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

Monday, 21 May 2012

BBC News

• Leicester bike park reopens after major refurbishment Leicester city centre's bike park has reopened under new management, after a year-long scheme of refurbishment.
• Liverpool to get 'cleaner, greener' city centre buses A fleet of "cleaner, greener" buses will take to Liverpool's streets as part of the city transport authority's drive to be more eco-friendly.
• MSPs call for crackdown on late Scottish trains MSPs have called for a crackdown on late-running trains by bringing in tougher rules.

Financial Times

• Heathrow ˜free to lobby on third runway™˜The commercial interest of BAA is one thing™, says Theresa Villiers, ˜It™s not necessarily the same as the economic needs of the overall economy™
• Fraport seeks to add to airport portfolioFrankfurt operator seeks EM deals even as it prepares to push ahead with a big expansion of its home base
• Bus groups on downhill route seek growthRising fuel prices and a blossoming of cut-rate car parks where boom time development has withered are just some of the blows to operators
• London urged to start work on Crossrail 2Scheme envisages building new underground line, which could link Wimbledon in south-west London to Tottenham in the north-east by end of next decade

The Herald

• MPs demand stricter rules to assess rail service punctualityTRAINS should be classed as late if they arrive more than a minute after their scheduled destination time, instead of being given up to nine minutes' more flexibility, an influential group of MSPs has said.

The Independent

• Heathrow hits back at government in blame game over queues The new man in charge of the UK's borders faces a grilling from MPs this week as further evidence emerged of bungled planning over staffing levels. Brian Moore, Director-General of the UK Border Force since March, has been called to appear before the Home Affairs Select Committee tomorrow.

The Scotsman

• Analysis: Committee plays it safe and backs railway stability WHEN the current ScotRail franchise runs out in 2014, it will be 20 years since the last Conservative government began the break-up and sell-off of British Rail.
• Trains ’will be classed late after only a minute’ TRAINS across Scotland’s rail network should be considered late if they are more than a minute overdue, rather than the current five to ten-minute thresholds, a report will urge today.

The Telegraph

• Clerks and receptionists to man border control Filing clerks and receptionists will be among hundreds of civil servants who will man border controls during the Olympics, sparking fresh fears over national security. Backroom administrative staff will be tasked with spotting illegal immigrants and potential terrorists after just three days training, it has emerged.

Press Association

• MSPs demand review of rail services MSPs have called for an urgent review of rail services amid revelations that Scots are paying a third more in fares and taxes than elsewhere in Europe for uncomfortable and overcrowded old trains.

Reuters News

• Green plan too reliant on voluntary action-MPsLONDON (Reuters) - Britain's drive to create a low-carbon economy is stalling, because the government is too reliant on voluntary action and the Treasury appears to regard the environment as an obstacle to economic growth, a parliamentary group warned on Monday.

Mail Online

• Don't panic! Now ministers hire filing clerks to guard borders... after doing just three months' training in three days Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2146888/Ministers-hire-filing-clerks-guard-UK-borders-London-2012-Olypmics.html#ixTemporary staff will be responsible for spotting dubious passengers, passports and visas Civil servants will be able to claim £250 a day in bonuses and expenses The scheme is designed to cope with huge influx during the Olympics Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2146888/Ministers-hire-filing-clerks-guard-UK-borders-London-2012-Olypmics.html#ixzz1vTzjIBiw
• Designer of the Raleigh Chopper bike he drew up on the back of an envelope dies aged 85Alan Oakley came up with the idea - inspired by the motorbike ridden by Peter Fonda in Easy Rider - on his way back from a trip to America in 1969.
• The bicycle that will get you a speeding ticket: Audi unveil electric concept bike that can reach 50mphWhen travelling along busy roads, cyclists usually don't need to worry about being caught out by a speed camera. But, thanks to this incredible new bike, that could be about to change.

This is Money

• A to Z of the Sunday newspapers - Sunday TimesRail fat cats send £700m to offshore tax havens

Sheffield Star

• Train company going green in Sheffield Rail operator East Midlands Trains - which operates trains between Sheffield and London, Nottingham and Manchester - is going green.

Wales Online

• Legal threat to bus subsidy cut over impact on disabled passengersThe Welsh Government’s plans to cut bus subsidies could be open to a legal challenge on equalities grounds, say campaigners.

Other Regional Press

• Decision to change bus subsidies comes into effect in West Sussex WEST Sussex County Council’s member for highways and transport has decided to give bus companies more time to put some subsidised routes on a commercial footing.
• Parents 'appalled' by £390 school bus bill ANGRY parents hit with a large bill to secure a seat on the school bus for their children have slammed the council's 'appalling' cost-cutting decision.
• Clutch of bus routes reviewed SEVERAL subsidised bus services in north Northumberland are being reviewed in an effort to see how they can work more effectively and efficiently in the future.
• Preservation history being made on Dorset rail line PRESERVATION history will be made when two unique steam locomotives haul passenger and freight trains on a Dorset branch line.

Other News Sources

• Transport and schools are key to valuationsTRYING to predict where London’s house prices will go as a whole is a fools errand. The house price earnings ratio suggests property remains overvalued, but the influx of foreign cash combined with inflexible planning restrictions could see prices continue to rise. It’s easier – and more fruitful – to weigh up different areas.