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

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

BBC News

• Britain's bottlenecked skies Air routes come and go, depending on whether they can justify the airline's costs. For an outfit like Turkish, it'll probably take a few years to get a return on its investment on the flight, inaugurated on Monday, linking Edinburgh with Istanbul.
• HS2 protest rally at ParliamentProtesters fighting plans for a high speed rail link between London and the Midlands take their campaign back to Westminster.
• Massive rail investment welcomedThe go-ahead for the electrification of rail lines to Swansea and the valleys is called the biggest investment in Wales' railways for more than 100 years.
• Menzies in cargo operations moveMenzies Aviation has announced it is to end its cargo operations at four UK airports by the end of next month.
• Fog limits air passenger growthUnseasonable weather conditions are blamed for limiting growth in passenger numbers at Scotland's regional airports.
• Border staff 'being cut too fast'The UK Border Agency has cut 1,000 more staff than intended and is having to hire extra people and increase overtime to meet its workload, a report says.
• Motorway bridge closes for repairWork to upgrade a bridge on a busy motorway in Greater Manchester is due to begin later.
• Games Lanes restrictions on M4The first of the Olympic Games Lanes comes into operation on the M4 after emergency repairs were carried out.
• £9bn rail scheme funding unveiledA £9.4bn package of investment in the railways in England and Wales, including £4.2bn of new schemes, is unveiled by the government.
• Fears oil prices could be riggedA report commissioned by the G20 group of the world's biggest economies has warned oil prices could be vulnerable to a Libor-style rigging scandal.

Department for Transport

• Investing in rail, investing in jobs and growthMore than £9 billion of growth-boosting railway upgrades across England and Wales.

Financial Times

• Tories signal Heathrow runway U-turnThe transport secretary confirms plans for a rail link that will enable direct services to Heathrow for the first time from the west country and Wales
• Familiar ring to rail improvement planOf the £9bn of rail investments announced by the government on Monday, less than half “ £4.2bn “ is for new schemes
• Heathrow proves its Olympic mettleHeathrow proved its mettle as the facility many feared was London 2012™s weakest link efficiently delivered hundreds of Olympians
• Menzies scales back regional operationsAirline baggage and newspaper distribution group to end cargo handling at four regional airports as overcapacity squeezes margins in the sector

The Guardian

• How green are electric trains? The government is to electrify more railways across England and Wales saying it will reduce both fares and carbon emissions
• £9bn railway investment is decades late for Wales and the north This railway electrification is so overdue as to be almost insulting. But at least the coalition is investing in public transport
• The north welcomes rail investment Business leaders and politicians in the Northern Hub cities are delighted by the huge investment in the rail infrastructure
• £9bn railway investment unveiled David Cameron says package of spending, including extensive electrification, will create world-class rail network

The Herald

• Massive upgrade for rail network given go-aheadA PROGRAMME of rail schemes in England and Wales worth £9.4 billion was described as the
• Union to ballot ferry workersSHETLAND faces having its sea links with the Scottish mainland cut if ferry crews go ahead with their threat of strike action.
• Bypass contract awardedTRANSPORT chiefs as pushing ahead with plans to build a controversial £400 million bypass despite its future hanging in the balance.

The Independent

• Greenpeace campaigners target Shell petrol stationsMotorists faced delays at petrol pumps as environmental campaigners launched a protest at an oil firm's plans to drill in the Arctic. Related StoriesThe road to 2012: Team USA gets lost for hoursCensus reveals biggest surge in population since records beganThe road to 2012: Team USA gets lost for hours en route from airportBarrow in Furness, the town that went from boom to bustMan appeals against ban on replying to children
• Bus carrying weary US athletes from Heathrow takes four hours to reach Olympic Village as driver gets lost in trafficA new track record was set today in London, when a bus carrying weary US athletes from Heathrow airport to the Olympic Village took four hours “ twice as long as the world record for the Marathon, a similar distance. Related StoriesThe road to 2012: Team USA gets lost for hoursCensus reveals biggest surge in population since records beganThe road to 2012: Team USA gets lost for hours en route from airportBarrow in Furness, the town that went from boom to bustMan appeals against ban on replying to children

