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

Tuesday, 04 September 2012

BBC News

• Airport union threatens strikeWorkers at Birmingham Airport may be balloted on strike action by the Unite union in a dispute over pay.
• Airport in pet passport hub firstScots who take their pets abroad can now fly them directly back into the country rather than shipping them via England.
• Private bus for Translink stationNorthern Ireland's public transport provider, Translink, allows a private bus service to use its main Belfast station for the first time.
• Last tram 50th anniversary markedEvents are being held to mark the 50th anniversary of the last public tram service in Glasgow.
• West Coast Main Line deal on holdThe government confirms the deal to hand the West Coast Main Line rail franchise to First Group is on hold following a legal challenge by current operator Virgin.

Department for Transport

• Red Ensign flies for Merchant Navy DayThe Red Ensign flag will fly over the headquarters of the Department for Transport to mark the UK's thirteenth Merchant Navy Day on Monday 3 September.

The Herald

• Self-serve scanners deployed at airportAIR passengers have been promised shorter boarding times at Glasgow Airport with the introduction of the first automated boarding-pass scanners to be deployed in Scotland.
• West Coast Main Line deal delayedLegal action by Virgin Rail has prevented the Government signing a contract awarding a major franchise to a rival bidder, MPs were told.

The Independent

• Heathrow third runway to be heldAdvocates of a third runway at Heathrow airport will be able to make their case in a consultation process to be launched in the next few weeks, Downing Street confirmed today.Related StoriesGreen Party welcomes only political leader who can shear sheepLib Dems would keep more seats under CableReclaim power: Independent founder's bid to rescue politics from party elites'Thrasher' Mitchell to be Cameron's Chief WhipGovernment 'planning new benefits cut'

The Scotsman

• Richard Branson halts £13 billion West Coast rail deal in its tracksA LEGAL challenge from Virgin Rail has delayed the UK government’s controversial plans to hand a multi-billion pound contract to rival bidder FirstGroup.

The Telegraph

• MP threatens by-election over HeathrowThe political crisis engulfing the coalition over Heathrow intensified as Zac Goldsmith, a high profile Conservative backbencher, threatened to trigger an immediate by-election if the Tories drop their opposition to a third runway.

Mail Online

• Eleventh hour legal challenge by Virgin boss halts West Coast railway dealTransport minister Theresa Villiers revealed ministers are still to sign a contract with FirstGroup to run the rail franchise and that the competition ‘remains live’.

Bolton News

• Council™s double spark for rail link campaign A LONG-RUNNING campaign to improve rail links between Bolton and Blackburn has received a double boost.

Derby Telegraph

• Derby Telegraph commented The Wash airport could be answer to problemsArticle
• Derby Telegraph commented Strikes scrapped after Bombardier returns to talks over pay...A UNION says it is optimistic after bosses at train-maker Bombardier agreed to get back round the negotiating table.
• Derby Telegraph commented Can anyone solve riddle of sound at bus station?Article

Journal Live

• Morpeth residents see red on traffic lights marchA LION led the way yesterday as a market town continued to roar its anger over the controversial installation of traffic lights at a key road junction.
• Emirates Boeing 777 makes Newcastle Airport debutHISTORY was made at Newcastle Airport at the weekend when one of the world’s largest airliners began a regular service to the region.
• Businessman Paul Callaghan backs North East bus shake-up callsNORTH East bus bosses fighting to save their firms from a council-backed takeover have been told it would be better for the region if they backed down.

Liverpool Echo

• Liverpool James Street station partially closed as part of £40m Merseyrail upgradeTHE ongoing £40m refurbishment of the Merseyrail loop line today saw the partial closure of James Street station.

Liverpool Post

• Irish Sea Tall Ships Regatta’s Parade of Sail enjoys glorious Liverpool sunshineLIVERPOOL’S maritime heritage took centre stage in front of crowds gathered at the Pier Head.

London Evening Standard

• Airport expansion 'back on table' as McLoughlin takes over Greening as Transport Secretary Heathrow expansion was back on the agenda after today’s reshuffle as the key post of Transport Secretary was handed to a former coal miner who has so far stayed out of the aviation debate.
• Key ministers Justine Greening and Andrew Lansley could fall victim to Cameron's reshuffle David Cameron is closeted with ministers as he draws up his first major Cabinet reshuffle, with questions flying over the future of key ministers, including Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
• Key ministers Justine Greening and Andrew Lansley could fall victim to Cameron's reshuffle David Cameron is closeted with ministers as he draws up his first major Cabinet reshuffle, with questions flying over the future of key ministers, including Transport Secretary Justine Greening and Health Secretary Andrew Lansley.
• Heathrow third runway consultation to be launched in 'next few weeks'Advocates of a third runway at Heathrow airport will be able to make their case in a consultation process to be launched in the next few weeks, Downing Street confirmed today.

Manchester Evening News

• Delay in handing control of West Coast Main Line to FirstGroup after Virgin launch legal challengeLegal action by Virgin Rail has prevented the Government signing a contract awarding the West Coast Mainline franchise, which runs through the North West, to a rival bidder, MPs were told.
• Computer glitch sparks Metrolink meltdownMetrolink services have resumed after a computer glitch brought Greater Manchester's entire tram network to a standstill.

