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

Monday, 16 January 2012

BBC News

• Cruise captain 'committed errors', say ship's owners The company operating a cruise ship that capsized after hitting rocks off western Italy on Friday says the captain may have "committed errors".

Financial Times

• HS1 proves catalyst for King™s Cross rebirthDecision to back high-speed Tunnel link singled out by developer as being key to broader revitalisation of run-down London district
• Virgin plots a course through crowded airspaceAlliances between US and European groups and the growth of Gulf carriers puts Branson™s airline at risk of being marginalised
• Concordia disaster revives question of ship sizeGiven existing escape technology and crewing, the issue of how many people can be evacuated quickly and safely in an emergency is paramount

The Herald

• Green driving revolution fails to bloom in Scotland THEY have been hailed as the cars to transport motorists into a greener 21st century, but it seems electric vehicles have so far failed to spark much interest in Scotland.

The Telegraph

• Royal Navy captures 13 Somali pirates A team of elite Royal Marines stormed the ship to seize 13 suspected pirates, who were equipped with rocket-propelled grenades and assault rifles.

Daily Express

• Profit fears fuel Shell exodusHIGHER oil prices failed to keep Royal Dutch Shell afloat yesterday amid fears that next month's results would disappoint.

Mail Online

• Railway scheme gets model and cookery star Sophie Dahl steamed up Sophie Dahl has joined the campaign against the proposed high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham because the route runs close to her home village.
• Minister urged to resign after selling home weeks before rail link go-aheadAfter it was revealed she sold her 17th century home 500 yards from the planned high-speed rail line 20 months ago, Cabinet Minister Cheryl Gillan faces demands for her resignation.
• Costa Concordia cruise ship: Captain Francesco Schettino accused of sailing close to island of Giglio to salute fellow officerFrancesco Schettino, 52, has been arrested on suspicion of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship when the cruise liner ran aground near the Italian island of Giglio.

The Mirror

• Costa Concordia cruise ship crash: Captain 'was in a bar with glamorous woman' before tragedyThe Costa Concordia’s captain was blamed for the disaster by his company last night as passengers told how he was parading around a bar with a glamorous woman shortly before the liner hit rocks.

Bolton News

• Big revamp for railway station Westhoughton Station has undergone a transformation.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail operator rapped for its 'chronic' overcrowding on rush hour trains A transport authority has criticised a rail operator for its œpoor performance in tackling overcrowding on Bradford™s trains.

Northern Echo

• Theft of cable cost £10,000 on rail line A CABLE thief who caused train delays and cost a rail company thousands of pounds for the sake of a small amount of scrap metal has been locked up for 18 months.

Sheffield Star

• Further strike by bus driversANOTHER one day strike by bus drivers was going ahead today.

Wales Online

• Big increase in coach holidays for younger market as tighter household budgets prompt search for cheaper holidaysCoach holidays are shaking off their “granny wagon” image as high fuel prices and squeezed incomes propel young professionals and families towards cheaper leisure options.
• Plaid claims Wales is due £1.9bn for transport under England’s high-speed rail project WALES is entitled to nearly £2bn in transport funding as a result of England’s new high-speed rail network, Plaid Cymru claimed yesterday, adding that the money could be a further boost to plans to electrify the nation’s rail lines

Daventry Express

• Approval means end of line for village HS2 protestersA CONTROVERSIAL high-speed rail line will slice through parts of the Daventry district after Government ministers approved the project this week.

Other Regional Press

• MP: 'Spend rail cash on Plymouth not Scotland'TRANSPORT Secretary Justine Greening has been urged not to extend the high-speed rail link to Scotland but use the cash to improve train services to Plymouth.
• Airport names new charity partnerLUTON Airport has pledged to support Sue Ryder next year and has made an initial £5,000 donation to the charity.

C.N.N.

• What caused the cruise ship disaster?The disaster that wrecked a luxury cruise liner and killed at least five passengers has left officials and experts on maritime navigation searching for answers -- fast.

Other News Sources

• Bringing Britain Up To Speed Finally, after years of planning, campaigning and protests, the Transport secretary Justine Greening announced on Tuesday January 10th that the construction of a second high-speed rail line would take place, although building is not likely to start for another four or five years.
• CITY SLAMS HIGH SPEED RAIL PLANS THE CITY has rejected the government’s controversial plan to build a £32.7bn high-speed railway linking London to the north.
• News round-up 13/1: Tory councillors to rebel against HS2PCS heralds ˜ever closer™ relationship with Unite | Scotland considers Euro
• 13/01/2012 - Weekly newsletter on Mobility and Transport in Europe

News from Europe

• Hydrogen vehicle makers still look to EU for help (News) Hydrogen vehicles are nimble, quiet and easy on the environment, and auto manufacturers are eyeing a commercial launch within a few years despite a lack of infrastructure for refuelling stations. More »