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

Saturday, 10 July 2010

BBC News

• Aerospace firm jobs under threatA company which manufactures aviation components is to begin talks over plans to relocate a south Wales plant to Essex.
• Man's leg crushed under caravanA man suffers serious leg injuries after becoming trapped under a caravan at a park in Dumfries and Galloway.
• Tory-Lib Dem dispute over railwayTwo Borders MSPs clash over the benefits of a project to reopen a rail route between the region and Edinburgh.
• Heathrow cargo depot hit by fireAbout 100 firefighters tackle a blaze at a cargo area at Heathrow airport.
• Peugeot seals China joint ventureFrench car giant Peugeot Citroen becomes the latest major carmaker to team up with Changan Automotive Group.
• Boeing submits US air tanker bidUS firm Boeing tries again to win a key US contract as a row over illegal subsidies rages between it and arch-rival Airbus.
• Airlines 'fail to refund taxes'Airlines are accused of keeping millions of pounds for themselves which ought to be refunded to passengers.

The Herald

• High-speed rail link ˜based on over-optimistic assumptions™The case for a high-speed rail line between London and Scotland is based on over-optimistic assumptions of passenger growth, opponents have said.
• Tory MSP denies rail plan U-turnAn ugly row has broken between the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats in Scotland over controversial plans for a £300 million railway linking the Borders to Edinburgh.
• Four police cars crash each dayPolice cars have been involved in more than four accidents a day on average in Scotland over the past five years, according to new figures obtained by The Herald.
• Clampdown on Blue Badge abusersMotorists who abuse disabled parking permits are facing a clampdown on a system that has seen legitmate users almost double in a decade.
• Trams scheme ˜took wrong route™As the row about the Edinburgh trams fiasco rumbles, one of the few critics with the expertise required to pass judgment on what went wrong makes it pretty clear that he thinks attempts to pin the blame on private sector contractors will not wash.

Daily Record

• Councils stock up on salt to beat gritting chaos that cost £2bn in road repairs during big freeze COUNCIL are building a massive salt mountain in preparation for a bitter winter.

Mail Online

• Take a good look, you'll never see these bikes again: London launches 6,000 hire cycles in Boris's Tour de ForceThe bikes, which were receiving their finishing touches in London today, will hit the road on July 30. And London Mayor Boris Johnson is pinning his bicycle clips on the success of the scheme.
• Chinese airport closed after UFO spotted over cityArcing over Zhejiang's provincial capital Hangzhou, the UFO appeared to glow with an eerie white light and left a bright trail in its wake.

Network Rail

• BETTER ACCESSS AND IMPROVED FACILITIES AT MIDDLESBROUGH STATION
• NEW NUNEATON FREIGHT LINE GETS GO-AHEADRail freight improvements get the green light from government

Belfast Telegraph

• Ryanair blames ‘tourist tax’ as airline cuts winter flights Budget airline Ryanair is to cut capacity from its Dublin base by 15% over the winter, blaming increased passenger charges that it believes have caused traffic |to drop through the Republic’s main airport. Related StoriesShowtime for businesses with a passion for supporting the artsUK growth forecast slashed to just 1.2%Inflation rate change for private sector retirement benefitsUnion to ballot BT workers on ‘unprecedented’ pay dealFormer Anglo-Irish boss ‘bankrupt’

Birmingham Mail

• Smartcard pledge from Centro boss A NEW smartcard system allowing cash-free travel on buses, trains and trams across the region will be in action by next summer, the new man in charge at Centro has pledged.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Sky's the limit for cycle fans World and Olympic cycling champion Victoria Pendleton has backed a mass cycling event in Bradford to be held next month.
• Airedale train delays caused by man on track Delays to trains between Skipton and Bradford were caused early today after police received reports of a man trespassing on the tracks.

Liverpool Post

• X-ray malfunction at Liverpool’s John Lennon airport causes huge queues and missed flights PASSENGERS missed flights at Liverpool’s John Lennon airport after brand new X-ray scanners broke down.

London Evening Standard

• Eurostar fire scare strands thousands at St Pancras stationThousands of Eurostar passengers stranded overnight when a fire alert brought the service to a standstill
• Tube upgrades face axe as coalition spares CrossrailLondon's Underground system today emerged as a key target for Treasury spending cuts

Manchester Evening News

• Ministers slam the brakes on £560m of transport hopes Transport projects worth more than £560m to Greater Manchester have been put on hold as the government slashes public spending. The list includes a £290m by-pass connecting the A6 near Stockport with the M56 at Manchester Airport.

Metro

• Speed cameras a 'false hope' in improving road safetyThe introduction of speed cameras has led to more road casualties, a report claims.
• Sex in car can harmFrisky motorists beware “ kissing and cuddling in the car can hurt. Injuries include a banged head, pulled muscle, bashed elbows and knees, a cricked neck and damage from the gear stick.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Jet2 announce new flights from Newcastle LOW-COST airline Jet2 today announced flights to five new spots from Tyneside. Jet2.com will fly to Toulouse, in France, for the first time, and is bringing back services to Krakow, Poland, and Prague, in the Czech Republic to Newcastle International Airport.

