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

Thursday, 31 May 2012

BBC News

• Petrol costs: Greening may force retailers to pass on price cuts Transport Secretary Justine Greening has said she will consider legislation to force petrol retailers to pass on cuts in the wholesale price of fuel.
• Devon MP Cox calls for new yacht delivery regulations A Devon MP has called for an urgent review into the regulation of the yacht delivery industry.
• London 2012: Firms in legal action against TfL and ODA London 2012 organisers are facing a legal challenge over plans for road closures which small firms say could put them out of business. Law firm Bindmans has written to Transport for London (TfL) and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) on behalf of 50 small firms.
• Bristol cycling review over Rapid Transport Route concern Cycling provision in Bristol will be reviewed after a transport charity's founder criticised new bus route plans.
• Bomb cargo ship 'risk' to airportThe Lib Dems call for plans for a Thames Estuary airport, nicknamed 'Boris island', to be scrapped following a report into a shipwreck full of explosives.
• 'Boris Bike' staff in strike voteStaff who operate the bicycle hire scheme in London are to be balloted for action over Olympics pay and working conditions.
• Cars roar ahead in Queen's reignBBC transport correspondent Richard Westcott looks at how motoring has changed throughout the Queen's 60 year-reign.
• Jaguar wins key ownership awardJaguar is named the UK's number one carmaker in an influential ownership satisfaction study, unseating Lexus which had held the title for 11 years.

The Guardian

• Solarcentury helps build world's largest solar bridge Collaboration with Network Rail will see structure generate 900,000kWh of electricity a year at Blackfriars station
• Transport for London: securing apprenticeships for local people TfL's initiative aims to tackle two of the capital's biggest problems – skills shortages and unemployment

The Herald

• Further long-haul flights from cityAIR passengers will be offered more long-haul destinations from Inverness via Amsterdam after Loganair announced a code-sharing arrangement with KLM.
• Retailers warned to pass on fuel cost savingsFUEL retailers have been warned they will face new laws forcing them to bring down pump prices unless they show that drops in global oil prices are being passed on to motorists.

The Independent

• More strikes planned over cutsDriving test examiners, coastguards and other transport staff are to take strike action in the latest wave of action in protest at Government spending cuts, jobs and pensions.Related StoriesOlympic organisers announce details of 'world's largest peace time catering operation'Suffolk pig flies under Olympic radar: Organisers announce details of 'world's largest peace time catering operation'Special report: Tamil asylum-seekers to be forcibly deportedThe Bulgarian immigrant who died a British hero's deathClass A drugs 'should be decriminalised,' says former drug advisor

The Telegraph

• Government warns petrol companies over prices The Government is to take action to get petrol companies to pass on cuts in global oil prices to motorists at the pumps.
• Network Rail faces punctuality fineNetwork Rail has been warned it faces a record fine unless it improves punctuality on long distance services.
• First the tube and buses - now Boris Bike staff threaten to strike over Olympic bonusesStaff running London's bicycle hire network have threatened to strike during the Olympics over bonus payments.
• Drivers punished for going greenMotorists face having to pay increased road tax as the Treasury considers plans to claw back hundreds of millions of pounds in revenue that will be lost as drivers opt for greener cars.

ATOC

• Around half a million passengers expected to take the train to London to celebrate the JubileeAround half a million people are expected to travel to London by train to take part in the Jubilee celebrations, according to the Association of Train Operating Companies....

Birmingham Mail

• Airline offers Brummie dialect help to Italian visitorsITALIAN tourists travelling on an airline’s new services to Birmingham will be given help in understanding the Brummie accent.

Bolton News

• MP wants to ban drivers who ˜tot up™ A CAMPAIGN to always ban drivers with 12 points on their licence is gathering momentum.

Journal Live

• Danish group puts Newcastle Airport stake up for saleTHE Danish group that owns 49% of Newcastle International Airport is to auction off its stake – though the majority will remain in public ownership.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Newcastle Airport: Private firm to sell 49% stakeHALF of Newcastle Airport is up for sale. Copenhagen Airports is selling off its 49% stake in it. But the seven local councils which own the rest said today their share is not for sale. Copenhagen Airports is selling off its 49% stake in it. But the seven local councils which own the rest said today their share is not for sale.
• New £7.7m Go North East bus depot for GatesheadPLANNING permission has been granted for a new £7.7m bus depot on Tyneside which will secure hundreds of jobs for the region.

Sheffield Star

• Final push in campaign to electrify railway linkCIVIC leaders in Sheffield are making a final push in the campaign for the city’s rail link with London to be electrified – with a decision on the project due in a few weeks.

The York Press

• York transport chief™s anger at ˜cycle-unfriendly™ poll TRANSPORT bosses in York have criticised a finance firm™s survey which claimed the city is œcycle-unfriendly�.
• Railfest: Railway celebration on track for success ORGANISERS of Railfest “ a nine day family festival expected to attract more than 65,000 people “ are making the final preparations ahead of its launch on Saturday.
• MP discusses city's transport infrastructure with businessesA YORK MP is tomorrow staging the first of a series of transport talks with business leaders after saying more needs to be done to tackle the city™s congestion problems.

Plymouth Herald

• Plan for 15k cycle track through Plymouth beauty spot is postponed againA CONSERVATION charity proposing a highly controversial bike and cycle track and cafe has postponed submitting a planning application for a second time.

