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

Thursday, 21 April 2011

BBC News

• Electric car plan for Guildford and Woking Charging points for electric cars could be installed in two Surrey towns if a bid for government cash is successful.
• Rail disruption across central Scotland after shed fire Trains between Glasgow and Edinburgh have been disrupted as firefighters tackle a shed fire beside the main rail line crossing central Scotland.
• 'Cost rise' of West Coast Mainline alternative to HS2 The cost of upgrading the West Coast Mainline, as an alternative to the proposed HS2 high-speed link to Birmingham, has risen by about 68%, the Department for Transport says.
• Roadside protest over A9 upgradeA protest has been held to highlight a campaign for a new crossing over an upgraded section of the A9.
• Row over 'dazzling' headlampsA row is developing among car enthusiasts and road users about the potential risks of super bright headlights called HIDs or bi-xenon. The BBC's Sangita Myska reports.
• Vote over Heathrow Express strikeWorkers on the Heathrow Express rail service will be balloted for strikes in a row over pay, it is announced.
• Royal wedding Oyster card on saleA special edition Oyster card goes on sale at London Underground and overground stations to mark next Friday's royal wedding.
• M1 to fully reopen following fireA section of the M1 motorway in north London that was damaged by fire will be fully open for the first time in almost a week.
• New US protections for air travelAirlines will soon be forced to raise compensation for passengers who are bumped from flights, and to show fees up front under new US government rules.
• Fiat warns Japan will cut outputFiat says European car production will be cut by up to 100,000 units because of supply chain hold-ups in Japan.
• Toyota reduces UK car productionToyota says it will cut output at its Burnaston plant to the equivalent of three half-days a week to manage a shortage of car parts.
• Oil study wary of tax hike impactThe recent tax hike will lead to substantial cuts in investment and production of North Sea oil, a new report suggests.
• Airport 'to create 10,000 jobs'More than 10,000 jobs will be created in the West Midlands as part of the redevelopment of Coventry Airport, its new owner says.
• Jubilee Line: Fresh disruption after signal failures [video]Commuters faced severe disruptions on the Jubilee Line after services were hit for a second day running.

Department for Transport

• New SHARP ratings announced ahead of bumper bank holidayMore than 20 new motorcycle helmet safety ratings were published today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning ahead of the extended bank holiday.

Financial Times

• Airline ownership reform aims to boost investmentBrazil is preparing legislation to allow greater foreign ownership of its airlines, in what is expected to be the country's first big reform under Dilma Rousseff, the new president

The Guardian

• Jubilee line disruption prompts Olympic fears after thousands trapped Problems continue for London Underground line, key to Olympic games, after commuters stuck for one hour after power failure

The Herald

• Jura ferry funding expected to be axed FUNDING for an award-winning direct ferry service between Jura and the mainland is expected to be cut today, sparking fury from islanders and hoteliers.
• Glasgow™s back in business with new Amsterdam flightsEASYJET is to reintroduce direct daily flights between Glasgow and Amsterdam after a six-year absence, claiming the move demonstrated Scotland™s potential to develop more direct links to the continent.

ATOC

• Up to 400,000 people expected to travel by train to London on day of Royal WeddingUp to 400,000 people are expected to travel by train into central London on the day of the Royal Wedding, according to estimates by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC). Bank holidays...
• Vast majority of rail passengers unaffected by bank holiday improvement works The vast majority of people travelling by train over the upcoming bank holiday weekends will be unaffected by improvement works,...

Network Rail

• TRANSFORMATION OF LONDON BRIDGE ANNOUNCED
• VAST MAJORITY OF RAIL PASSENGERS UNAFFECTED BY BANK HOLIDAY IMPROVEMENT WORKS

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport has handed over more than £1million to good causes BIRMINGHAM Airport has handed over more than £1 million to local good causes.

Derby Telegraph

• Toyota announces further production cutbacksTOYOTA has announced a further scaling down of production at its Burnaston factory due to a shortage of parts. Last week, the Japanese firm announced a series of

Liverpool Post

• Giant M62 wind turbine ’threatens’ John Lennon Airport planes A GIANT wind turbine planned for a site alongside the M62 would threaten the safety of planes using Liverpool John Lennon Airport, it has been claimed.

