets approvalSunderland City Council has granted planning permission to build the country™s tallest bridge across the River Wear.
• Carlisle station revamp plans submittedPlans for a £550,000 revamp of passenger facilities on platform four of Carlisle™s Citadel railway station have been submitted to the city council by Network Rail.
• Babcock in dispute over Jarvis rail workOnly a quarter of 1,200 jobs at two rail-renewal projects will be saved when engineering firm Babcock takes on the contracts following the collapse of Jarvis last month.
• England™s tallest bridge gets the go aheadPlanning permission was granted yesterday for England™s tallest highway bridge, which will tower 180m above the River Wear, connecting Castletown and Pallion in Sunderland.
• Three East Lancashire railway thefts 'cost operators £1million' TRAIN services in East Lancashire were brought to a standstill for the third time in a month after yet another swoop by metal thieves.
• Bikers stage petrol price protest Hundreds of bikers are expected to bring traffic to a standstill later in a mass protest at the record price of petrol.Related StoriesProbe launched into Swiss 'grave in the sea'Red shirt leaders apologise for hospital attackMan killed and woman injured in stabbingWoman arrested over fatal house firePolice bail teen over double stabbing
• 'All systems go' for ships event BOSSES behind this summer's Tall Ships Races say it is "all systems go" as the clock counts down to the world-famous event coming to Hartlepool.
• Trapped baby rescued from carA FRANTIC mum rang the fire brigade after her young baby got trapped inside her car.
• Canada SMEs react to CSeries wake-up callBombardier's CSeries has cast a harsh light on local suppliers' competitiveness
• Luton Airport rail services disruptedLuton Airport is advising passengers travelling by train to allow extra time for their journey on certain dates in May.On Sunday May 2nd, 9th and 16th of May planned engineering work will be taking place to lengthen the platform at Luton Airport station. This means that there will be a replacement bus service between St Albans, Bedford and the airport.A reduced service will also run on Monday May 3rd and Saturday May 1st, 8th and 15th.Travellers using East Midlands Trains are being advised that they can use their tickets to travel between London St Pancras and St Albans station. Further inform...
• Manchester Airport commemorates historic flightManchester Airport has paid tribute to one of the founding fathers of aviation by naming a road in his honour.Louis Paulhan took off from London on April 28th 1910, travelling the 195 miles and landing in Manchester four hours and 12 minutes later. He made the journey in a Farman biplane. A road leading up to the aviation viewing park at Manchester Airport has now been renamed as Louis Paulhan way.Andrew Cornish, managing director of Manchester Airport, said: "Louis Paulhan essentially brought the age of flying to the city of Manchester and at the time it was considered around the world t...
• Red light for China car exportsA CHINESE car group has halted its vehicle exports to Europe because of safety issues, IHS Global Insight reported today.
• Protesters to barge into ParisFRENCH barge operators, who have been blocking northern canals since 26 April, are today preparing a weekend protest in Paris after talks with the transport ministry failed.
• Boris could get A Conservative government could hand the Mayor of London long sought after powers over housing and transport
• European Commission outlines vehicle emissions strategyThe European Commission has revealed plans to cut down on vehicle emissions.
• Rail staff become Norfolk and Norwich festival ambassadorsAll aboard the Norfolk and Norwich Festival is the message being sent out to train passengers in a bid to boost audience numbers. Platform staff, conductors, buffet car attendants and ticket sales staff on National Express East Anglia trains have become 'Festival Ambassadors' to help attract audiences from across London and East Anglia to this year's event.
• Bikers stage petrol price protestBikers stage petrol price protest

Other Subscription Services

• Boxships will go nuclearGermanischer Lloyd’s Hermann Klein convinced nuclear-driven container vessels will replace oil-dependent vessels