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

Saturday, 06 August 2011

BBC News

• Shop owners' anger over roadworksShop owners who suffered a drop in trade during roadworks in Cradley Heath say their businesses have been severely affected.
• Derailed train track points wornPart of the points on the rail line at Edinburgh Waverley where a train derailed are found to be
• London Underground ups pay offerLondon Underground makes an improved five-year pay offer which would see staff receiving a 5% increase this year.

Financial Times

• Derby unites over Bombardier jobs crisisThe government's decision to award a £1.6bn contract for Thameslink trains to Siemens has left Derby reeling but has sparked a spirit of unity among people determined to save the local economy
• Railway profits boost BerkshireThe conglomerate controlled by famed investor Warren Buffett has reported a boost to profits in the second quarter thanks to changes in the value of its derivative holdings

Daily Express

• BRITISH TRAIN WORKERS ’STITCHED UP’ MINISTERS were accused yesterday of “stitching up” British workers at Bombardier, the UK’s last train maker, after close links between David Cameron and a winning German consortium were revealed.

The Mirror

• David Cameron aide helped derail Bombardier's Thameslink dealOne of David Cameron’s top advisers was yesterday accused of helping Bombardier’s rival win the Thameslink rail contract.
• Why did David Cameron's business advisor quietly help German firm beat British rival? Tracks of our fears THERE is something odd about one of David Cameron’s business advisers helping German company Siemens to win a £1.4billion rail contract ahead of British-based firm Bombardier.!

ATOC

• Next few years present chance to improve railways In response to the Government’s announcement on rail franchising, Michael Roberts,...

Network Rail

• NATIONAL TRAIN PERFORMANCE FOR JULY IS 92.2%
• NATIONAL TRAIN PERFORMANCE FOR JULY IS 92.2%

Sky News

• Footballers To Stage Train Contract Protest A community - including its footballers - is uniting to put increasing pressure on the Government to rethink its decision to hand a £1.4bn train deal to German company Siemens.

Birmingham Post

• Motorists unswayed by faster travel time of high speed rail link Only three per cent of motorists say speed would be an important factor in persuading them to use the Government’s proposed high-speed rail line, according to an AA/Populus survey.

Journal Live

• Vince Cable's pledge to support North East BUSINESS secretary Vince Cable has vowed to ensure the North East “gets as much backing as possible” to keep the economy growing.

London Evening Standard

• Heathrow faces huge freight bill for athletes' luggageHeathrow plans to send Olympic athletes' luggage by courier jets

Morning Star

• Tory councillor slams PM over BombardierA Tory council leader has turned on Prime Minister David Cameron claiming the party will take a hit in the next local and general elections over Bombardier.

The Press and Journal (Aberdeen)

• Hundreds of air passengers affected by fogThick fog at Aberdeen Airport disrupted the travel plans of 1,700 passengers yesterday.

Yorkshire Post

• Tory council chief attacks Cameron over train deal snub A TORY council leader has warned the Prime Minister that awarding a lucrative train contract to overseas manufacturers could damage the party at the next local and general elections.
• East Coast rail line hit by delay over switch to private operatorThe nationalised East Coast main rail line will not have a new private sector operator until the end of 2013, the Government announced yesterday.

Other Regional Press

• One-way madnessHundreds of motorists are risking their lives by illegally driving the wrong way up a major city centre road as engineering works cause chaos.

Forbes

• Used Car Salesman Tactics Don't Work For CIOsVivek Wadhwa on the right way for the head of IT to make the sale.

Campaign for Better Transport

• What the changes to the planning system actually mean for sustainable transport5 August: The Government has come under severe criticism for its changes to the planning system but has accused its critics of misleading the public. But there are very good reasons why we think the changes will lead to more sprawl and damage the environment. read more

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• Norman Baker issues transport advice ahead of 2012 OlympicsThose individuals commuting in London during the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games should look for alternative forms of travel, a minister has claimed.According to Norman Baker, businesses should also examine their transport plans for the period of the international sporting contest, with August 3rd 2012 expected to be the busiest day in the capital for trips.An estimated 15 million journeys are anticipated across the London network over the day in question, expert modelling has shown, some three million more than on an average day. Total investment of £6.5 billion has been made in t...

