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

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

BBC News

• Water taxis for Deganwy estuary [video]Venice has its gondolas, London its red buses, and now Conwy has its own unique public transport.
• RMT says jobs 'at risk' as LD Lines ferry service axed A union has called for urgent talks with a ferry company which is cutting one of its two Dover-Boulogne ships.
• Windsor residents want to keep Olympic bridge Windsor residents who live near Dorney Lake are campaigning to keep a temporary bridge which will give access to the Olympic venue in 2012.
• Child road risk 'higher for poor'Children from deprived areas are at far greater risk on the roads than those from richer areas, a study suggests.
• Rail firm 'knew viaduct unsafe'An independent report into the collapse of a railway bridge near Dublin has found that Irish Rail was warned the structure was unsafe, but did not act.
• Trams disrupted by cable damageTram services on the Altrincham Metrolink line are disrupted after power cables are damaged near Timperley.
• Runaway Tube train probe launchedA full investigation is launched into an incident involving a runaway train on London's Tube on Friday morning.
• Premium airline traffic increasesThe number of passengers buying premium airline tickets increased in June, the airline industry association IATA says.
• Threat of airports strike liftedThe threat of a strike by workers at six UK airports later this month ends after a new pay offer is tabled following union and BAA talks.

Financial Times

• BAA airports strike threat called off˜Much improved™ offer had been tabled and workers at Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports will be urged to accept the deal, says Unite
• Seaspan seeks to exploit German shipowner woesSerious financial problems facing Germany's container ship owning companies will 'play into the hands' of one of the world's largest non-German container ship owners

The Guardian

• Give us more literature on public transport Moscow metro's murals of Dostoevsky apparently risk making commuters dangerously depressed. But surely travelling with only adverts to read is a far grimmer experience
• BAA airport workers' strike called offThe union Unite said that talks to resolve a row over pay involving more than 6,000 security staff, engineers and firefighters have resolved the disputeThe threat of strike action by BAA airport workers has been called off tonight, the union Unite has said.Six airports, Heathrow, Stansted, Southampton, Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen, faced closure if the stoppages had gone ahead.But peace talks between the union and the airports operator to resolve a row over pay involving more than 6,000 security staff, engineers and firefighters appear to have averted further woe for travellers.Unite's ...

The Herald

• Fears as Scots rail passengers face fare increases up to 10%Scottish rail passengers could face steep increases to rail fares from next January after UK Transport Secretary Philip Hammond hinted that prices could soar above inflation.

The Independent

• Minister keeps options open on rail fares Commuters could have to pay significantly more for their rail tickets next year after the Government failed to rule out higher-than-usual fare increases, it emerged. Under the current pricing system, the cost of tickets go up by 1% more than the July retail price index - a measure of inflation.
• Electric vehicles aim for 'longest and greenest' world tour Electric vehicles from Australia, Germany and Switzerland set off Monday on the "longest and greenest" round-the-world drive to promote emissions free transport and November's world climate conference.
• Threat of airports strike called offThe threat of strikes by thousands of airport workers which could have caused travel chaos for holidaymakers was averted last night.

The Scotsman

• Deal averts airports strike threatDetails of a pay deal which averted summer holiday strike action at six UK airports will be revealed on Tuesday.

The Telegraph

• Wheel-clamping on private land to be banned Wheel-clamping on private land by "cowboy" clampers is to be banned, ministers will say.
• Airport strikes off as union agrees deal with BAA The threat of strikes by thousands of airport workers which could have caused travel chaos for holidaymakers was averted tonight.
• Petrol retailers urge Coalition government to tackle high fuel prices Petrol retailers have fired a "warning shot" to the coalition Government to stick to pre-election pledges over rising road fuel prices.

Network Rail

• Network Rail Appoints New Head of RetailNetwork Rail has appointed Gavin McKechnie to join its property division, as head of retail. Mr McKechnie will have overall responsibility for retail within the organisation, with a focus on the enhancement and expansion of the retail estate at some of Britain’s busiest stations, including King’s Cross, Birmingham New Street and Waterloo.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Minister is asked to find seat on Bradford train Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has been asked to see for himself the extent of rush-hour overcrowding on trains in the Bradford district.

Liverpool Post

• Speed cameras to be turned off on Merseyside’s roads DOZENS of Merseyside’s speed cameras will be turned off – because there is not enough money to operate them.

London Evening Standard

• These rail fare rises are a tax on LondonAny rise in rail fares is, to all intents and purposes, a tax on work — above all in this city.
• Deal averts airports strike threatDetails of a pay deal which averted summer holiday strike action at six UK airports will be revealed on Tuesday.

