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Friday, 04 February 2011

BBC News

• North Yorkshire rural bus cuts to 'leave some stranded' Planned cuts to bus services in North Yorkshire will leave some rural residents stranded, according to campaigners.
• Cyclist death and injury rate rising, figures show The number of deaths and injuries of cyclists is rising at a "worrying rate", a safety charity has warned.
• London licensed taxi fares to rise by 2.7% Fares for London's licensed taxis are to increase by 2.7% from 2 April, Transport for London (TfL) has said.
• Train punctuality needs review, says Passenger Focus Train companies should review the way they measure punctuality to better match passengers' satisfaction levels, a watchdog has suggested.
• Railway station revamp approved in Wokingham A Berkshire railway station could be replaced and a new access road built as part of plans approved by councillors.
• A5 objections 'duplicated'Hundreds of signatures objecting to the new A5 road between Derry and Aughnacloy have been 'duplicated'.
• Shell profits double to $18.6bnThe oil giant Shell has reported profits of $18.6bn (£11.5bn) for 2010 thanks to rising oil prices and higher production.

Department for Transport

• Catherine Bell re-appointed to the Board of the Civil Aviation AuthorityTransport Secretary Philip Hammond has re-appointed Dr Catherine Bell as a Non-executive Director of the Civil Aviation Authority for a further three years from 1 April.

Financial Times

• Fuel price forces Delta to cut growth plansThe US airline said it would trim the number of seats and aircraft it plans to fly in the first quarter of the year as it fights to offset a recent spike in jet fuel prices

The Guardian

• Shell makes £1.6m an hour¢ Full-year profits hit $18.6bn¢ Drivers are the losers, road lobby says¢ Chief exec says: don't complain to us¢ Government under pressure to delay rise in fuel duty¢ Poll: time for a supertax on the oil giants?Shell stoked up the heated debate about the high cost of fuel on the forecourt today after reporting it made profits of nearly £1.6m an hour over the last three months.A leading member of the road lobby said motorists would be

The Herald

• Tram firm ’may lack the skills to finish project’ SCOTTISH ministers should consider taking the reins of Edinburgh’s ailing tram project as its current developers may lack the expertise to finish the job, auditors have found.
• Bumper pay plan for new SPT chief criticisedA Council-run transport quango has come under renewed criticism over executive pay after proposing to appoint a new chief executive with a salary of £136,000.
• Late Subway trains rejectedHOPES of extending the opening hours of Glasgow™s Subway have been dashed again as its operators say it will interfere with plans to overhaul the ageing network.

The Scotsman

• Government steps in to get trams moving THE Scottish Government's Transport Scotland agency is to play an "active" role in the mediation process that will seek to end the bitter dispute that has brought Edinburgh's beleaguered tram project to a virtual halt.

The Telegraph

• New levy scheme to protect holidaymakers Holidaymakers booking a trip through the internet face a £2.50 levy to pay for a protection scheme which would get them home if an airline collapses.

Press Association

• 'On time trains' record challenged The rail passengers' watchdog has called on train companies to review the way they report punctuality after a study found that travellers' experience of delays was different to official records.
• £17bn rail link a 'white elephant' The new high-speed rail link proposed to run between London and Birmingham has been branded a "white elephant". Pressure group Taxpayers' Alliance said the planned scheme, known as HS2, would cost £17 billion and yet would only benefit a minority of rail passengers.

The Mirror

• Fears for rural areas with major cuts in bus services planned LARGE areas of the country could be left without any public transport because of Government cuts.
• More cyclists are dying on Britain's roads MORE cyclists are being killed or hurt, despite a drop in overall road casualties.

ATOC

• Train companies respond to Passenger Focus report on punctualityIn response to Passenger Focus’s recommendation for the rail industry to review how to measure punctuality, a spokesperson for the Association of Train Operating Companies said: “Train...

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Bradford Council facing £2m bill to repair potholes City Hall bosses face a huge bill of more than £2million for repairs to roads damaged by the freezing weather, it has been revealed.
• Pete Waterman would help our Cross Rail plan, says councillor Celebrity record producer and TV rail buff Pete Waterman should become elected mayor of Bradford.

Derby Telegraph

• Get on board as rail link restored at lastTICKETS have gone sale for the launch of passenger services on a rail link between Wirksworth and Duffield. Ecclesbourne Valley Railway will start operating services in April after restoring the final stretch of the line linking up with Duffield, where passengers can connect with mainline services. An opening gala event will take place between Friday, April 8, and Sunday, April 10. Tickets, priced £20 to £50, have now gone on sale. Visitors will be able to travel in some of the historic trains that will operate on the line. Spokesman Neil Ferguson-Lee said:

Edinburgh Evening News

• Minister rules out takeover of tram projectPRESSURE was growing on the Scottish Government to take more of a role in Edinburgh's embattled tram scheme today as insiders admitted to a lack of expertise within the pr

Liverpool Post

• Labour preparing to dump Liverpool-London high-speed railway pledge LABOUR is preparing to dump its commitment to a high-speed rail line from London to the edge of Liverpool – because of delays to hugely expensive schemes in the capital.

