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

Tuesday, 04 May 2010

BBC News

• Flights banned in Ireland and parts of UK over ash risk All flights in and out of Northern Ireland and the Irish Republic are to be grounded from 0700 BST because of fresh risks from volcanic ash.
• Bus arson attack costs £200,000The cost of replacing four buses destroyed in an arson attack at the weekend will be at least £200,000, Translink has said.
• US airlines confirm merger dealUnited Airlines and Continental Airlines sign a merger deal worth $3.2bn (£2.1bn) to create the world's largest carrier.
• EU to discuss ash crisis lessonsEU transport ministers will discuss ways to improve air traffic management in the wake of volcanic ash disruption.

Financial Times

• Carmakers pump up productionGlobal car production surged by more than 50 per cent in the first quarter of this year, confirming executives™ affirmations that the worst of the crisis in the industry that began after the banking meltdown in late 2008 has passed
• Air NZ and Virgin Blue propose allianceThe two airlines seek regulator approval for a trans-Tasman tie-up that would involve extensive sharing of services as they look to strengthen their positions in a fiercely contested market
• Aeroflot seeks to ditch poor Soviet-era imageThe chief executive of the Russian carrier says that big efforts are under way to revitalise the airline and jettison its image of Soviet-era awfulness
• Marriage of inconvenience for jilted rivalsThe tie-up between United and Continental will put pressure both on Delta “ which now has a heavyweight rival “ and on those that risk being left behind as the industry consolidates
• United and Continental announce mergerUAL, the parent of United Airlines, and Continental Airlines announced yesterday a merger of the two US carriers, a move that in one sweep creates the world's largest airline and threatens to reshape the domestic and global industry

The Guardian

• Volcanic ash cloud returns to IrelandVolcanic ash cloud forces Irish Aviation Authority to halt all flights in and out of the country between 7am and 1pmA cloud of volcanic ash will once again ground thousands of air passengers this morning, after Ireland was forced to ground all flights in and out of the country between 7am and 1pm.The Irish Aviation Authority said a new smoke plume from the ongoing Icelandic eruption will force the closure of Ireland's major airports, including Dublin which operates 440 flights per day.Last night the UK Civil Aviation Authority said Belfast International, Belfast City and City of Derry airports...

The Herald

• Majority of Scots support public ownership of railways, poll finds A majority of Scots support some form of public ownership of the railways after nearly 20 years of privatisation, a poll commissioned by the Green Party has found.
• SPT director repays expenses claimed for day of Uefa final A director at a beleaguered quango has repaid expenses ahead of an auditor’s report into the public body’s questionable use of funds.
• Ash cloud grounds flights to and from IrelandScots airline passengers are braced for more disruption today after Ireland announced that flights to and from its airspace would be grounded by the volcanic ash cloud that caused chaos across the UK and Europe two weeks ago.
• Funding secured for rail station upgradeAn £8 million upgrade of a run-down Glasgow train station ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games is expected to be given the green light today after receiving European funding.

The Telegraph

• General Election 2010: Lib Dems back plans for road pricing across country The Liberal Democrats have backed plans to introduce road pricing across Britain, triggering a backlash from council leaders.
• Environmental concerns a low priority for car buyers Price and mileage are the main factors dictating the choice of used car.

Daily Express

• BA: Pressure rises on airline as US merger creates giantUNITED and Continental Airlines of the US yesterday unveiled a -$6.7billion (£4.4billion) merger to create the world's largest carrier amid fears this move could push up air fares.

Bristol Live

• Tories threat to bus and rail - Adonis TRANSPORT Minister Lord Adonis has urged Bristol voters to support Labour to ensure that the city gets much-needed investment in its trains and buses.

Derby Telegraph

• Authority aims to encourage cyclists into Peak District A MULTI-MILLION pound project to get people cycling around the Peak District has been launched.
• Council launches questionnaire on public transport PEOPLE are being invited to have their say about how roads and public transport in Derbyshire should be improved.

Edinburgh Evening News

• £43m interchange for rail and trams gets green lightPLANS for a £43 million tram and rail interchange at Gogar have been rubber-stamped by councillors, with work set to get under way later this year.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• 'Keep development transport cash local' COUNCILLORS fear some Leeds neighbourhoods could be missing out on cash provided by developers to fund public transport improvements.

Yorkshire Post

• 13 near-miss incidents for flights in region THIRTEEN commercial aircraft have been involved in "near-miss" incidents with other planes when flying in or out of Yorkshire airports over the past three years.

Other Regional Press

• Passenger anger at plans for rail cuts A WAVE of cuts to rail services could hit south Hampshire if controversial plans are given the go-ahead.

Aviation Industry

• New flight banRisks posed by volcanic ash over Ireland have forced the country's aviation authorities to close air space between 6.00am and 12 noon tomorrow (Tuesday, May 4). read more