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

Wednesday, 24 November 2010

BBC News

• Firms face backdated port taxesCompanies based in Welsh ports say they may have to move their businesses because they are being asked for backdated taxes stretching back five years.
• Report backs speed camera benefitSome 800 more people a year could be killed or seriously injured on the UK's roads if all speed cameras were scrapped, a report suggests.
• Rail fares up by 6.2% in new yearTravellers are facing an average rail fare rise of 6.2% in the new year, according to industry figures.

Financial Times

• Qantas to resume Airbus A380 flightsQantas is to resume some A380 services from Saturday more than three weeks after one of its Airbus superjumbos made an emergency landing after an engine exploded
• Train operators accused of hiding fare risesThe first in a series of substantial annual increases aimed at reducing the burden on taxpayers means rail fares will rise on average 6.2% from January

The Herald

• Rail fares to rise at twice rate of inflation next year Average rail fares will increase by 6.2% – nearly twice the rate of CPI inflation – from next January, the Association of Train Operating Companies (Atoc) has announced.
• Public transport fails to entice as cars still the driving forceThe number of people taking public transport in Scotland has remained low as motorists continue to opt to use cars, Government figures show.

The Independent

• Union offers binding arbitration in Tube row Union leaders today offered binding arbitration in a bid to resolve a bitter row over job losses on London Underground and avert another Tube strike next week.
• Union fury over BA member suspension Union leaders today expressed anger at the suspension of a member of British Airways cabin crew after she collected contributions for colleagues facing disciplinary action as a result of strikes earlier this year.
• Anger as train fares soar by up to 13 per centTrain companies were condemned last night after announcing that rail fares would rise by an inflation-busting 6.2 per cent in the new year, with some travellers facing rises of nearly 13 per cent.

The Telegraph

• Row derails plans for new train carriages Plans to ease overcrowding on one of the country's busiest rail networks have been thwarted by a row between a train operator and the Government. Virgin Trains' proposals to increase the number of seats on the line linking London to Glasgow and north west England have been turned down by the Department for Transport.
• Britain's train operators are treating their customers with contempt The country's train companies are using corporate spin to hide the scale of the coming fare increases, says David Millward.
• Passenger anger at massive fare rises Rail passengers are facing the biggest fare rises in a generation, with some season tickets set to cost nearly 13 per cent more than they did a year ago.
• Speed cameras cut deaths and injuries according to new study Speed cameras prevent 800 people being killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads, according to research commissioned by the RAC Foundation.
• British Airways' suspension of cabin crew member raises further strike fears Unite allege a long-standing member of the cabin crew has been suspended by British Airways for launching a Christmas collection for suspended and sacked colleagues.

Daily Express

• Qantas helps Rolls-Royce shares take offSHARES in jet engine maker Rolls-Royce rocketed yesterday after Qantas Airways said it was resuming A380 superjumbo flights this weekend.

Daily Record

• Rail fares set to rise by 10 per cent in New Year NEW year rail fare rises will be announced later today, with some commuters likely to have to fork out for increases of up to 10%.

Mail Online

• Train fares set to rise by more than 6 per cent in JanuarySome travellers could face even higher charges as 6.2 per cent is only the average. The increases were described as 'simply outrageous' by rail union TSSA.

The Sun

• Pain, train and automobiles RAIL fares to rise by 13 per cent in the New Year - and cost of running a car soars

Network Rail

• ANGLIA RAIL UPGRADE GETS GREEN LIGHT
• DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR WITHAM AS STATION SECOND ENTRANCE GETS GO-AHEAD

Birmingham Post

• Entrepreneurs call on Government to get back on track with HS2 Business leaders say the Government needs to get its case back on track if it is to convince them about the need for its proposed High Speed 2 rail link.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford firm trials technology which may spell end to digging up roads Traffic jams caused by roadworks to maintain water pipes could be a thing of the past, thanks to pioneering technology on trial at Yorkshire Water.

London Evening Standard

• At least 13 emergencies in first two months of Boris bikesEmergency services were called at least 13 times to accidents linked to the Mayor's hire bikes during the first two months of the scheme, the Standard can reveal.
• Egypt easyJet flights delayed in fuel rowFlights returning to the UK from Egypt are disrupted in a row over fuel payments
• Have confidence in Tube, boss pleads to commutersTube boss Mike Brown pleads with commuters to “have confidence” in work being done to improve the network
• BA ’scrapped job of manager after she backed gay colleague in tribunal’Senior British Airways executive claims the company “deleted” her job after she gave evidence against colleagues accused of harassing a gay employee

Manchester Evening News

• Motorway bosses: We're ready as we can be to keep roads clear this winter Motorway maintenance crews say they are well prepared for winter after stocking up on tonnes of extra salt. The Highways Agency has filled its depots across the region with 26,000 tonnes of grit “ enough to battle the most icy conditions. They have enough to make sure they can keep motorways clear for 11 days “ three more than last year.
• Revamp to shut Manchester Airport runway at night for eight months A £20m refurbishment of the main runway at Manchester Airport is to take place next year “ closing it at night for EIGHT months. The huge programme of work to overhaul Runway One will run from January to September.

