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

Tuesday, 22 February 2011

BBC News

• London transport crime figures show offences fall Overall crime on public transport in London has fallen by 4% in the past year, figures from Transport for London (TfL) have suggested.
• Don't count your chickens for mobiles on the Tube [blog & video]There's been much reported on the fact we might get mobile phones on the Tube network.
• Airport site's wind turbine planCaernarfon Airport seeks permission for two wind turbines amid concern about the airfield's financial viability.
• Network Rail admits crash guiltNetwork Rail has admitted health and safety failings over the 2002 Potters Bar crash, in which seven people died.
• Staff ballot over airport strikeWorkers at London's City Airport will be balloted for strikes in a row over pay and conditions.
• BP in pact with India's RelianceUK oil giant BP and Reliance Industries announce a $7.2bn

Department for Transport

• Freeing pedestrians from pavement parking blightThe Government is making it easier for councils to tackle pavement parking and stop it causing an obstruction to pedestrians Regional and Local Transport Minister Norman Baker announced today.

Financial Times

• Pay control crucial, say train operatorsTackling spiralling wage bills must be priority for the railway industry, to make better profits, says Tom Smith, head of the Association of Train Operating Companies
• Maersk Line orders world's biggest shipsThe Danish company takes a big gamble on future container shipping growth with a deal to buy 10 vessels from Daewoo Shipbuilding, and has the option to buy 20 more

The Guardian

• London transport crime at six-year low, says mayor Boris Johnson announces 30% drop in offending on tubes, trains and buses across capital
• Plane Stupid demo at Manchester airport increased emissions, court hears Climate protesters chained round nosewheel delayed Monarch Airlines flight for 30 minutes, burning £1,500 extra fuel
• Potters Bar crash: Network Rail pleads guilty Solicitor dismisses criminal proceedings as 'charade' saying fines would be paid by the taxpayer

The Scotsman

• Trams and harbour 'vital' to growing city economy COMPLETING the city's stalled tram project and developing Leith Harbour into an international transport hub are among the crucial challenges which must be overcome to ensure growth in Edinburgh's economy, the local Chamber of Commerce urged today.
• Network Rail admits crash failingsRail bosses have admitted safety failings which led to the 2002 Potters Bar train crash.

The Telegraph

• Network Rail has taken the first step towards recoupling tracks and trains With its soothing tones and reasonable language, today’s announcement from Network Rail could be seen as little more than housekeeping.
• Network Rail offering six-figure salary to regional bosses Network Rail is planning to reduce its 2,000-strong headquarters staff as part of a "Big Society"-style reorganisation to push more responsibility and authority down the line to new powerful regional directors.
• Network Rail admits failings over Potters Bar rail crashNetwork Rail has admitted health and safety failings over the 2002 Potters Bar train crash.

ATOC

• ATOC responds to Network Rail announcement on restructuringIn response to Network Rail's announcement that it will be creating a number of new, devolved businesses, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies,...

Network Rail

• NETWORK RAIL MOVES TO CREATE DEVOLVED BUSINESS UNITS

Belfast Telegraph

• Bombardier backs new £6m centre of research Bombardier Aerospace has part-funded a £6m research |centre in the Titanic Quarter aimed at boosting the manufacturing sector.

Birmingham Mail

• Campaigners meet to discuss High Speed rail plans Hundreds of campaigners against high speed rail plans in the Midlands met on Saturday to voice their opposition to the scheme.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Drivers to face 20mph speed limits in big slowdown plan Twenty-miles-per-hour speed limits could become the norm in residential streets across Bradford as a way of slashing the number of road accidents.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Passengers travel entire Welsh Highland Railway for first time since 1930s PASSENGER trains began running along the entire 25-mile length of the Welsh Highland Railway at the weekend for the first time since 1936.

Derby Telegraph

• Bus lane saga: company accused of 'retaliation'TRENT Barton has been accused of threatening to remove a service from Derby's bus station as

London Evening Standard

• Boris Johnson hails dramatic falls in crime on the Tube and busesLondon's transport network is safer than almost all other European cities after a dramatic fall in crime, Boris Johnson said
• Deal close for mobiles on UndergroundPassengers will be able to use their mobile phones on three Tube lines in time for the Olympics under a deal being considered by Boris Johnson
• Rail firm admits safety failings over Potters BarNetwork Rail today admitted health and safety failings over the 2002 Potters Bar train crash

