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

Thursday, 29 August 2013

BBC News

• UK university to train Russian railway bosses The huge Russian Railways company is to have its managers trained by Anglia Ruskin University.
• DHL workers at Jaguar go on strikeWorkers employed by a firm that delivers parts to car manufacturer Jaguar Land Rover walk out in a row over pay.
• Airport expansion plan wins web voteProposals to make Cardiff Airport a new western hub airport for Heathrow have beaten other plans for UK air capacity expansion to win an online poll.
• InterBulk chief executive to retireThe chief executive of logistics firm InterBulk, Koert van Wissen, is to step down from his role next month.
• Ryanair told to cut Aer Lingus stakeRyanair is told to cut its stake in rival Irish carrier Aer Lingus by the UK Competition Commission.

Financial Times

• Aer Lingus: on a wing & a prayerDispute between Irish airlines is a case study in the use of a minority stake to frustrate corporate strategy. Regulators should pay attention
• American and Alitalia fined over cartel claimsCade said it would fine groups and seven individuals a total of just over R$293m over alleged cartel, which it said operated between 2003 and 2005
• Ryanair told to cut Aer Lingus stakeLow-cost carrier vows to appeal against a UK Competition Commission ruling ordering it to sell down its 29.8% holding in rival airline to 5%
• Eurocopter stands by safety testsWhile some union members are calling on oil companies to stop using Super Pumas the airline pilots’ union are sticking by Eurocopter
• Qantas returns to full-year net profitAustralian flag carrier posts full-year net profit of A$6m as shrinking losses on its international arm offset tougher domestic competition

The Independent

• On the buses: Public transport is undergoing a technological transformation From hybrid engines and guided busways to coders' coaches and Formula One flywheels, Christopher Beanland reveals some of the latest innovations...

The Scotsman

• Rail freight must be remembered in A9 debateRacing to build a safer road north forfeits the alternative option to improve our economy and the environment at the same time, says David Spaven
• 20mph limit to go ahead across EdinburghNEW 20mph speed limits in residential areas across the Capital have been given the go-ahead amid warnings that they must be enforced if safety is to be improved. The move follows a successful pilot in the Marchmont, Grange and Prestonfield area.
• Scotland sees surge in number of car drivers SCOTS are driving more for the first time in five years while new vehicle sales have seen their biggest surge in a decade, new Scottish Government figures showed today.
• Shetland helicopter crash: RMT calls for action LESSONS must be learned in the offshore oil and gas industry in light of the latest fatal helicopter crash, a union has said.

The Telegraph

• More than a million motorists face bailiff threatMore than a million drivers face soaring bailiffs' fees and having their credit rating ruined after being pursued by councils for unpaid motoring fines.    

Mail Online

• The $10MILLION cat in the hat: Meet Tama the feline station master who helped save Japanese railway from bankruptcy The station master in a small Japanese town knows little about trains and is more interested in naps and treats than in schedules, which is not surprising because she is a cat.

Belfast Telegraph

• BBA working on £2.7bn mergerBUSINESS jet services firm BBA Aviation has confirmed it is working on a merger deal in a move reportedly set to create a company worth £2.7bn.    
• Ryanair to appeal sell-off rulingTHE UK's Competition Commission has told Ryanair to sell a 24.8% stake in Aer Lingus, dealing a major blow to the airline headed by Michael O'Leary.    

Bristol Live

• The Bristol Post published Council statistics slammed as road is set for permanent closureSOUTH Gloucestershire councillors look set to agree the permanent closure of Highwood Road, a stretch of dual carriageway in Patchway.They will be told at a meeting next Wednesday that extending the experimental closure beyond April 14 next year is not an option.A report before councillors says that reopening Highwood Road to traffic would cost the council at least £1.25 million.And the report claims that the amount of traffic which now uses Coniston Road is "no worse" than...

Journal Live

• Bus firms in fresh warning over councils’ transport plan Taxpayers could be hit with the cost of a failed bus network, transport operators have warned. Bus firms have told Tyne & Wear councils they risk a “ticking timebomb” with their plans to take control of all services and fares.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Thrillseekers’ new platformThrillseekers may be able to take guided tours to the top of the Forth railway bridge for the first time within two years, according to a proposal by Network Rail.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• OAP’s action call on Leeds Bradford Airport facilitiesA pensioner is starting a campaign to urge Leeds Bradford airport to improve its facilities for arrivals passengers, which she says are currently “totally unacceptable”.

Blackpool Gazette

• Cycling club’s plea to driversA cycling club today renewed calls for drivers to take more care on the roads after another of its members was involved in a collision.

Burnley Express

• Burnley rail passengers will no longer have to 'mind the gap' RAIL passengers at a Burnley station should no longer have to ‘mind the gap’ with the arrival of a new platform aid.

Other Regional Press

• Parish councillor wants to bring back Offords railway stationA parish councillor is pushing for return of Offord and Buckden station more than 50 years after it was closed in 1959.
• Lothians MSP criticises Scottish Ministers over transport statisticsAlison Johnstone, Green MSP for Lothian and co-convener of Holyrood’s cross-party group on cycling, says statistics released today show Scottish ministers’ failure to make the right choices on transport.
• Transport minister's response to Get Britain Cycling report branded 'half-hearted' on Cambridge visit The transport minister left campaigners disappointed when he visited Cambridge to give the Government’s response to calls for more investment in cycling.

Airportwatch

• Lincoln's walk and ride bus is savedLincoln's walk and ride bus service has been saved.

Global Rail News

• ORR asked to drop 90% punctuality targetThe Office of Rail Regulation has been asked to abandon plans that require train operators to achieve 90 per cent punctuality by the end of control period 5 (April 2019).[...]
• Crossrail TBM poised to begin next phase of Thames TunnelCrossrail TBM Mary has broken through into the Woolwich station box, marking the halfway point in tunnelling works south of the river. Mary, who began her stint in May, joins[...]
• Melbourne-Sydney high-speed rail line gets government backingThe Australian government has committed its support and $52 million to developing plans for the country’s first high-speed rail line. Announcing the government’s decision to fully-adopt recommendations set out by[...]
• Russia’s Obluchensky rail tunnel set for October openingThe new Obluchensky tunnel in the far east of Russia is on course to open in October after contractor SK MOST announced the completion of track work along the 860-metre[...]
• CTA appoints construction manager for city rail projectsChicago’s transit authority (CTA) has appointed Parsons Brinckerhoff (PB) to oversee the delivery of rail projects throughout the city. The company will provide construction management services for Chicago transport projects,[...]
• PKP Intercity orders 20 EMUsPKP Intercity has placed an order with a Stadler/Newag consortium for 20 new trains worth around 350 million euro. PKP has specified that the new EMUs have an operating speed[...]
• Belgium’s longest rail tunnel completedMajor construction work on the Liefkenshoek rail link, the new direct freight link between the left and right banks of Antwerp in Belgium, is now complete. The newly-constructed twin tunnels[...]

Aviation Industry

• Ryanair ordered to sell Aer Lingus stake down to 5% Ryanair has vowed to fight a UK Competition Commission (UKCC) ruling instructing it to sell its 29.8% Aer Lingus stake down to 5%. read more
• British Airways to increase Gatwick long-haul flightsCarrier will base an extra aircraft at the Sussex airport next year
• Ryanair told to reduce Aer Lingus stake to 5 per centCompetition Commission orders reduction in shareholding but Ryanair will appeal decision
• Easyjet to launch Gatwick to Jersey serviceNo-frills carrier will take over route from Flybe in spring 2014