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

Sunday, 17 July 2011

BBC News

• Carmageddon: Los Angeles 'averts traffic gridlock' Los Angeles residents appear to have escaped "carmageddon" - the severe traffic jams expected from the closure of a key stretch of highway during one of the city's busiest weekends.
• 'Slow death' of west London if Tube service cutEnding weekday services to Kensington (Olympia) on the District line would be "disastrous" for West London's economy, according to event organisers.
• Offenders tidy up canal towpathsOffenders across the West Midlands could help to tidy up the region's canal towpaths.
• Pledge as cruise firm halts tradeThousands of people booked onto cruises are told they will still be able to go on holiday after a Cardiff-based travel company stops trading.

The Observer

• True economic impact of Bombardier cuts is being missed Amid political regret over job losses at Bombardier there remains a failure to change a 'Best Buy' approach to tenders

Daily Express

• HOLIDAY TAX BOMBSHELL BRITISH holidaymakers are paying hundreds of pounds more flight tax than any other country in the world, the Sunday Express can reveal. The sky-high rates are eight-and-a-half times more than the European average and more than twice as much as the United States, Japan or Australia.
• FirstGroup rail gainsCASH-STRAPPED drivers boosted FirstGroup by -letting the train take the strain but high-street gloom put the brakes on its buses.

Mail Online

• COMMENT-ALEX-BRUMMER-Europe-fails-credibility-testFew industrial issues, since the sale of Cadbury to Kraft early last year, have evoked so much public anger as the government’s inept handling of the Thameslink railways contract, which could kill-off British train-making for ever.
• Brussels launches plan to scupper UK CoastguardThe news comes just days after Transport Secretary Philip Hammond, pictured, performed a partial U-turn on cutting the number of currently operating Coastguard centres.

Liverpool Echo

• Maria Eagle demands Crosby Coastguard Station closure risk assessment SHADOW Transport Secretary Maria Eagle demanded a full-scale risk assessment on the government’s closure of Crosby Coastguards station.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Anger at new FirstGroup chief™s £1million ˜platinum handcuffs™ dealAnger erupted last night after it emerged that the new boss at Aberdeen-based transport giant FirstGroup got £1million in cash and shares after his promotion “ while bus fares rose by 27%.

The York Press

• Mallard to return to National Railway Museum ONE of Britain™s most iconic locomotives will return to York next week.
• Anger at changes to bus services in Rawcliffe PASSENGERS have hit out at cuts and confusing changes to bus services in the Rawcliffe area of York.

Blackpool Gazette

• Airport may lose homes block bidA DESPERATE plea to turn down housing estate plans amid fears it could halt Blackpool Airport’s expansion plans looks to have failed.

Burnley Express

• Crackdown on Burnley unlicensed airport taxisHOLIDAYMAKERS are being warned after two taxis from Burnley were found carrying passengers without a licence.

Carlisle News & Star

• Stobart Group planning PR campaign to get Carlisle Airport plans approved Stobart Group is planning a public relations blitz to persuade Carlisle city councillors to back its redevelopment plans for Carlisle Airport.

Other Regional Press

• MPs debates Carnforth platforms MORECAMBE and Lunesdale MP David Morris has spoken at a debate in the House of Commons to have the West Coast Mainline platforms restored at Carnforth Railway Station.
• Airport rail station to open next week Southend Airport’s new £12million rail station will finally open for business on Monday.
• Weekend of rail works will cause disruptionsTravellers on one of the busiest rail routes into Glasgow face a weekend of disruption when major engineering works hit services between Renfrewshire and Glasgow Central.

Aviation Industry

• Merger of key airlines at Indianapolis grounds three flightsIt's more difficult to get to New York LaGuardia and some other business hubs following the combination of Southwest Airlines and AirTran Airways.
• The pros and cons of regional airportsBooking travellers on to long-haul flights from regional airports rather than major hubs is a growing trend. Gary Noakes reports...

Other News Sources

• Railway Station to get missing letters reinstated THE FACADE of Arbroath railway station is one of the first things that visitors to the town see, but it has been allowed to fall into disrepair and does not give a very good first impression.
• Community budgets for transport mooted Local communities in England could play a bigger part in transport budget-setting under plans for community budgets being studied by the Government.
• Transport head gets backing from Minister The Director of Public Transport has received a strong endorsement from his political boss.
• Minister announces new safety guidance for bus and coach garages14 July 2011