Manchester Evening News

• Two car lanes axed on Chapel Street plus 20mph limit - to make busy commuter route more 'pedestrian friendly' The Crescent and adjoining Chapel Street on the A6 are a main route from Salford into Manchester city centre. But Salford council is to remove one of two traffic lanes from both sides of the road. Instead there will be a bus lane, a cycle lane and one for motorists.
• Manchester most expensive place to park in UK outside London, study findsThe study by consumer watchdog Which? also claims that the cost of parking in the UK is a postcode lottery - as is the chance of getting a ticket. Car parks in London's Soho cost £18 for four hours, followed by Manchester at £13.20 for the same period. Parking in Edinburgh and Leeds is also expensive, Which? found.
• Video and pictures: Climate change protesters 'closed Manchester Airport by forming human chain around jet', court toldSix climate change protesters have gone on trial accused of breaching security and forming a chain around a jet at Manchester Airport “ shutting the airport down for 30 minutes. Trafford magistrates™ court heard that the early-morning stunt “ by six members of Manchester Plane Stupid “ had forced six planes to divert to other airports.

Metro

• Tube network set to go mobile with £50m Chinese giftChinese telecom company Huawei has offered to pay for a £50million mobile network on the London Underground as a gift in time for the 2012 Olympics.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Residents step up speed-limit campaignWorried residents living along an Aberdeen road used like a œrace track by motorists have stepped up a campaign to have its speed limit reduced.
• Transport bosses told ˜to step up™ road fixingTRANSPORT bosses have been told to œstep up to the plate and take urgent action to deal with the safety hazard of potholes on the main road through Aberdeen.

The York Press

• Anger at planned increase to day care centre transport costs MASSIVE hikes in charges mean some of York™s most vulnerable people will no longer be able to afford to attend day care activities, a councillor has claimed.

Blackpool Gazette

• Fears over plan to cut road pollutionRESIDENTS have questioned plans to reduce pollution problems in Poulton.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Funding secure for passing loop on East Suffolk lineRAIL users in East Suffolk received some welcome news from train operator National Express East Anglia this weekend.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Double success for air traffic specialistLOCAL air traffic management systems business Northrop Grumman Park Air Systems has received two key supplier performance awards from Canada’s civil air navigation services provider NAV CANADA.

Other Regional Press

• Anti-HS2 protest rallies the troopsHUNDREDS of anti-HS2 campaigners showed their strength of feeling at a convention to discuss the potential impact of the scheme.
• Concerns grow over West Dorset bus travel scheme TRANSPORT campaigners say some will lose out when the government™s concessionary bus travel scheme is handed over to the county council.

