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

Thursday, 03 June 2010

BBC News

• Network Rail profits see sharp fall Profits at Network Rail fell by nearly 75% over the past year while the company's costs and debts rose.
• 'Small' chance of Stourport relief road funds Funding for a Worcestershire town relief road may be difficult to raise in the current economic climate, the Wyre Forest MP has said.
• British Transport Police target bike theft 'hotspots' Railway station bike theft "hotspots" are being targeted by British Transport Police throughout June.
• Police exercise to keep children off railway lines Schoolchildren are to watch a hard-hitting exercise encouraging them not to play on railway lines.
• SPT to tighten spending controlsScotland's largest public transport organisation announce tighter spending controls after an expenses scandal.
• On yer bike... Brakes off for Belfast cycle hireNI Transport Minister Conor Murphy says he would love to see Belfast become of the top 10 cycling cities in the British Isles.
• Latest BA strike enters final dayThe current five-day strike by British Airways cabin crew enters its final day, but a third wave is due to start from Saturday.

Financial Times

• Network Rail warned over 'weaknesses'Rail regulators have warned the company that its record in the past year betrayed

The Guardian

• Potters Bar train crash was like 'being in a tumble dryer' Survivor tells inquest he was thrown around the stricken train before watching another passenger's last breath
• Network Rail warned not to award excessive bonuses this year Rail regulator and secretary of state urge Network Rail not to repeat level of payouts seen in 2009. Network Rail has been dragged into the row over executive pay at publicly funded bodies as the rail industry's financial regulator warned against handing excessive bonuses to senior managers.

The Herald

• New £2m road plan to improve access at airport Glasgow Airport’s confusing and congested passenger pick-up and drop-off zones are to be made easier to use in a £2 million reorganisation.
• Wi-fi plan for cities’ rail link Passengers on Scotland’s busiest rail line between Glasgow and Edinburgh should soon be able to access free wi-fi. Ministers are expected to approve a roll-out of the service after First ScotRail said a wireless network covering services between Scotland’s largest cities, used by nearly seven million travellers a year, could operate using existing mobile phone masts.

The Scotsman

• Last day of BA strike wave beckonsThe latest wave of strikes by British Airways cabin crew will end on Thursday, with further action set to be launched at the weekend in the increasingly bitter row.

The Telegraph

• Network Rail chiefs in new bonus row Top executives at Network Rail have become embroiled in a fresh bonus row after industry regulator described the company's performance as "mixed".

Mail Online

• Transport Secretary says Network Rail bosses should give up fat-cat bonuses this year Fat-cat bonuses for Network Rail bosses have come under fire from train watchdogs and the new Transport Secretary who says senior directors should consider giving them up completely this year.

Network Rail

• BEST EVER YEAR FOR TIMELY TRAINS

Edinburgh Evening News

• 'Downturn' in tram fundingFUTURE extensions to the city's tram line will need new means of funding due to a "downturn" in developer contributions.

London Evening Standard

• Boris Johnson warned bike hire scheme will be overwhelmed by demandInventor of London's first hire bike today warned Boris Johnson that his new scheme risked being 'swamped' when it is launched next month
• We can build high-speed rail link for bargain £6 billion, say expertsHigh-speed rail link between London, Birmingham and Manchester could be built for £6 billion if a 'bargain basement' approach is taken to construction, experts claim
• Last day of BA strike wave beckonsThe latest wave of strikes by British Airways cabin crew will end on Thursday, with further action set to be launched at the weekend in the increasingly bitter row.

Nottingham Evening Post

• New MP urges Government to debate the A453 in House of Commons A NEW Notts MP devoted her first question in parliament to the A453 campaign. Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South, spoke in the Commons of the "utter dismay" felt by residents and businesses following the decision to delay making the road a dual carriageway.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Barge may be used as ferry terminalAn innovative floating barge could provide a solution to Highland Council™s problems in minimising the impact of suspending operations of its lifeline Corran ferry while vital repair work is carried out.
• Release hopes for Scot in Gaza aid missionA DUNDEE man who was on board a Gaza aid flotilla ship stormed by Israeli troops also lived through the Dunblane massacre, it emerged last night.
• Transport bosses in firing line over claimsA damning auditors™ report has branded expense claims by senior executives at a transport body œexcessive.

Blackpool Gazette

• Bus victory proves pensioner power PENSIONER power has paid off now a "lifeline" bus route will be reinstated.

Other Regional Press

• Passenger group™s new chair THE Cotswold Line Promotion Group, which represents passengers on the Oxford-Worcester Rail route, has a new chairman.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Passengers should be told about bus service changes2 June: Have you ever turned up at a bus stop only to find out the service has been cut? We've told the Government that passengers and local authorities need more warning when changes are made. read more

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Stobart Group to receive £100m loanA £100 million loan has been arranged for Stobart Group by M&G Investments in order for the former organisation to repay existing bank debt.This will supply Stobart Group with the funds necessary to invest in projects such as Southend Airport, which has already successfully been given permission for a runway extension.The organisation acquired the airport in 2008.Furthermore, the agreement will enable other future capital schemes for the company, which dates back to the 1970s.Ben Whawell, chief financial officer of the recipients, described M&G as "a reliable ...

Aviation Industry

• Early take off for Emirates' second double deckerEmirates' second daily A380 service from Heathrow to Dubai will take off two weeks earlier than planned on 15th June following the early delivery of the airline's newest 'superjumbo'...
• British Airways Strike Arbiter Bemoans `False Dawns'British Airways Plc a s negotiations with cabin crew over pay and staffing levels have led to a oeso many false dawnsa that one of the arbiters in the dispute will no longer speculate about the outcome.

Other News Sources

• Design no longer at the back of the bus [Canada]When they first began rumbling down Toronto’s streets in the late 1970s, the city’s hulking new streetcars were an emblem of design sophistication. State-of-the-art streetcars, designed by Canadian transport manufacturer Bombardier Inc., will begin entering service in 2013 with the promise of a better customer experience.
• INKA Collaborates with Bombardier to Develop Diesel-Powered LocomotivesTEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:State-owned railway company PT Industri Kereta Api (INKA) and a German company, Bombardier, yesterday signed an MoU to develop a diesel-powered locomotives in Indonesia.
• Kidderminster councillor calls for parking to replace cycle lane A CYCLE lane in one of Kidderminster’s busiest roads should be replaced with parking spaces to help traders in the area, it has been claimed.
• Cycle trainer critical of 'obsession' with helmets A cycle safety trainer has slammed a county council for its “obsession” with promoting wearing helmets and high-visibility jackets. Simon Nuttall – a member of the Cambridge Cycling Campaign and an adult cycle training instructor – said promoting helmet-only cycling “doesn’t make sense”.
• New MP backs road safety campaign in Waltham Chase NEWLY elected politicians are backing a safety campaign at a school in the Meon Valley.
• Scheme of the Month - ReCycleBikes, SheffieldReCycleBikes is a bicycle recycling project run by the Heeley Development Trust in Sheffield. Starting as a small, sustainable business in 2001 it has evolved to include youth training, adult evening cycle maintenance classes, new and refurbished bike sales, a programme of rides, repair and service work and fleet bike supply and maintenance, all carried out [...]
• On your bikes - commuters urged to give cycling a spinCommuters working in the Cambridge Science Park area are invited to attend the Travel Plan Plus Bicycle User Group (BUG) and give cycling a spin.03/06/10