The Telegraph

• £9 billion rail expansion will be funded by 'eye watering' fare risesTransport Secretary Justine Greening admits that passengers will be forced to pay for the Government's £9 billion investment in the railways with above inflation fare increases.
• Nick Clegg: £9bn rail investment 'good for British jobs'Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announces a £9bn investment in Britain's railways.
• London 2012: difficult day on roads and rail as countdown to Olympics startsTraffic crawled into London today as the opening of the first Olympic Games lane coincided with an accident on the M4 and a suicide on one of the country's key railway lines to create the 'perfect storm' of travel chaos.
• Rail network improvement: how will if affect me?Ministers have announced the biggest investment in the rail network since the Victorian era with £9 billion to be spent improving links. Here is how it will affect you:
• David Cameron declines to rule out third Heathrow runwayA third runway at Heathrow could be back on the table after both David Cameron and Nick Clegg did not rule out the controversial idea.
• Staff cuts and computer failures undermine border checksHuge delays at Heathrow after Border Force fails to deliver pledge to man all immigration desks at peak times

Mail Online

• American officers drafted into Heathrow and other British airports to help with security during the OlympicsTransportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are expected to help US airlines with security during the Games, which start next Friday.
• London 2012 Olympic athletes vent fury on Twitter as bus struggles to get to Games villageTry telling that to US hurdler Kerron Clement, who tweeted his frustration yesterday morning after he was left stranded in traffic for four hours when his bus driver got lost en route to the Olympic Village.

The Mirror

• Strain of the train: £4.2bn pledged to improve rail services - but critics fear further fare rises Transport Secretary Justine Greening said the package was œfantastic� for jobs and growth and reflected a real shift away from the car to the train
• Branson wages war on flight tax, and Qatar Airways unveils Dreamliner at FarnboroughVirgin boss Sir Richard Branson has launched a campaign against “obscene” flying taxes that cost travellers – and net the Treasury – £10million a day. He said Air Passenger Duty was stopping working-class families enjoying holidays abroad.

ATOC

• Train companies respond to publication of High Level Output Specification for 2014-2019Responding to the publication of the High Level Output Specification for 2014-2019, Michael Roberts,...

Network Rail

• NETWORK RAIL RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT RAIL INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT
• NETWORK RAIL RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT RAIL INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR THE WEST
• NETWORK RAIL RESPONDS TO GOVERNMENT RAIL INVESTMENT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR WALES
• THE RAIL DELIVERY GROUP SUPPORTS GOVERNMENTS™ PLANS FOR INVESTMENT IN BRITAIN™S RAILWAYS

Birmingham Mail

• Petrol thefts increase by 50 per cent as Birmingham drivers feel the pinchDESPERATE drivers who simply can’t afford fuel are partly to blame for a huge rise in petrol thefts across Birmingham and the West Midlands.

Birmingham Post

• £9bn railways plan will create nearly 4,000 new journeys to BirminghamA £9 billion investment in Britain’s rail network will create capacity for an extra 3,900 journeys into Birmingham every day.

Bristol Live

• The Post published Visiting minister places city metro right on trackTRANSPORT ministers have given the green light for a package of long-awaited rail improvements – the first step in making...

Journal Live

• Government set to announce East Coast Main Line boostTHE Government is today expected to announce a £330,000 boost to the East Coast Main Line to improve journey times and services.

London Evening Standard

• Olympic chaos on West Coast Main Line averted after Justine Greening persuades union leaders not to strike A strike ballot which threatened Olympic travel chaos on Sir Richard Branson™s West Coast Main Line Virgin Trains was dramatically called off this afternoon after the direct intervention of Justine Greening, the Transport Secretary.
• £4.2bn of new rail schemes unveiledThe Government has announced £4.2 billion worth of new rail schemes, including electrification of the Midland Main Line.

