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

Monday, 24 January 2011

BBC News

• Disused Amlwch branch line reopening study begins A study on reopening a railway line that closed to passenger traffic more than 35 years ago is to begin on Anglesey.
• Repair work will close Metro line on Tyneside More than £22m is to be spent improving a stretch of the Tyne and Wear Metro between Byker and Tynemouth.
• University to look at Southeastern punctuality figures Southeastern's 2010 punctuality figures are to be assessed by the University of Sheffield, an MP said. The company ran an average of 82.04% of trains on time, beating the 82% target below which it has to pay compensation.
• Derbyshire road repair plans cost £900,000 Almost £900,000 is to be spent on major repairs to Derbyshire's roads in the next month.
• Has the Mayor called the union's bluff? [blog]Here's the reply (pdf) from the Tube driver's union ASLEF to the Mayor Boris Johnson.
• Disused rail line reopening studyA study on reopening a railway line that closed to passenger traffic more than 35 years ago is to begin on Anglesey next week.
• Mayor 'must act' on engine idlingThe Green Party urges Boris Johnson to act fast to clamp down on idling engines in central London.

Financial Times

• Stobart joins calls to cut UK fuel dutyThe trucking company appeals to the government to support the transport sector, adding to a growing campaign backed by industry groups against the increase set in April
• Thames estuary airport 'not do-able'Head of the UK's second-largest long haul international airline says Boris Johnson's idea of putting a new airport on the Thames estuary is economically misguided
• Virgin's Ridgway has no plans to retireOne of Europe's longest-serving long-haul airline chiefs is looking at expanding the group beyond its current US, Asia, Africa and Caribbean destinations down to South America

The Scotsman

• Iberia merger sees new BA listingBritish Airways will embark on a new stockmarket journey when it is listed as part of International Consolidated Airline Group following its merger with Spanish rival Iberia.
• Johnson presses PM over fuel pricesMayor of London Boris Johnson has called on the Government to "think seriously" about introducing a fuel duty stabiliser in the wake of rocketing petrol prices.
• Cyclist Pendleton warns on potholesBritain has a pothole crisis and the nation's roads must be made safer, Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton has said.

The Telegraph

• BAA fees could force airline bmi to quit Heathrow hub Bmi is ready to abandon Heathrow as a hub airport in protest at BAA's decision to push up landing charges on domestic flights.
• Diplomats owe more than £1million in parking fines Foreign diplomats owe more £1 million in parking fines, it has been disclosed.
• Boris Johnson demands fuel stabiliser David Cameron should "seriously consider" introducing a fuel stabiliser, according to Boris Johnson, as he increased pressure on the Prime Minister to protect motorists from soaring oil prices.

Daily Express

• NO CONVINCING JUSTIFICATION FOR ANY PETROL RATIONING IT IS likely that this summer motorists will be paying as much as £8 for a gallon of petrol, the result of taxation and the soaring cost of crude oil. It is a grim prospect for those who depend on their cars for travel to work and for those who live where public transport is poor.

Mail Online

• Soaring fuel prices are a 'problem' for motorists, says Transport Secretary (but there could be a cut in March)Philip Hammond offered an olive branch to cash strapped drivers paying high fuel costs, signalling that there will be action to cut prices in March’s Budget.

The Sun

• Transport Minister boosts Sun fuel fight SIGN PETITIONTRANSPORT Secretary Philip Hammond boosts The Sun's fuel price campaign

Belfast Telegraph

• De-icer 'should be tested on roads' Trials of a new liquid which can clear roads of ice and snow at temperatures as low as minus 20C should be considered, an Assembly member has said.
• Iberia merger sees new BA listingBritish Airways will embark on a new stockmarket journey when it is listed as part of International Consolidated Airline Group following its merger with Spanish rival Iberia.Related StoriesTeleBest reviews: The 50 best UK hotel businessesBusinesses back battle to protect arts fundingTeleBest reviews: The 50 best UK hotelsOne in 10 firms 'plan to recruit'Recovery 'uneven' across UK cities

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Metro presses for integrated tickets for Bradford district buses The bid for the introduction of London transport-style integrated ticketing was among the topics discussed at the latest Bradford Passenger Consultative Committee.

London Evening Standard

• Go-Ahead appoints Keith Down as new finance director The JD Wetherspoon finance director who surprised the pubs industry by quitting in October, today announced a new job at bus giant Go-Ahead.
• Cyclist Pendleton warns on potholesBritain has a pothole crisis and the nation's roads must be made safer, Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton has said.
• Iberia merger sees new BA listingBritish Airways will embark on a new stockmarket journey when it is listed as part of International Consolidated Airline Group following its merger with Spanish rival Iberia.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Leeds Bradford Airport bus users figures row EXCLUSIVELeeds City Council have been accused of manipulating figures to show that fewer people are using their cars to travel to Leeds Bradford Airport.

Other Regional Press

• UK & World News: Cyclist Pendleton warns on potholes Britain has a pothole crisis and the nation's roads must be made safer, Olympic cyclist Victoria Pendleton has said.
• UK & World News: Iberia merger sees new BA listing British Airways will embark on a new stockmarket journey when it is listed as part of International Consolidated Airline Group following its merger with Spanish rival Iberia.

Aviation Industry

• Emirates awarded Airline of the Year by Air Transport magazineAir Transport magazine has named Dubai-based global carrier Emirates as Airline of the Year.
• BA and Iberia are now merged, forming fourth largest European airlineThe Spanish carrier Iberia and British Airways have merged, creating the third largest airline in Europe in a move intended to fight a slump in global travel.

Other News Sources

• Southeastern told to make 'radical improvements' to train services by KCCCounty Hall chiefs have unveiled a blueprint for changes to rail services which they say are needed to improve Southeastern’s "substandard" provision. The Rail Action Plan for Kent looks to make sure the new franchise, due to start in 2014, delivers a service that meets the needs of the county’s commuters.
• HS2 to be laid in record time through Yorkshire! [blog]'Tony Beckwith at Ribblehead dines on cow pie and spinach and can do baton twirls with railway lines.
• Wales: Rail Electrification Essential For Welsh EconomyOn a visit to Swansea Station today (Thurs 20th Jan) to see plans to revamp the site, Deputy First Minister Ieuan Wyn Jones will set out why it is essential the Great Western rail line is electrified to Wales's second city.
• Darwen bus lane scheme 'officially dead' RESIDENTS are celebrating news that a controversial bus lane through Darwen is 'officially dead'.

News from Europe

• Ourense high speed infrastructure PPP out to tender SPAIN: The Ministry of Development has launched tendering for a €65bn PPP to build 344 km of high speed infrastructure between Olmedo on the Madrid – Valladolid route and Ourense.

Other Subscription Services

• Exclusive: Transport committee chair raises concern over bus cutsThe setting out of sustainable local transport policy by Government has been cautiously endorsed by the industry, but there are ’concerns’ regarding the cut of funding to bus services, it can be revealed.