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Wednesday, 10 August 2011

BBC News

• Bombardier workers told by union 'keep fighting' Union bosses will urge staff at Derby train maker Bombardier to keep fighting for jobs at a meeting later. Tony Woodley, executive officer of union Unite, is to address workers at the firm's Litchurch Lane factory.
• Union 'wrong' over ferry tendersA transport consultant says tenders for ferries between the mainland and Northern Isles should not be considered as a single package.
• Biggin Hill airport bid rejectedA request by Biggin Hill Airport Limited to extend its operating hours for the London Olympics has been rejected by Bromley Council.

The Guardian

• Supermarkets start cutting petrol pricesSupermarkets are cutting petrol prices after oil fell steeply in the past week “ putting energy suppliers under pressure to lower household fuel billsDrivers have begun to benefit from cheaper fuel after falling oil prices started feeding through to lower pump prices. Household energy bills could also come down.As Brent crude fell below $100 a barrel for the first time in six months, Asda, Tesco and Morrisons began cutting petrol prices and analysts forecast that wholesale gas prices would follow.Analysts including Eliane Tanner, of Bank Sarasin & Cie, predicted that the price of oil, whi...

The Herald

• Labour wants ’bus fraud firms’ to be prosecuted LABOUR has called for bus companies which defraud the concessionary bus travel scheme for elderly and disabled passengers to be “named, shamed and prosecuted”.

The Mirror

• Bombardier crisis: Consultants who advised Network Rail on Thameslink trains helped Siemens win bid CONSULTANTS who advised Network Rail on the Thameslink train project helped German company Siemens to win the £1.4billion contract.
• London riots mean more travel chaos for commuters Motorists and bus passengers had to contend with numerous road closures today following another night of violence on the streets.
• Shock setbacks show Coalition economic policies are not working THE UK economy suffered two shock setbacks last month – proof that Government policies are failing. Output figures revealed Britain’s factories saw a shuddering slowdo

Derby Telegraph

• Train workers urged not to let their heads drop A UNION leader has told Bombardier workers that there will be no let up in the fight to get the Thameslink decision overturned.
• Derby is batting for Britain. If only our country's leaders had the same passion I ADMIT to being confused as to whether we are in the firm grip of the traditional summer silly season or whether it has actually passed us by.
• UNION REASSURANCEA UNION campaigning to save city rail jobs is to hold meetings with Bombardier staff today to reassure them that it is doing everything possible to get the Thameslink decision overturned.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Transport bosses put off free tram travel decisionTRANSPORT bosses have still not decided whether passengers over the age of 60 will be able to travel on the Capital's trams free of charge.

London Evening Standard

• Help us keep London moving, transport chief tells commuters Transport bosses called on commuters to help them keep the capital moving today as police shut roads in many of London's worst-hit areas.

The York Press

• Award for Pickering Railway Station project THE project to return Pickering Railway Station to its former glory has won an award.

Wales Online

• Passengers in Aberystwyth still waiting for hourly rail service - despite £13m investment A RAIL link which provides a vital economic lifeline between Mid Wales and Shropshire has received more than £13m in capital investment – but passengers are still waiting for their promised hourly service.

Other Regional Press

• Ticket system delay has cost bus scheme £100m Delays in bringing in a fraud management system for Scotland’s free bus travel scheme have cost up to £100million.
• No desire for city Streetcar projectA pay-as-you-go car club has pulled out of Glasgow after the firm™s bosses claimed there was œno demand for the service.
• Ticket system delay has cost bus scheme £100mDelays in bringing in a fraud management system for Scotland™s free bus travel scheme have cost up to £100million.

Global Rail News

• Hitachi & Mitsubishi in talks over Chennai Monorail projectJapanese infrastructure companies Hitachi and Mitsubishi are in talks over the Chennai Monorail project. Tamil Nadu has invited tenders in developing monorail in Chennai that covers ...
• c2c celebrates Southend™s city bidNational Express train operator c2c named a train ‘Southend “ City-on-Sea’ on Friday 5 August, in support of the campaign for recognition of Southend as a ...
• Tube stations reopened following London riotsFollowing last night’s riots in London, all London Underground and Overground stations have now reopened. Passengers were told last night to only travel if  ’absolutely essential’ ...
• Greater Manchester™s Travel Safe Scheme expands to Metrolink networkGreater Manchester™s dedicated Bus Watch Specials, who have been tackling crime and anti-social behaviour on the bus network for over two years, are expanding and will now ...
• Translink™s coach and rail services for rugby fixtures in DublinLocal sports fans gearing up for this month™s international rugby matches in the Aviva Stadium can leave the car at home and enjoy the lively atmosphere ...
• Bus and rail in partnership in Medway and KentLinks between bus and train services in the Medway Valley have received a major boost with this week™s launch of coordinated publicity, branded vehicles and rail ...
• Southeastern to hold ˜Meet the Manager™ event at Charing CrossSenior Southeastern managers will be available at Charing Cross station on 18 August between 8am and 10am to answer any questions passengers may have regarding their ...
• ˜Harrington Hump™ installed at Northwich rail stationPassengers using Northwich rail station on the Manchester to Chester line will find it easier to get on and off trains now that Network Rail has installed ...
• London riot travel adviceFollowing last night’s violence and riots in London, the transport network is operating a ‘good service’ as it did for much of the night. Tramlink services ...
• Network Rail to receive ˜significant™ payout from Thames Water for mudslideNetwork Rail and Thames Water have held discussions to secure a ‘sever figure’ compensation payout following the burst water pipe that caused severe delays last week. ...
• Rail passengers report low satisfaction with station car parkingGetting to and from the railway station is an integral part of travelling by train. Whilst almost 50% of passengers actually walk to the station, the ...

The Business Desk

• Network Rail completes £1m upgrade to Midland stationA £1m upgrade to a Warwickshire railway station has been completed. Network Rail, together with contractor J Murphy & Sons, carried out the work on the Berkswell stop.

RMT

• Government refuse to spend £600 explaining to thousands of Bombardier staff why their jobs are at risk while blowing £15 million on consultants RAIL UNION RMT today exposed the latest twist in the Bombardier train jobs scandal - revealing that the Department of Transport have refused to spend £600 on a Freedom of Information request that would have explained why the Thameslink Fleet contract is being shipped to Germany while at the same time blowing £15 million on consultants and advisers to oil the wheels of the stitch up.

Other News Sources

• Go-ahead for Northampton train station redevelopment Outline plans have been approved for the redevelopment of the Northampton's railway station, part of a wider regeneration of the surrounding area.
• This is going to be a special year for the RailStaff Awards Special because the McNulty report puts the ball of change firmly back in the rail industry court. The people in the industry know how to run it so let them have their head. That's the underlying message.
• Western concourse increases King's Cross capacity UK: A £500m programme is underway to equip London King's Cross station to handle a predicted a growth in traffic from 21 million passengers/year to a potential 50 million, and restore the nineteenth century structure to its former glory as part of the regeneration of the surrounding area.
• Bombardier plans for more action The fight to save jobs at the rail manufacturing firm Bombardier in Derby is continuing.