Network Rail employees issue strike threats
February 24, 2009
Britain’s second largest rail union is asking nearly 7,000 Network Rail employees to vote for industrial action. The Association of Transport Salaried Staffs has opened a ballot over proposed strike action. It has warned of ‘widespread disruption’ if it actually goes ahead.
The union is not happy at what it calls an attempt by Network Rail to launch a ‘two-tier’ pension scheme. The move is fallout of the Rail Maritime and Transport union’s decision to call strike ballots at rail companies – four of them. It announced plans to ballot almost 4,000 workers at National Express East Anglia, First Capital Connect, London Overground and South West Trains over industrial relations and job cuts.
The TSSA ballot closes on 23 March. It is open to thousands of staff, comprising supervisors and station mangers. The general secretary of the union, Gerry Doherty, stated: “Network Rail is effectively trying to introduce a two-tier pension scheme.” They are reportedly asking older staff with British Rail to pay more to make sure that their present final salary scheme will continue. “New recruits are banned from the scheme for five years. They are then being offered inferior benefits to long-serving staff. It is unfair; we will not accept it.”
A Network Rail spokesman reassured passengers disruption could be avoided
Runway at Heathrow Airport runs into trouble
January 17, 2009
The government is set to announce its approval of a plan to build another runway at Heathrow Airport, according to the BBC. The need for this controversial third runaway has been fiercely debated recently. Ministers are all set to confirm this decision, in spite of opposition from environmentalists, MPs and residents. There has been unease within Labour fold about this decision, with many cabinet members reportedly unconvinced about its actual need. Over 50 MPs openly opposed.
Leading business and union representatives back this project, stating it will lead to job creation and also boost the country’s competitiveness. But critics argue that it will damage the UK’s credentials regarding its ability to tackle climate change. The UK government has for quite some time argued, in principle, in favour of the plan, subject to air and noise pollution limits, as well as undertakings about easy access and traffic congestion.
Alongside making a commitment to the new runway, UK Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon is likely to declare increased funding for public transport. This will include a high-speed rail link to central London from the airport. Business Secretary Lord Mandelson though defended the commitment to concerns over environmental issues. He stated:
“It is a classic dilemma. We want to forge ahead in implementing our climate change ambitions when others are not but we also do not wish to lose our economic competitiveness in the process.”
Rail passengers to benefit from extra services daily
December 12, 2008
Rail passengers across the country will benefit from about 700 extra services daily on weekdays after a new timetable is started next week, according to train operators. The Train Operating Companies Association (ATOC) said weekday services would go up by 3.4 percent. This will include some faster, longer trains.
According to Customer watchdog Passenger Focus, the upgrade of the West Coast main line is particularly welcome. But fares are about to rise by 6% from 2 January. ATOC chief executive stated rail companies would operate 265,000 more trains on yearly basis in England, Scotland as well as Wales. That figure will include an extra 5.2% services on Saturdays and 7.6% more on Sundays.
Many services are going to be faster. They will feature longer trains. Also, after completing an upgrade worth multi-billion pound would ensure faster journey on the London-to-Scotland (West Coast) main line.
“This new timetable is a clear demonstration that the railway industry continues to add value for passengers,” he stated. “The improvement will be felt by people in many parts of the country, whether they are occasional travellers or regular commuters on the main inter-city routes.”
Passenger Focus’s chief executive Anthony Smith expressed happiness.
Virgin Atlantic, Easyjet for joint bid to control Gatwick airport
November 14, 2008
Virgin Atlantic and Easyjet are considering a joint bid to take control of Gatwick airport that has already been put up for sale by BAA. Virgin is already in talks with a group of a few interested parties for the airport bid. The same has been valued at up to £2.5bn by analysts. A decision on Gatwick airport is likely to be taken sometime next year.
Meanwhile, the Competition Commission has stated BAA might need to sell some airports owing to market dominance concerns. “It remains to be seen how much Gatwick airport is actually worth, bearing in mind that we are in the middle of a downturn and also bearing in mind the fact that it needs to be independently verified,” a spokesman for Virgin Atlantic, Paul Charles, told BBC News.
