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

Monday, 28 June 2010

BBC News

• Police use truck to monitor lorry drivers Police in the West Midlands are using a truck to deal with motoring offences by lorry drivers.
• Tube maintenance firm purchased Transport for London brings all maintenance work in-house by completing the purchase of Tube Lines.

Financial Times

• London mayor in Tube pledge London’s mayor has promised a “new era” for the capital’s underground system after his transport organisation took over the only remaining private contractor undertaking maintenance and upgrade work.
• Hammond warns on rail faresTrain passengers face the prospect of even steeper rises in rail fares next January after Britain's new transport secretary warned that the existing pricing formula might not survive the autumn spending review
• Transport secretary battles to keep projects on trackTransport secretary Philip Hammond is preparing the case tell the Treasury that various projects, including London's Crossrail and new InterCity trains, can justify themselves economically. The fear is that such projects are likely to take the brunt of government cuts
• Minister says domestic flights 'thing of the past'Flying within the UK is heading for extinction, the transport secretary, Philip Hammond has claimed, adding that fast train links will be critical to addressing growing demand for air travel

The Guardian

• Boris Johnson is unlikely to save UK from air pollution fines The London mayor's air quality strategy is undone by policies such as the lifting of the congestion zone extension
• Doctors will urge alcohol ban on all public transport at BMA conference A motion at the British Medical Association conference will call for a ban on drunkenness on intercity trains and cross-Channel ferries
• Canada needs its own high-speed rail, not the UK's The money you hand over as you race to the Chunnel is keeping my beloved teachers of yore in bacon and Manitoba minks
• Unite to delay BA cabin crew ballotMove comes as BA manager claims dispute is driven by desire to break the union and that 'climate of fear' pervades airlineThe prospect of a summer of discontent for British Airways passengers receded today as the Unite trade union postponed the latest strike ballot of cabin crew after receiving a peace offer from the airline.The union's joint general secretary, Tony Woodley, said it would be

The Herald

• Railway strikes ended up sapping morale, union chief admitsMorale was sapped by the one-day rail strikes ­earlier this year in which some 90% of trains ran as normal, a union leader has admitted.

The Independent

• Unite to postpone BA strike ballot after offer The Unite union is set to postpone a new British Airways strike ballot so it can consider a fresh offer from the airline in the bitter cabin crew dispute, it was revealed today.
• Cabin crew union seeks to avert strike ballot after new BA proposals With the score standing at one million disrupted journeys, £150m in direct losses and untold reputational damage, the British Airways cabin-crew dispute may finally be moving towards a messy conclusion.

The Scotsman

• Transport chiefs query Borders rail link SCOTTISH Transport chiefs have questioned the country's biggest rail project following claims its economic benefits have shrunk dramatically.

The Telegraph

• Train passengers 'could face further price hikes', transport secretary warns Rail passengers face the prospect of even steeper rises in train fares next January, the new transport secretary has admitted.
• Spy system for airlines to tackle terrorism Airline passengers could have their conversations and movements monitored under a European Union project aimed at tackling terrorism.

Press Association

• Union leader warns over rail prices A transport union leader has promised to "stop the Government in their tracks" if train fares rose and rail investment are cut.

Derby Telegraph

• 40 jobs go as rail training firm is hit by cash shortfall A CITY rail training company has gone into administration. Up to 40 people are thought to have lost their jobs at Catalis, which was based at the Derby Conference Centre in London Road.

Liverpool Post

• Plan to revamp Liverpool ’slum’ railway station axed by Conservative-Lib Dem coalition government LIVERPOOL Central will officially be a “slum station” for years to come, after the new government quietly cancelled a multi-million pound upgrade.

London Evening Standard

• Rail firms urge 'rigorous' reviewTrain companies have called for a

Yorkshire Post

• Region's transport chiefs put on pressure for high-speed rail link The Yorkshire Post's campaign for faster rail links TRANSPORT bosses in Yorkshire are stepping up pressure on the Government to commit to a direct high-speed rail line to the region, with experts compiling a new report outlining the billions of pounds the route will generate.

Burnley Express

• Plans to axe free school bus travel revealed PARENTS could be forced to pay £40 a month in school bus fares after plans were unveiled to axe free passes to save £2million a year.

Other News Sources

• ’Station’s upgrade will benefit us all’ Rail passengers are on track for a more hassle-free and comfortable journey, according to the boss of First Great Western.
• Improvement works to begin at Norwood Junction Train passengers using Norwood Junction will soon see improvements at their station.
• Bombardier shunts aside Siemens in rail purchase Bombardier Inc. has beat rival Siemens of Germany in a two-way contest to buy half of a key signalling gear unit of the giant state-owned Russian Railways.
• Householders worried about Menston commuter parking restrictions New parking restrictions aimed at stopping commuters clogging up streets near Menston railway station are “punishing” residents.
• MP champions Rawtenstall to Manchester rail link A RAIL link from Rawtenstall to Manchester is the key to unlocking the borough’s business potential, according to a newly elected MP.