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

Saturday, 07 August 2010

BBC News

• Crowds gather for Tall Ships RaceA fleet of majestic sailing vessels have arrived in Hartlepool after a journey across the North Sea from Norway for the 54th Tall Ships Race
• Airline fixes boy's wheelchair 'after Twitter pressure'Pressure from Twitter users forces Air Canada to fix a terminally ill boy's wheelchair after it was damaged during a flight, his family says.
• Mechanic's death 'was avoidable'A mechanic's death in a crash between the coach he was in and an unhitched trailer could have been avoided, a sheriff has said.
• Bike hire scheme plans criticisedPlans to expand the central London Cycle Hire scheme have been criticised by a sustainable transport charity.
• Lanark's aviation history markedA special memorial is being unveiled at Lanark racecourse to commemorate its role as Scotland's first airfield.

The Guardian

• Terror link to shaken oil tankerTraces of explosives 'found on M Star hull' two days after claim by al-Qaida-linked group that it carried out attackExperts investigating damage to a Japanese supertanker that was shaken by an apparent explosion near the Gulf last month believe the ship was the target of a terrorist attack.Inspectors at the port of Fujairah, in the United Arab Emirates, found traces of explosives on the oil tanker, the official UAE news agency said today.The explosion occurred just after midnight on 28 July as the vessel, the M Star, headed through the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway acting as a gateway to the oi...

The Herald

• 275 jobs in danger as administration looms for Scots haulier MRSCash-strapped independent haulier MRS Distribution is likely to go into administration with the possible loss of up to 275 jobs, mainly at Bathgate in West Lothian, and debts of more than £10 million, The Herald can reveal.

The Independent

• Two jailed for blocking 95mph rail line Two men were jailed today after nearly derailing a 95mph train by piling concrete posts and pallets on the line, British Transport Police said.

The Telegraph

• Sleepless Knightsbridge residents protest over super car races outside Harrods Residents protest over super car races outside Harrods.

Mail Online

• Diesel cars now more popular than petrol-driven vehicles as Britons re-evaluate their budgetsOnce only fit for the slow lane, diesel cars were a record 50.6 per cent of new car registrations in July, rising 11.8 per cent while petrol car registrations declined by 13.2 per cent.
• Robert Whatley's 'car window smashed and OAP dragged out by police officers'Two police officers were suspended after the alleged attack on stroke victim Robert Whatley's car was caught on film by a camera placed on the patrol car's dashboard.
• Big Brother facial recognition cameras being rolled out in NCP car parksFootage of people entering the company's car parks will be automatically scanned and checked to see if they match pictures of known or suspected car thieves
• British owner of £2m McLaren F1 supercar faces £100k repair bill after crashThe 240mph supercar, one of only 64 ever built, was involved in a three-car collision whilst cruising in the fast lane of an autobahn in West Germany.

Network Rail

• PLAQUE UNVEILING MARKS LATEST PHASE OF STATION WORK

Birmingham Mail

• Ratan Tata to stand down RATAN Tata, the global car industry veteran who oversaw the 2.3 billion dollar purchase of Jaguar Land Rover, is stepping down as group chairman after a marathon 50 year career.
• Weoley Castle mum's family take legal action after bus death THE family of a Birmingham mum who died after she fell over in a bus is taking legal action against National Express.
• Top Warwickshire cyclist Cath Ward killed in road accident during race A TOP Midlands cyclist taking part in a 10-mile time trial died in front of fellow riders after a car hit her.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• MP demands answers on canal future An MP is demanding answers from Leeds-Liverpool Canal bosses over the waterway™s closure.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Motorcyclists have 53 times more chance of being killed than car drivers Out of a group of 100 typical Welsh bikers, the statistical expectation is that one of the group will die or be badly hurt in 19 months of riding.

London Evening Standard

• Middle Eastern drivers ship in supercars for summerNicknamed the 'billionaire bling-mobiles', a growing numbers of so-called supercars are being spotted in London this summer, amid an influx of shoppers from the Middle East
• Hunt for ’Peckham Terminator’ in bus rampageVideo: Police are looking for a man nicknamed the Peckham Terminator who appears in a YouTube video
• Two jailed for blocking rail lineTwo men have been jailed after nearly derailing a 95mph train by piling concrete posts and pallets on the line, British Transport Police said.

