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

Monday, 17 May 2010

BBC News

• New motors for Middlesbrough's Transporter Bridge The motors in Middlesbrough's historic Transporter Bridge are being replaced after nearly 100 years of service.
• Heathrow and Gatwick shut by ashBritain's two busiest airports are closed after a volcanic ash cloud drifts southwards, causing major disruption for many thousands of people.
• NI flights halted as ash returnsAll flights in and out of Northern Ireland's three airports are cancelled until 0700 BST as the volcanic ash cloud returns.
• Ash cloud flight ban moves southFlights are grounded at Heathrow and Gatwick due to a volcanic ash cloud, but some midland and northern airports re-open.
• BA in court bid to block strikesBritish Airways is go to the High Court later in a last-minute attempt to stop the latest strikes by its cabin staff.

Financial Times

• Airports closed as volcanic ash continuesAirports in parts of the British Isles remained closed until the early hours of Monday as a cloud of volcanic ash from an Icelandic volcano disrupted air passengers for the third time in a month

The Guardian

• Volcanic ash: British passengers head back to railway Train operators are seeing a continuing return to rail travel with a 31% passenger rise in the last four years, recently boosted by Iceland's volcano flight disruption
• Fresh ash cloud cancels flights ahead of BA strikeNo-fly zone until at least 7am for Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland and London airports; Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds and Prestwick expected to reopen after day of closures. Cardiff is open but operations may be limitedAir passengers face a week of travel disruption as a fresh cloud of volcanic ash drifts across the UK and British Airways cabin crew prepare to embark on a 20-day strike.Early this morning a no-fly zone was imposed until at least 7am for an area covering Northern Ireland, parts of Scotland and southern England including London airports, while airports in Manchester, Liverpool...

The Herald

• Scots face more travel chaos as volcano ash wreaks havocAir passengers across Scotland were facing further disruption today with more than 20 airports closed in the UK due a fresh cloud of high-density volcanic ash.
• Pressure™s on BP over Gulf disasterBP has intensified efforts to siphon the oil gushing from a well in the Gulf of Mexico as pressure grew over the company™s slow progress at halting an environmental disaster.
• Scottish business leaders demand high speed rail linkThe chief executive of Scottish Chambers of Commerce said the coalition Government should commit to including Scotland in any High Speed Rail Network (HSRN) that it builds.
• Week Ahead: BA looks set to post record losesRecord losses at British Airways are likely to grab the spotlight in a hectic week that also sees results from heavyweight Vodafone and the latest inflation figures.

The Scotsman

• Train station ruined by 'clutter', says watchdog BURGER outlets, snack bars and security cameras are ruining the look of Edinburgh's historic main railway station, a leading heritage watchdog has claimed.
• Main airports reopen amid ash chaosBritain's two busiest airports will partially reopen on Monday as the volcanic ash cloud maintains a grip on the UK's airspace and causes fresh travel chaos for thousa
• Last-ditch bid to avert BA strikeFrantic moves to avert the first of a series of strikes by British Airways cabin crew will be launched on Monday as the airline industry faced mounting chaos because of indust

The Telegraph

• Aviation authorities criticised for unecessary chaos Aviation authorities were criticised yesterday for bringing unnecessary chaos to the skies above Britain for a second time in a month due to the volcanic ash.
• Volcanic ash cloud: Britain's no-fly zone extended London's main airports are open but restrictions over Midlands, northern England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to remain until 1am on Monday.

Daily Express

• Turbulent times at easyJet EASYJET has drawn up plans to drop the

Mail Online

• UK's major airports close again today as wind blows ash south from Iceland volcanoBoth airports will partially reopen when they are clear of the no-fly zone from 7am, although flights will still be subject to restrictions.

Birmingham Mail

• Birmingham Airport closes to all flights due to volcanic ash cloud BIRMINGHAM Airport is to be closed to all flights from 7pm tonight due to the volcanic ash cloud moving south.

Birmingham Post

• Economy can only benefit from slashed rail times between Birmingham and London Faster journey times to London will be a major boost to the Midlands economy, a Chiltern Railways executive has predicted.

Liverpool Echo

• Volcanic ash cloud grounds more Liverpool flights The Civil Aviation Authority’s no-fly zone will be extended from 1pm today, closing airports including Manchester, Liverpool, East Midlands and Prestwick due to a cloud of volcanic ash, the air traffic authority Nats said.

London Evening Standard

• BA 'vindictive' in cost-cutting rowThe leader of British Airways cabin crew has accused the airline of being
• Branson: new restrictions 'a joke'Sir Richard Branson has demanded intervention to halt flight restrictions as he branded a fresh closure of Manchester Airport due to volcanic ash
• Main airports reopen amid ash chaosBritain's two busiest airports will partially reopen on Monday as the volcanic ash cloud maintains a grip on the UK's airspace and causes fresh travel chaos for thousands of passengers.

Manchester Evening News

• Ash cloud: Manchester Airport flight ban extended into Monday Thousands of air passengers began their journeys abroad via the roads as Manchester Airport was closed once again by a volcanic ash cloud from Iceland. The airport closed at 1pm on Sunday as airspace across the north of the UK was shut down and the flights ban will not now be lifted until at least 1 am on Monday.

Sheffield Star

• LATEST: Volcanic ash cloud closes Doncaster airport ICELAND'S volcanic ash cloud is back above UK airspace resulting in cancelled flights and the closure of many regional airports - including Doncaster Sheffield Robin Hood

The York Press

• East Coast train company vows to improve punctuality YORK’S flagship rail business East Coast has pledged “robust” action to improve punctuality after coming bottom of a league in April.

Wales Online

• More may wear cycle helmets after court cuts pay-out to head-injury victim who had no helmet An estimated 1.4 million people are treated in A&E every year for a head injury. To mark brain injury awareness week Andrew Harding, head of the neurolaw team at Hugh James and chairman of Headway, asks whether it’s time cycle helmets became compulsory

Other News Sources

• Permanent split for the Northern line Wimbledon MP Stephen Hammond said he was disappointed with the news the Northern line is to be permanently spilt.
• Suffolk rail improvements 'safe from cuts' Rail improvements planned for travellers across the east coast over the next four years are unlikely to fall victim to government spending cuts, it has emerged.
• Disruption to UK airports today. Due to disruption at UK airports, road users planning to fly today (Monday 17th May) are advised to check with their departure airport or airline before travelling on motorways or major
• Europe to Exceed NOx Emissions TargetsAround half of EU Member States expect to exceed legal NOx emission limits.
• EU Considers Adding Noise to Electric CarsEU is investigating whether artificial noises should be added to electric cars.