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

Tuesday, 01 March 2011

BBC News

• Small link makes a big difference for the rail orbital [blog]Sometimes a very small addition can lead to massive changes. No surprise that a small 1.3 mile long rail link was opened today between Dalston Junction and Highbury Islington.
• Passengers fear at peak time planA peak time hourly rail service from Aberystwyth could start later this year, but it could only mean a couple of extra trains a day, warns a group.
• Train talks after new disruptionRail union officials are to meet Arriva Trains Wales managers after a drivers' strike stopped its services.
• How loud will the new high-speed train be?The government is attempting to reassure people over the noise levels from the planned HS2 high-speed trains. But how loud are these 250mph trains and what can be done to mitigate the noise?
• MMU's 'green advice' to airportsManchester Metropolitan University is to advise the world's airports on environmental issues
• Surrey road network 'needs £400m'At least £400m is needed to bring Surrey's roads up to scratch, the county's transport spokesman says.
• BA man guilty of terror chargesA British Airways worker based in Newcastle is convicted of using his job to plot acts including trying to blow up a plane.
• London pothole claims increaseRoad damage compensation claims made against London councils increased by more than 37% in three years, BBC research reveals.
• Aer Lingus warns of tougher timesIrish national carrier Aer Lingus reports a return to profit in 2010, but warns that this year is likely to be a lot harder.
• BA crew's strike ballot to beginA new ballot of cabin crew at British Airways for industrial action in their ongoing dispute, begins on Tuesday.
• Insurers face ruling over genderYoung women could face increases in the cost of car insurance if insurers are told to stop quoting different prices for men and women.

Department for Transport

• Investing in Britain's future: High Speed Rail consultation launchedBritain's economic map would be redrawn, jobs created, prosperity spread and the way businesses work and compete transformed by a new high speed rail network, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond said today as he launched a consultation on the Government's proposals.

Financial Times

• Aer Lingus takes wing but warns on fuelIreland's flag-carrier overcomes industrial tension, volcanic ash and snow disruption to report its first profit in three years but cautions earnings could face 'significant challenges'
• Brazil's Tam plans $3.2bn investmentBrazil's biggest airline, Tam, said it would invest $3.2bn in 34 new planes, betting that the country's rising middle classes would boost demand for air travel during the coming decade

The Guardian

• Boris Johnson: his bus crime claims unspun [blog]What London Mayor wouldn't want to announce this?
• Leeds to Paris in four hours – but high-speed rail plan faces protests Battles forecast over new track for second phase of network linking north with London via Birmingham
• BA worker convicted of terrorist plotIT expert used position at airline to try to help attack US-bound planes with radical cleric Anwar al-AwlakiA disciple of the Yemen-based radical cleric Anwar al-Awlaki has been found guilty of plotting to blow up a plane while working as a computer specialist with British Airways.Rajib Karim, 31, used his position as an IT expert with the airline to try to help stage attacks on the west.A jury at Woolwich crown court also found Karim, 31, guilty of three additional counts of preparing for terrorist attacks, including conspiring with on-the-run radical cleric Awlaki. Karim plotted to blow up a...
• High-speed rail plan faces protestsBattles forecast over new track for second phase of network linking north with London via BirminghamThe battleground over a £32bn high-speed rail network moved from the shires to the north after the government outlined the case for a second phase linking Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds.Undaunted by a backlash in Tory heartlands over plans for a 225mph London-to-Birmingham line, the transport secretary, Philip Hammond, backed plans for joining it to a Y-shaped national network. The proposals include a link to the Channel tunnel rail route that would transport passengers in Manchester and Lee...
• New high-speed rail plans unveiled Second phase of UK's 250mph network could open in 2032, cutting journey from Manchester and Leeds to Paris to under four hours

The Herald

• Public inquiry will be held into claims of fires and lost wheels on Stagecoach busesBUS giant Stagecoach is facing a public inquiry over alleged maintenance shortcomings, including claims that a number of its vehicles lost wheels or caught fire.
• Unnamed investor buys station accessA STRIP of road leading into Glasgow Central Station, which had been due to come under the hammer, didn™t make it to the auction hall after an unnamed private investor snapped it up for the asking price of £275,000.

The Telegraph

• High speed rail will cost £1,000 for each familyEvery family in the country would be forced to pay more than a thousand pounds for the Government's proposed high speed rail line linking London with the north of England and Scotland.
• British Airways bomber led double lifeThe British Airways bomber, Rajib Karim, arrived in Britain seeking treatment for his son on the NHS but almost from the moment he arrived, he was plotting terrorist attacks.