Manchester Evening News

• Brake failure to blame for plane runway drama A plane landing at Manchester airport crashed out of control into runway gear after its brakes failed. The Aer Arann plane suffered ˜significant™ damage after touching down on the runway as it taxied towards the Terminal One gate with dozens of passengers.
• No trams to Altrincham until Thursday say Metrolink Tram services between Altrincham and Old Trafford will be suspended until THURSDAY after 'significant' damage to an overhead power line. The incident took place near Timerpley at 7.30am on Monday - causing chaos for rush-hour commuters.

Metro

• Rail passengers could face 6% fare increasesRail fares could soar next year after the government refused to rule out higher-than-usual increases.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Railway station volunteers up for national awards VOLUNTEERS who maintain floral displays at a north-east railway station have been shortlisted for two national awards.
• Boat-owners demand action over sand and silt build-up at harbourAngry boat-owners are campaigning for action over the state of a north-east harbour, which they say is hitting businesses and forcing some owners to go elsewhere.
• Row erupts over claims in railway station bid A row has broken out between Highland Council and a north MSP over the reopening of a railway station that could help ease commuter traffic congestion.

The York Press

• Police report an increase in cycle thefts in York FIVE bikes a day are now being stolen in York, after a sudden surge in thefts.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds City railway station access project startsWork was due to start today on a major new scheme to make it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to get to Leeds City railway station.
• Knaresborough: New toilets for bus stationA council in North Yorkshire is investing thousands of pounds in plans to make it easier for people to spend a penny.

Northants Evening Telegraph

• Residents in plea not to ditch bypass plansResidents have said a bypass is still needed for Isham after it was revealed the plan for the road and the Corby link road will be delayed until at least October.

Other Regional Press

• Row over faded cycle lines OXFORD™S Lord Mayor is urging the county council to repaint faded city cycle lanes because of safety fears.
• Transport chief questions effectiveness of traffic lights over roundabouts A TRANSPORT chief is calling for all the traffic lights in his town to be ripped out and replaced with roundabouts.

Rail-News.com

• Eurostar appoints Chief Financial OfficerEurostar, the high-speed passenger rail service which links the UK with the continent, has appointed James Cheesewright as Chief Financial Officer.

Railnews

• News: Euro directive could have 'disastrous' impact on rail A forthcoming European Directive may have the effect of making new diesel trains very difficult and expensive to build, the industry is being warned. The 'greener' engines will be significantly bigger and compulsory on new trains from 2012.
• News: 'New era in station retailing,' is predicted as Network Rail appoints new executive Network Rail has appointed Gavin McKechnie as head of retail in its property division. Mr McKechnie will be concentrating on the enhancement and expansion of the retail estate at some of Britain’s busiest stations, including London King’s Cross, Birmingham New Street Glasgow Central.

Aviation Industry

• Stagecoach launch jet airport linkStagecoach Bluebird have started their latest routes, a brand new express bus service connecting Aberdeen Airport with the City Centre and the bus station and rail station at Union Square.
• BAA to meet unions to try and avert strikeBAA management is meeting with union leaders on Monday to try and avert a strike at six major U.K. airports that would disrupt the plans of millions of travelers at the height of the holiday season.
• Virgin Blue revamps network, drops New Zealand route The Virgin Blue Group has announced a major revamp of its network including withdrawing from New Zealand domestic flying to cut losses. It will increase services to Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands using 737s and its long-haul focus will be on the US and South Africa, which it plans to serve with 777-300ERs. It will additionally increase Australian domestic capacity by 490,000 seats.

Other News Sources

• Sir Roy McNulty to address rail forum THE man who is heading up the Government's review into rail industry spending will be the principal speaker at a conference in Derby. Sir Roy McNulty will address Derby and Derbyshire Rail Forum's conference at the Derby Conference Centre, in London Roa
• Putting transport at the heart of conference seasonTransport organisations will be afforded a louder voice and a more efficient way of getting their messages across to senior politicians at this year™s political party conferences with the launch of the Transport Hub, which is project managed by the Freight Transport Association (FTA). The Transport Hub will enable its members to articulate their messages [...]
• Westminster owed £4m in unpaid foreign car finesCity council ˜names and shames™ illegally parked cars
• Easyjet in disabled passenger furore Dominique Bussereau, the French transport secretary, has called for an inquiry into allegations that budget carrier Easyjet has refused boarding to disabled passengers.

News from Europe

• German rail begins carbon-neutral freight transport German rail operator Deutsche Bahn is to transport cars produced by Audi using only renewable energy. With more corporate customers waiting in the wings, DB hopes to expand the green scheme in the coming years.