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

Wednesday, 06 April 2011

BBC News

• Scottish election: Scottish Liberal Democrat manifestoTransport Key Pledges - Make ownership of an electric car a "realistic ambition". - Better rolling stock on long-distance train routes from central belt to Inverness and Aberdeen ...
• Cardiff employees say capital let down by bad transport Employees of Cardiff's top companies are concerned about commuting and travel in the city, research has found.
• Heathrow drugs haul worth £1.4mUK Border Agency officers at Heathrow Airport have seized about £1.4m of drugs, in one of the biggest drugs seizures at the airport this year.
• VIDEO: BA recruitment process criticisedEmployment lawyers have told the BBC that British Airways could be in breach of both disability and sex discrimination laws.
• BA raises long-haul fuel chargesBritish Airways increases its fuel surcharge on economy seats on long-haul flights by £10 because of high oil prices.

Financial Times

• Tui in talks to sell Hapag-Lloyd stakeGerman group confirms it is in talks with potential investors about selling its stake in the container shipping line, reportedly to Omani and Chinese investors
• BA raises fuel surchargeAirline lifts charge to a seven-year high, with its third increase in less than four months, as fuel prices continue to surge
• Gategroup's chief departs Guy Dubois accepts

The Guardian

• Question: Is Leeds trolleybus answer to public transport woes? As Leeds works on a best and final finding offer for the stalled trolleybus project and takes the transport secretary on a tour around the route, tell us what you think about the scheme. Is it value for money? Or will it take something else to truly tackle traffic congestion?
• Guardian seminar: can electric cars charge ahead? Many experts predict that 2011 will be a breakthrough year for battery-powered vehicles, so what needs to be done to ensure the market takes off? Adam Vaughan reports from a recent event which discussed the issues
• Do cyclists in shared zones pose a threat to people with disabilities? A Surrey town has banned cycling in the pedestrianised centre after lobbying from groups representing people with disabilities
• Tories would pull funding for Edinburgh Trams The Scottish Conservatives have labelled the Edinburgh trams project a "national embarrassment" in their election manifesto, ruling out any further government funding for the project. The attack comes as transport campaigners the Capital Rail Action Group say that bickering over the project was giving Scotland and Edinburgh a "negative image".

The Herald

• Passengers hit by BA fuel charge hikeAIRLINE passengers face further misery after British Airways raised fares by up to £20 on some flights yesterday.

The Scotsman

• Soaring oil prices wipe out Osborne's 1p fuel duty cut Osborne: Little impact. Picture PA FUEL price hikes that have pushed petrol back to a record high have wiped out the 1p duty cut in the Budget, motoring groups say.
• Loss of ERI bus link will hit us hard, warns residents MORE than 1,600 people have signed a petition protesting against the cancellation of bus services linking their homes with Edinburgh Royal Infirmary (ERI).
• Capital tram fiasco 'a national issue' Political fighting over the capital's tram project has created a negative image of the whole country, transport campaigners say.
• Call to revive train station RAIL campaigners are hoping to revive plans for a station close to the Scottish Parliament with the publication of an election "manifesto".

The Telegraph

• Pump price rises wipe out tax cut The penny a litre tax cut which motorists enjoyed after the budget has been wiped out as forecourt prices continue to rise.
• British Airways increases fuel surcharge by £10British Airways passengers face higher fuel surcharges as the price of oil continues to rise on the world markets.
• Oliver Letwin: 'We don't want more people from Sheffield flying away on cheap holidays'A minister and key adviser to David Cameron is under fire for allegedly suggesting he wanted to curb airport expansion to prevent northerners from taking package holidays.

Daily Record

• Tram debacle has created negative image of Scotland POLITICAL fighting over the capital's tram project has created a negative image of the whole country, transport campaigners said today.