Manchester Evening News

• £560m cash injection for Northern Hub to put Greater Manchester trains back on railsA £560m plan to boost Greater Manchester™s economy by smashing congestion on the rail network was expected to be given the green light today. Train bosses have drawn up a blueprint to slash journey times and help the struggling rail network cope with 3.5m extra passengers a year.
• Metrolink's 20 year anniversary - share your memoriesTomorrow will be 20 years since the Queen offically opened Manchester's Metrolink tram network, and the M.E.N would like to hear your memories and thoughts about the system.

Metro

• UK Border Agency forced to hire extra staff after making job cutsBritain's border agency is having to hire extra staff after slashing its workforce too quickly last year, a damning report reveals. Theresa May has 'very serious questions™ to answer (Picture: PA) Performance slumped after it lost 1,000 more workers than planned, forcing it to take on new people and increase overtime pay. Instead of slowing staff cuts when an automated system was delayed by a year and ran millions over budget, the agency sped the changes up, the National Audit Office says. ˜Performance in London and the south-east has come under pressure due to staff shortages,™ it adds. ˜L...

Sheffield Star

• New South Yorks link road will help Robin Hood Airport take offPLANS to build the long awaited link road between Robin Hood Airport and the M18 have reached a major landmark after final details were completed by council officials.

Wales Online

• Electrification across South Wales shows 'country open for business'The electrification of railway lines across South Wales is bold proof for the world that this country is open for business, Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan declared today.

Wolverhampton Express and Star

• Prime Minister in Smethwick to launch £9bn rail plansDavid Cameron and Nick Clegg appeared in Smethwick today to announce a £9 billion investment in the country™s rail network.

Yorkshire Post

• Dales transport scheme could be used as national blueprint A PUBLIC transport scheme launched in the Yorkshire Dales is being expanded and could be used as a blueprint to bolster bus links for remote communities across the country.
• For the long haul: Leaders stress commitment to coalition as railways get £9bnTHE unprecedented £9bn Government spending spree on rail projects will include new rolling stock for Yorkshire’s creaking train routes – but will be funded by inflation-busting fare rises.

Blackpool Gazette

• £9bn boost for railwaysThe Government is set to announce a £9bn injection of cash into the rail network as ministers seek to breathe life into the flagging economy.

Daventry Express

• HS2 campaigners outside parliamentCAMPAIGNERS against the HS2 rail development will be outside parliament later today (Monday).

East Anglian Daily Times

• Stansted: Ryanair launches new service to WarsawRYANAIR has launched its 10th direct connection to Poland from Stansted with the departure of the first flight to the budget airline’s latest base at the new Warsaw Modlin Airport, which opened for business today.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Investment in Peterborough as part of £9.4 billion rail packageRail users in Peterborough can expect faster journeys and more train capacity as part of a £9.4 billion package of projects announced by the Government today (Monday, July 15).
• Have your say about East Coast rail serviceTrain operator East Coast is offering anyone the chance to put questions, comments or suggestions about its services to its key decision-makers.

Other Regional Press

• Transport minister told 'Tay Tax' on train journeys could jeopardise Dundee's plans Dundee railway commuters are the victims of a "Tay Tax" that sees train fares rocket once you cross the river, it has been claimed.
• Massive rail network investment means more seats on trainsRAIL investment of up to £350m will mean more seats for Portsmouth commuters.
• UK & World News: £4.2bn of new rail schemes unveiledThe Government has announced £4.2 billion worth of new rail schemes, including electrification of the Midland Main Line.
• Huddersfield Police crack down on commuter crimePOLICE want the public to let them know about any crime or anti-social behaviour they see on local buses and trains.
• Investment in to Northern Hub Railway looks set to be given the go aheadBILLIONS of pounds are set to be invested into railways in the north of England.
• North East rail boostRAIL passengers are set to gain as part of a £9m Government boost.

Campaign for Better Transport

• Huge Cheshire bypass is unnecessary and destructive16 July 2012: Local campaigners tell us about their battle to stop a resurrected road project in the Chancellor's constituency. read more
• How to cut fares and maintain investment in rail16 July 2012: The Government today announced welcome investment in rail but confirmed their plans for massive fare rises for next two years. read more

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• UK rail freight 'to benefit from millions in EU funding'A European funding package will provide millions of pounds in support for the UK's rail freight industry in order to shift cargos from the nation's roads.Network Rail has welcomed the news that the European Commission's Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency (TEN-T) is providing €5 million (£3.9 million) for electrification of lines between Liverpool and Manchester.In addition, the organisation is granting €5 million for increased capacity and train lengths along the Southampton to West Coast Main Line route, as well as new port cr...

