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

Tuesday, 16 November 2010

BBC News

• Cuts to rural transport subsidies planned Highland Council has put forward plans to save £500,000 by cutting subsidies for some rural public transport routes.
• More talks to avoid train strikeTalks are to continue between union officials and Arriva Trains Wales in an attempt to avert strike action.
• Businesses urge low-carbon pathCollaboration between the UK and India could kick-start moves to a low-carbon economy, says a report by business leaders in the two countries.
• Cameras on Irish road blackspotsA network of mobile speed cameras begins operating across the Irish Republic.
• Road crossing protest at bypassCampaigners stage a protest against a decision to scrap a bypass - by continually using pedestrian crossings.
• Parking fees for red route baysTransport bosses are considering charging motorists to park in its loading bays, BBC London learns.

Financial Times

• China to open airspace to civilian aircraftChina plans to open its airspace below 4,000 metres to civilian aircraft in a decision that is likely to unlock one of the world's largest untapped markets for private aviation
• Pressure builds for a regional rail network The challenge is for the six countries to get from intra to inter systems across the six states as projects begin to see the light of day
• US imposes stricter security on air cargoThe US has quietly extended security restrictions on air cargo, effectively banning household goods carried on inbound US passenger aircraft after last month's attempted aircraft bombings
• Virgin enters race to secure US railwayThe transport operator joins one of eight consortia vying to operate the 168mph link, which is expected to become open for bids early next year with completion tentatively set for 2015
• Rolls-Royce in talks to raid enginesThe engine maker is preparing to cannibalise several half-built A380 superjumbos on production lines to obtain more than a dozen new engines to help its stricken airline customers

The Guardian

• Invensys chief, Ulf Henriksson, triggers bid speculation Naming names is not the done thing. The Financial Services Authority's paranoia about the release of 'price sensitive information' suggests that Henriksson be condemned

The Independent

• Invensys downplays offer talks with CSR Invensys was yesterday forced to clarify that it was not in offer talks after the engineer's chief executive speculated that its partner, China Southern Rail (CSR), could do a deal if the price was right.
• M4 Bus Lane: For and against For: Lobbyists have won the right to sit in longer jams - by Stephen Joseph
• Rail firm workers in fresh strike ballot Workers at a second rail company are to be balloted for strikes in another row over pay, it was announced today.
• Livingstone urges Mayor to take action over Tube chaos London's Mayor was today pressed to take urgent action to tackle the mounting delays and disruption on London Underground as passengers suffered fresh problems.

The Telegraph

• Invensys offers lesson for the Canadians Invensys shares were up yesterday on takeover talk begun by none other than its own chief executive, Ulf Henriksson.

Network Rail

• RAILWAY IMPROVEMENTS COMPLETE IN NORTH EAST
• WATERLOO RETAIL BALCONY OFFERS MORE ROOM WITH A VIEW
• WAVERLEY STATION SHOT SCOOPS PRIZE IN NATIONAL PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION
• RAIL MEETS RETAIL: 75,000 SQ FT OF NEW STATION SHOPPING OPPORTUNITIES ANNOUNCED BY NETWORK RAIL

Bolton News

• MP backs buses campaign A CAMPAIGN calling for audio-visual equipment to be installed on buses has been backed by a Bolton MP.

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool Council chief Joe Anderson sorry over Old Swan road chaos LIVERPOOL council leader Joe Anderson issued a public apology for the traffic chaos on a busy route through Old Swan.

Liverpool Post

• Merseyrail franchise operator Serco on target to deliver revenue growth INTERNATIONAL services provider Serco today said it is on track to deliver on its financial forecasts for 2010.

London Evening Standard

• South West Trains in U-turn over ban on Oyster cardsThe only train company in London that refused to allow passengers to top up their Oyster cards changes its policy after government pressure

Manchester Evening News

• Greater Manchester transport chiefs bid to revive shelved road schemes The Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority is seeking to apply for funds from the new £1.4bn Regional Growth Fund and the £560m Local Sustainable Transport Fund to pay for a string of scrapped road schemes, including the Mottram-Tintwistle bypass.
• Manchester Airport claims world first with new eye-scanning technology High-tech machines, which can recognise an individual's iris while they walk around, will be installed in Terminal One check in during the government-backed pilot. The technology has the potential to overhaul security and customs, with bosses hoping it could help in the fight against terrorism.

Northern Echo

• Transport plan up for discussionA PLAN outlining how money will be spent on transport in Darlington for the next 15 years is nearing completion.

Sheffield Star

• MPs meet eco campaigners MEMBERS of campaign group Sheffield Against Climate Change held meetings with city MPs Nick Clegg and Meg Munn asking for the politicians' support.

Sunderland Echo

• Airport charge for departurePASSENGERS flying out of a busy North East airport will have to pay for the privilege of being allowed to board their flight from today.

Other Regional Press

• Airline set for £200m stock flotation SOUTHAMPTON Airport's largest carrier is gearing up for a stock market flotation this week that is expected to value the company at £200 million.
• Stop climate change group gain MP™s supportA STOP climate change group have called on their community to do more to be environmentally friendly and have gained their MP’s support.
• Barry Sheerman accuses House of Commons of ’daft ruling’ over free first-class rail pass HUDDERSFIELD’S MP has not registered his free first-class rail pass in protest at a “daft ruling”.
• Aberdeen Airport gets all-clear from volcanic ash threatTHE threat of further ash cloud chaos at Aberdeen Airport has subsided, officials confirmed today.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Does building roads cut CO2 emissions?15 November: The Mersey Gateway Bridge will apparently cut CO2 emissions by 300,000 tonnes. Does that sound right to you? read more

Aviation Industry

• Noise Action Plans soon to go to ministers – at lastThe chairman of East Midlands Airport Consultative Committee recently attended a meeting at DfT. He was informed by Roy Strap that DfT hope to release the first group of airport NAPs towards the end of this year, or early in 2011. There was no detail of how many NAPs will be in the first release, [...]
• Stelios to rival Easyjet with new brandSir Stelios has said he will launch a new travel company under the Easy brand next year

Other News Sources

• TfL staff travel – will Boris’s support hold firm? The question of whether London’s transport workers and their significant others should continue to receive free travel could well become the next flashpoint between the capital’s politicians and transport unions.
• Manchester Airport gets biometrics trialTravellers passing through Manchester Airport will have the chance to take part in a new biometric test.The assessment will use technology which can identify a person's eye as they move around the travel hub.Passengers in Terminal 1 will be able to take part in the Biometrics in Motion trial for a fortnight beginning from today.They will check in for their flight then register, which will allow their iris to be checked to recognise them in the security search section of the travel hub.Mike Fazackerley, the facility's product director, said: "We are always keen to develop innovativ...
• UK 'could save £4bn through road safety improvement' The British economy could save more than £4 billion and 2,500 lives by producing similar improvements in road safety to those witnessed over the past 20 years.
• Truck giants hold merger talks MAN and Scania are reported to be in discussions about the possibility of a merger between the two companies.
• Praise for changes to commercial vehicle testing The decision to make those applying for a licence to drive large vehicles perform the braking element of the examination on the road has been welcomed.