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

Friday, 18 March 2011

BBC News

• Hertfordshire parents question school transport policy Campaigning parents say a proposed new school transport policy will discriminate against children living near Hertfordshire's borders.
• Further delays on London MidlandRail passengers are again warned they face delays and cancellations over the weekend.
• VIDEO: Motorway speed limit rise 'madness'Environmentalist George Monbiot claims higher motorway limits would be
• VIDEO: Raise speed limit says Mr LoopholeThe transport secretary has suggested raising motorway speed limits which is backed by Nick Freeman, the road traffic lawyer nicknamed
• Two Tunnel link deaths accidentalA verdict of accidental death is returned at an inquest into the deaths of two men, including one from Sale, during the building of the Channel Tunnel rail link.
• Central Line Tube trains attackedPassengers travelling on the Central Line were left
• UK car production up in FebruaryUK car production rose 15.1% in February from a year ago, as the industry continued its export-led growth.
• Long-haul pick-up lifts LufthansaLufthansa reports a bigger-than-expected profit for 2010, thanks to cost-cutting and a pick-up in long-haul traffic.
• Airbus faces manslaughter chargesA French judge files manslaughter charges against European aircraft maker Airbus over a crash in the Atlantic Ocean in 2009.
• Japan car parts crisis hurts GMUS carmaker General Motors temporarily closes a pick-up truck factory due to a parts shortage caused by the crisis in Japan.
• Nissan resumes Japan productionNissan resumes some of its car production in Japan, less than a week after an earthquake and a tsunami severely damaged the country.

Financial Times

• Lufthansa to slow down on acquisitionsThe German national airline will focus on defending its European markets and try to head off threats from its Gulf competitors, says Christoph Franz, its chief executive

The Guardian

• No Potters Bar prosecution for JarvisLawyer for relatives of victims condemns 'farce' as rail regulator looks set to drop criminal case against maintenance firm Jarvis will escape prosecution for the fatal Potters Bar train crash after the rail regulator is understood to have dropped criminal proceedings against the maintenance firm.A lawyer representing families bereaved in the accident slammed the nine-year quest for justice as a

The Herald

• Scotland urged to back new rail plansNORMAN Baker, the UK Transport Minister, has urged Scotland to back Government plans for high-speed rail, despite criticism that it won™t extend north of the Border for at least 20 years.
• Car-share plan a success thanks to high fuel costsSOARING fuel prices, that make motorists think twice about car ownership, have helped a vehicle-sharing scheme expand in Scotland™s largest city.

The Scotsman

• AA: Drivers need fuel price helpDrivers braced for an up to 5p-a-litre increase in fuel duty on April 1 have already suffered a similar surge in petrol and diesel prices over the past month, according to fig

Press Association

• Gray pledges to improve bus routes Labour has called for changes to bus legislation amid claims the market has "failed" passengers in Scotland.

Daily Express

• Long-haul flights carry Lufthansa into blackLufthansa, Europe's biggest airline and owner of BMI British Midland, yesterday flew back into the black after a revival in long-haul traffic - but warned of a tough year ahead.

Mail Online

• Cameron hints at scrapping rise in fuel duty as Labour attack Osborne for failing to understand 'ordinary motorist'The Prime Minister said the Government was acutely aware of the ‘pain’ caused by record petrol prices, which have now topped £1.30 a litre.
• BBC gives staff a lesson... on getting to work by BUSIn a move that was yesterday greeted with incredulity, Corporation bosses have organised training on transport to MediaCityUK in Salford.

Network Rail

• Train performance hits record high for FebruaryTrain punctuality for February reached a record high of over 92% - the best February figure on record.

Daily Post (North Wales)

• Anger as rail bosses close path in Deganwy RAMBLERS are angry after a railway operator closed a footpath over a track for “safety reasons” after a teenaged girl was nearly run over by a train.
• Bid to reinstate bus services on Wrexham High Street COUNCILLORS will discuss ways of getting bus services back through Wrexham High Street after they were stopped.

Derby Telegraph

• How to drive down the cost of motoring as fuel prices rise​THE recent surge in oil prices is causing misery for drivers in Derbyshire as fuel costs reach an all-time high. With unleaded petrol prices now around 132p per litre and diesel standing at 138p, drivers are hoping Chancellor George Osborne will offer some respite in next week's Budget. But there are also lots of ways to cut the cost of fuel, as these tips from Which? Money show. 1. Ditch your car It may seem extreme, but getting rid of your car and joining a car club such as Zipcar or Streetcar could save you up to £800 a year. Click here to see car clubs and car hire in Derbys...

