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

Monday, 12 March 2012

BBC News

• Sewta says south Wales rail electrification will boost jobs A transport group representing 10 south Wales councils says electrification of the region's rail network would act as a catalyst for economic development.
• Campaigners on HS2 protest walksStop HS2 campaigners hold protest walks along parts of the proposed rail route on the second anniversary of its unveiling.
• 'Rail investment will boost jobs'A transport group representing 10 south Wales councils says electrification of the region's rail network would act as a catalyst for economic development.
• Strike hits airport train serviceTrain drivers and other staff stage a 24-hour strike on the Heathrow Express service.
• Aviation plea over EU carbon taxSeven European aviation companies have written a letter warning political leaders of the impact of a controversial carbon emissions tax.

Financial Times

• Transport leads way in plans for Games At first glance, the nerve centre of the Olympics transport operation looks like any other office. The only clues of what is at stake are its secretive location, an airtight security entrance and a cluster of screens that monitor every inch of traffic movement across the city
• Delay EU carbon levy, says air industryLetters to European political leaders warn of ˜intolerable™ threat to industry by opening up possibility of trade battles with China, US and Russia
• A mixed blessing for parcel companiesRise in e-commerce has increased traffic but more missed residential deliveries present challenges and create impact on margins

The Herald

• Council chief: Ferry plan is a disaster for communitiesDRAFT plans for a shake-up of Scotland's ferry services could spell disaster for remote communities, it was claimed last night.
• Airlines highlight soaring levels of flight taxSCOTS families are paying £300 more on average to fly between Scotland and England compared to 2005 due to soaring taxes, airlines have claimed.
• 'Tram train' plans for airportGLASGOW Airport has launched a push for a
• Former tram chief bids for city airportThe former head of Edinburgh's controversial tram project is leading a bid to take over Scotland's busiest airport, it has emerged.

The Independent

• Rail boss wants to stay in charge rather than return to Whitehall The current boss of the much-criticised £32bn High Speed Two (HS2) rail link has performed a surprising U-turn and reapplied for her own job. Applications for the chief executive role at HS2, a line that could eventually link London to Scotland but has angered Middle England, were due on Friday.

The Scotsman

• Heathrow tops list for airport shopping Heathrow is the airport shopping capital of the world, according to latest figures.
• Road safety measures less effective for older drivers IMPROVING safety for the increasing number of older drivers on the roads is vital to prevent their casualty rate also climbing, an advisory body will warn today.
• Road safety measures less effective for older drivers IMPROVING safety for the increasing number of older drivers on the roads is vital to prevent their casualty rate also climbing, an advisory body will warn today.

The Telegraph

• Strategy needed to cope with explosion in number of elderly drivers Elderly drivers caught speeding or breaking other traffic laws should be sent on special training courses to make sure they are still safe behind the wheel, a new report claims.
• Sir Richard Branson's £5bn Heathrow offer rejected An offer from Sir Richard Branson to invest £5bn expanding Virgin Atlantic operations if the Government dropped its opposition to redeveloping Heathrow airport was rejected last night.

The Mirror

• New golden age of the train: Highest use of railways since 1920s as travellers forced off roadsThe Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) says that passenger numbers grew by 6% in the last 12 months.
• New airbags for pedestrians on car bonnets could save thousands of livesThe U-shaped inflatable covers the uprights of the windscreen and the area where the wipers are fixed to prevent injuries

Wales Online

• Supporters of electrification of Welsh rail lines to take case to Westminster LEADING Welsh business figures and politicians across the party spectrum will arrive in Westminster today to call on the UK Government to support the electrification of Welsh rail lines.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Midlands haulage firms in fuel price crisisProfits at haulage firms across the region are being squeezed to next to nothing by rising diesel prices, the Express & Star can reveal today.

Plymouth Herald

• Transport users' anger over twin fares blowBUS and train users have slammed "extortionate" fares amid further price hikes.

Western Daily Press

• Reopening Portishead rail line for passenger trains could cost £33mThe first phase of improvements in the biggest railway campaign in the West Country would cost £40 million, it has been claimed.

Other Regional Press

• Rail group calls for Valley line electrification TRANSPORT alliance SEWTA is asking secretary of state for Wales Cheryl Gillan to press the Government over rail electrification.
• School bus axe protest may lead to new rulesParents who fought a council over an axed bus service say the government is to review its schools transport guidelines.

Airportwatch

• Under-taxed Aviation Industry wants to pay even less tax! It wants APD removed! AirportWatch, a coalition of national environmental organizations and airport campaign groups, has argued that a report due out tomorrow, which will claim that Air Passenger Duty (APD) is hurting the economy, fails to address the reason for the tax.