Wales Online

• Plan for express airport bus link PLANS for an express bus service that would slash the travel time between Cardiff Airport and the city centre have taken a step forward.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds roads getting saferRoads in Leeds have got safer in the last five years, reveals a report.
• Passengers face 6.2pc rail fare risesTrain travellers will face mid-winter misery in January when train fares rise by an average of 6.2 per cent.

Bucks Free Press

• Chiltern Railways fares to rise by 5.7 per cent CHILTERN Railways has announced today that it will be increasing its fare prices by 5.7 per cent.
• MP speaks against HS2 in ParliamentTHE Government's High Speed 2 plans were today opposed by Wycombe MP Steve Baker in the Houses of Parliament.

Carlisle News & Star

• Temporary bridge firm wins contract to build new Workington crossing The team that delivered a temporary road bridge for Workington in record time after the November 2009 floods has now been appointed to build a new foot and cycle bridge for the town.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Anger over rail price hikeCOMMUTERS have reacted with anger to news that rail prices in East Anglia are set to rise by an average of six per cent next year.

Other Regional Press

• First Great Western explains train fares are set to rise in January RAIL fares are set to rise in January – and Plymouth's major train operator has said customers 'will understand'.
• Rail fare rises 'fair and responsible', says MPMP Richard Harrington has described a decision to increase rail fares as œdisappointing but œfair and responsible.
• Passengers to face 6.2% rail fare increase Train travellers will face mid-winter misery in January when train fares rise by an average of 6.2%.
• Train fare woe for our commutersKent's rail travellers are to see a near eight per cent rise in fares from January.
• £1,000 reward to catch Huddersfield cable thieves A £1,000 reward was offered today to catch thieves who disrupted rail services in Huddersfield.
• Huddersfield survey uncovers speed risks CHILDREN are at risk from speeding drivers and “dangerous roads” around schools and homes, a survey by a Huddersfield charity reveals.
• Sunday bus overhaul is a major boostNEW bus services across Bedford Borough will serve as a ’major boost’ to the town according to the mayor.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Government admits it™s pricing people off the train23 November: It™s government policy to encourage more people to take the train “ but, as the Government is well aware, astronomical fare rises will do just the opposite.
• Philip Hammond has questions to answer on the spending review23 November:  The House of Commons transport committee are holding a session with Transport Secretary Philip Hammond on the spending review on Wednesday. We think that he's got a few questions to answer... read more

Railnews

• News: ATOC under fire for lack of 6.2% fares rise detail Rail fares will rise by an average of 6.2 per cent in January 2011, the Association of Train Operating Companies has said. But watchdog Passenger Focus was critical of the absence of detail in today's announcement.

Green Miscellany

• Nemesis is Britain™s first electric supercar Dale Vince, an environmentalist and wind-farm millionaire, has built Britain™s first electric supercar. ˜Nemesis™ can accelerate from 0-100 mph in 8.5 seconds and reach speeds up to 170 mph. read more

Other News Sources

• Huge hike in London to Brighton rail fares Train tickets from Brighton to London will rise by as much as 10.8% in January.
• Exeter Airport Nominated for Best UK Airport AwardExeter Airport has been nominated for ˜Best UK Airport™ in the prestigious Travel Weekly Globe Awards. The Globe Travel Awards are unique, as the trade sector awards are voted for solely by travel agents, with readers of Associated Newspapers voting in the Consumer Awards, providing a mandate from both trade and consumer audiences. Voting commenced [...]
• Maersk and Argos settle $14 million dispute Maersk Line and UK retailer Argos have settled...
• Germany begins landmark piracy trialA landmark decision by German authorities to prosecute...
• Study assesses potential of biogas as alternative fuelUsing synthetic biogas as transport fuel would be most cost effective than electric vehicles for reducing CO2 emissions, says a new report.
• Air hybrid system will allow buses to recharge by brakingA regenerative braking concept that uses the energy created when a vehicle decelerates to compress air is being developed for a new breed of bus.
• Rail firms condemned over fare hikeTrain companies have been condemned after announcing that rail fares would rise by an inflation-busting 6.2% in the new year, with some travellers facing rises of nearly 13%.
• End of road for Blackburn's Whalley Ranger bus routeBUS bosses have admitted defeat in their attempt to introduce a service in Whalley Range, Blackburn.
• Family haulage firm earns global quality standardA family owned haulage business has earned a worldwide standard for its commitment to quality service. RCS Logistics in Corby, Northamptonshire, has secured the ISO 9001 accreditation, which recognises organisations with a ’quality management system’. To achieve the accreditation the firm, which is a member of Palletforce – the UK’s leading palletised distribution network – [...]
• Rail fares face 6.2 per cent increaseTrain passengers face a rise in rail fares of an average of 6.2 per cent in January - an