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

Thursday, 02 December 2010

BBC News

• Snow brings further travel miseryTravellers face further misery as airports, roads and rail services continue to be badly affected by snow.
• Snow-hit airport set to re-openWeather-battered Edinburgh Airport is due to open at about lunchtime following its closure for the best part of three days due to heavy snow.
• Extra £7m for potholes and gritAs the harsh winter continues, councils are told they are to get extra funds to mend potholes and buy salt to grit roads.
• Airport reopens after heavy snowDublin airport has reopened after a second night of heavy snowfall closed the main runway.
• London rail services hit by snowTrains in Greater London are severely affected after up to 15cm of snow fell in places overnight.
• More snow as big freeze continuesThe impact of the freezing temperatures affecting Scotland continues to take its toll on schools, roads and air travel.
• How to keep Heathrow movingThe BBC's Richard Scott finds out how Heathrow keeps passengers flying when it snows.
• Thomas Cook hit by weak summerTour operator Thomas Cook reports a fall in full-year profits after tough economic conditions hit summer trading.
• Tata Nano car sales sink by 85%Sales of Tata Motors' Nano, the world's cheapest car, plunged by 85% in November, the Indian carmaker says.

Department for Transport

• Free soft drinks for designated drivers this ChristmasDesignated drivers will be rewarded in thousands of pubs across the country as part of the THINK! Christmas drink drive campaign, launched today by Road Safety Minister Mike Penning.

Financial Times

• Snow chaos spreads to south-eastThe early winter freeze reached London and the south-east as fresh snow falls caused more disruption across the UK
• Snow and ice prompt more closuresSome of the UK's most important transport gateways, including Gatwick Airport and key London commuter railways, are forced to close amid a sixth day of snow

The Scotsman

• Snow transport chaos to be reviewedAn urgent review of how the UK's transport systems have performed during the big freeze is under way as thousands face yet more disruption.

The Telegraph

• Snow hits Britain: motorists urged to stay off roads by Highways agency Motorists have been urged to stay off the roads by Derek Turner, the Highways Agency operations director.

Mail Online

• Snow: Planes, trains and motorways brought to a halt by a little snow... but why did it happen?With millions caught in the chaos, questions were mounting over the failure to treat roads despite councils and the Highways Agency boasting they were prepared.

The Mirror

• More snow forecast across frozen UK Frozen Britain will endure another Arctic blast of snow and ice as sub-zero temperatures bring more chaos to public transport, motorways and commuters.
• Enduring freeze brings more misery Frozen Britain will endure another Arctic blast of snow and ice as sub-zero temperatures bring more chaos to public transport, motorways and commuters.
• MPs support zero drink-drive limit The legal drink-drive limit should be lowered to an

Belfast Telegraph

• Flybe going public in bid to finance growth plansAirline Flybe has revealed plans to take the company public in a bid to raise £60m.Related StoriesAsda plans to open store in Northern IrelandIn Pictures: Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce President's BanquetMasterplan that could create 15,000 new jobsUK consumers shop most online, says reportBreathing space for Euro but crisis continues

Bolton News

• Rail passengers face threat of industrial action BOLTON commuters look set to face more rail misery this Christmas as staff at Northern Rail are to be balloted for industrial action in a dispute over pay.

Bradford Telegraph & Argus

• Rail, bus and plane services grind to a halt Rail services have been severely affected by the heavy snow showers today.

Liverpool Post

• Liverpool John Lennon airport handles flight diversions from snow-hit rivals SEVERE weather conditions may have brought many other parts of Britain’s economy to a grinding halt in recent days, but some firms in the Merseyside region have benefited from the recent heavy snowfalls.
• European Union transport chief Brian Simpson backs Liverpool cruise terminal bid THE campaign for cruises to start and finish at the Pier Head was given a big boost yesterday, when a transport chief poured scorn on claims that EU state aid rules stood in the way.