Other Regional Press

• Bus firm tours Lincolnshire to promote eco-friendly livingThe county's biggest bus operator is touring Lincolnshire to give people advice on ways to "go green". Stagecoach East Midlands is promoting eco-friendly practices a year after launching its fleet of low-carbon buses.
• Yob attack may bring Llanelli bus axeAIRGUN and catapult-toting yobs are putting the future of a Llanelli bus service in jeopardy.
• Norfolk MPs urge transport minister Justine Greening to improve Ely rail junctionTransport secretary Justine Greening was last night urged to give the green light for work to revamp a railway “bottleneck” and boost Norfolk’s economy.
• Charity offers help after bus for elderly axedTHERE could be hope for elderly people who fear they will be cut off when their dedicated bus service is axed.
• 'This isn't Mario Kart'A fed-up schoolboy is heading a campaign to slow down drivers using a 'rat-run' road near his home.

Global Rail News

• Union settles Olympic Tube pay disputeThe RMT has reached an agreement with London Underground over ‘recognition and reward’ over the Olympics period. After ‘months of intensive negotiations’ the union reached an agreement that ‘protects existing agreements and allows staff to work within the terms of their existing contracts’. The union’s members have now joined those of Aslef and Unite who [...]
• Rail projects to benefit from station improvement fundNetwork Rail has announced the latest round of successful bids for part of a £100 million station improvement fund. The 10 projects chosen to receive a share of £15 million include new and extended car parks, station redevelopments and new retail space to be delivered by Network Rail, train operating companies and other bidders in [...]
• Stalybridge speeds upLine speeds will be raised through Stalybridge when a major revamp of tracks and signalling is complete. Control of train movements in the area will transfer to Manchester East signalling centre in Edgeley, Stockport. Says Jo Kaye, Network Rail™s route managing director, ˜The current track layout, particularly the junctions at either end of the station, [...]
• Celebrating RailStaff excellence in the Jubilee Year2012 marks a year of achievement for Britain celebrating the twin blessings of stable governance and athletic excellence. The Queen™s Diamond Jubilee will be celebrated on the first weekend in June. The London Olympics start on 17 July and last through August. The Paralympics will take place between 29 August and 9 September. However many [...]
• Crime down on London™s transport networkCrime on the Tube and DLR has seen a ‘significant decrease’, with a reduction of 1,357 offences, down 10 per cent from the previous twelve months, Transport for London has said. This includes reductions in ‘violence against the person’ offences (179 fewer offences – down 9.1 per cent) and robbery (49 fewer offences – down [...]
• Thales offers automated trains to Delhi MetroThales, which is supplying communication-based train control system to the Dubai Metro, has offered its fully automated driverless trains to Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC). Delhi Metro, which currently runs 2,400 services per day and carries 1.8 million passengers, is looking to expand its network by adding more than 125 km of track in the [...]
• Victoria station to celebrate Jubilee with charity eventVictoria station will be holding fundraising events and celebrations organised by Network Rail for its charity partner Action for Children over the Queen™s Diamond Jubilee weekend. Passengers will be able to have their picture taken with a digital version of the Royal family and will also be able to text the Queen congratulating her on [...]
• Station improvement works to begin in VictoriaA $2 million program of work to improve 10 V/Line regional railway stations is set to begin, Minister for Public Transport Terry Mulder announced recently. The jointly funded V/Line and Public Transport Victoria works will involve platform resurfacings, painting, tactile installations and toilet renovations. Mr Mulder said the works would make a significant difference to [...]
• VIA Rail improved financial performance in 2011At its Annual Public Meeting, VIA Rail Canada reported that its financial performance ‘continued to improve in 2011′. With revenue growth in ‘most markets across Canada and rigorous controls on costs’, over the past two years VIA Rail has required $30 million less in government funding for operations before pension costs. “As we move forward, [...]
• Slough railway station™s upgrade unveiledSlough Borough Council, First Great Western and Network Rail officially launched Slough railway station™s multimillion pound upgrade this week. The improvements to the Grade II listed railway station include a ‘major programme of investment which has helped turn it into a brighter, more spacious and easily accessible transport hub’ in time for the 2012 Olympic [...]

Railnews

• Network Rail is warned over late trains The Office of Rail Regulation has told Network Rail to improve the punctuality of long-distance passenger services, or face a 'substantial' penalty. The ORR's chief executive has warned that an enforcement notice is now being considered because millions of passengers are being affected by late or cancelled trains.

Aviation Industry

• Flight sales to London surge for Olympics Study reveals busiest air routes to the capital during the games

Other News Sources

• Bombardier B : Bombardier and National Express Named Supplier of the Year at Global AirRail Awards Award recognises Bombardier Transportation's contribution in developing one of the UK's most technologically advanced trains, linking Stansted Airport to the heart of London
• One year on - scandal of major train contract continuesAS THE Government award of the Thameslink train contract to Siemens of Germany, at the expense of Bombardier in Derby, approaches its first anniversary, rail union RMT revealed today that the process remains mired in financial chaos as a result of the Eurozone crisis and is no closer to being signed off despite the fact that 10,000 British manufacturing jobs remain hanging in the balance and that the Derby plant is geared up and ready to deliver the work.
• RMT declares progamme of industrial action on Tyne and Wear Metro in disputes over pay and victimisationTRANSPORT UNION RMT today confirmed a programme of industrial action in three separate disputes over pay on the Tyne and Wear Metro and both pay and the victimisation of a cleaner working for Metro cleaners' Churchills.