Manchester Evening News

• Town hall staff sent on fuel-saving driving courses Council workers have been sent on driving courses “ to learn how to save petrol. More than 300 Rochdale town hall staff were taught to accelerate less often and drive more slowly during the classes.
• Fury at Big Brother car park cameras Airport-style facial recognition is being used in car parks to identify potential crooks. Car park giant NCP is piloting the controversial new Big Brother technology in a number of Manchester parking lots.

Metro

• More holidaymakers take money-saving trips... to the airportHolidaymakers on a tight budget are cutting costs this summer by heading to the airport “ and no further.
• 'Zombie iPod users' causing thousands of road accidentsiPod users are causing thousands of accidents every year because they are in a state of 'zombie-like oblivion', according to the AA.
• First ˜flying car™ stays groundedThe world™s first ˜flying car™ won™t be taking to the road “ or even the skies “ just yet.
• 'Peckham Terminator' investigated by policeA YouTube star dubbed 'the Peckham Terminator' is being investigated by police after he paraded through a London bus 'in character' in front of stunned commuters and appeared to walk straight through the vehicle's glass doors.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Enthusiasts vow to keep Moray port™s heritage alive Volunteers at a Moray attraction are more determined than ever to keep the history of their fishing port alive following this week™s decision to sell a former museum in the town.
• Railway glory days celebrated A VISITOR attraction which documents Buchan™s bygone railway era opens its doors to the public this weekend.
• Haulier told to get new licenceAn Inverness-shire haulage company with a catalogue of maintenance failures has been ordered to apply for a new licence by the Traffic Commissioner.

Blackpool Gazette

• End to potholes disaster roadFORGET good vibrations, these residents were shaking all over due to a pothole disaster road.

Carlisle News & Star

• Roadworks hurting businesses in Whitehaven - claim Traders claim business has been hit by multiple roadworks causing disruption around Whitehaven.
• West Cumbrian relief roads on major projects wish-list A new relief road for Whitehaven is on a wish-list of major roads projects for Cumbria to help boost the Energy Coast.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Parking row cabbie is locked up for 10 weeksA taxi driver who hit a woman with his cab during a road rage incident has been jailed for 10 weeks.

Sunderland Echo

• Easyjet cuts defendedBudget airline easyJet has defended plans to cut services.

Other Regional Press

• TRAFFIC: Delays on M4 as stretch closes Queues are reported tonight on the M4 between J23A and J24 and also between J29 A48(M) and J28.
• Ferry giant warns its business is in troubleP&O has sparked fears that jobs will be cut after warning staff there's
• Car park firm drops tickets for new coinsThe UK™s largest car park provider is introducing new ticketing equipment in Glasgow.
• Bus firm faces end of the road after contract lossA city bus firm that has operated for more than half a century is facing ruin after contracts were awarded to a rival.

C.N.N.

• Aircraft design linked to crash that killed 265 people in New YorkFederal officials say a plane crash that killed 265 people was caused in part by a rudder system design featured in various Airbus models.

Aviation Industry

• Airline Stocks: Airline stocks fall as revenue growth slowsAirline stocks declined Friday after monthly traffic reports this week showed decelerating year-over-year revenue growth as the industry heads into fall.

Green Miscellany

• Lynzi gets electric - tales from my journey on the electric bike | London rider On my first day on the Wisper I am at meetings in London “ I ride from Clapham Junction station, to Hammsesmith, to Covent garden and then back to waterloo.read more