Mail Online

• British Airways computer expert guilty of terrorism plane bomb plotRajib Karim, 31, used his position at the airline to plot an attack with Anwar al-Awlaki, a notorious radical preacher associated with Al Qaeda.

ATOC

• 'High speed rail key to meeting transport challenges' - ATOCResponding to the launch of the consultation on High Speed 2, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies said: “A new high speed line, alongside sustained...

Network Rail

• RAIL WORK COMPLETED

Birmingham Post

• Transport Minister claims high speed rail will 'redraw' UK economic map Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has launched a consultation on plans for a high speed railway network by insisting the project would

Journal Live

• Rural residents worried over bus cuts WARNINGS of a “rural exodus” have been made as villagers say bus cuts will make life impossible.

Liverpool Post

• Maersk gets new chief at its UK headquarters in Liverpool A NEW boss took over at the Liverpool-based Maersk Line UK yesterday, part of the world’s biggest container shipping group.
• Merseyrail trains won't be replaced until at least 2017 THE replacement of Merseyrail’s train fleet will be postponed until at least 2017, the Daily Post can reveal.

London Evening Standard

• Boris Johnson heralds 'M25 of railway' as East London link is finishedThe 'rail version of the M25' moved a step nearer completion today when a key link was completed in north London
• Cyclist's £1m claim for Tube injury ends in £11,925 payoutA man's claim for £1 million after he was slightly injured in a scuffle with a Tube station employee was branded excessive and exaggerated by a High Court judge who awarded him £11,925
• Islamic extremist planned British 9/11: BA worker guilty of jet bomb terror plotAn Islamic terrorist sleeper embedded in British Airways was convicted of preparing Britain's own 9/11 attack

Nottingham Evening Post

• Business leaders in Nottingham voice support for high speed railBUSINESS leaders in Nottingham have voiced their support for a new high speed rail network between London and the Midlands. They argue that the new system – HS2 – will boost the economy, create new jobs and improve growth prospects. Writing ahead of the Government's consultation process on the new electric line this week, key industry names that signed a letter supporting the track include managing director of John Lewis Andy Street and chairman of Invensys plc Sir Nigel Rudd. Director of Innes England Tim Garratt also put his name on the letter that was published in a n...

Sheffield Telegraph

• Rail plea from business chiefsPLANS for a high speed rail link between London and Sheffield have won the backing of 69 leading business figures and captains of industry.

The York Press

• Great Heck rail disaster remembered 10 years on HUNDREDS of people are expected to attend a service in North Yorkshire commemorating the tenth anniversary of one of the country™s worst rail disasters.

Wales Online

• Rail electrification decision to South Wales expected today A decision on whether to electrify the Great Western Main Line to South Wales is expected to be announced around 4.30pm today.

Yorkshire Post

• British Airways IT expert plotted with terrorist to blow up planeA former British Airways computer expert was convicted yesterday of conspiring with a wanted terrorist to blow up a plane.

Sunderland Echo

• Sunderland schoolgirl one of the first through the new Tyne TunnelNISSAN’S new baby The Leaf led the way in the North East’s latest transport revolution.

Other Regional Press

• Happy 50th birthday bus station...but will it be last? A TONGUE in cheek celebration to mark the 50th birthday of Colchester’s bus station was held by people who fear they will be left in limbo when it is closed.
• Transport pressure group holds public meeting in Exeter IN the wake of cuts to bus services and rising fares, the Campaign for Better Transport in Devon has called a public meeting to enable residents of Exeter to express their views about public transport in the city.
• Bus delayed for half an hour, police called “ all for the sake of 20pThere was a stand-off on a Preston bus and the police were called, after a row over 20p.
• Clr Chris Greaves calls for support of Yorkshire high speed rail link A TRANSPORT chief has appealed to the public and MPs not to derail the proposed high speed Yorkshire rail link.
• Pete Waterman criticised for NIMBY attack over HS2 plans POP mogul Pete Waterman has attacked residents who are opposing to the high-speed rail line through Warwickshire.
• Government urges Coventry and Warwickshire to back HS2 plans THE government today called on people in Coventry and Warwickshire to accept 250mph bullet trains ripping through their communities -

The Economist

• High-speed rail and the environment: 'the north has protesting voices, too' HS2's second phase threatens Cannock Chase AONB and narrow green belt between Nottingham and Derby

Campaign for Better Transport

• Are ministers willing to listen to high speed rail debate?28 February: The Government is today launching the consultation on its high speed rail proposals. read more

