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

Tuesday, 25 September 2012

BBC News

• £29m for 145 new Translink busesTransport Minister Danny Kennedy announces a £29m investment in new Goldline and Metro buses for Northern Ireland.
• Vauxhall closes plants for weekThe production of cars is suspended for a week at Vauxhall's plants in Ellesmere Port and Luton.
• Whisky 'leftovers' to fuel carsIn what is said to be a world first, the by-products from whisky making at a Scots distillery could be turned into fuel for cars.
• Airport investment fears raisedAn MP claims a lack of investment in Prestwick Airport by its owner Infratil is jeopardising its future.
• Councillors pledge to protect Plymouth Airport siteCouncillors have pledged to protect Plymouth's former airport from future development by using planning powers and by lobbying the government.
• Brighton Station redevelopment plan drawn upA new proposal for the redevelopment of Brighton Station has been drawn up following a public consultation.
• Bexhill-to-Hastings link road compulsory purchases approvedThe Bexhill-to-Hastings link road has come a step closer after the government confirmed the compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) for the £93.8m project

Financial Times

• TNT Express chief executive steps downMarie-Christine Lombard is to leave delivery group to pursue œan external career opportunity as Brussels probes its planned acquisition by UPS
• Crossrail trains to receive state guaranteeDanny Alexander, chief secretary to the Treasury, to make announcement on underwriting order at Liberal Democrat conference on Tuesday

The Guardian

• China launches aircraft carrier amid rising tensions with JapanChina sends first aircraft carrier into service in naval show of strength as Sino-Japanese relations worsen over islands disputeChina has sent its first aircraft carrier into formal service in a show of naval ambition that could spur regional worries about territorial rows with Japan.China's ministry of defence said the Liaoning would
• Where is the Crossrail tunnel - right now? MappedAn interactive map shows exactly where the 100-tonne tunnel boring machines are beneath central London

The Herald

• MP says lack of investment damaging Prestwick AirportMP says lack of investment damaging Prestwick Airport An MP has criticised a lack of investment at Prestwick Airport by its New Zealand-based owner. Brian Donohoe, the Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, said the lack of support by Infratil is damaging prospects of a sale and jeopardising its future. Brian Donohoe, the Labour MP for Central Ayrshire, said the lack of support by Infratil is damaging prospects of a sale and jeopardising its future.

The Independent

• Kiwi airport investor emerges as possible buyer for StanstedInfratil, a New Zealand-based airport owner that is trying to sell Glasgow Prestwick and Manston airport in Kent, has been confirmed as a potential bidder for London's Stansted.
• Calls to reopen consultation on High Speed 2 (HS2) rail projectA Foreign Office minister has urged new Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to consider reopening a controversial consultation into the High Speed 2 (HS2) rail project after highlighting concerns about the scheme

The Telegraph

• Heathrow delays worsen after it is hit by spring bad weatherMore than one in four flights in and out of Heathrow were delayed during the spring as it struggled to cope with bad weather.
• Heathrow delays worsen after it is hit by spring bad weatherMore than one in four flights in and out of Heathrow were delayed during the spring as it struggled to cope with bad weather.
• Rival group enters battle for Stansted airportA consortium led by an Australasian investment manager has emerged as an early rival to Manchester Airports Group in the £1bn battle for Stansted airport.
• Virgin Trains set for Christmas windfall despite West Coast Mainline rowVirgin Trains is heading for a yuletide windfall even though it is expected to lose the franchise to operate the West Coast Main Line.

Times Online

• Potential cyclists ’too scared’ to ride, says Transport MinisterPotential cyclists are too scared to ride on the roads, holding back the uptake of cycling in Britain, the Transport Minister admitted in an interview with The Times

Mail Online

• Heathrow named Britain's worst airport for punctuality as more than a quarter of flights are delayedHeathrow has emerged as Britain’s worst performing airport with more than a quarter of flights delayed this spring - damning new figures reveal.

Network Rail

• NETWORK RAIL INNOVATION RECOGNISED AT NATIONAL RAIL AWARDSCloser working with operators and suppliers brings rewards to Network Rail
• MORE WALES BASED APPRENTICES JOIN THE RAILWAY REVOLUTION
• BETTER WEEKEND SERVICES FOR PASSENGERS ON GREAT EASTERN MAIN LINE IN 2013

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport 'more attractive to travellers than Heathrow', says LufthansaBIRMINGHAM Airport is proving more attractive to travellers than Heathrow – according to Lufthansa which is announcing record passenger numbers from the region.

Journal Live

• Newcastle Central Station 'in need of changes' say ministersTHE next firm to run the East Coast rail service must ensure improvements to Newcastle’s Central Station, ministers have been told.

Liverpool Post

• High-speed rail network must be forced through, says Nick CleggNICK Clegg said the government would have to be

London Evening Standard

• Commuters warned over disruption as massive overhaul of Victoria Tube station beginsCommuters using Victoria Tube station face major changes from today as part of a £700‰million redevelopment taking place over the next six years.

Metro

• Paperless rail tickets 'will pick lowest fare'Paper train tickets will be phased out and replaced with smartcards that will always select the lowest fare, transport minister Norman Baker has vowed. Paper train tickets are set to be phased out The technology “ similar to Oyster cards used in London “ will be used across trains, buses, underground and light rail services, Mr Baker revealed exclusively to Metro. On each journey, the card would automatically deduct the cheapest fare, saving time and effort on buying the right ticket in advance. ˜Smart technology is one way of making it easier for passengers,™ Mr Baker said. ˜I...

Wales Online

• Cardiff news: Cardiff Airport to get major overhaul and new route, First Minister revealsFirst Minister Carwyn Jones said that he believed Cardiff Airport was

Carlisle News & Star

• Cumbria on flood alert, roads waterlogged and West Coast Main Line closed Two flood warnings are still in place for Carlisle this morning after a night of torrential rain.
• RAILWAY UNION MEETS CARLISLE MP OVER JOB CONCERNSA delegation of rail union representatives met Carlisle MP John Stevenson following concerns about jobs and ’driver only’ trains.

Other Regional Press

• Protest against West Coast line deal ˜fiasco™A protest will call on the Government to act over the “fiasco” rumbling on over the West Coast Main Line rail link.
• Transport Minister urges no expansion at GatwickThere should be no expansion at Gatwick Airport but a high-speed rail connection with Heathrow – dubbed 'Heathwick' – should be looked into.

Aviation Industry

• Lib Dems say no to Heathrow's third runwayParty also wants to rule out 'Boris Island' airport and further runways at Gatwick and Stansted
• British Airways agrees codeshare with WestjetBA announces new partnership with Canadian no-frills carrier

Other News Sources

• Cyclists have been forgotten in new multi-million pound railway station, say Ely campaignersMulti-million pound plans to redevelop Ely's railway station have a “total lack of cycling provision”, Ely Cycling Campaign has said.
• International firms vie for India's Metro, monorail pieWith the government emphasising the need to take Metro and monorail networks to areas that have not had improvement in transport infrastructure in Delhi and other cities, global rail car manufacturers have begun vying to grab a slice of the lucrative pie.