Network Rail

• STATION PLAQUE MARKS OLD PAUPER GRAVE
• WORK STARTS ON BETTER STATION FOR DEPTFORD

Belfast Telegraph

• Dublin Airport plots course for earnings riseDublin Airport's 2010 results will show improved earnings despite the dramatic slide in the passenger numbers, ratings agency Standard -amp; Poor's predicted yesterday.Related StoriesVodafone shares boosted as £7bn Vivendi deal revealed€890k for Aer Lingus boss if rumoured takeover goes aheadMy Inspiration: Nichola HarleyEnergy firm to create two jobs with new contractLunch isn't for wimps: Cafe Renoir
• Oil price surge leaves businesses over a barrelOil prices have soared to a two-and-a-half year high, piling pressure on businesses of all kinds already facing difficulties in a tough economic climate.Related StoriesVodafone shares boosted as £7bn Vivendi deal revealed€890k for Aer Lingus boss if rumoured takeover goes aheadMy Inspiration: Nichola HarleyEnergy firm to create two jobs with new contractLunch isn't for wimps: Cafe Renoir
• €890k for Aer Lingus boss if rumoured takeover goes ahead Aer Lingus boss Christoph Mueller could be in line for an €890,000 (£785,000) bonus if the airline is taken over, it has emerged. Related StoriesGoldsmiths’ owner hires Cavendish to handle £200m sale of jewellery chainVodafone shares boosted as £7bn Vivendi deal revealedMy Inspiration: Nichola HarleyEnergy firm to create two jobs with new contractLunch isn't for wimps: Cafe Renoir

Birmingham Mail

• Rise in passengers using Birmingham Airport for Easter and Royal Wedding break AS BRUMMIES snub traditional street parties to celebrate the Royal Wedding the airport has reported a surge of passengers leaving the city for sunnier climes during the nuptials.

Derby Telegraph

• Passengers angry that bus station decision leaves them in the cold PASSENGERS of a service which is being withdrawn from Derby's bus station say they are angry they will be left out in the elements again.
• City's embarrassment goes on over snubbing of bus station WHY is it so difficult for Derby to achieve what other cities and towns seem perfectly capable of managing?
• Campaign group is launched to fight bus lane proposals A CAMPAIGN group has been set up to put pressure on Derby City Council to reverse its decision to scrap three bus lanes.
• 'Shout now if you want high-speed rail' FORMER Transport Secretary Andrew Adonis has revealed that the route that the UK's new high-speed rail network will take through the East Midlands will be published by the end of this year.
• Patriot loco project still going full steam ahead for 2018 date IN a workshop just outside Llangollen, north Wales, a team of steam railway enthusiasts are three years into their ambitious LMS Patriot Project.
• Anton Rippon: Searching for the silver lining on city's new inner ring road MY taxi driver was loath to admit it: he thought that Derby's planners had got it just about right with the final leg of the city's inner ring road. His only complaint was that the new road is so efficient that several of his regular customers were now paying less for their usual journeys, writes Anton Rippon.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Lost track? Ticket machines for trams to be reinstalledON-street ticket machines will have to be reinstalled for the Capital's tram line, it emerged today, just weeks after bus bosses began ripping them out because no-one was

London Evening Standard

• Philip Hammond finds £5m to avoid EU pollution finesTransport Secretary Philip Hammond provided an extra £5 million to tackle London's pollution 'hot spots'
• BA long-haul surcharge to go upBritish Airways is to increase its fuel surcharge on long-haul flights due to the rise in world oil prices.

Manchester Evening News

• Planning chiefs probe new Manchester Airport car park Manchester Airport is being investigated after claims it started to build a car park without planning permission. Bosses began extending their shuttle park on Moss Lane, Wilmslow, last month but now Cheshire East council is examining whether the work is legal.

Nottingham Evening Post

• More than 20 sites considered for High Speed Rail station in the East Midlands FORMER Transport Secretary Lord Adonis has urged business and civic leaders to make their voices heard if they want a high speed rail link to London.
• City urged to speak out on High Speed RailFORMER Transport Secretary Lord Andrew Adonis has urged people in Nottingham to make their voices heard in the debate about High Speed Rail during a visit to the city today. Lord Adonis said the proposed network, which will include a station in the East Midlands, was an

The York Press

• Passengers™ chance to quiz bus bosses BUS bosses and council officers will be questioned tomorrow about their response to public complaints about the city™s public transport.
• Arriva bus changes slated A DECISION to alter bus services to York from Selby through the village of Escrick has been criticised by residents who say it will mean they have to cross the busy A19 on foot.

Blackpool Gazette

• Airport shutdown due to crashBLACKPOOL Airport will be forced to close for short periods of time – because a senior air traffic controller is recovering from a plane crash.

Other Regional Press

• Key appointments made to transport committee The leading members of Greater Manchester’s new transport committee have been appointed. The Transport for Greater Manchester Committee (TfGMC) is a joint committee of the new Combined Authority and the ten district authorities of Greater Manchester.
• New Local Transport PlanWest Yorkshire?s new 15-year Local Transport Plan (LTP)

C.N.N.

