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

Wednesday, 29 December 2010

BBC News

• Strike cancels valleys servicesNo Valley Lines trains run as Arriva Trains Wales drivers strike in a row over pay and conditions.
• Second day of train strike actionConductors on Northern Rail train services stage a second day of strike action in a dispute over pay.
• Train derails in Pennine tunnelDozens of passengers are led to safety after a train derails in a Pennine tunnel near Littleborough.
• Low-cost air travel pioneer diesAlfred E Kahn, the US economist credited with bringing about lower fares for airlines, has died at the age of 93.
• French train was 'hell on wheels'A night train on France's famed SNCF rail network arrives 13 hours late after a series of unfortunate events on the way.
• Snow could cost US airlines $100mThe north-eastern US tries to get back to normal after blizzards left tens of thousands of passengers stranded and many people without power.

Financial Times

• Calls for Kent airport given fresh wingsGovernment is urged to look again at proposals for a three-runway hub on the Hoo peninsula at Cliffe as infrastructure developments make a more compelling case for the airport
• BAA counts the cost of snow chaosThe travel chaos wreaked by December's freezing weather is expected to cost operator at least £40m in lost trading
• High winds add to delays at US airportsUS travellers stranded by storms on the east coast faced lengthy delays in getting home from their Christmas holidays as high winds caused further cancellations at crucial hubs and airlines struggled to find room on crowded aircraft.
• Business traveller: Snow and ashA look back at an eventful 12-month journey, including exploding mountains, extreme weather and increasingly intrusive security technology

The Guardian

• Rail snowproofing 'may spark revolt'Passengers already facing rapidly rising fares could rebel against the high costs of heated rails, says Passenger FocusCommuters forced to endure inflation-busting fare increases could rebel against a multimillion-pound proposal to snowproof the railways if it means even more expensive tickets for years to come, the rail users' watchdog has warned.In the first signs of a public backlash against plans for a spending spree to make the network more robust in winter, the head of Passenger Focus said travellers might prefer a few days of disruption to being saddled for years with the cost of a netw...

The Herald

• Late trains to run for New Year revellersHogmanay trains are to run two hours later than usual to allow revellers more time to get to parties.
• Crude oil price hits two-year high amid concerns over demandThe price of crude oil struck a two-year high yesterday on the back of supply concerns as blizzards hammered north-eastern parts of the US “ but the price receded in later trading after uncertainty about Chinese fuel demand.

The Independent

• Rail conductors in bank holiday strikeA 48-hour walkout by conductors has brought more frustration for bank holiday rail passengers as services between the biggest cities in the North of England are reduced to a husk.

The Telegraph

• Commuters could revolt against more rail fare rises A passenger watchdog has warned of a backlash if rail fares are pushed up even higher to weatherproof the network.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Train derailed by block of iceFirefighters from Cleckheaton were scrambled to Todmorden after a train was derailed when it hit a huge block of ice early today.
• £43,600 of bus lane fines written off after Council 'u-turn' Nearly 1,500 fines issued to motorists caught using bus lanes have been œwritten off after Bradford Council made a dramatic U-turn on the punishment of drivers who racked up multiple fines. When the Council first started enforcing bus lane restrictions in Market Street and Bridge Street in September this year, it took a tough stance on those who unwittingly collected a string of penalty charge notices before receiving their first notice.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Talyllyn rail line’s journey back from the brink RAIL enthusiasts are drawing up plans to mark the 60th anniversary of the re-opening of a tiny Welsh line, the inspiration for the iconic Thomas the Tank stories.
• North Wales councils braced for a huge pothole bill COUNCILS are facing another massive bill to repair potholes on roads wrecked by the severe winter weather.

Journal Live

• Newcastle International Airport's Dutch treat THE recovery of business travel to and from the region has received a further boost after airline bosses announced plans to extend its services from the North East.
• Rail walk-out causes misery for commuters MORE travel misery has hit Christmas commuters with a walk-out by rail staff.

Liverpool Post

• Cycle Speke new year event NEED to work off a few extra inches after the Christmas festivities? Made a New Year’s resolution to get fit or take up a new hobby? Well, Cycle Speke has just the answer.
• Campaign for World Rail Expo at Liverpool Edge Hill station gathers pace A MAJOR project to launch a permanent exhibition at Edge Hill station to mark its place in world history is to step up a pace in 2011.

The York Press

• York train derailed by huge block of iceA train to York was derailed today by a huge block of ice. Dozens of passengers were evacuated but a fireman said it could have been far worse.

Wales Online

• More rail strikes coming down the line STRIKING train drivers have promised further industrial action unless Arriva Trains Wales resolves a dispute over pay and conditions.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Bid to save Leeds trolleybus schemeTransport bosses have set out the blueprint they hope will save the Leeds trolleybus scheme from the scrapheap.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Road deaths fall by half in countySUFFOLK’S roads are safer than they have been for decades, new accident figures have revealed.

Other Regional Press

• Exit swap leaves M74 drivers up the junctionDrivers could be heading for trouble when transport bosses change numbers once work on the long-awaited M74 extension comes to an end.

Other News Sources

• Two overhead cranes at Bombardier's Derby factoryTwo overhead cranes from Street Crane Company are playing a vital role at Bombardier's Derby factory in the building of new trains to revitalise the capital's rail commuter services. The cranes are used in the final assembly of new Electrostar overground trains, contributing to the safety and productivity of the streamlined production operations. "Bombardier's technically demanding specification required highly specified factory cranes that ensured safe, continuous and flexible working in an extremely intensive production environment," explained Street Crane sales director Gus Zona