London Evening Standard

• Snow brings misery to commuters with planes and trains closedTravellers endured more misery today, with the wintry weather wrecking air and rail schedules and causing hazardous driving conditions

Metro

• Passengers at airports suffer flight delays risePlane punctuality at Britain™s airports worsened this summer, official figures revealed.
• Snow brings UK travel to a standstill as freeze is forecast to continueHeavy snow overnight has brought travel across much of the UK to a halt as Gatwick and Edinburgh airports closed, many train services canceled and severe delays on roads.

Northern Echo

• Suggestions for bus service SUGGESTIONS have been made about how a local bus service could be saved.

Sheffield Star

• Sheer mayhem on frozen roadsSOUTH Yorkshire's emergency services are today urging people not to venture far from home and to avoid driving - to reduce the mayhem on the region's roads.
• Thursday: Some buses are back - but not allSheffield's buses are back this morning but there are limited services and many remain suspended. Here's the very latest info:
• Trains latest: Blocked lines and reduced servicesNetwork Rail staff are currently working to reopen the line into Rotherham Central station which has been closed since Tuesday due to heavy snow.

Sheffield Telegraph

• Crowded trains frustrationLOCAL public transport executives have spoken of their frustration in the wake of a Government announcement that means passengers on trains in the Sheffield area will have to wait at least five years for overcrowding to be eased as extra stock is concentrated on London and the south east of England.

The York Press

• Some bus services resume in snow-hit YorkSome buses have begun running again in snow-hit York, following their earlier suspension.
• Backing for North Yorkshire bus cash cuts despite objections COUNCILLORS have given their approval to plans to cut funding for bus services, despite receiving hundreds of objections from passengers.

Yorkshire Evening Post

• Yorkshire: Snow blizzards bring big freeze to air, road and railPassengers and commuters were today waking up to more misery after yesterday's county-wide transport lockdown.

Bucks Free Press

• Resident warns busy route needs to be gritted A RESIDENT has called for a road near Princes Risborough to be included on the gritting route after he saw a car turn over during the snow yesterday morning.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Weather: Snow brings roads to near standstillMAJOR artery roads leading in and out of the county could be paralysed later today, warn police.

Other Regional Press

• Some areas see more drink drive crashes THE percentage of drivers who tested positive for alcohol following car crashes in Gwent increased overall last year, but dropped in some areas.
• Snow causes major disruption to Southampton AirportThe snow caused major disruption to Southampton Airport.
• Stay off the roads say emergency servicesEmergency services today urged drivers to stay off the roads and issued safety advice.
• Christmas warning for drink-drivers WITH the Christmas party season nearly upon us, the Devon Road Safety Partnership is reminding motorists to think about the consequences of drinking and driving.
• New train service to stop at Nuneaton A NEW train service between London and Blackpool – calling at Nuneaton - could be added to the timetable, following an “Open Access” application from operator Grand Central.
• MP welcomes transport improvementsMP Richard Fuller, welcomed the opening of the A421 dual carriageway from Junction 13 of the M1 to Bedford. He said:

C.N.N.

• Gatwick remains closed as more snow forecastThe possibility of more snow has prompted officials at London's Gatwick airport to keep it closed at least until Friday morning, stranding hundreds of glum-faced holiday travelers.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Public 'needs more convincing about electric cars'More needs to be done to convince members of the public about the benefits offered by green vehicles.This is according to a study showing less than one per cent of consumers are selecting hybrid or electric cars.A survey of the most recent 1,000 purchase requests with FindsYouCars.com suggested such models are not proving as popular with buyers as with manufacturers.Diesel models accounted for in excess of 41 per cent of requests, while petrol vehicles were selected by 23 per cent of drivers, despite a range of carmakers - including Nissan, Renault, Toyota and Peugeot - developing fully-electr...