Freight on Rail

• Government gives green light to rail freight expansion. Responding to the Government’s rail funding announcements today (16th July) 1 Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager said, “This continued expansion of the rail freight network will stimulate the economy and create green jobs and relieve long distance road congestion.

Global Rail News

• Industry reacts to news of £9 billion rail investmentWhat has the rail industry made of the government’s HLOS programme? Michael Roberts, chief executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said: œThis announcement is good for the economy and the environment.  It signals the coalition government™s ongoing commitment to rail and enables the industry to build on recent improvements to provide yet [...]
• Government commits £65m to level crossing safetyThe government is investing £65 million between 2014-2019 to improve safety on Britain’s level crossings. Last week, a driver was killed in Norfolk after a train hit his car on a user-worked crossing near Downham Market. In the past five years, there have been 44 deaths at level crossings. The £65 million investment was announced [...]
• Train withdrawn after brick cracks driver™s windowA Northern Rail train had to be taken out of service after being pelted with bricks as it passed through a level crossing. The driver’s front cabin window was cracked during the barrage, resulting in the train being taken out of service when it reached Newcastle. The incident happened as the train left Seaham station [...]
• Coalition announces £9 billion rail investmentDavid Cameron and Nick Clegg have unveiled details of a £9 billion railway investment programme across England and Wales. Projects will include the full electrification of the Midland Main Line between Bedford and Sheffield, and a new £500 million rail link between the Great Western Main Line and Heathrow. “This is the biggest expansion in [...]
• Heathrow Express benefits from M4 closureHeathrow Express experienced a four per cent rise in passenger journeys following the closure of the M4. The M4 motorway in west London was closed for a week as emergency repairs were carried out to the Boston Manor Viaduct after crack was found in a highly stressed part of the bridge supports. After the closure [...]

London TravelWatch

• London TravelWatch has broadly welcomed today’s announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) about its ‘High Level Output Specification’ on 17/07/2012 London TravelWatch has broadly welcomed yesterday’s announcement by the Department for Transport (DfT) about its ‘High Level Output Specification’. Many of the plans should help to make things better for rail passengers by increasing capacity and making services more reliable but the passenger watchdog for transport users in and around London has warned that excessive fare increases to fund the investment would be unwelcome as Londoners already pay a higher contribution towards the running rail services than other areas.

Railnews

• Higgins hails 'vote of confidence' worth £9.4bn Major rail investment of more than £9 billion has been confirmed. The Midland Main Line and a number of other routes are to be electrified, creating an 'electric spine' between the south coast and the north of England. Electrification is to be extended in South Wales and the Northern Hub programme is to be completed, while the East-West 'Varsity' line reopening is confirmed. New spending of £4.2 billion is included, but the transport secretary has warned that there is no 'money tree' to pay for it. The chief executive of Network Rail hailed the plan as a 'vote of confidence', but ...

Aviation Industry

• Anti-APD campaign goes viral after Branson backingMPs bombarded with 40,000 emails protesting about the air tax in a single day
• Buyers urged to negotiate on fuel surcharges and ancillariesCWT report highlights how savings can be made in companies™ air programmes

Other News Sources

• RMT reaction to rail investment announcementRMT on government announcement on rail investment RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said
• RMT begins balloting for action over threat to Scottish Ferries jobs and conditionsSHIPPING UNION RMT today announced that it will begin balloting this week for strike action on Northlink ferry services in Scotland after the new company running the routes, SERCO, refused to give assurances on jobs, hours and working conditions.
• Coalition splurges on rail spending spree Over £9 billion of spending on improving Britain's rail network has been unveiled by the coalition.
• College in Blackburn signs five-year deal with bus company ST Mary™s College, Blackburn, has signed a five-year deal with local bus company Moving People under which the firm will be the sole provider of transport for the college.