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

Monday, 10 January 2011

BBC News

• Vintage bicycle boost for charityEdinburgh bicycle recycling centre, the Bike Station, receives its 25,000th bike.
• PM plays down fuel duty changesDavid Cameron says he does not want to
• Virgin 'won't pay' fees over snowVirgin Atlantic withholds the fees it pays BAA because of the airport operator's 'slow reaction' to last month's freezing conditions.

Financial Times

• Virgin to halt airport fees in snow protestVirgin Atlantic is to stop paying its bills to Heathrow until BAA explains why a heavy but short fall of snow on one day caused the stranding of thousands of passengers
• Reefers hit by rise of container shippingThe world's refrigerated ship fleet will shrink by up to a half in the next decade as a new generation of container ships transforms how perishable foods are moved

The Guardian

• High-speed rail should not be all about Londoners Britain's modern railways were invented in the north. But with the proposed new high-speed line, it seems the capital is the start and the destination
• Virgin won't pay landing feesThe airline has said it will not pay landing and parking charges until the results of an internal inquiry into the disruptionVirgin Atlantic is to withhold some landing fees from Heathrow because of the chaos caused by the airport's shutdown last month.Sir Richard Branson's airline said it is not going to pay landing and parking charges due from January 1 until it sees the results of an internal inquiry into the disruption.Tens of thousands of passengers were stranded when BAA-owned Heathrow ground to a halt for several days before Christmas after heavy snowfall and freezing conditions iced up...

The Herald

• Beleaguered tram company has spent £20m hiring consultants Edinburgh’s tram development body has been criticised after its bill for hiring consultants reached £20 million.
• Airport snow fall puts heat on BAAOperators of Scotland™s busiest airport faced fresh criticism at the weekend after heavy snow forced the eighth runway closure in as many weeks.

The Independent

• Cyclists 'left unprotected by police and courts' Greater protection for cyclists on Britain's roads is being demanded after a former British heavyweight boxing champion was killed on his bicycle last week. Gary Mason, 48, died after a collision with a van while cycling in Wallington, south London. He is the second cyclist to die in the UK this year.

The Scotsman

• 'One in two BA cabin staff bullied'Almost three out of four members of British Airways cabin crew have witnessed or been victims of bullying, the country's biggest trade union has claimed.
• Virgin withholds fees over shutdownVirgin Atlantic is to withhold some landing fees from Heathrow because of the chaos caused by the airport's shutdown last month.

The Telegraph

• Innocent motorists 'at risk' from insurance curb: AA warns Uninsured drivers face fines or the prospect of having their car crushed, even if they have not stepped behind the wheel, under government plans.

Mail Online

• Play fair on petrol prices: Cameron urged to honour pledge as anger grows over fuel dutyAs petrol approaches £1.30 a litre following a double increase last week, and amid growing signs of a revolt, the Prime Minister backtracked from the introduction of a ‘fair fuel price stabiliser’ to ease the pain at the pumps.
• 100 Londoners take part in annual No Trousers Tube RideThe thrill-seekers made the journey on the Bakerloo Line from Charing Cross to Paddington and back surrounded by commuters who had no idea what was happening.

London Evening Standard

• 'One in two BA cabin staff bullied'Almost three out of four members of British Airways cabin crew have witnessed or been victims of bullying, the country's biggest trade union has claimed.

The News (Portsmouth)

• £371m tunnel scoops best in the world titleWHEN drivers heading for London later this year go underground, they will be thrilled to know they are zipping through a world-beating tunnel.

Doncaster Free Press

• Airport plea for change in rulesDEVELOPERS want planning rules to be relaxed in a bid to significantly expand Robin Hood Airport's business park.
• Lower bus fares are extended after trial THE borough's largest bus firm is extending a price promotion, allowing passengers on a major route the chance to make more savings.

Other Regional Press

• Free bus initiative: the solution to Redland transport problems? 55We recently looked at parking problems in Redland and I hinted at a potential solution in improved public transport. I then stumbled across a link to theFree Bus initiative on the Sustainable Redland website - something which could transform public transport in Bristol.
• Fears area is losing out on rail services MP JOAN Walley is urging business and civic leaders to have their say on rail services in North Staffordshire. Network Rail has produced its draft Route Utilisation Strategy for the West Coast Main Line and the public has until March 11 to respond.

Other News Sources

• Oyster Penalty Fares Hit MillionsIt’s not been a great month for rail commuters – we’ve had tube fare rises, rail fare increases and now fines for not touching in or out out with Oyster are up to £6.50.
• Hydrogen fuel trial ready for Stansted take-offPioneering new green fuel technology that could drive down emissions and power airport vehicles of the future will be unveiled at London Stansted this spring. The airport will be the first UK company to test a new hydrogen refuelling system (HFuel) and two specially adapted vehicles as part of ITM Power™s nationwide Hydrogen On Site [...]

Other Subscription Services

• Devon submits amended Exeter park and ride planRevised proposals for a park and ride site off the A30 Alphington Junction in Exeter have been submitted to planners.The £5.5m scheme would provide parking for around 800 vehicles and include a...