The News (Portsmouth)

• Man, 87, locked in bus station toiletFIRE crews were called for help after an elderly man was locked in a toilet at Fareham bus station tonight.
• Extension to Southsea cycle lane on holdPlans to extend Southsea's controversial seafront cycle lane have been put on hold.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Commuters facing more delays as roads closeMotorists in Aberdeen have been warned to expect delays in the coming weeks as more road closures were put in place last night.

The York Press

• Frustration over speed camera delays YORK™S transport boss has criticised police over delays in introducing speed cameras into the city and has demanded crunch talks to thrash out a potential timetable.

Blackpool Gazette

• Neighbours jubilant after crossing savedNEIGHBOURS are celebrating today after a vital tram track crossing was saved from closure.
• Text in to shop bus stop vandalsHI-TECH methods are being used to curb the number of bus shelters being vandalised across the county.

Bucks Free Press

• Rural road limit could be slashed in halfRURAL roads in a residential area could have their speed limit slashed by half following a petition.

Carlisle News & Star

• New Workington bridge will be open by May 2012 Workington's new permanent road bridge is expected to be up and running by May 2012.

Chester Standard

• Witness appeal after trucks stolenPOLICE are appealing for witnesses after a distinctive vintage van and truck were stolen.

Daventry Express

• People power secures new crossing at Daventry schoolA VICTORY has been struck for people power as a zebra crossing is to be installed near a primary school in Daventry.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Residents say double yellows are not neededYellow lines are not needed at a busy junction, according to residents and parents.

The Shields Gazette

• Council defends use of CCTV Smart CarsSOUTH Tyneside's transport chief today defended a new road safety scheme.
• Cuts force re-think on road repairsSEVERE winter weather and Government funding cuts have forced South Tyneside Council to re-think its road resurfacing policy.
• Car parts company predicts sales riseA BIG rise in sales has been predicted by a South Tyneside car parts supplier which has experienced tough times.

Other Regional Press

• Battling cyclist killed on charity bike ride A HAMPSHIRE cyclist who overcame a spinal condition that threatened to put him in a wheelchair has been killed on a charity bike ride.
• Banbury rail tidy-up clears 25 tonnes of litter MORE than 25 tonnes of rubbish was cleared from just one mile of the railway line through Banbury as part of a crackdown on fly-tipping.
• Combe station celebrates 75th anniversary A TINY railway station in west Oxfordshire, which is served by just two trains a day and has survived several closure threats, has reached its 75th birthday.
• Bogus tunnel fire alert caused rail chaosReports of smoke billowing from a tunnel caused chaos on the rails - even though there was no fire, it was revealed today.
• Dorset traffic misery: Major works set for Dorchester bypass MOTORISTS can expect more road misery when major works get underway on the Dorchester bypass.
• Warwickshire women take up motorcycling ROAD safety officers in Warwickshire have launched new riding skills courses for women after more have taken up motorbike riding.

International Herald Tribune

• Fiat to Move Panda Production to ItalyThe Italian carmaker said it would spend $886 million to move the new compact from a plant in Poland despite an unresolved labor dispute.

Washington Post

• Fiat confirms new Panda will be produced in Italy MILAN -- Italy's Fiat, which controls Chrysler Group LCC, will proceed with a euro700 million ($886 million) investment to move production of its new Panda compact from Poland to a plant near Naples despite an unresolved dispute with an Italian union, the automaker announced Friday.
• PT Cruiser, retro hit, symbolized Chrysler's fall DETROIT -- A decade ago, the PT Cruiser roared onto the road with trendsetting looks and Al Capone swagger. In a sea of bland Honda Civics and Toyota Camrys, it was a retro hit. Chrysler could barely keep up with demand.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Norfolk slashes public services but protects road spending9 July: Norfolk County Council has cut £10 million from its budget, decimating public services. Why not cut the Norwich Northern Distributor Road instead? read more

Railway Gazette

• US cities receive tram grants USA: Five US cities have received nearly $105m for tram projects from the US Department of Transportation™s Urban Circulator Grant Programme, which is designed to help cities better co-ordinate transport, housing and commercial development. The recipients include: St Louis Loop Trolley: $25m for a 3·2 km, nine-stop route connecting Delmar Loop at University City with Forest Park and two existing MetroLink light rail stations. The total cost is estimated at $44m, and the local share has not yet been identified. Charlotte Streetcar Starter Project: $25m for a 2·4 km route with six stops and th...

Transport for London

• Final preparations for Mayor's flagship cycle scheme Hundreds of bikes are receiving their finishing touches in readiness for the launch of the Mayor's flagship cycle hire scheme.
• New Tube seating fabric captures the spirit of London London Underground (LU) today revealed the winner of a public competition to design a brand new Tube seating fabric.

