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

Wednesday, 26 January 2011

BBC News

• Wrexham-Shropshire-London direct rail link to end A direct train service linking Wrexham with London via Shropshire is to finish this week, less than three years after it was reinstated.
• Airport 'needs low cost airline'Cardiff Airport has been criticised over confusing car parking charges and falling passenger numbers.
• Rival company sold by StagecoachPerth-based transport group Stagecoach sells
• Cyclists in bike hire van crashesFour cyclists are involved in crashes with the vehicles which distribute London's rented bicycles.
• Staff 'fear' led to false recordsHundreds of accidents at Network Rail were never reported because staff felt under pressure to keep numbers down, an inquiry finds.
• Siemens' profits beat forecastsSiemens' first-quarter profits rise by more than expected, helped by strong demand in fast-growing emerging economies.
• VW unveils an ultra-efficient carVolkswagen makes a car it says can travel 313 miles on a gallon of diesel and that emits just 24 grammes carbon dioxide per kilometre travelled.
• Toyota recalls 1.7m cars globallyJapanese car manufacturer Toyota is to recall nearly 1.7 million vehicles worldwide over fuel leakage concerns.

Financial Times

• EU to veto Olympic tie-up with AegeanThe Greek airline merger will be the first takeover to face opposition from European antitrust regulators since Ryanair was told that it could not acquire Aer Lingus in mid-2007
• Bureaucracy threatens Crossrail stationA landmark station on London's £16bn Crossrail scheme is facing the prospect of cancellation, as a 'mire of red tape' prevents developers from starting building work
• Injuries to rail staff left unreported Pressure on staff and contractors working for the owner of Britain's rail network led them to avoid reporting up to 42 per cent of minor injuries staff suffered, according to a study
• Gatwick chief hits at UK aviation policySir David Rowlands, former permanent secretary at the transport department, says the government lacks 'evidence or analysis' in its opposition to new runways in the south-east
• Traffic rises through DP World terminalsChief executive of the Dubai-based container terminal operator says it is too early to tell whether the industry's recovery will be maintained, although he is confident about the long-term outlook

The Guardian

• High-speed rail is no substitute for airport runways, says ex-HS2 boss Gatwick chairman blasts Tory plans as 'total nonsense'
• Network Rail presided over 'culture of fear', inquiry finds • Staff unwilling to report accidents over concern for jobs • Network Rail cleared of safety breach link to bonus targets

The Herald

• Travel agents warn flights axe may hit faresAir fares between Glasgow and Heathrow are likely to rise if the BMI airline goes ahead with plans to axe its flights on the busy route, travel agents have warned.

The Scotsman

• Traffic noise linked with the chance of suffering a stroke Exposure to noise from road traffic can increase the risk of a stroke, particularly in older people, new research suggests.
• Trains thrown into chaos as thieves cut signalling cable on rail netowork Would-be thieves caused major disruption to trains yesterday after cutting signalling cables on the Scottish rail network.

Network Rail

• NEW PLANS FOR ˜SIGNIFICANTLY SMALLER™ HORNSEY RAIL DEPOT ON DISPLAY
• NETWORK RAIL WELCOMES PUBLICATION OF INDEPENDENT SAFETY REPORT

Belfast Telegraph

• BMI rebrands with new logo British Midland International (bmi) has unveiled a new logo and visual identity, designed to strengthen the airline’s brand. Related StoriesCalls to abandon drink tax hikeHotelier believes success built on quality of serviceMobile operator O2 to build free Wi-Fi network across the UKBank of England Governor Mervyn King's dire warning on state of the UK economyConsumer gloom as US house prices fall again

Birmingham Mail

• Petrol prices: How to drive economically to save fuel IT WAS just over three years ago when the country was in uproar as the price of petrol tipped over £1 a litre for the first time, sparking protests across the country.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Wrexham and Shrophshire railway company to cease operating Train company Wrexham & Shropshire has announed it is to stop operating. The company says they have investigated all other alternatives but will officially stop services on Friday.

Derby Telegraph

• Move to East Midlands has seen budget airline soaringONE day, back in the 1970s when Ian Doubtfire started in the aviation business, he was faced with a rather unusual assignment. It was to transport thousands of day-old turkey chicks to Holland. It was a delicate operation, which involved care and precision on Ian's part so as to not upset his nervous passengers. His aim was to make sure they all got there safely and that the customer was satisfied. It's a philosophy that is still very much part of Ian's thinking today as managing director of budget airline Jet2.com. The

Edinburgh Evening News

• Princes St tram tracks spark £12m row A NEW £12 million battle is set to break out between tram bosses and their contractors over the bill to lay tracks on Princes Street.