• FAA demands inspections of older 737sThe Federal Aviation Administration issued an emergency Airworthiness Directive Tuesday mandating operators of at least 80 older Boeing 737s to conduct inspections for wear and tear.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• EU large vehicle licensing rules under consultation A consultation has been launched on new legislation being introduced by the European Union (EU) governing the licensing of buses, coaches and lorries.
• Huge logistics development planned for Calais A major logistics project has been proposed at Calais in the north of France.
• Government unveils funding to combat carbon in London A new strategy has been awarded £5 million by the government to reduce greenhouse gas emissions produced by transport in London.

Global Rail News

• Tesco to open rail-connected distribution centreTesco has announced that it will be opening its 840,000 sq ft rail-connected distribution centre at ProLogis™ DIRFT II site this summer. The new facility will ...
• New eastern station proposed for EdinburghCapital Rail Action Group (CRAG) has today launched a manifesto advocating public transport and public realm improvements for Edinburgh. CRAG are calling for election candidates to support its proposal ...
• 80 more Help Points for Southern stations40 Southern stations have had a total of 80 new Help Points installed so that our passengers can call for information and help at the press ...
• Network Rail releases shocking level crossing footageNetwork Rail has released shocking CCTV footage of people misusing level crossings and narrowly avoiding major accidents. A woman with a pushchair races across a level ...
• Free travel for London Marathon runnersChiltern Railways have announced they are running an extra early morning train for London Marathon runners and that participants can travel for free. “We have added ...
• Travel shifts from air to railCatching the train could soon be more popular than going by air on the main routes between the UK™s big cities if the shift from flying ...
• Bombardier to supply additional low-floor trams to the Rhein-Neckar region, GermanyBombardier Transportation has received an order from Rhein-Neckar-Verkehr GmbH (RNV) for 11 new low-floor trams. The latest order, valued at â‚¬33 million ($47 million US) is a ...
• Passengers object plans to cut ticket office opening hoursPassenger Focus reported they have received more than 18,000 letters, postcards and petitions from passengers opposing London Midland plans to cut its ticket office opening hours ...
• Station plaque marks former burial groundA plaque has been placed on railings at the head of platforms 1 and 2 at Manchester™s Victoria station to mark the location of a former ...
• Deptford station refurbishments beginLewisham Deptford MP, Rt Hon Joan Ruddock, joined Network Rail and the Deputy Mayor of Lewisham Council to mark the start of major upgrade of Deptford ...
• Virgin Trains: ˜Investors in People™Virgin Trains has achieved gold Investors in People status “ the most prestigious IIP award from the UK™s most successful framework for business improvement through people ...
• London Midland ˜ready to discuss passenger concerns on its ticket office proposals™London Midland has promised to actively seek discussions with Passenger Focus, following the independent passenger watchdog™s release of the responses to its public consultation on the ...

Aviation Industry

• All in a muddleJust where is the UK™s transport policy, asks business travel journalist Stanley Slaughter...

Green Miscellany

• Micro brands help get more women cycling A crop of small companies specialising in cycling gear for women is springing up in Britain and may play a vital role in encouraging more women onto bikes. Cycling brands like Annanichola and Water off a duck™s back produce clothing and accessories designed by women, for women.read more
• Fair weather cyclist getting back in the saddle “ Delightfully Dutch I love cycling but those of you that have read my blog before will know I am really not a fan of Lycra clad cycling “ where ever possible I will put style before substance.read more

Other News Sources

• Huhne jets into Saudi to talk down oil prices Chris Huhne has flown to Saudi Arabia on a dual mission to address soaring oil prices and discuss how British firms can help the country develop its renewable energy base.
• Transport Minister Sees Benefits of Working with Seafish Mike Penning, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, has met with staff from the safety team at Seafish to see for himself the benefits to fishermen’s safety of collaboration between Seafish and the Department for Transport.
• RMT holds series of public meetings in defence of Scottish Ferry ServicesMaritime union RMT will be hosting a series of public meetings on the future of Scottish ferry services over the next two months:
• RMT welcomes Passenger Focus objection to London Midland job and ticket office cuts plansRAIL UNION RMT today welcomed Passenger Focus's formal objection to London Midland cuts plans that would axe 122 full time jobs, slash the opening hours at around 80 out of 90 ticket offices and close nine ticket offices in their entirety.
• AIR FRANCE CLOSES A 1,060,000,000 EUROS SYNDICATED REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITYAir France signed yesterday a 1,060,000,000 euros five year syndicated revolving credit facility with 14 international banks. Taking advantage of favourable market conditions, Air France...
• TMC warns clients to expect APD hikeJohn Evans, chief financial officer at Wings Travel Management, has predicted a œsignificant increase in APD