Global Rail News

• First TransPennine Express franchise extended to 2015First TransPennine Express has welcomed the Department for Transport’s decision to extend its franchise. The eight year franchise which was due to end on 31 January ...
• Two train operators launch new Bombardier trainsTwo train operators have officially launched Bombardier built trains onto their networks in recent weeks. The class 172 is the latest train to roll off the ...
• East Coast to sponsor Train Driver of the YearEast Coast is sponsoring the Train Driver of the Year at the RailStaff Awards 2011. Train drivers are an integral part of any train company™s daily ...
• London Underground backs RailStaff AwardsLondon Underground joins Network Rail this year as overall sponsor of the RailStaff Awards 2011. London™s Underground is one of the busiest urban rail networks in ...
• Government announces new rail franchising programmeThe Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond said: ‘The Government is committed to a major reform of rail franchising that will benefit passengers and taxpayers alike. ...
• c2c™s timetable trial successProposed timetable improvements by National Express train operator c2c have been welcomed by customers, following the company™s successful one day trial of its planned December 2011 ...
• McGinley Support Services to sponsor Rail Manager of the YearMcGinley Support Services is sponsoring the Rail Manager of the Year at this year™s RailStaff Awards. McGinley is a Link-Up accredited supplier of personnel and support ...
• Eurostar offers 30% off Standard Premier tickets to Disneyland ParisUntil midnight on Wednesday 10 August, Eurostar, the high-speed passenger service that links Britain and the continent is offering an exclusive 30% discount on Standard Premier ...
• Improved access at York station for cyclistsTrain operator East Coast has made using York Station quicker and easier for the city™s thriving cycling community by opening two new ramped gateways to the ...
• Next few years ˜present chance to improve railways™ says ATOCIn response to the Government™s announcement on rail franchising, Michael Roberts, Chief Executive of the Association of Train Operating Companies said: œThe next few years present ...

Railway Gazette

• Franchising timetable seeks value for money UK: Aiming to produce a 'deliverable and balanced programme', on August 5 Transport Secretary Philip Hammond published a timetable for re-letting eight passenger franchises over the next three years. 'My aim in doing so is to give the market clarity about the timing of the opportunities that will arise', he said. 'I have had regard to the impact on bidders and their subcontractors of trying to compete for too many franchises at once, and the likely reduction in value for money to the taxpayer that would result'. As previously announced, the invitation to tender for InterCity West Coast is due...

Transport for London

• TfL urges 'check before you travel' ahead of 140km cycle road race on Sunday 14 AugustKey London 2012 test event to take place on Sunday 14 August.

Aviation Industry

• EC extends probe into state aid at regional airports The European Commission is upping the number of investigations into possible improper state aid at regional airports in the 27 member states, and last month confirmed it launched in-depth investigations at Marseille and Frankfurt Hahn. The EC currently is investigating aid to Wizz Air at Timisoara airport in Romania, aid to infrastructure at the Leipzig-Halle airport in Germany and aid to Dortmund airport and the airlines using it. 
• Best of Scotland lands at airportThis month marks the launch of the first ever Best of Scotland event at Glasgow Airport.
• Business back for BA/Iberia as domestic dropsIAG Airlines, the parent company of BA and Iberia, has revealed a big hike in business travel traffic during July, traditionally a quiet month in the corporate world.

Other News Sources

• Noise research could lead to better-designed motorcyclesA team of engineers and psychologists is investigating the problem of noise levels experienced by motorcyclists, with a view to providing clearer advice and better-designed bikes and helmets.
• Copenhagen™s S-Bane network to get signaling from Siemens worth 252 million euros Banedanmark, the Danish railway infrastructure developer and operator, has placed a contract with Siemens for the modernization of the complete signaling system of the Copenhagen commuter rail (œS-Bane) network. This contract is worth 252 million euros, making it the biggest rail automation order that Siemens has ever received. It calls for the supply and installation of the fully automatic Trainguard MT type train control system, Sicas type electronic interlockings, and switch machines. The equipment package also includes a brand-new operations control center. The first of six construction ...
• Better Patient Transport Would Deliver Savings And Improve Outcomes In Scotland Says Spending WatchdogThe "fragmented" health and social care transport system in Scotland needs to be overhauled to ensure poor and elderly patients have access to healthcare, a report from Audit Scotland concludes.
• Train derailment caused by 'heavily worn' tracksA report into the accident at Waverley station by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch found the driver was not to blame.
• Gloomy view of life at European portsAnalysts predict fears of economic chaos mean consumer uncertainty and reduced spending all year
• How to eliminate motion sickness on tilting trainsResearchers have found that motion sickness on tilting trains can be essentially eliminated by adjusting the timing of when the cars tilt as they enter and leave the curves.

Other Subscription Services

• Victoria line train departs with doors open The Rail Accident Investigation Branch is to undertake an investigation after one of the new London Underground Victoria line trains departed from Warren Street station with the doors open.At 1729...