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

Tuesday, 25 August 2009

BBC News

• Historic poster reveals tram woesDisruption on Edinburgh's roads as a result of tram works is nothing new - a poster published in 1897 has shown. Issued by the City Chambers, the notice details disruption to Princes Street to allow for cabling of a new tram system in the capital.
• Recreating the first passenger flight [video]On 25 August, 1919, the world's first daily international passenger air service launched, from London to Paris.
• Door-to-door bus service starts A bus service picking up passengers from their front door is getting under way in parts of rural Wales.
• Tube closures to last 'to 2010' Delays to work on a London Underground line which could postpone completion until 2010 have been called "unacceptable" by London's mayor.
• Campaign targets seatbelt deaths The emergency services in Wales are launching a two week campaign targeting the "needless deaths" of drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts.

Financial Times

• Stobart upbeat on back of Valencia serviceA new rail transport system between the UK and the Spanish city is one of the business ventures that enabled the logistics group to issue a bullish forecast for trading over the coming six months
• Mayor to voice 'grave doubts' on Tube upgradeBoris Johnson, London's mayor, will today speak out about his
• Privatise main roads, RAC urges ministersMinisters have been urged to consider selling part of the road network to the private sector to improve its strategic management and raise up to £85bn for the government's depleted public coffers

The Guardian

• 'Grave doubts' over PPP deal to upgrade Jubilee line London Underground warns today that it has "grave doubts" the company responsible for upgrading tube services under a private-public partnership deal can deliver improvements to one of the network's main lines on time.

The Telegraph

• British Airways reaches 90th birthday amid stormy time for industry The flag carrier celebrates its birthday amid one of the most difficult periods the airline industry has faced.

Times Online

• Been a bumpy ride, but BA reaches 90th birthday It has been touted as the world’s favourite airline — and occasionally been one of its most derided — but as it turns 90 today British Airways is facing its worst crisis so far.

Birmingham Post

• Conservatives make rail top priorityConservatives would start work on a competition to build a new high-speed rail line as one of their first acts in Government if they win the next election, Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers has said.

Derby Telegraph

• UK Rail Centre plans scrapped PLANS to build a £15m centre for the UK rail industry in Derby have been scrapped. The UK Rail Centre was intended to provide a showcase venue for the industry but the East Midlands Development Agency admits it has failed to attract investment for the project.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Trader 'poisoned' by tram works SHOPKEEPERS in Leith today claimed they have been poisoned by Edinburgh's tram works. One woman was even taken to hospital with high levels of carbon in her system, which she claims is linked to gas main work on Constitution Street earlier this month.

Journal Live

• £1.5m on city centre trips All of figures for the region fall well below the national average, of a total payout per council of £833,000, but critics have warned the final figure could grow with at least 215 cases still outstanding. The Liberal Democrats have said the figures are part of a national picture, which they believe shows a cynical approach to pavement maintenance. The party’s Shadow Transport Secretary Norman Baker said: “This is money that could have been spent on improving pavements and preventing these problems in the first place.
• Did cash buy East Coast mainline franchise?MINISTERS handed the East Coast rail franchise to National Express despite another company being assessed as having a better chance of delivering services.

Liverpool Echo

• Wirral teenagers given lessons on how to catch a bus A COUNCIL is offering to spend £300 a head teaching teenagers how to catch a bus. Wirral’s “Travel Training” service can be accessed by anyone over 16 and explains paying your fare, getting on a train or bus and of course, how to get off at the right stop.

London Evening Standard

• 'Use Crossrail levy to extend Tube'A London council is calling for millions of pounds of Crossrail cash to be diverted to extend the Tube network. Mayor Boris Johnson is imposing a levy of 2p in the pound on developers across London to help pay for the £16billion project.
• Ashford to St Pancras - London's most envied commuter route Inside carriage four of my commuter train friendly people are smiling faintly. As they absorb the comfort of our newly upholstered seats an air-conditioned, clean breeze cools our brows.
• Londoners could be hailing ’le taxi’Black cabs could soon have a French rival on the streets of the capital following a landmark legal ruling. The Peugeot E7 people carrier is barred from use as a taxi in London and Liverpool because its turning circle fails to meet guidelines.

Manchester Evening News

• Deansgate car ban `could kill city centre' BANNING traffic from Deansgate permanently could kill off the city centre, MP Tony Lloyd has warned. Mr Lloyd said a pedestrian zone would damage the economic heart of Manchester if no alternatives for traffic flow were found.
• Bus lane cameras legal, say council COUNCIL chiefs have challenged 'Mr Loophole' to prove their bus lane cameras are illegal. Solicitor Nick Freeman, famed for pinpointing flaws in traffic cases, says a number of CCTV cameras have been used illegally to fine Manchester drivers who stray into bus lanes.

Newcastle Evening Chronicle

• Budget airline Jet2.com to create 450 jobsHUNDREDS of jobs are set to be created as a low-cost airline today announces five new routes from the region.

Nottingham Evening Post

• Tram talks break down again TALKS between tram and union officials broke down this evening as the sides failed to reach an agreement over pay and conditions.

Peterborough Telegraph

• Safe biking scheme beginsPolice in Suffolk have launched a campaign to improve biker safety after an increase in fatalities.

International Herald Tribune

• Dealers Get More Time for Clunker PaymentsAfter a day of overloaded computers, the Transportation Department extended the deadline for completing cash-for-clunkers paperwork until noon on Tuesday.

Washington Post

• Auto Industry Braces for Hangover After the ’Clunker' Party As the U.S. government's popular

Transport for London

• Upminster depot celebrates 50th anniversaryUpminster depot celebrates its 50th anniversary this year and to celebrate London Underground, in partnership with the London Transport Museum, will hold an open weekend on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August.

Other News Sources

• Call for CCTV at revamped Twyford stationThe installation of a new footbridge has prompted a fresh appeal for better security at Twyford railway station. Councillor Stephen Conway, ward member for Twyford, intends to talk to bosses about introducing more CCTV on the platforms.
• 'Buses are the answer to congestion in Leicester' Buses are the answer to congestion in Leicester – not a tax on workplace parking. That was the claim made by County Hall highways spokeswoman Councillor Lesley Pendleton yesterday.
• Hereford police use pedal power to get closer to the communityHEREFORD police have cut down their dependence on patrol cars by getting on their bikes. Pedal power has proved to be a leaner and greener alternative for city officers fed up with getting stuck in traffic when they have urgent business to attend.
• Shifting the Right of Way to the Left Leaves Some Samoans Feeling Wronged APIA, Samoa -- Sometime in the early morning hours of Sept. 7, residents of this small Pacific island nation will stop their cars, take a deep breath, and do something most people would think is suicidal: Start driving on the other side of the road.
• Colas Rail / Morgan Est joint venture selected for Network Rail™s £1bn frameworkJoint venture partners Colas Rail and Morgan Est have been appointed to Network Rail™s £1bn Multi-Asset Enhancement five-year framework.
• High-speed trains 'not the answer' for cutting emissionsHeavy investment in high-speed train networks is not a viable strategy for fighting climate change and could place an excessively heavy burden on taxpayers, a report by a Swedish expert group has found.
• US airfares sink to lowest since 2005Premium travel slumps in past year read more