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

Monday, 25 October 2010

BBC News

• Police call for more powers to tackle metal theftsBritish Transport Police is calling for tougher powers to tackle the growing problem of metal theft.
• Nautilus union warns over emergency tug cuts The government is risking lives with its plan to axe four emergency towing vessels, maritime union Nautilus says.
• Bus company Chambers in administration Northern Ireland's largest independent bus company Chambers has gone into administration.
• Council stockpiles 1,400 tonnes of salt for snow A council on Merseyside has stockpiled 1,400 tonnes of rocksalt in case there is a repeat of last winter's snow.
• Are the fare increases a nail in the travelcard coffin? [blog]What most transport commentators thought was a story about the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) being a good deal for London in protecting the Tube upgrades and Crossrail quickly went down another route.
• Kent site considered for airportLondon Mayor considers a proposal to build an airport on the Hoo peninsula in north Kent.

Financial Times

• Train groups at odds over tender changeThe losing bidder in one of the UK's biggest train tenders is considering legal action if Japan's Hitachi wins orders to supply a heavily redesigned version

The Guardian

• Court battle looms over high-speed rail link's threat to Chilterns landscape Campaigners demand judicial review for planned fast route to Birmingham and the north that they say will mar the Chilterns and ruin wildlife havens
• Rail fares set to rocket by 11% on some routes Government to reinstate provision allowing rail companies to average out fare hikes instead of applying uniform price rises

The Scotsman

• Airport presses ahead with £1 'kiss and fly' tax despite MSPs' opposition THE controversial "kiss and fly" tax will come into force at Scotland's busiest airport this week, as a Scotsman poll shows near unanimous opposition among MSPs to the £1 charge.
• All-night Edinburgh-Glasgow trains service rejected ALL-night trains between Edinburgh and Glasgow have been rejected by Network Rail despite the track operator predicting soaring passenger numbers in the two cities. It looked at the feasibility of non-stop hourly services between midnight and 6am.
• Fears for future of direct London rail services quashed FEARS that direct rail links between northern Scotland and London would be axed if planned new trains were cancelled were allayed by the UK government yesterday. Rail minister Theresa Villiers told The Scotsman she recognised the popularity and importance of the Aberdeen and Inverness services, and there were "no plans" to withdraw them. It is understood other trains could be used, or the existing trains could be refurbished.

Daily Express

• GERMAN BID TO REVIVE RAIL LINKS IN NORTHA RAIL operator owned by German train operator Deutsche Bahn proposes to introduce 140mph inter-city services between London and the north of England.
• Hangar 8 is all set for take offA PRIVATE aircraft operator is raising £2million on Aim to cash in on a recovery in the business aviation market.

Mail Online

• New airport scanner can tell what's in your bottlesThe machines could be in place by April and would end the confusion surrounding liquid bans that add to delays for millions of British holidaymakers.
• Why it takes us nearly a year just to park the carThe average Briton devotes the equivalent of 25 minutes a day, or 152 hours a year, to searching for spaces – adding up to almost 11 months if they hold a license for 50 years.

Other Regional Press

• Cyclists get on their bikes to promote ridingCycling enthusiasts gathered outside a school in Rickmansworth today, as part of a drive organised to encourage residents to get on their bikes and keep fit.

Other News Sources

• Airlines' extra charges continue to soar irlines are expected to collect more than £16.2 billion in "ancillary" revenues this year, including fees for checked baggage and credit card transactions, an increase of nearly £6.5 billion on 2009... The findings were revealed in a new study by Amadeus, a travel technology provider whose clients include British Airways and Flybe, and its partner, the US consultancy firm IdeaWorks.
• Groups show support for St Andrews rail link Campaigners for a rail link to St Andrews were boosted this week by a generous donation to help fund an engineering feasibility study.
• SNP - CSR Uncertainty Over East Coast Trains SNP Business and Enterprise spokesperson Mike Weir MP has called upon the UK government to make clear its intentions over the proposal to provide new rolling stock on the East Coast mainline.

News from Europe

• Ryanair: Government failed to act to save Kerry service RYANAIR has accused the Government of failing to act to save the airline’s Kerry-Dublin service because it favours the semi-state companies to private sector organisations.