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

Monday, 21 February 2011

BBC News

• North East bus company raises ticket fares A bus company is to raise single fares across its North East network. Arriva said there would be a change to most fares from 26 February. More than 98% of single fares will have an increase of 10p or less.
• London's overlooked rail project It is a massive engineering project that will deliver a mainline railway through the heart of London with Tube-like service frequency.
• Will high-speed rail boost all the region's businesses? The majority of businesses across the region support plans for a controversial plans for high speed rail.
• Pete Waterman backs London-Birmingham high-speed rail Pop mogul Pete Waterman says if a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham is cancelled the UK will be "worse than Spain".
• Labour 'should not support' HS2A Labour MP calls on his party leadership to withdraw its support for the proposed multi-billion pound high-speed rail line (HS2).
• China lifts petrol, diesel pricesChina raises fuel prices for a second time in three months as global oil prices climb, raising concerns about inflation.

Financial Times

• Network Rail set for overhaulThe owner of Britain's rail network is to devolve a range of powers to its managers, in an effort to make its operations more responsive and improve cost-efficiency

The Herald

• Residents win fume test row caused by tram planA NEW series of air quality tests are to be carried out in Edinburgh where residents claim pollution is at dangerous levels because of traffic rerouted for the tram system.
• Tram dispute could be settled by electionTHE former shipyard boss brought in to sort out Edinburgh™s tram debacle said he hoped work could be re-started ahead of May™s Holyrood election if a deal can be struck with warring contractors.

The Independent

• 'Air trains' could speed up travel: futurists "Shall we take the eight o'clock air train to Paris?" It may sound strange to say now, but such jargon is likely to become commonplace someday - if aviation futurists are right in their predictions.

The Scotsman

• Devolving power will boost services, vows Network Rail Network Rail is to give more responsibility to local operators in Scotland as part of a drive to improve regional services.
• Scots' parking charges 'a postcode lottery' SCOTS are facing a postcode lottery for parking charges and the chances of getting a ticket, according to a consumer watchdog.

The Telegraph

• High speed rail to create thousands of new jobs Thousands of jobs will be created by the proposed high speed rail link, according to new research.
• Air France and Delta to target Virgin Atlantic Air France-KLM has teamed up with Delta, one of America's biggest airlines, to examine a possible bid for Sir Richard Branson's 51pc stake in Virgin Atlantic.
• Network Rail break-up revealed A radical break-up of Network Rail will be announced imminently in a move that could pre-empt government plans to overhaul the company over the next two years.

Press Association

• Groups join to battle bus cutbacks Organisations ranging from beer drinkers to ramblers have called on David Cameron to do more to protect local buses.
• Rail body restructure to cut costs Rail infrastructure company Network Rail (NR) has announced decentralisation plans "to deliver improvements to passengers while reducing costs".

Mail Online

• London Olympics 2012: China to give UK £50m mobile phone network on TubeCommuters travelling on the London Underground could soon be using their mobile phones to make calls and send text messages, in a move backed by Boris Johnson.

The Mirror

• Tory rift over rail link that will create 40,000 jobs A HIGH-speed rail link between London and Birmingham will create 40,000 jobs – but some Tories are objecting to the plans.

The Sun

• £70 fine to kerb dodgy parkers DRIVERS are to be hit with £70 fines if they park with two wheels on the pavement. The nationwide blitz on motorists who selfishly force pushchair mums into the road will be announced today by Transport Minister Norman Baker.

Network Rail

• Network Rail Moves to Create Devolved Business UnitsNetwork Rail is changing its structure and business to better align itself to the needs of both its customers and passengers by creating a number of new, powerful, devolved business units run by managing directors.

Northern Echo

• Bus stop set to move againA BUS stop which was moved to accommodate a cycle path looks set to be relocated again.

Wales Online

• Crossings on Arriva’s 85mph main line still not fail-safe LEVEL crossings on Arriva Trains Wales’ main long-distance route are still not fail-safe, more than a year after a fatal accident there.

Other Regional Press

• Electronic customer information installed at Runcorn East RUNCORN East railway station is getting a makeover. Electronic customer information screens are being installed by Arriva Trains Wales, in partnership with Halton Council.
• Fears Boris Johnson's Crossrail levy will deter developers from Barnet BARNET'S planning chief says he is “disappointed” with Boris Johnson's plans to tax new developments to fund the Crossrail project.
• Bosses pledge improvement in rail shake up RAIL passengers in Hampshire should expect improvements from decentralisation plans announced by Network Rail, according to the company's boss.

Global Rail News

• Quick thinking rail staff praisedQuick thinking rail staff have been praised for routing a passenger train through sidings at Grove Park after a signal failure on the main line between London Canon Street and Orpington halted services. Bemused commuters were told to close windows as the train eased slowly through the wash siding at 5 mph. The washing facilities were switched off says Southeastern spokesman, John Hay-Campbell, ˜We would not normally divert via the depot but it is better ...
• Top team changeover at FirstGroupMary Grant, managing director of the rail division at FirstGroup, is stepping down and leaving the company. Giles Fearnley, erstwhile chairman of Grand Central and ATOC and founder of Prism Rail, is joining FirstGroup as managing director of the UK bus division. Mary Grant will be leaving FirstGroup in March. Grant joined the group in 2003 and led the successful bid for ScotRail. She subsequently became managing director of Scot Rail and took on the ...
• German break for TornadoThe A1 Steam Locomotive Trust has sent the Tornado™s boiler back to its manufacturer, DB Meiningen, in Germany for repairs. The firebox needs more extensive repairs than originally anticipated when winter maintenance was planned. The locomotive has been in intensive use for two and a half years as Tornado has operated across Britain on main line charters and heritage railways. The boiler and firebox usage is similar to that which would be  expected between heavy ...

The Business Desk

• Chiltern delays launch of super-fast Mainline service to London CHILTERN Railways is to delay the launch of its much heralded Mainline service between Birmingham and London following fears about overrunning engineering works disrupting services.
• Westmorland looks at funding options for M5 development WESTMORLAND, the family-owned firm led by award-winning entrepreneur Sarah Dunning, is looking at fund-raising options for its £35m service station development on the M5.
• Stagecoach to close Princess Road depot BUS company Stagecoach Manchester is to close its 100 year-old depot at Princess Road in Moss Side and move to a new £6.5m state-of-the-art depot at Sharston, near Wythenshawe.

Other News Sources

• New KCC roads chief stands by his opposition to key transport policy County Hall’s new roads chief has admitted he is opposed to one of his party’s flagship transport policies.
• Mayor Boris continues hunt for electric car, despite Liberty Electric pitch UK startup insists it has the answer to Boris's quest for a family-sized electric vehicle
• West Sussex's Rolls-Royce produce first electric car Sussex-based car company Rolls-Royce has developed an electric car which it will display at next month's Geneva Motor Show.