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

Tuesday, 08 May 2012

BBC News

• Union concern over Northern Isles ferry contract The maritime union Nautilus International has said it is concerned about the announcement of Serco as preferred bidder for the Northern Isles ferry contract.
• Bike and foot journeys rewardedAn incentive scheme is launched today to reward people for walking and cycling in London.
• Plane makers hit by cancellationsAirlines cancel a total of 32 orders for planes so far this year from the world's two major plane makers, Boeing and Airbus.

Financial Times

• Ships slow down in pirate waters to save fuelMaritime companies switch to relying on guards rather than speed for protection because one day at lower speeds can save $50,000 in fuel

The Herald

• Call for drug impairment testNEW drug-driving laws could end up wasting police resources by targeting thousands of motorists with small amounts in their bodies, including those on prescription medication, a motoring group has warned.
• Danger as pallets left on rail linePOLICE have criticised people who deliberately left large wooden pallets along a railway line, obstructing the path of oncoming trains.
• Safety experts criticise firms over driving 'risks'SMALL businesses are putting their employees' lives at risk because managers frequently don't appreciate the risks involved in driving for work purposes, safety experts have claimed.
• MPs sign motion against rail plansMore than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion criticising Government proposals for the future of railways, warning of worsening services, higher fares and job cuts.

The Scotsman

• Union disquiet over Serco contract for island ferries THE maritime union Nautilus International has voiced its concerns about the Scottish Government’s decision to name Serco as the preferred bidder for a lifeline ferry contract for the Northern Isles.
• MSP’s survey shows bus problems The reliability of Glasgow’s buses is under the spotlight, after a survey by MSP Patrick Harvie revealed the extent of passengers’ frustration over poor service.
• Scottish drivers the first to take tests in supermarket car parks Scottish drivers the first to take tests in supermarket car parks

The Telegraph

• MPs condemn Government rail plans Passengers face higher fares and service cuts under Government plans for the rail industry, according to a Commons motion signed by more than 100 MPs.

Press Association

• MPs attack Government rail plans More than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion criticising Government proposals for the future of railways, warning of worsening services, higher fares and job cuts.

Reuters News

• Nordic American Tankers' 1Q2012 Report. Dividend Maintained in 1Q2012. The Company Announces Dividend for the 59th Consecutive Quarter since the Autumn of 1997.Nordic American Tankers Limited ("NAT" or "the Company") today announced that it has declared a dividend of $0.30 per share for 1Q2012. Operating cashflow[1] (a non-GAAP measure) was $11.4m for 1Q2012 - a significant improvement over 4Q2011. This means that more cash goes into the Company than out of the Company. The dividend of $0.30 per share matches the dividend paid in each of the past four quarters.
• A.P. Moller-Maersk CEO Andersen returns to work he chief executive of Danish shipping and oil group A.P. Moller-Maersk, Nils Smedegaard Andersen, returned to work on Monday after recovering from heart surgery, the company said.

The Mirror

• Riding your luck: Bike lane marking blunder directs cyclists into the middle of the road Local residents are certain the road markings are a stupid mistake and not meant to be taken seriously
• Worse services, higher fares and job cuts... MPs blast plans for our rail networkMPs have demanded the network be run as œa public service, with affordable fares and proper staffing levels
• Underpants bomb plot foiled: New device could beat airport scanners It is feared the new explosive could be able to bypass sensitive hi-tech scanners because it contains no metal

Bristol Live

• Plans reveal future of Bristol's public transportTHE fine details of what Bristol’s brand new £200 million public transport system will look like have been revealed for the first time.

Edinburgh Evening News

• Police collar 138 drivers and cyclists in traffic crackdownA POLICE crackdown caught more than 100 motorists and cyclists ignoring traffic signals and road markings during a four-day period on one city street.

Journal Live

• Public meeting to air anger and frustration over Morpeth’s new traffic lights.LOCAL people and businesses will get the chance this week to vent their frustrations over a new traffic management system which has sparked one of the biggest controversies in a Northumberland market town for years.

