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

Monday, 08 October 2012

BBC News

• Guernsey cruise liner berth 'could increase income' A cruise liner berth in Guernsey could increase income for the island and see more tourists visiting, a transport expert has said.
• Philip Hammond on West Coast Main Line contract - Sunday Politics Show Video ClipMinisters do not get to see the full details of the bids submitted for rail franchises, a former transport secretary has said.
• Car and train collide at crossingA teenage car driver is seriously injured after a level crossing crash in South West Scotland which has closed the line to Stranraer.
• Government caps rail fare riseA passenger group welcomes news that the average rail fares rise will be capped at just over 4% next year.
• Drivers face surprise motorway feesSome drivers are receiving mysterious motorway bills after being involved in an accident on the motorway.
• Hammond warns on BAE-EADS mergerFrance and Germany must reduce their stakes in EADS if the UK is to allow a proposed merger with BAE Systems, the defence secretary says.

Department for Transport

• Reduced cap on rail fare risesPassengers will benefit from a cut of up to 2% to the planned rises in the cost of nationwide train travel and travel on London buses and tubes.

Financial Times

• Etihad set to announce code share tie-upAgreement signals a thawing of relations between Europe™s flag carriers and the younger Gulf airlines, which are aggressively expanding their reach
• Consultancy cuts blamed for rail bid messA decision to limit consultancy fees as part of a Whitehall savings drive was behind problems with the West Coast main line contract, say officials

The Scotsman

• Holyrood and Westminster for talks on high-speed rail TALKS are to begin between the UK and Scottish governments to prepare the way for Scotland to be linked up with the multi- billion super-speed rail line.

The Telegraph

• West Coast rail franchise options pose threat to Virgin Department for Transport lawyers have told Virgin Rail they are examining three options for the West Coast train franchise – two of which could see Sir Richard Branson’s exit from the railways.
• United chief attacks high aviation taxes levied in Britain Jeff Smisek, the head of the world's largest airline has launched a scathing attack on Air Passenger Duty.
• Louise Ellman letter to transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin: in full Louise Ellman, chairman of the Transport Committee, has written to the transport secretary ahead of his appearance in front of the panel later this month to ask questions about the West Coast Main Line bidding process. Here is her letter in full.
• Honda recalls cars amid fire fearsHonda has recalled nearly one in three of its Swindon-made CR-V sports utility car in Britain because of a fault which could lead to the driver's door catching fire.
• Next year's fare rise cut by GovernmentCommuters face rail fare rises of up to 9.2 per cent in the New Year, despite George Osborne's pledge to limit increases to just over four per cent.

Press Association

• Advert shows level crossing risks A stark television advert showing the dangers of not paying attention at level crossings has been launched by Network Rail.

Mail Online

• Top bosses back private toll roads: Pay-as-you-drive can cut congestion says CBIMinisters are drawing up plans that would allow private firms to build, operate and maintain motorways and trunk roads.

Network Rail

• (Thames Valley) EMBARGOED UNTIL MONDAY OCTOBER 8th: TELEVISION ADVERT URGES PEOPLE TO ˜SEE TRACK, THINK TRAIN™

London Evening Standard

• Tube, bus and rail commuters face 'slower squeeze' as Government announces cut in fare riseRail commuters received some good news today when the Government announced that the annual fare rises in January 2013 and January 2014 will not be as high as planned.
• Roads 'should be funded via tolls'Proposals for road charging and tolls for motorists on some major English routes have been put forward by the CBI.
• MP writes to minister over rail rowA Commons Select Committee chairman has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin over the West Coast rail line franchise fiasco.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Tram network scoops top national awardNOTTINGHAM'S expanding tram network has scooped a national award. Nottingham Express Transit was named as joint UK project of the year at the 2012 Light Rail Awards in London on Wednesday.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Islanders fear cut to only busIslanders have called a crisis meeting over the threatened loss of their only public transport.

Wales Online

• Cardiff news: Laser pens are "putting lives at risk" warns aviation groupAviation experts say lives are being put at risk by youths flashing laser pens at incoming flights to Cardiff Airport.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• £32m scheme will tackle congestion on Yorkshire motorwaysMore than £32m will be spent to battle congestion on the region’s roads.

Yorkshire Post

• Transport Secretary facing questions on rail franchise fiascoA Commons Select Committee chairman has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin over the West Coast rail line franchise fiasco.

Crewe Chronicle

• UK & World News: MP writes to minister over rail rowA Commons Select Committee chairman has written to Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin over the West Coast rail line franchise fiasco.
• UK & World News: Roads 'should be funded via tolls'Proposals for road charging and tolls for motorists on some major English routes have been put forward by the CBI.

Other Regional Press

• UK & World News: Roads 'should be funded via tolls'Proposals for road charging and tolls for motorists on some major English routes have been put forward by the CBI.

Railnews

• Fare increases to stay at RPI+1% PLANNED increases in regulated fares of RPI+3 per cent in January 2013 and 2014 have been capped at an average of RPI+1 per cent. The level will stay the same in 2015 as well. The Prime Minister has announced the u-turn on the eve of the Conservative Party conference.
• Transport secretary faces West Coast grilling The transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin is coming under increasing pressure from MPs over the West Coast crisis, even before Parliament returns from its conference recess. He has been called to give evidence to the Commons Transport Committee at the end of this month, and they are unlikely to pull any punches.

Other News Sources

• Joy for rail commuters as annual fare rises not as high as planned Rail commuters received some good news today when the Government announced that the annual fare rises in January 2013 and January 2014 will not be as high as planned.