Global Rail News

• Newly resignalled Jubilee LineCapacity increased by 33% and journey times reduced by 22% – figures that would make any train operator™s mouth water. However, these are the statistics claimed ...
• Invensys Rail: Building on traditionThe manufacturing unit at Invensys Rail has a hugely impressive heritage, with production at the company™s Chippenham site dating back to the early 1900s when it ...
• A year in the life of the May Gurney signalling teamThe rail signalling team at May Gurney had a busy and successful 2010 with a number of projects either completed or in progress; and others are ...
• Network Rail welcomes the start of HS2 consultationDavid Higgins, Network Rail chief executive, said: “HS2 is a vital infrastructure project of national importance. It will be a hugely significant enhancement to the national ...
• Passenger Focus welcomes HS2 consultationWelcoming consultation on the high-speed line project, Ashwin Kumar, Passenger Focus rail director, said: œAll forecasts show that Britain™s railways are only going to get busier ...
• ATOC comments ahead of HS2 consultation launchAhead of the expected launch of the consultation on High Speed 2, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies, said: œA new ...
• TaxPayers™ Alliance highlights ˜incredible™ cost of HS2 projectThe TaxPayers’ Alliance (TPA) this morning reacted to the consultation launched on HS2. An earlier research note looked at the flaws in the business case and ...
• Greater Manchester transport leaders welcome HS2 consultationGreater Manchester™s transport leaders have welcomed today™s launch of the government™s high speed rail consultation. High Speed Two would link Greater Manchester and Leeds to Birmingham ...
• Rail services return to normal between Cheshire and Rock FerryRail services between Chester/Ellesmere Port and Rock Ferry returned to normal this morning (Monday 28 February) following a week of intensive work activity that meant passengers ...
• Work completed on £400K investment in new car park at Diss StationWork to increase car parking capacity at National Express East Anglia™s (NXEA) Diss station through a £400k investment to construct an additional 60 space surface car ...
• DfT launch public consultation on HS2Britain’s economic map would be redrawn, jobs created, prosperity spread and the way businesses work and compete transformed by a new high speed rail network, Transport ...
• New appointments to strengthen Crossrail BoardCrossrail Limited today announced two new Non-Executive appointments to the Crossrail Board, strengthening it further to help deliver the major new railway for London and the ...
• Crucial London Overground rail link opens three months earlyA crucial rail link that will allow passengers to move swiftly between north London, the City, Docklands and the south of the Capital was opened three ...
• London Overground tops punctuality figuresLondon Overground runs more trains on time than any of the other national operators, latest figures show. The service saw 96.4 per cent of its trains ...
• Wabtec Rail announces acquisition of Brush Traction GroupWabtec Rail has announced the acquisition of Brush Traction Group, including the Brush Traction facilities at Loughborough and Brush Barclay at Kilmarnock. The Brush name has been synonymous ...
• GE Transportation and TÃœLOMSAÅž present first PowerHaul Locomotive assembled in TurkeyA ceremony was held today (28 February 2011) at the headquarters of TÃœLOMSAÅž in Turkey for the unveiling of the first GE PowerHaul Locomotive assembled in ...
• Deutsche Bahn concludes sale of the Arriva Germany-GroupAfter the approval of the European Commission granted on February 16th, on Friday Deutsche Bahn has brought to a close the sale of Arriva Germany-Group to ...
• Rail Business Awards 2010National Rail Enquiries was named the Interfleet Technology Business of the Year at the 2010 Rail Business Awards. It was a good night for National Rail ...

Aviation Industry

• Middle East Airlines officially signs SkyTeam agreement Lebanon's Middle East Airlines on Monday formalized its previously-announced decision to join SkyTeam in 2012. MEA joins Saudi Arabian Airlines as future Middle East members of the alliance (ATW Daily News, Jan. 20). "The addition of MEA to the alliance network will enable SkyTeam to compete more efficiently, not only within the Middle East, but also to and from Western Africa," SkyTeam said in a statement.
• CAAC loosens grip on approving new domestic airline entrantsCAAC appears to be softening its tough stance on restricting approval of new entrants, based on recent remarks by CAAC Minister Li Jiaxiang, who noted that three carriers are applying to launch.
• Advertising watchdog finds Easyjet ad was misleadingNo-frills carrier Easyjet plans to appeal against a ruling from the Advertising Standards Agency that it misrepresented its green credentials

Other News Sources

• New Bus For London On Display At Transport Museum A model of the New Bus for London, the Routemaster-style vehicle that Boris Johnson plans on bringing to the capital’s streets next year, has been delivered to the London Transport Museum, where it will be on public display for the next three months.
• Amadeus reveals bumper 2010 resultsTravel technology company Amadeus increased its profits by nearly 25% last year