Liverpool Echo

• Halewood celebrates 300,000 Freelander 2 vehicleWORKERS at Halewood’s Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) car plant celebrated production of their 300,000th Land Rover Freelander 2 vehicle.
• Merseyrail misery after fire in power supply stationTRAVELLERS on Merseyrail suffered train misery after the network was thrown into chaos by a fire in a power supply station.

Metro

• Cycle path in centre of road branded 'an epic fail'Workmen put a cycle lane down the middle of a road “  because there were cars parked at the edges. Anyone see a problem? The cycle lane in the middle of the road (Picture: Geoff Robinson) The move has been branded ˜an epic fail™ by cyclists who claim their safety is being put at risk. Pete Holland, 46, said: ˜I™m a keen cyclist so I™m always in favour of improving routes and access for bicycles but these signs are really strange. ˜It looks like the council want people to cycle down the middle of the road, which doesn™t seem very safe to me.™ Mr Holland added: ˜It™s an epic fail. Usually, th...

Wales Online

• MPs slate coalition plans for ’worse’ railwaysMORE than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion criticising Government proposals for the future of railways, warning of worsening services, higher fares and job cuts.

Yorkshire Post

• Call to end doubt on high-speed rail LEADING figures from across the region are urging the Government to reaffirm its commitment to the HS2 rail scheme, saying it is “vital” to the country’s economic future.
• Call halt to rail cuts penalising travellers say MPsMore than 100 MPs have signed a Commons motion criticising Government proposals for the future of railways, warning of worsening services, higher fares and job cuts.
• Rail company seeks talks to avert strikestrain drivers on a route linking Yorkshire and London were today due to strike over pensions, despite bosses asking union officials to take part in talks.

The Shields Gazette

• Charging point boost for electric carsTHE incentive to switch drivers to electric cars is being given a boost in South Tyneside – despite some charging points being removed.
• Five firms vying to build South Tyneside designer™s £117m bridgeFIVE major construction firms are reported to be preparing to bid for the right to build a South Tyneside designer’s landmark bridge.

Other Regional Press

• Rail survey skips question of cost Rail survey skips question of cost
• Plan for direct trains between Huddersfield and London held up by track talksTHE firm bidding to run train services from Huddersfield to London has vowed not to let the latest hold-up in talks with regulators derail its plans.
• Unsafe roads are stopping cyclists riding to workMore than 100 commuters in Bedfordshire would be persuaded to cycle to work if the countys roads were in better condition.
• Rail journeys have doubled in 15 yearsTWICE as many rail journeys are being made from Bedfordshire compared to 15 years ago, according to new statistics.

Other News Sources

• Hong Kong Stocks Swing Between Gain, Loss on Earnings, Land Sale Cosco Pacific Ltd. (1199), which operates a port in Greece, rebounded 0.8 percent after slumping yesterday amid concern Europe’s debt crisis may worsen after Greek voters flocked to anti-bailout parties and France elected its first Socialist president in two decades. Agile Property Holdings Ltd., a mainland developer, sank 4.2 percent after a report residential land sales plunged in major Chinese cities.
• Maersk ceo back at his deskThe chief executive officer of Danish shipping and oil group, AP Moller-Maersk, Nils Smedegaard Andersen, returned to work today [Monday] after corrective heart ...
• Boeing 787 Dreamliner Makes Washington, DC DebutBoeing's (NYSE:BA) 787 Dreamliner landed at Ronald Reagan National Airport today, making Washington, DC the latest destination on its global Dream Tour. For the next four days, guests invited...

News from Europe

• Shell executive: We must reform the Emissions Trading System (Interview) Shell has joined with other ‘progressive’ businesses to lobby the EU for a much stronger carbon price to incentivise clean energy investments. But Graeme Sweeney insists that it will not compromise on its support for tar sands, gas, and opposition to new efficiency and renewables targets. More »