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

Saturday, 15 January 2011

BBC News

• Rail, road disruption with floodsFlooding continues to bring disruption to parts of Wales, while more rain is forecast over the weekend.
• Strike begins on two Tube linesA 24-hour strike starts on the Bakerloo and Northern lines as Tube workers walk out in support of two

Financial Times

• London mayor criticised for train driver remarksBoris Johnson was under attack after he suggested signalling new tube systems would mean anyone could be trained as a driver in 'a matter of weeks'

The Guardian

• Lagos's railway of hopeIn the second part of a series on Nigeria, David Smith talks to an investor aiming to transform commuting in its largest cityWhen Danladi Verheijen has to attend an important meeting, he doesn't know whether getting there will take 10 minutes or three hours.

Reuters News

• Can driverless trains solve Tube strike problem?LONDON (Reuters) - Many more trains on London's underground rail system will soon be run by computer, the mayor has warned strike-prone drivers' unions.

Network Rail

• KING'S CROSS RENAISSANCE ON SHOW
• NETWORK RAIL ISSUES MAJOR DESIGN TENDER FOR CROSSRAIL NORTH-EAST SPUR
• PETERBOROUGH STATION TO UNDERGO £2.5M REDEVELOPMENT

Birmingham Post

• Protests won't stop High Speed rail link, insists Birmingham City Council The £18 billion high speed rail line from London to Birmingham should not be derailed by protesters, Birmingham City Council has warned.

Bristol Live

• Transport chiefs to check out Nottingham's tram systemTRANSPORT chiefs from the Greater Bristol area have been invited on a trip to Nottingham to examine the city's acclaimed tram system. Campaign group Transport for Greater Bristol Alliance (TGBA) has organised the visit to the East Midlands to show bosses what could be achieved in Bristol if an ultra-light rail system was introduced. Ian Crawford, the group's secretary, said Nottingham was chosen because it boasted a good example of an integrated transport system, with buses, trains and trams running in harmony. He said:

London Evening Standard

• Boris Johnson in historic talks with unions as Tube drivers call off royal wedding strikeBoris Johnson attempts to rebuild his relationship with Tube drivers after welcoming their decision to abandon plans for a royal wedding day strike

Metro

• Boris Johnson discusses driverless Tubes in face of more strikesBoris Johnson has raised the prospect of driverless tubes as Londoners face further strikes on the London Underground in the coming months.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Rail passengers warned to expect disruption Rail passengers are being warned to expect disruption while work is carried out to upgrade the track between Aberdeen and Dundee.

Railway Gazette

• Flywheel railcar to operate demonstration commuter service UK: A lightweight diesel railcar with flywheel energy storage is to operate a demonstration commuter service on the Mid-Hants heritage railway in southern England for four weeks from January 24. The Parry People Mover PPM50 will provide a peak commuter service from Medstead & Four Marks to Alton, where there is an interchange with South West Trains services to London. There will be five services in each of the morning and afternoon peaks, Monday to Friday. The PPM50 has space for 20 seated and 30 standing passengers. It uses a flywheel to store energy, permitting the use of a smaller dies...

Other News Sources

• Eurostar reports strong growth in 2010 with sales revenue up 12% compared with 2009 Eurostar, the high-speed rail service between the UK and mainland Europe, today announced a continued increase in overall sales revenue in 2010 compared with 2009. Sales revenue for the year is up 12% on 2009, from £675.5m to £760m. This uplift is due to the continued recovery of the business market that has been a trend through the year as well as growth in the overall number of passengers choosing high-speed rail over plane for short-haul travel in Europe.Healthy growth in business revenuesDuring the year the business market has performed well reflecting the bounce-back in business activity...
• RMT announces strike dates after massive majority vote for action over breakdown of industrial relations at Docklands Light RailwayTRANSPORT UNION RMT today announced 48 hours of strike action on DLR between 03.59 hours Thursday 20th January 2011 and 03.58 hours Saturday 22nd January 2011 in a dispute with Serco Docklands over the following issues: -
• Who will be the next boss of Crossrail?Following the dramatic news that Crossrail chief executive Rob Holden has quit after less than two years in the job, NCE wants to hear your views on who will be his replacement.
• Gloucester Man Struck by Train at Salem DepotA 26-year-old Gloucester man suffered knee and leg injuries yesterday after he was struck by an incoming MBTA commuter rail train at Salem Depot.