Metro

• Tube power cut brings Jubilee Line to a standstillRush hour London Underground trains were brought to a standstill last night after a major power failure on the Jubilee line.

Bucks Free Press

• 'Chances of defeating HS2 better than Heathrow'THE county's transport chief has backed a London council leader's claim that there is a better chance of defeating High Speed 2 than there was the Heathrow third runway.

Sunderland Echo

• Councils ˜may sell their shares in airport™SUNDERLAND and Durham Councils are set to sell their shares in Newcastle Airport, it has been claimed.

Western Daily Press

• Councils bid for £5m transport fundingA group of West councils has submitted a bid to the Local Sustainable Transport Fund for £5 million. The Department for Transport expects to notify successful bidders in June. The bid is from Bristol, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Bath and North East Somerset councils. It focuses on key commuter routes and forms the 'key component' part of a further bid for up to a further £35 million that will be submitted in June. The West of England Local Enterprise Partnership has backed the bid.

Other Regional Press

• Ken blasts Jubilee Line upgrade on Wembley visit LABOUR'S London mayoral candidate, Ken Livingstone, slammed the Jubilee line upgrade when he visited Wembley Park Tube Station on Monday.
• 200 potholes a day getting repaired by 10 teams across Kirklees REPAIR crews have patched up an astonishing 18,000 potholes on local roads so far this year.
• New river boat link from city centre to BraeheadA new waterbus service has been launched on the Clyde, linking Glas-gow city centre and Braehead mall.
• Aberdeen traffic jams reach record levelsTRAFFIC jams in Aberdeen have reached record levels, according to a report by transport bosses.

Railnews

• News: Underground passenger total hits new record The number of people travelling on London Underground has hit a new record, topping 1.1 billion for the first time, according to Transport for London. But closures to allow the system to be upgraded will also continue. LU said it cannot do everything necessary in the brief four hours each night when trains are not running.
• News: Government forecasts of HS2 demand 'very cautious' The pro-HS2 campaigning group Greengauge21 is urging that the first phase of the new High Speed line should include a connection to the East Midlands from the outset. The group is also contradicting the route's critics by describing the government's forecasts of potential demand as 'very cautious'.

Aviation Industry

• American Airlines posts huge 1Q loss on fuel costsIn this Thursday, Jan. 20, 2011 photo an American Eagle jet taxis at Boston's Logan International Airport.
• Airfares going up another $10Airfares are going up yet again. Late Tuesday, Southwest Airlines raised all of its round-trip fares by $10. Delta initiated this latest round of price increases on Monday, and as of midday Wednesday American Airlines , JetBlue and United Airlines had matched it.
• Easyjet ups booking feeBudget airline Easyjet has increased its booking charges from £5.50 to £8
• Japan travel advice inaccurate, says WTTC chiefOfficial travel advisories issued by governments need to more accurately reflect the safety and security situation in Japan

Green Miscellany

• Pimp my Nissan Leaf Less than a month after the first British buyers took delivery of their Leaf electric cars, Nissan has unveiled a ˜racing™ version. read more

Other News Sources

• New Stansted Express Train Fleet Launches Onboard Internet Solution from IcomeraIcomera's onboard internet solution is providing high availability broadband internet access on the world's most connected train fleet as it goes into live service on the Stansted Express route between Stansted Airport and London.
• Couriers and cabbies slam new 'nightmare' roadsMajor road and bus route changes came into effect on Monday [18] after months of roadworks to widen footpaths, resurface roads and improve bus stops in readiness for the £850m Reading Station upgrade.
• Transport Scotland signs contract for £790m Forth crossing contractGalliford Try has announced the Forth Crossing Bridge Constructors joint venture has agreed a contract with Transport Scotland to deliver the £790 million scheme.
• Brits Take Flight as Ryanair Reports 10% Jump in Easter BookingsRyanair today (20th Apr) confirmed a UK Easter exodus with Ryanair's Easter bookings up over 10% as 1.5m Brits take advantage of Will and Kate's wedding ’holiday' to enjoy a low fares break in...