Aviation Industry

• Terminal 5's next satellite building gets rail linkNew rail cars have been delivered for Heathrow Terminal 5's Track Transit System, in preparation for the link to the terminal's second satellite building, T5C.
• A relaunched coalition to tackle helicopter noise, and the new government™s views on noise, tax and CO2The past fortnight has seen us working with government, industry and local campaigners. Tim met with the Department for Transport at the first External Advisory Group session to be held since the election. The group discussed the proposed change from Air Passenger Duty to a per plane tax (deferred pending further consultation), the 2050 CO2 [...]
• BA hopes to land second merger dealBritish Airways boss Willie Walsh outlined ambitious new plans to snap up a rival airline within a year of securing a merger with Spain's Iberia.
• Lufthansa 1sthalf passenger figures riseLufthansa 1st-half passenger figures rise Eds: APNewsNow. BERLIN Deutsche Lufthansa AG says the number of passengers flying with the airline, Germany's biggest, was up 1.8 percent in year-on-year terms in the first half of 2010.

Green Miscellany

• Solar-powered plane flies through the night A single-seat solar-powered plane has landed in Switzerland having flown at an altitude of 8,700m for twenty-six hours “ the longest and highest flight recorded by a solar-powered aircraft.read more
• The revival of bicycle head badge art If you are one of Britain’s five million regular cyclists, how best to subtly tweak the appearance of your bike so that it stands out from the crowd?read more

Other News Sources

• Researchers to improve train tracking systemsA system for testing and improving the accuracy of global navigation satellite systems in train tracking applications is being developed by researchers in Germany.
• Parish councillor in parking rowA parish councillor has denied breaking the law by painting yellow lines outside his house. Updated on 09/07/2010 08:34:45. © RAC breakdown cover and car insurance.
• In-car cuddling 'causes injury'Although more than half of motorists enjoy getting amorous in a vehicle, nearly one in five people have suffered from an injury due to in-car kissing and cuddling, a new study has found. Updated on 09/07/2010 08:34:45. © RAC breakdown cover and car insurance.
• Legal challenge to bike hire schemeLondon Mayor Boris Johnson's plan for a cycle hire scheme faces a legal challenge from a Mayfair resident. Updated on 09/07/2010 12:23:56. © RAC breakdown cover and car insurance.
• California High-Speed Rail Authority Okays Study of Shared-Track Option on Los Angeles to Anaheim RunWorking in cooperation with regional transportation officials, the California High-Speed Rail Authority moved ahead with environmental work on a plan to share tracks with Metrolink and Amtrak trains between Los Angeles and Anaheim.
• Wallace Sewell wins TfL moquette competitionTextile design consultancy Wallace Sewell has won an open competition organised by Transport for London to design a new seating fabric for the London Underground.
• New Generation Smart Fortwo Electric Car TrialThe first of the second generation smart fortwo electric cars have taken to the roads of Birmingham as part of the UK’s biggest electric vehicle trials...
• Fuel price hikes push cargo off the roadShortsea operators reap the benefit
• Truckfest comes of age in ScotlandTruckfest comes of age this year as it celebrates its 21st anniversary in Scotland on Saturday 31st July and Sunday 1st August, at the Royal Highland Showground, Ingliston. To celebrate, the organisers are promising even more customised trucks and live entertainment as well as your favourite soap and TV stars. Featuring the leading names and [...]
• Birmingham Airport receives funding for expansion plansBirmingham Airport has secured funding to ensure that it can continue to expand and improve the services it offers customers.The £45 million in funding will help the West Midlands travel hub with its proposed runway expansion, which would allow for bigger planes, as well as a long-haul service to destinations in Asia and on the west coast of the US.Work is also ongoing on the merging of Birmingham Airport's two terminals.Mark Hattersley, finance director at Birmingham Airport, said that in the future the travel hub will play a much greater role in the UK travel industry."To enable us...
• Newcastle Airport to receive new Jet2 routesNewcastle Airport hotels could be booked up early next summer, as Jet2 has announced five new routes from the travel hub for its 2011 schedule.Some 24 destinations will be on offer from the low-cost airline next year, including five new services to Krakow, Prague, Alicante, Faro and Toulouse.From May 2011 the carrier will also base a fifth aircraft at Newcastle Airport, adding an extra 150,000 seats a year. The additions to the schedule mean that passengers will be able to fly to the French city of Toulouse for the first time from the north-east. Ian Doubtfire, managing director at Jet2.com, s...
• Bristol Airport's Shannon service beginsBristol Airport has become the latest regional travel hub to benefit from the Aer Arann and Aer Lingus franchise with the launch of a new service to Shannon. The first flight to the Irish city took off earlier this month, with passengers on the inaugural journey being greeted by traditional Irish music.Services between Bristol Airport and Shannon will now operate six times per week and seats are available from £29.99 one way including taxes. Andrew Kelly, Aer Arann corporate affairs director, explained that the new route is part of the second phase of the franchise agreement."We hope...
• Commission 'dismayed' at cost of car repairsCost of maintenance rising faster than the rate of inflation.
• Boeing Plans to Debut 787 Dreamliner and New Unmanned Systems at FarnboroughThe Boeing 787 Dreamliner will make its international debut this month when the doors open on the Farnborough International Airshow outside London. Boeing also will feature an extensive display...