Railway Gazette

• Crossrail seeks privately-financed rolling stockUK: Procurement of rolling stock for the Crossrail east-west link through London was officially launched with the publication of an OJEU notice on December 1 seeking expressions of interest in a privately-funded train provision contract. With a capital cost estimated at around £1bn, the package would include the supply and maintenance of around 60 trainsets including the associated depot facilities. Each train would initially be formed of 10 cars, although the underground stations are being built with provision for later extension to 12-car formations. The 10-car trains would be around 200 m ...

Aviation Industry

• London Stansted unveils free iPhone appLondon Stansted Airport unveiled its free iPhone app today, bringing everything from the latest flight information to a public transport journey planner direct to passengers™ fingertips...

Other News Sources

• Sussex snow day 3: transportHow the snow is affecting road, rail, buses and air travel in Sussex today.
• Edinburgh Airport to remain closedAirport confirms it is to be closed until at least 12 noon.
• Rail and bus sectors heavily subsidised by governmentSpending figures released by the Department for Transport show the extent to which rail freight is subsidised by the state.
• Road signs: better safe than scenic? By Andrew JeppThis week's calls from ministers to reduce unnecessary street signs, railings and advertising hoardings, the latest in a wealth of cost-saving announcements, reveal a potentially short-sighted approach to the management of our public spaces
• Road signs: better safe than scenic? By Andrew JeppThis week's calls from ministers to reduce unnecessary street signs, railings and advertising hoardings, the latest in a wealth of cost-saving announcements, reveal a potentially short-sighted approach to the management of our public spaces
• Potential manufacturing defect blamed for Qantas' A380 Rolls Royce engines' blastsSydney-based Qantas Airways has said that it will conduct more detailed inspections of its A380 Rolls-Royce engines after the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB) issued a new safety alert today.
• Tube services crippled by fresh strikeLondon Underground services were crippled on Wednesday because of a strike by workers in protest at job cuts.
• Snow transport chaos to be reviewedAn urgent review of how the UK's transport systems have performed during the big freeze is under way as thousands face yet more disruption.
• Qantas considering legal action against Rolls-RoyceQantas Airways is in discussions with engine maker Rolls-Royce following the business and operational ramifications of an uncontained failure in a Rolls-Royce...
• UK transport sector profits up, confidence down Confidence in the transportation & storage sector tumbles, despite improved turnover and profits. read more
• Snow disrupts UK transport systems Severe weather conditions have impacted all modes of transport in the UK, causing flight cancellations, rail service suspensions and road closures in various parts of the country. read more
• Car maker creates 1000 electric car engineering roles A car manufacturer has unveiled plans to create 1000 electric vehicle engineering roles.
• Scheme of the Month - Bristol™s Biggest Bike Ride Bristol™s Biggest Bike Ride is one of the UK™s biggest free non-competitive cycling events. People from Bristol and surrounding regions come together for a celebration of cycling. It™s the one day of the year cyclists have the opportunity to ride under Bristol™s iconic Suspension Bridge on a major road closed to traffic especially [...]
• Wales misses out in rail funding plan Welsh contractors have suffered fresh disappointment after the government deferred plans to electrify the Great Western Main Line beyond south-east of England.
• Lowest airprox numbers in a decade - UKAB publishes latest reportThe number of reported airprox incidents involving commercial passenger jets in 2009 hit a ten-year low, the specialist body charged with their investigation said today (an airprox is a situation where a pilot or air traffic controller feels a loss of separation between aircraft may have compromised safety). The UK Airprox Board (UKAB) said that year-on-year airspace conflicts involving one or more commercial aircraft had almost halved, with only 35 incidents in 2009 compared to 61 in 2008. Of t
• Punctuality of UK Flights deteriorates in the third quarter of 2010According to figures released today by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), on-time performance declined and average delay increased at all ten monitored airports. On-time performance of scheduled flights was 72 per cent between July and October 2010. This is an eight percentage point reduction over the same months in 2009. Between July and October this year, the average delay of all scheduled flights operating at the ten monitored airports increased by four minutes to 16 minutes.