London Evening Standard

• I don't believe it! is that Victor in cattle class?Richard Wilson is on the 7.45am First Great Western train from Reading to Paddington. This is not how he is used to travelling, standing up with the commuters in cattle class.
• 'Fuel prices should be transport priority for Government'Spiralling price of fuel a 'critical issue', with the public placing it top of their transport concerns, a new survey has revealed
• 'Someone's shooting the trains with an air rifle': Windows smashed in Tube horrorTerrified Tube commuters forced to take cover as windows were smashed by a barrage of missiles at the height of the evening rush hour
• Airport tax to rise as George Osborne looks for fundsEXCLUSIVE: Holiday-makers face another rise in flight taxes in next week's Budget, the Evening Standard has learned

Sheffield Telegraph

• Cycling scheme rolled outA PILOT scheme is being rolled out in the Bradfield area to give an extra incentive for people to get on their bikes.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Airline fury as costs rise kills serviceAIRLINE Flybe has blamed Gatwick Airport’s rising charges for axing its service to the capital from Leeds at the end of the month.

Yorkshire Post

• Exclusive: Shout out for London rail link, Minister tells NorthCRITICS will succeed in blocking a high-speed rail network unless the North becomes more vocal in backing the project, Transport Secretary Philip Hammond has warned as he visits Yorkshire to “mobilise” support.

Other Regional Press

• Shirehall leaders approve Shropshire transport plans Shirehall leaders have approved a provisional plan which sets out Shropshire’s transport objectives and policies for the next 15 years.
• Shirehall leaders approve Shropshire transport plans Shirehall leaders have approved a provisional plan which sets out Shropshire’s transport objectives and policies for the next 15 years.
• Stansted Airport looks to the future after Transport Secretary Philip Hammond unveils new express trainsAt a special naming ceremony at London’s Liverpool Street station, the Secretary of State for Transport, the Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, unveiled
• Bus stops made from bean tinsDented tins of beans and crumpled drink cans may be rubbish to most of us but they could soon be propping up in some unusual places.
• Bonus for fuel-saving bus driversBus drivers at Stagecoach will get bonuses of up to £65 if they use less fuel under a multi-million-pound scheme the firm hopes will save it more than seven million litres of diesel annually.
• Video: £2.8 million to be spent fixing Aberdeen potholesABERDEEN™S potholed roads are to be tackled in a £2.8 million repairs blitz, it was revealed today.
• First reveals rise in Aberdeen bus faresBUS fares in Aberdeen are to set to rise by up to 11% next month, the Evening Express can reveal today.
• Weymouth Relief Road: Position will attract more investment IT HAS long been argued that congestion in Weymouth is not only bad for residents and the environment but damages the local economy too.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Budget must help public transport passengers - not just motorists17 March: Next week's budget looks set to help motorists but rail and bus passengers look like losing out. We've set out three things the Chancellor should do to show that he does care about public transport users too. read more

Global Rail News

• New fleet of Bombardier trains unveiled at National Express East AngliaTransport Secretary Phillip Hammond officially launched today a fleet of 30 new trains which will provide 11,000 more seats a day for commuters. The 120 extra ...
• Bombardier launches PrimoveCityBombardier today announced the launch of Bombardier PrimoveCity, its new e-mobility solution, together with the establishment of a new centre of competence to enable the next ...
• Mock-up Crossrail station revealedLondoners were given a glimpse of the future yesterday when images were released of a full size mock-up of a below ground Crossrail platform. The mock-up ...
• Train performance hits record high for FebruaryNetwork Rail have reported that train punctuality for February reached a record high of over 92% – the best February figure on record. The latest train ...
• Minister urges Scotland to back HS2Scottish politicians and business leaders were today urged to support proposals for a new high speed rail network or risk missing out. Transport Minister Norman Baker ...
• Chiltern Railways praised for use of social mediaChiltern Railways reported they have been listed in the Social Brands Top 100 for their customer communication through social media and are the top domestic train ...
• London Midland issue apology for disruptionFollowing the disruption to services into London Euston on Monday 14 February, London Midland has issued an apology via its website to those who were affected. ...
• Scot-Train educates 999 services on rail safetyScot-Train has launched a specialised training course for emergency services in an effort to raise awareness about the dangers of railways. Scot-Train, a subsidiary of SW ...
• AAR: ˜Freight rail investments propel record industry safety achievements™The Association of American Railroads today told Congress that private capital investments made over the past 30 years by the nation™s freight railroads have helped propel ...
• FCC awarded contract for Bucharest metro worth €267mFCC has been awarded a €267 million contract to design and build section 1 of Bucharest Metro line 5 in Romania. The citizen services company entered ...

Aviation Industry

• New express trains the perfect gift as Stansted marks 20th anniversary and looks to the futureStansted Airport received the perfect gift in its 20th anniversary week with the official launch of the brand new Stansted Express trains.
• Heathrow backs Boris on airport capacityHeathrow has welcomed comments by the Mayor of London concerning the coalition Government™s opposition to the construction of new runways...
• Bmi loses €145 millionLufthansa-owned British Midland International (BMI) made an operating loss of €145 million in 2010

Green Miscellany

• Japan turns to bicycles as cars rendered all but useless The world™s largest bicycle manufacturer, Giant, is taking emergency measures to increase the bicycle supply to Japan. read more

Other News Sources

• Pensioner wins her battle to get Blackburn bus lifelineA PENSIONER has succeeded in a tireless campaign to restore a ˜lifeline™ bus link to her area.
• Users to pay more for greener transportCommission to set out path to cleaner transport, but Green groups say plans delay action.