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

Sunday, 13 March 2011

BBC News

• Boris Johnson (finally) answers your questions [blog]Regular Mind the Gap readers may well remember that a long, long time ago we asked for your transport questions, which we would then put to the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to answer.
• Payment woe curbs fuel pump planHighland Council says unmanned petrol pumps may not be the solution to the area's decreasing number of filling stations.

The Observer

• Edinburgh tram line crisis sparks crunch talks to save £545m project Secret mediation held at spa hotel to settle dispute between Edinburgh council and contractor
• FirstGroup may give up First Great Western franchise three years early FirstGroup considers saving over £800m by handing back London-Wales-West Country deal as weak demand and delays in new rolling stock hit revenue

Mail Online

• A passionate railway lover on why the Government's new high-speed line is a fast track to disaster When the first railway line between London and Birmingham was being mooted in the 1830s , a Berkhamsted landowner, Sir Astley Cooper, called the idea 'preposterous in the extreme' and suggested that 'if this sort of thing be permitted to go on, you will in a very few years destroy the noblesse'.

ATOC

• Train companies and Mayor of London pledge to improve rail travel in the capital even further Travel around the Capital is set to become even easier for millions of people thanks to closer working between the Mayor of London, Transport for London (TfL) and train companies....

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham property firm lining up bids for historic railway A PIECE of Midlands’ history can be purchased as a Birmingham property firm searches for buyers who are just the ticket to take over one of the UK’s oldest working railway systems.

Derby Telegraph

• Arriva sorry for delays caused by roadworksARRIVA has apologised to passengers for

Journal Live

• Would you pay £1,000 to fill tank of your car? Environment Editor TONY HENDERSON on why fuel at £6 a gallon may one day seem like peanuts

Nottingham Evening Post

• University's parking levy plans target well-paid with 'gas guzzlers'PARKING charges of up to £490 a year are to be introduced at the University of Nottingham to cover the costs of the city council's parking levy. It is thought to be the first organisation in the city to have declared plans to pass on the cost of the tax with its own charging scheme. The charges, which will apply to staff and students at all of the university's campuses from September, range from £44 for students and low-paid staff who drive the least polluting cars, to £490 for the top earners driving gas guzzlers. For some people it will mean they are paying more than the levy, which is a fla...
• Roundabout plans revealed for A46PLANS for a new roundabout near Newark have been revealed. The new roundabout will be built on the A46 along the new Farndon bypass if proposals are agreed at a council meeting next week. The site lies just south of the village and is planned as part of work to turn the A46 into a dual carriageway. It is hoped the new junction will also have scope to accommodate any future link road between the A1 and A46 south of Newark. However, many residents living close to the proposed site have expressed concern at the impact of the roundabout. Some believe the scheme is being rushed to fit in with the c...

Wales Online

• PUBLIC BACK COMPLETE REDESIGN OF CITY BUS STATION Doing nothing is not an option when it comes to a city bus station, according to a survey of the Cardiff public.

Blackpool Gazette

• Vital link road could get go-aheadA VITAL road linking St Annes to the motorway could be given the go-ahead when county councillors meet to discuss the plans today.

Carlisle News & Star

• £250,000 TO HELP FUND CUMBRIA RURAL BUS SCHEMES More than £250,000 will be ploughed into Cumbria this coming financial year to help pay for rural dial-a-ride and community bus schemes.
• Union protest over Stobart Group royal wedding 'discrimination' Union protesters took to the streets in Carlisle to gather support for employees of transport giant the Stobart Group who they claim are being discriminated against.

Other Regional Press

• Protesters told HS2 will be a ’£20 billion boost’ Speakers in favour of plans to build a high-speed rail line through the Warwickshire countryside were stopped in their tracks by a wall of objection this week.
• East Anglia: Bus and train operator FirstGroup on track to hit profit target PUBLIC transport operator FirstGroup said yesterday that it remained on course to hit its earnings target for the year to March 31.
• Call to boost park and ride for Chepstow trains CHEPSTOW businesses are calling on Monmouthshire council to provide extra temporary parking facilities for the upcoming trial of extra trains stopping in the town.
• Luton Airport backs city bidLUTON Airport is backing the Luton City Status bid by hosting an online photography competition for Luton Lovers to show support on their travels, with £500 worth of travel vouchers as the prize.
• Ready for take-off!A budget airline is gearing up for its maiden flight out of Glasgow as it prepares to take scores of holidaymakers to major European destinations.

Aviation Industry

• February traffic figures - BAA's airportsColin Matthews, chief executive of BAA, said:œWe remain focused on improving the service we offer passengers and airlines at all our airports.œHeathrow™s strong passenger and freight performance is encouraging for British industry, reflecting steady improvements in the economy and international trade...
• Alaska Airlines not forgetting presence back homeDespite its constantly growing presence in the rest of the nation and its rip-roaring success amid an industry full of uncertainty and consolidation, Alaska Airlines continues to be dedicated to the state it is named for, said a company executive at a recent breakfast event in Anchorage.

Other News Sources

• Plaid - New north–south train service to take in Wrexham A new express train service between north and south Wales will begin in May and will include Wrexham, Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones announced on Thursday.
• 10/03/2011 - Weekly newsletter on Mobility and Transport in Europe
• Eagle warns against 'mini-Railtracks'The shadow transport secretary has warned ministers not to return to
• Mace wins £18m Gatwick jobMace has won a £17.7 million deal to upgrade hold baggage screening systems at Gatwick Airport.