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

Monday, 08 August 2011

BBC News

• Cambridgeshire guided busway opens to passengers A long-awaited guided busway has finally begun carrying passengers on routes through Cambridgeshire.
• World's longest hands-free bus route opens [video]The world's longest guided busway has opened in Cambridge. The busway provides a separate path for buses away from normal traffic, takes up less room than a road and allows buses to rejoin other vehicles for routes through the city centre.

Financial Times

• Government cuts pose construction jobs threat Cement makers warn of consequences as Highways Agency plans to cut spending on roadbuilding by 44 per cent during the next three years

The Guardian

• New Rolls-Royce engine test plant may go abroad, company admits New fears for jobs in Derby follow loss of Bombardier rail contract
• Airlines' cheap ticket offers to be investigated Practice of flights being displayed at low prices before further charges are added is to be looked at by European commission

The Independent

• Rolls Royce plant 'may go abroad' Engine maker Rolls-Royce has come under fire after admitting it is considering building a new hi-tech facility overseas rather than in the UK.
• Call for action as cycling road deaths rise againThe number of cyclists killed or injured on Britain's roads has risen to a six-year high, prompting calls from safety campaigners for more Government action to protect them.

The Scotsman

• 'End of the road' for hitchhikingHitchhiking seems to have reached the end of the road, according to an AA/Populus survey.

Daily Express

• £1.3 bn diesel hike crippling hauliersROAD freight operators have seen their fuel bills jump by £1.3 billion in a year, leaving many struggling to survive.

Mail Online

• Rolls-Royce to switch engine plant to Germany - instead of British factoryEngine maker Rolls-Royce could build an aircraft testing plant abroad instead of at its British factory. The decision to consider moving to Germany or the U.S. could see thousands of vacancies created – at a time when jobs for British workers remain a priority. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2023537/Rolls-Royce-switch-engine-plant-Germany--instead-British-factory.html#ixzz1UPxfFU2d
• 20,000 jobs lost if train firm Bombardier goes Up to 20,000 British jobs are at risk because of the Government's decision to award the £1.4 billion Thameslink rolling-stock contract to Siemens of Germany. Failure to win preferred bidder status has meant that Bombardier, the Canadian train-maker based in Derby, has already had to announce 1,400 redundancies.
• Motorway misery for drivers as transport bosses say potholes smaller than soup bowls are not 'urgent'To save money, the Highways Agency has ‘redefined’ its rules so that any pothole smaller than a soup bowl will not have to be filled in immediately.

The Mirror

• Bombardier strung along by ministers over Thameslink deal TRAIN maker Bombardier was strung along over the Thameslink deal after ministers had already decided to snub the firm. Transport Secretary Philip Hammond agreed to pick German rival Siemens for the £1.4billion order to build the 1,200 carriages back on May 12.
• Rolls-Royce adds job doubts after Bombardier miseryROLLS-Royce has stoked more concern for British jobs by admitting it was considering siting a new high-tech aircraft engine test works in Germany or the USA.

Sky News

• Footballers Stage Train Contract ProtestA community - including its footballers - has united to put increasing pressure on the Government to rethink its decision to hand a £1.4bn train deal to German company Siemens.

Birmingham Mail

• Train passengers left sweltering as radiators on Birmingham trains add to the heat TRAIN passengers were left steaming during the recent heatwave – because staff could not turn off carriage heaters.

Bristol Live

• On TrackI T IS now time to re-open Saltford station on Great Western main line between Bristol and Bath. This station closed in 1970,at present it is a railway yard for Network Rail.

Derby Telegraph

• Ben and his fellow Rams show a commendable perspective THERE was probably never any doubt about what would be the strength of the reception Bombardier workers and their families would get at Pride Park on Saturday.
• 'Humbling' day as supporters and players get behind workers JOE Woods has worked at Bombardier for 45 years and during that time he has never felt as emotional as he did on Saturday.
• 1,500 NAMES SO FAR ON E-PETITION ALMOST 1,500 people have signed an online petition calling on the Government to reverse the Thameslink decision.
• Derby Telegraph commented Cyclists to fight U-turn on road layoutsArticle
• BMI blames Mid East unrest and rising fuel bills for £105m losses UPRISINGS in the Middle East and Egypt as well as rising fuel prices have been blamed for £105 million losses at Castle Donington-based airline BMI.

Liverpool Post

• Liverpool John Lennon Airport director Andy Gower leaves company LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airport director Andy Gower has left his role with the company, it was confirmed last night.
• Merseytravel transport smartcard revolution to start in autumn MERSEYSIDE’S technological revolution in public transport will get under way in the autumn when “smartcards” are introduced for passengers.

Wales Online

• Transport spending per person in London is twice the level in Wales TWICE as much public money is spent on transport for every resident of London as is spent for every person in Wales, it has emerged.

Yorkshire Post

• 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

• SVR gets on track for commuter trains plan Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/08/07/svr-gets-on-track-for-commuter-trains-plan/#ixzz1UQGQRh1KCommuter trains will travel along the Severn Valley Railway heritage steam line for the first time in more than 40 years under new plans to open the route to mainline services, it emerged today. Read more: http://www.expressandstar.com/news/2011/08/07/svr-gets-on-track-for-commuter-trains-plan/#ixzz1UQGRrxiS
• Oxshott train crash "could have been avoided" A cement mixer crashing off a railway bridge and on to a moving train could have been avoided, a report into the incident has stated.
• Eastbourne railway investment COMMUTERS have been given a boost with the news that Network Rail is planning on investing in improvements to the line between Eastbourne and London.
• Smooth ride calmed my fearsI do not do public transport. Fact. So on being signed up as the lucky News reporter to ride the controversial guided busway I was not impressed – especially as I suffer with travel sickness.

Railnews

• Franchise rethink gets welcome from train operators A REVISED franchise timetable announced by the transport secretary has been welcomed by the Association of Train Operating Companies, but the largest rail union has condemned the new plans as a 'rip-off'.