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Wednesday, 12 November 2008

BBC News

• No to the airport lobby? Not yetMPs get rightly criticised for debates and votes that don't change much. Yesterday's testy Commons debate on the government's plans to add a third runway at Heathrow airport may prove an exception. If David Cameron wins power in 2010 and moves to cancel the runway - as he claims he will - there will be plenty of by-then-ex-Labour MPs he can quote in his defence.
• French 'rail anarchists' arrestedFrench police have arrested at least 10 people in connection with a series of attacks on France's rail network.
• Plan to extend £16bn rail routeThe £16bn Crossrail project to build a 74-mile rail network across London could now be extended to north Kent.
• Row over congestion charge motionA row has broken out after a group of MPs condemned an environmental pressure group supporting the campaign for a Greater Manchester congestion charge.
• Q&A: A third runway at HeathrowMPs have been debating plans to create a third runway at London's Heathrow Airport.
• Heathrow runway debate a 'sham'Consultation over the need for a third runway at Heathrow has been a

Financial Times

• Piracy blows ships off Somali courseGrowing numbers of shipowners are so concerned about the threat of attacks off the country's coast that they are lengthening voyages by as much as three weeks to avoid the area
• Lufthansa ends talks with struggling SASLufthansa has ended its negotiations on a possible takeover of loss-making SAS Scandinavian Airlines

The Guardian

• Brown meets Labour rebels over third runway at HeathrowThe government attempted to head off a Labour rebellion against plans for a third runway at Heathrow yesterday, with rebel MPs, including a ministerial aide and a vice-chair of the Labour party, attending talks with Gordon Brown in Downing Street.

The Telegraph

• Millionaire Stagecoach founder back working on buses to cover for striking workersThe multimillionaire founder of the Stagecoach Group was back on the buses when he worked as a driver to cover for striking workers.
• Labour MPs attack Geoff Hoon over Heathrow expansion planBritish jobs will be lost to our continental competitors unless a third runway is built at Heathrow Geoff Hoon the Transport Secretary told rebellious backbench Labour MPs.
• Government's delay of car tax rise 'only postponing inevitable'The Government's decision to postpone inflationbusting

Times Online

• Going nowhere fast - the tourism chiefs stranded on way to London travel show Tourism leaders from around the world were stranded on London's buses and trains in a series of embarrassments for those promoting the 2012 Olympics.

ATOC

• 'Valour' called up for remembrance ceremony at Marylebone StationFirst GBRf™s 66715 locomotive ˜Valour™ has continued the work of its namesake, the 1920s class 9P ˜Lord Farringdon™ passenger locomotive, by taking part in act of remembrance at London Marylebone railway station, today, 11 November 2008.

Transport Briefing

• Crossrail chief to lead Thames airport work for MayorCrossrail executive chair Doug Oakervee has agreed to lead the Greater London Authority's preliminary feasibility study into a new airport in the Thames Estuary.
• Rail strategy refresh considers Woodhead Tunnel openingSouth Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has published a draft version of an updated South Yorkshire Rail Strategy, which aims to provide a framework for future development of the region’s rail network.
• Fuel price rises prompt further Subway fare hikeGlasgow Subway fares are to rise on 1 January to take account of rising fuel costs
• Leeds Supertram replaced by New Generation TransportBus and trolleybus rapid transit plans for Leeds will be the subject of a public transport exhibition in the city centre which opens today (12 November).

Journal Live

• Restoration of railway line is right on trackVOLUNTEERS restoring part of a North railway last used 15 years ago are celebrating after clearing 10 miles of vegetation in three weeks.

Liverpool Echo

• Traffic chaos as road collapsesCOMMUTERS faced chaos today after a burst sewer pipe caused part of a major road into the city to collapse.

London Evening Standard

• Brown backs third runwayGORDON BROWN today came out in defence of a third runway at Heathrow but faced fresh warnings that pollution limits must not be breached.

The Shields Gazette

• Airport payout row: the 23 questionsTHE 23 questions to which councillors are seeking answers over the Newcastle Airport payout saga are as follows:

Washington Post

• Running On Empty: GM's Fate Is Debated As General Motors burns through cash, edging its way toward possible financial collapse, a growing number of analysts have said bankruptcy might be inevitable. GM insists such a move is out of the question, and as the debate roils, people on both sides point to two past scenarios for lessons.

Railnews

• News: Passenger Focus choose Railnews to communicate to the rail industry Passenger Focus, the independent national rail passenger watchdog, has chosen Railnews as its communications outlet for the distribution of Passenger Voice, its national and regional publication.

Other News Sources

• Disused viaduct to be clearedManchester's Metrolink service is to be expanded to make use of an old viaduct, it has been revealed.
• Study examines effects of traffic pollutionNew sensors are being used to study pollution levels on the UK's roads.
• Scottish air passengers falling, says BAAThe economic downturn is having an effect on airline passengers in Scotland, it has been stated.
• Third Heathrow runway 'is absolutely crucial'MPs have been urged to ensure that the expansion of Heathrow airport goes ahead.

EIN News Subscription

• French anarchists held over train sabotage ... for sabotaging power cables on high speed TGV train lines, the interior ministry said on Tuesday. ... The government and management of France's national rail operator SNCF said the attacks, which posed ...
• TGV train power cables sabotaged ... people linked to a far-left political movement for allegedly sabotaging power cables on high-speed TGV train lines, the interior ministry said yesterday. It said the suspects had been under surveillance ...
• Speedy rail link move 'no ... Building a high-speed rail link between Scotland and the south of ... France myself and saw the contribution the TGV makes to life in France, it's enormous, ... internationally and at the moment we're being constrained pretty dramatically by our transport infrastructure." Garry ...

Other Subscription Services

• Boxship owners' compensation plan could fall foul of EU lawsA COMPENSATION scheme for the owners of idle containerships could be thwarted by European antitrust rules.