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

Tuesday, 18 May 2010

BBC News

• Sun glare delays new train system A hi-tech computer signalling system on a Gwynedd railway line has been postponed - because sun glare means train drivers cannot see the screens.
• A new transport policy? [Today Programme Audio]Now that we have a new government and a new transport secretary, does it that mean we have a new approach to BA strikes and whether aeroplanes should be grounded under the ash cloud?
• Derek Simpson of Unite on meeting with Philip Hammond [video]Talks between the government and the Unite union about proposed BA cabin crew strikes have been "constructive", according to Derek Simpson of Unite.
• Bus company brings in smart cardA bus firm launches a photo ID
• Rail numbers exceed expectationPassenger numbers for the recently reopened Laurencekirk Station in Aberdeenshire exceed expectations.
• 'New Routemaster' design unveiledFinal designs for a new double-decker bus for London based on the Routemaster are unveiled by the mayor.
• Closed Scottish airports reopenA ban on flights imposed due to the danger posed by a cloud of volcanic ash is lifted at most Scottish airports.
• GM sees first profit since 2007US car giant General Motors made $865m in the first three months of 2010, its first quarterly profit in nearly three years.
• Fewer BA flights despite rulingBritish Airways says it can only operate just over half of its flights from Heathrow, despite a strike being ruled illegal.

Financial Times

• BA wins court ruling to halt strikeBritish Airways averted 20 days of cabin crew strikes after the High Court ruled that the Unite union did not properly inform members about the results of a ballot on the action
• UK lifts ash-cloud air travel restrictions Britain's air traffic control agency has lifted restrictions on several UK airports but travel chaos for passengers in Europe is likely to continue in the aftermath of disruption caused by the latest volcanic ash cloud from Iceland

The Guardian

• What's not to like about high-speed rail? The case simply hasn't been made I wanted to be convinced of the benefits but the figures don't work – nor, for this little island, does a plan for perpetual growth
• Waste row over new Routemasters¢ First five new models will cost £7.8m¢ Critics accuse London mayor of wasting taxpayers' moneyLondon's mayor, Boris Johnson, was today accused of pursuing an expensive vanity project as he unveiled the design of the new bus for the capital.Johnson said the updated jump-on, jump-off vehicle would give passengers a
• BA wins court battle to stop strikeUnite to appeal 'landmark attack' after judge intervenes on eve of walkoutBritain's largest trade union claimed it was the victim of a

The Herald

• Cabin crew strike halted after judge grants BA injunctionA damaging strike by British Airways cabin crew was cancelled last night after a High Court judge granted an injunction against today™s action by the Unite union.
• Standard Life backs Easyjet top brass despite founder™s revoltBudget airline easyJet™s largest institutional investor Standard Life has said it will back the group™s management after founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou led a shareholder revolt.

The Independent

• London Routemaster buses to make a comebackPassengers will get a "greener, light and airy" service when new double-decker buses, based on the old driver-and-conductor Routemasters, start running in London in 2012, it was revealed today.
• BA uses High Court to block cabin crew strike on a technicality The prospect of the longest cabin crew strike in British Airways' history was averted at the eleventh hour last night after the airline's last-ditch attempt to secure an injunction was granted by the High Court.

The Telegraph

• Unite: British Airways strike ban is 'affront to democracy' Unite spokesman Steve Turner calls a High Court injunction against a planned strike by BA cabin crew an 'affront to democracy'.

Times Online

• Business leaders fear Tube upgrade delay Business leaders in the capital are concerned that Transport for London could delay improvements to the Piccadilly Line upgrade after it takes control of Tube Lines next month.
• Quiet but costly Routemasters poised for return to London’s streets Boris Johnson hailed the return of the Routemaster today as he promised a cleaner, greener bus for London — albeit at a hefty price tag.
• British motor industry and ˜green™ energy at risk of spending cutsThe future of the British motor industry and renewable energy in the UK is at stake as the new Government combs over the billions committed by Labour to supporting UK companies.
• Stelios gives easyJet a month to toe lineSir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has backed away from a fight with the board of the airline he founded, giving it a month to confirm that it is putting all expansion plans on hold.
• Profit puts GM back on the comeback trailGeneral Motors has reported its first quarterly profit since 2007, despite a $500 million loss at its European operations, which include Opel and Vauxhall plants in Britain.$
• BA granted injunction to stop cabin crew strikesBritish Airways has been granted an injunction to stop the Unite union from carrying out cabin crew strikes that had been due to start at midnight tonight.

Reuters News

• Nissan says Leaf electric car to cost £23,350LONDON (Reuters) - Nissan, Japan's third-biggest carmaker, said on Monday its Leaf electric car would cost under 30,000 euros (25,600 pounds) in most European countries after incentives offered by governments to push the new technology.

Mail Online

• Boris Johnson unveils new Routemaster bus for LondonThe new buses, based on the old driver-and-conductor Routemasters, will start running in London in 2012.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• ˜Pupils are walking the right way!™ Bradford children are setting themselves up for success by carrying out their journeys to and from school on foot, according to Bradford Council transport officials.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Volcanic ash cloud hits flights but ferry companies thrive HIGH-FLYING ferry companies were last night expecting another bumper week as airports closed and flights were cancelled in the wake of the latest twist in the volcanic ash cloud crisis.

Journal Live

• Rail chief Elaine Holt declares new trains needed A SENIOR rail chief has declared the North East needs new trains as the Department for Transport faces a cash squeeze.

Liverpool Echo

• Car maker Vauxhall parent group GM announces first quarter profit CAR maker General Motors (GM) revealed better trading for the group in the first quarter of 2010 today.

Liverpool Post

• Cammell Laird workers walk out redundancy row MORE than 100 workers at Cammell Laird ship repairers in Birkenhead staged an unofficial walk-out today over a redundancy plan.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Town™s reopened station proves to be popular platform with travellersThe number of people using a north-east railway station which reopened a year ago has exceeded all expectations.

The York Press

• National Railway Museum celebrates Great Western Railway's 175th anniversary THE National Railway Museum in York is celebrating the 175th anniversary of one of the largest and best-known railway companies in the world in a new exhibition.

Wales Online

• The long hard road to green transport in Cardiff city centre The idea was simple: encourage use of public transport and avoid gridlock. But now the flagship schemes are faltering. ABBY ALFORD asks, ’Has the council lost its way?’

Other News Sources

• Mott MacDonald specialist railway engineers seconded to Evergreen 3 project Mott MacDonald has seconded three railway engineers to provide Chiltern Railways with specialist expertise for its Evergreen 3 project, upgrading the railway between London Marylebone and Banbury and constructing a proposed new railway between Bicester and Oxford.

Other Subscription Services

• Brussels urges speedy ratification of Rotterdam RulesEuropean Parliament advises member states advised to quickly sign, ratify and implement regime