Global Rail News

• London Midland™s Marketing team scoops top industry award for the second year runningLondon Midland™s Marketing team has scooped a top national rail award for the second year running. The team won the Rail Professional Marketing Campaign of the Year for their work promoting the Great Escape series of travel offers across the London Midland network. The award was presented to London Midland head of marketing David Whitley on February 17 at the Rail Business Awards, held at the London Hilton in Park Lane. London Midland has so ...
• East Midlands Trains improve waiting sheltersRail passengers at 21 East Midlands Trains™ stations are now benefitting from improved waiting facilities, following the completion of the first phase of a million pound scheme to deliver new waiting shelters across the network. New waiting shelters have now been installed at Alfreton, Aslockton, Attenborough, Bingham, Boston, Bottesford, Carlton, Collingham, Heckington, Hinckley, Hykeham, Langley Mill, Long Eaton, Lowdham, Saxilby, Sileby, Spondon, South Wigston, Syston, Uttoxeter and Wainfleet. The new shelters, which are fully DDA ...
• Chiltern postpone launch of Chiltern MainlineChiltern have announced that, to reduce the risk of unplanned disruption to passengers, they will defer the launch of the Chiltern Mainline to late summer. This decision has been taken following a thorough review of their Evergreen 3 project which highlighted a risk of overrunning engineering works in May if the works proceeded as planned. Rather than risk unplanned disruption or late notice timetable changes, Chiltern will move a section of works to utilise the ...
• ATOC responds to Network Rail™s devolved business announcementIn response to Network Rail’s announcement that it will be creating a number of new, devolved businesses, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: œThis is a positive first step in line with the reforms to deliver a better railway which train companies and ATOC have been calling for. Creating devolved business units at route level is potentially good news for passengers and taxpayers. “These changes should start moving decisions ...
• RMT warns that Merseyrail and Scotrail could be test grounds for ˜Railtrack Mark Two™Rail Union RMT have warned that pressure from the business sector is building up on the Government for privatisation of rail infrastructure in a move which would drag the industry back to the days of Hatfield and Potters Bar with the creation of œRailtrack Two. RThey claim that stories have already been placed suggesting that Merseyrail and Scotrail could be the testing grounds for infrastructure privatisation. In addition, RMT has raised serious concerns that recent ...
• Rail Business Awards success for Northern RailNorthern Rail is celebrating after scooping the title of SSP Train Operator of the Year at the prestigious Rail Business Awards, which were held at London™s Hilton Park Lane. Northern won praise from the judges for going the extra mile to deliver more for its customers and for improving the punctuality and reliability of services, which helped secure a two-year extension to its franchise, meaning it will run until at least September 2013. The judges ...
• NXEA™s Charlotte Bindley named Young Rail Professional of the YearThe achievement of National Express employee Charlotte Bindley has been recognised by her industry peers at the Rail Business Awards 2011. Charlotte of National Express East Anglia (NXEA) was named ˜Young Rail Professional of the Year™ at the prestigious awards ceremony held at the Hilton Hotel in London. Charlotte (33) has risen rapidly through the ranks of the train operator to become head of their catering services. Charlotte has done much to engage her colleagues, ...
• MD of Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock UK wins Rail Business Manager of the YearSteve Scrimshaw was named as the Rail Business Manager of the Year 2010 at the Rail Business Awards. The prestigious awards recognise and reward excellence in rail business, technology and engineering. The Siemens Mobility Rolling Stock UK Managing Director beat an impressive shortlist of five other hopefuls to claim the prize. Katie Silvester, editor of Rail Business Awards sponsor Rail Professional said: ˜Congratulations to Steve on being named ATA Rail Business Manager of the Year ...
• The ORR™s prosecution of Network Rail and Jarvis for the Potters Bar derailment has first hearingThe Office of Rail Regulation’s (ORR) prosecution of Network Rail and Jarvis for the Potters Bar derailment had its first hearing today at Watford Magistrates’ Court. Network Rail pleaded guilty to a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act in connection with the derailment. The court has committed Network Rail to St Albans Crown Court where a sentencing hearing will take place on 30 March at 10am. Jarvis were not present for today’s ...
• First TransPennine Express: ˜Investors in People™First TransPennine Express (FTPE), which employs 1000 people across the north of England and into Scotland has recently been awarded the Investors in People (IiP) accreditation. The IiP scheme recognises organisations that have improved their performance and delivery through the investment in and development of employees. Assessors, who visited FTPE and interviewed drivers, conductors, station teams and management colleagues were impressed with the communication, training and standards of customer service within the business. Learning and ...
• Northern Rail brightens up Leeds MencapEmployees from the largest rail operator in Leeds, Northern Rail, have been working hard to help local charity, Leeds Mencap. Not only has Northern Rail donated £1,500 to the charity, but employees from the Neville Hill depot have also helped revamp the meeting room in the East End Park Building. Stuart Draper, Engineering Director for Northern, comments: œFollowing our community day at Neville Hill we donated thousands of pounds to various charities around Yorkshire, one ...
• National Rail Enquiries takes top prize at Rail Business AwardsNational Rail Enquiries has won the top prize at this year™s Rail Business Awards, scooping the Rail Business of the Year Award, alongside the Supplier Excellence of the Year Award. The judges praised NRE for its real time journey planning systems, which represent a world first innovation, delivering significant benefits for passengers. NRE takes a quarter of a billion customer contacts every year, generating £200m worth of sales for the rail industry. The NRE website ...

Aviation Industry

• Luton passengers up nearly 10% The number of passengers travelling through London Luton airport grew by more than 50,000 in January, compared to the same month in 2010

Other News Sources

• Rolls-Royce 'Phantom' electric car moves to Geneva debutRolls-Royce Motor Cars has confirmed development of its first fully electric-powered car.
• Networking system warns drivers of traffic jamsDrivers may be warned of accidents and traffic jams before they see them using a networking system developed at Germany™s Fraunhofer Institute.
• Council given extra time to buy land for tramsEdinburgh City Council has been granted extensions of up to ten years to make compulsory purchase orders for its £500m trams project.
• Police refuse to rule out phone hacking of RMT General Secretary Bob CrowIn a letter to RMT lawyers, Sue Akers, Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police has refused to rule out suspicions that the telephone of RMT General Secretary Bob Crow may been hacked.
• Tourist Tax DAA's High Fees Cause Shannon Traffic Collapse Ryanair today (21st Feb) confirmed that the high fees of the DAA monopoly and the govt's €10 tourist tax are ’killing' Shannon after traffic figures for January showed Shannon Airport falling by ...
• Railways today œsafer than they have ever beenTravel by rail has become much safer since the Potters Bar rail crash in 2002, according to Network Rail

Other Subscription Services

• South West Trains provides even greener trains with launch of new energy meter South West Trains, the UK’s biggest commuter rail franchise, has today (Monday 21st February) announced the start of a brand new initiative which is designed to cut energy consumption on its trains by up to 10% a year. The new Train Energy Management System (TEMS), which is being piloted on 20 of the company’s Class 444, 450, 455 and 458 trains, will allow improved environmental performance through the development of new eco-friendly driving techniques.