Journal Live

• Northumberland A1 dual carriageway still miles off IT will be a “long time” before the A1 through Northumberland is dualled, the Government has admitted.
• Blanchland to fight yellow road lines plans VILLAGERS in one of the region’s most picturesque communities are hoping to see off one of the perils of 21st Century life.

Metro

• Fear stopping rail accidents being loggedHundreds of injuries to rail workers were never reported because staff felt under pressure from “ and in some cases were afraid of “ managers at Network Rail, a report revealed on Tuesday.

Northern Echo

• Walk and cycle to school on Friday PUPILS are getting ready to step back in time as part of a campaign to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school.

The York Press

• Nick Clegg supports The Press campaign to Get York Moving DEPUTY Prime Minister Nick Clegg has expressed his support for The Press™ campaign to Get York Moving.

Wales Online

• Business leaders back electric railway demand MORE than 130 business leaders and public sector chiefs have signed a letter calling for the electrification of the main South Wales railway line.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Campaign day over Leeds buses Campaigners are due to take to the streets of Leeds on Wednesday (January 26) in a bid to win new recruits for their push for improved bus services in the city.

Burnley Express

• 20mph limits for all Lancashire residential roads SPEEDS limits of 20mph are set to be a reality for all residential areas across the Lancashire County Council area in just two years, it has been revealed.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Phase two of £21m Skegness rail upgrade begins IMPROVEMENTS to Skegness’s dilapidated rail facilities are hoped to provide a warmer welcome for the town’s thousands of visitors.

Other Regional Press

• Campaign to bring Crossrail to Dartford begins A CAMPAIGN to bring a “fairer deal for Dartford commuters” by lobbying for Crossrail has begun. Commuter James Willis has sent out a petition for people to sign and is demanding plans for Crossrail include north Kent stations.
• Anger after rail company flattens Grange Park woodlands A NATURAL wildlife habitat has been flattened by Network Rail to the fury of residents living in Grange Park. Over the past two weeks the rail company has cleared down a wooded area next to the railway on the boundary with Green Dragon Lane, Deepdene Court, Merridene and The Grangeway without any evidence of consultation.
• UK & World News: Toyota announces new vehicle recall Toyota is recalling nearly 1.7 million vehicles worldwide for various defects that may cause fuel leakage and other problems - the latest in quality control woes for the Japanese carmaker.
• Preston Bus sold in £3.2m dealPreston Bus has been sold to Midlands company Rotala a £3.2m deal, as the Evening Post revealed last week.
• First announces timetable changes A BUS operator has vowed that its changes will improve services for passengers in the Huddersfield area.
• Campaigners to meet at Stoneleigh Park to fight high-speed rail line CAMPAIGNERS will stage a national convention in Warwickshire next month to fight the planned high-speed railway line.

Railnews

• ’We remain extremely proud’ as Wrexham trains end WREXHAM & Shropshire has confirmed that its trains will cease running with the departure of the 18.30 from London Marylebone to Wrexham General on Friday this week, after revealing that its revenue has only covered two-thirds of its costs, and that it lost £2.9 million in 2010 alone.

Aviation Industry

• Horizon Air to Revamp Branding by Adopting Alaska Airlines Eskimo and LiveryHorizon Air will retire its public branding and adopt the logo and colors of sister carrier Alaska Airlines throughout its fleet and marketing materials, the company said today.
• Air France to implement 35 changes in wake of crashAll 228 people aboard the Airbus A330 jet were killed when the Rio de Janeiro-Paris flight plunged into the Atlantic Ocean during a thunderstorm on June 1, 2009.
• Alaska Air profit nearly triplesAlaska Air Group, which operates Alaska Airlines and Horizon Air, said Tuesday its fourth-quarter profit nearly tripled as traffic improved and it added routes.
• Sabre and AA bury the hatchet, temporarilyAmerican Airlines and Sabre have agreed to put their legal battle over the distribution of air fares on hold
• BA-Iberia merger just the beginningWillie Walsh has said the newly formed International Airlines Group (IAG) has a œgreat future, which will include other carriers

Green Miscellany

• Bicycle rear-view camera keeps beady eye on drivers The latest high-tech safety device aimed at cyclists is a tiny rear-view camera linked to a handlebar-mounted 3.5-inch LCD video screen. The Hindsight 30 is aimed at racing cyclists who want to monitor other competitors and commuter cyclists who need to keep an eye on motorists.read more

Other News Sources

• Network Rail to Rejuvenate York Office Space Network Rail will refurbish and upgrade their office space in York according to a report from TheBusinessDesk.com, with construction firm ISG awarded the £5.4m contract to overhaul the office accommodation.