Metro

• Virgin Trains legal challenge delays FirstGroup's West Coast franchiseThe government has admitted the awarding of the West Coast Main Line franchise to FirstGroup has been put on hold pending the results of a legal challenge by Virgin Trains. Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Trains has challenged the government's decision (Picture: PA) Rail minister Theresa Villiers said ministers would 'robustly' defend the merits of FirstGroup's 13-year, £5.5billion contract, which is due to begin in December.She told MPs in a written statement the competition for the franchise was effectively 'live'.'As a result of a legal challenge, which the government intends to defend robustl...

Sheffield Telegraph

• Go online as you ride on new bus fleetsix new buses fitted with free Wi-Fi internet access are now on the roads.

The York Press

• New bus pass just ticket for passengers A NEW ticket which can be used on any bus in York for a week has been launched.
• York bridge could be demolished to make way for bus station YORK could finally get a long-awaited bus interchange under proposals to demolish a major bridge on the inner ring road.

Blackpool Gazette

• Praise for bus firm U-turnA BUS firm has been praised after a planned fare hike - branded “unfair” on families - was scrapped.

Other Regional Press

• Putney MP Justine Greening facing difficult day as Cabinet reshuffle looms Putney MP Justine Greening is facing a battle to hold on to her job in this week's expected Cabinet reshuffle.
• UK & World News: Virgin action blocks train contractLegal action by Virgin Rail has prevented the Government signing a contract awarding a major franchise to a rival bidder, MPs have been told.
• Airport could be built in Oxford, not KentSecret plans could see a four-runway airport built near Oxford instead of in the Thames Estuary, it is claimed.
• Thames Estuary airport could be built 'in 14 years'A huge airport planned for the Thames Estuary could be built in just 14 years, architects have said.
• Huddersfield train users face massive disruption as £20m rail revamp set to startA MASSIVE upgrade to the rail network will disrupt 270,000 passenger journeys across the Pennines next month.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Let 's re-frame the Franchise debate.3 September 2012: It seems highly unlikely that the 150,000 Virgin rail users who have signed the petition - and shown unprecedented loyalty to a rail franchise-get their happy ending. read more

Global Rail News

• Royal Albert RevisitedLinking Devon with Cornwall across the river Tamar, the single track Royal Albert Bridge is of strategic importance, being the only remaining mainline rail link into Cornwall. If it were to be out of action, then the Royal Duchy rail network would be cut off from the rest of the UK. The bridge opened in [...]
• Passenger service returns to heritage line after 40-year absenceA regular passenger service is to return between Norden and Motala, in Dorset, for the first time in 40 years as part of the Swanage Railway Grand Steam Gala. Bagnall-manufactured saddle tanks ‘Judy’ and ‘Alfred’ – which date back to 1936 and 1953 respectively – will be topping and tailing a special shuttle train service [...]
• Indian Railways identifies $14.79 billion rail projectsIndian Railways has identified $14.79 billion worth of projects it hopes to develop through public private partnership (PPP). The company is aiming to begin work on the improvements, which include a high-speed corridor between Mumbai and Ahmedabad, and an elevated rail corridor between Churchgate and Virar, in the 12th five-year plan period between 2012-2017. K. [...]
• Daleks invade Slough stationDoctor Who’s voice of the Daleks, Nick Briggs, replaced the normal announcer at Slough station in Berkshire during a prank for BBC programme The One Show.
• Virginia high-speed rail project moves forwardThe development of two new rail routes in the Southeast, connecting the Hampton Roads area to Richmond and the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor, has moved a step forward with submission of the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS). U.S. Department of Transportation secretary Ray LaHood said: œConnecting to the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor is [...]
• Virgin raised franchise concerns before West Coast lossVirgin bosses have claimed that they challenged the franchise bid system years before losing control of the West Coast Mainline. Chief executive Tony Collins has responded to accusations of sour grapes by Transport Secretary Justine Greening, claiming that Virgin had met with the Department for Transport (DfT) numerous times over the last couple of years [...]
• Severn Valley Railway plans £3m share saleThe Severn Valley Railway (SVR) is launching a share offer worth £3 million to secure the railway’s future for the next 50 years. The heritage line is looking to build a new visitor centre, establish an engineering training academy and restore the historic Hagley Hall locomotive, which hasn’t worked for more than 23 years. This [...]

Railnews

• Government puts West Coast signing on hold The Department for Transport has admitted that it cannot sign off the new Intercity West Coast franchise with FirstGroup because Virgin Trains has started High Court action, challenging the decision. Until now ministers had insisted that signatures were still imminent, but in a statement to the House of Commons, rail minister Theresa Villiers said:

Aviation Industry

• Lufthansa set for more strikes on TuesdayCabin crew to hold second walkout in long-running pay dispute
• Etihad increases Virgin Australia stakeMiddle Eastern airline now owns 10 per cent of regional carrier