London Evening Standard

• BA 'sacked man who took time off for union job'A union official at the centre of the bitter British Airways cabin crew dispute is sacked by the airline for taking four days off work to prepare for strike action

Manchester Evening News

• Manchester Airport aims for sky with new control tower A mulit-million pound air-traffic control tower is to be built at Manchester Airport. It is understood the tower , which will be the second tallest at a British airport, will cost between £10m and £20m.

Metro

• How delayed trains really are on time Trains may be late at stations along a route but make up time by the end of its journey and arrive according to the timetable, said Passenger Focus.
• Bike MP saddles us with 40p billAn MP has been paid 40p for ˜bicycle fuel™ because he cycles to work, expense claims have revealed.

Northern Echo

• Eco-transport plan set for approval A PLAN to support Darlington's plans for economic growth while encouraging greater use of eco-friendly transport looks likely to get the go-ahead.

The York Press

• Call to improve safety on stretch of A64 HUNDREDS of people have signed a petition calling for action to improve safety on a busy stretch of the A64.

Blackpool Gazette

• Just 1 in 10 speed cameras workingTHE NUMBER of working speed cameras in Blackpool and the Fylde is among the lowest in the country, according to a survey.

Other Regional Press

• Council’s £6.5m to move stationRailway passengers will be getting a new multi-million pound train station after cash was released to fund the project.
• Town Hall has doubts on HS2 - Rail project concern as services are cut TOWN Hall bosses have admitted they are sceptical over the need for a new high-speed rail line running through Camden.
• Delays on Thameslink rail lineRAIL bosses are reporting delays and cancellations on the Thameslink line between Bedford and Brighton.
• Official call to save bus routePoliticians are attempting to put pressure on transport bosses to save Preston’s orbital bus route.
• Repairs started on city station™s ˜danger™ stepsTwo stairways outside a Glasgow railway station which were branded œunsafe are being repaired.
• Opening up the £320m fast lanes to GlasgowScottish Transport Minister Keith Brown watched as the finishing touches were applied to a five-mile section of the £320million M80 upgrade.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Don't trust the numbers on high speed rail4 February: The Taxpayers' Alliance, not noted for its support for public transport, has weighed into the high speed rail debate with a broadside from former rail manager Chris Stokes criticising the Government™s plan and those supporting it. read more

Global Rail News

• Contracts signed for extension of Milan™s Metro 5 lineContracts have been signed for the extension of Milan’s M5 line. Majority shareholders Astaldi Group signed a new ...
• Network Rail announce changes to routesAs part of Network Rail’s aim to become more customer focused, they have announced they are making some ...
• Cold remedy for OxleyA 16-month programme of works was completed at 04:40 on 29th November when Invensys Rail successfully commissioned the ...
• Siemens lands first contract for its new ’Inspiro’ – Warsaw orders 35 trains worth €272m Warsaw’s metro operator, Metro Warszawskie has placed a €272m order for 35 six-car metro trains with a consortium consisting of Siemens and Newag, the Polish rolling stock manufacturer.
• Unipart Rail expands its business development team for the DACH region Unipart Rail is pleased to announce the expansion of its Business Development team for Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH Region), with the appointments of Mr Kay Dörfler and Mr Ian Buck as Product Engineers.
• Consultancy NTTX welcomes industry specialist to head up Signalling Design Training Academy Railway management, safety and engineering consultancy NTTX is delighted to welcome Robin Stokes to head up its new signalling training arm. The Congleton, Cheshire-based company will be running courses in Basic Signalling Appreciation and Basic, Intermediate and Advanced Signalling Design at locations across the country from February.
• Return to Amlwch?A study to examine the feasibility of restoring services on the disused branch between Gaerwen and Llangefni has started. Undergrowth is being removed from the four-foot, allowing ecologists to identify any rare plants and species.
• Taxpayers’ Alliance: HS2 is a ’huge spending risk’ The TaxPayers’ Alliance today exposed the flaws in the business case for High Speed Rail, the Government’s most expensive new project, in a research note by a respected rail expert. Proposals for the first leg of the new high speed line to the West Midlands (HS2) will cost £17 billion.

Aviation Industry

• Demand for air travel outstrips capacity in 2010The number of air passengers grew by 8.2% last year, but airlines only increased capacity by 4.4%
• Government flights for British fleeing CairoThe first of two flights chartered by the British government is due to leave the Egyptian capital today, after escalating violence in the city
• Swiss agents step up campaign on airline standardsTravel agents in Switzerland are renewing calls for airlines to adhere to better service standards with mutual customers

Other News Sources

• Shetland considers boosting EV charging network