Other News Sources

• RMT to ballot all tube fleet for action as London Underground doubles time between crucial safety inspectionsTUBE UNION RMT confirmed today that it is preparing a ballot for action of all tube fleet maintenance staff following an announcement by London Underground that they plan to double the length of time between safety-critical train inspections from 14 days to 28 days.
• Vandalism sparks train delaysCOMMUTERS are facing travel chaos this morning (Friday) after vandalism to railway equipment.
• Vauxhall announce lifetime warrantyPeople considering buying a new Vauxhall will be covered by a lifetime warranty from this month, it has been announced. Updated on 06/08/2010 08:45:34. © RAC breakdown cover and car insurance.
• Drink-drive deaths fall to new lowNew Government figures have shown the number of drink-drive deaths fell to an all-time low in 2009. Updated on 06/08/2010 08:45:34. © RAC breakdown cover and car insurance.
• Rockers in miracle motorway escapeA BUS carrying an American 'cyber' metal band went up in flames on the M1 motorway in Northamptonshire yesterday morning.
• Hoy's £80,000 car wrecked in crashOlympic cycling champion Sir Chris Hoy wrecked his £80,000 Jaguar in a crash, it has emerged.
• MTA Approves Long-Delayed NYC Subway Cell CoverageNew York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority has finally green-lighted a project that will provide 3G cellular and Wi-Fi coverage to the city's underground subway stations and tunnels.
• Two Groups Railing Over California Train ProjectArguments over California's high-speed rail just got a whole lot more heated.
• Peninsula High-Speed Rail Track Plans UnveiledIt became clearer Thursday that the state's high-speed train will run above ground from San Francisco to San Jose -- including the so-called
• Luton Dunstable Busway contract to be kept secret Andrew Selous MP calls for details of cancellation clause to be released
• Criticism of delays to fix Blackburn canal leak WORK is finally set to begin to repair a leaking canal that has seen thousands of gallons of water spill on to a main road in Blackburn.
• Major bio-medical firm moves into Blackburn A MAJOR European bio-medical firm chose Blackburn for its first UK base because of good transport links and a skilled workforce, it has been revealed.
• Probe after train derails in Italy Italian police are investigating after a train derailed and crashed, killing one passenger and leaving about 30 injured.
• Cathay Pacific to spend $10 billion on 36 new aircraftNew Airbus and Boeing long-range aircraft will improve fleet economics and performance
• P&O redundancy warning to staffFerry operator chief has 'serious concerns' over lost traffic and revenue
• Goldhofer launches new wind blade trailerGoldhofer has launched a new flatbed semi-trailer for transporting wind power plant blades up to 62 metres long. The new Goldhofer SPZ-P 3AAA is the first trailer to be designed to carry turbine blades still in their shipping frames, and has the capacity to extend from 20 to 62 metres. Its deep extendable spine can [...]
• Record breaking steam car in Hay-on-Wye A UNIQUE car that broke the steam-powered land speed record in 2009 is coming to Three Cocks near Hay-on-Wye this weekend.
• Mayor's tall ships welcomeHARTLEPOOL Mayor Stuart Drummond today welcomed the world's press to The Tall Ships Races.
• Arduous phase of flight-test effort awaits DreamlinerBoeing is testing for
• Superfast in-flight connectivity on horizon as Inmarsat reveals $1.2b Ka planUltra-high-speed in-flight connectivity via Ka-band satellites is on the horizon for commercial and business aircraft operators following Inmarsat's decision...
• NTSB concerned about rudder sensitivity on Airbus narrowbodiesSimilar circumstances between the November 2001 crash of an American Airlines Airbus A300 and a January 2008 in-flight upset of an Air Canada Airbus A319...
• $7Bn Liverpool scheme advancesPEEL PORTS, has unveiled its £4.5Bn ($7.16Bn) scheme to transform Wirral Waters in Liverpool.
• Maersk to pocket $2Bn in 1H10DENMARK™S AP Møller-Maersk should bag net profits of about $2Bn for 2010™s first half, a shipping analyst told Fairplay today.
• Inmarsat seals $1.2Bn orderMOBILE satellite services company Inmarsat told Fairplay today it has ordered $1.2Bn of satellites to deliver high-speed broadband to ships.
• 06/08/2010 - Single European Sky - Summary Report 2009 (Reporting period - January 2009 - December 2009)
• River Thames set for 3.8 million GBP upgradeNew lock gates, improved non-powered boat access and better mooring facilities are just some of the benefits river users will see from a £3.8 million upgrade for the River Thames later this year.
• Bids invited for Hertfordshire roads deal worth up to £800mHertfordshire County Council is inviting contractors to bid for its new highways term maintenance contract, which could be worth up to £800 million.