He added:
“We have stated before we are definitely interested in (forming) a consortium. It does not mean that we will put forward all the funds or some of it, or necessarily Easyjet.”
What it does mean, according to Paul Charles, there would likely be a group of a few interested parties they are talking to who would all come together, put in their own expertise to own and operate Gatwick Airport.
Wonder car ‘Autovolantor’ will be flying its passengers shortly.
November 5, 2008
You may not believe it but Ferrari is likely to fly its passengers to their desired location and in just two years time too.
Christened as the ‘Autovolantor’ , the car is based on the GTB, and is being developed by Moller International, a US-based firm known for its concept of flying cars.
Moller International was founded in 1983 and has developed various – ‘flying related’ technologies required for powered-lift vertical take-off and landing aircraft. These include salient features like electronic stabilisation and control systems, efficient ducted fan designs, thrust mechanisms and aerodynamically stable composite airframe structures.
According to designer Bruce Calkins,
“The Autovolantor is powered by eight fans mounted in the fuselage of the vehicle. On the around, these fans push the vehicle around firm but not-too powerful with a firm but not-too-powerful thrust of deflected air. Small vanes in the exit area of the ducts can direct the air forward or back, or remain in the neutral position for vertical take-off and landing.”
The car is expected to achieve 160kph on the ground and about 240kmph in the air. The calculated airborne range is 120 kilometers and ground range is 240 kilometers.
In the air, the vehicle flies like a helicopter, tilting nose-down to move forward, and rolling right or left for changes in direction. As the energy to obtain altitudes above 5,000 feet would be significant it is expected to stay below 5,000 feet level.
The production cost is expected to be around $2,50,000 per ‘flying-car’, as the vehicle has the ability is to avoid traffic it could mean they attract the backing of the needed funds to cover the project cost.
In Briton you can enjoy just one drink before driving
October 12, 2008
Britain is perhaps the only European country, which will allow motorist to have at least one alcohol drink and still be legally fit to drive. In spite of the evidence that a lower limit would save at least 65 lives a year, The Times reported that the government has changed its mind about reducing the limit from 80 to 50 milligrams of alcohol per 100 milliliters of blood.
In mainland Europe, the limit is 50mg or even 20mg. Road safety agencies believe that the existing limit is the source of encouragement for people to take chances and have a drink before driving. Republic of Ireland which still has 80mg limit, plans to reduce it to 50mg.
In Britain, The Association of Chief Police Officers, The British Medical Association and the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents all are batting for a reduction to 50mg.
In July, Sir Liam Donaldson, the Chief Medical Officer, who is of the opinion, said that the limit for drivers aged 17 to 20 should be cut to zero.
The researchers of University College London found that lowering the limit for all the drivers to 50mg would not only reduce or even prevent 65 deaths and 230 injuries a year, but at the same time it would save the economy a whooping ₤119 million a by reducing medical cost and working time.
But his successor, Jim Fitzpatric told The Times that the consultation document is not proposing a lower limit.
Expansion of Essex-based Stansted Airport
October 9, 2008
Controversial plans for an expansion of Essex-based Stansted Airport has finally been given the nod by the government. BAA wants to enhance passenger handling capacity – from the present 25 million to almost 35 million a year and also increase the number of flights to 264,000 from the current 241,000 a year. Geoff Hoon, the transport Secretary, made the announcement to Parliament in a written statement.
Objectors stated an expansion would harm the environment greatly. But some unions felt the proposal could create new jobs. Jim Ketteridge, the Uttlesford District Council leader, claimed the decision was a huge blow for the community.
Mr Ketteridge noted: “Residents already find the aircraft noise level extremely disturbing. Allowing BAA to increase the amount of air traffic will mark a further erosion of our quality of life, especially for all those living near Stansted Airport.”
Stewart Wingate, Stansted’s managing director, said the decision was ‘great news’ for passengers.
He added: “We are delighted that the Secretaries of State have finally granted permission for the next phase of growth (at Stansted). This secures our future up to 35 million passengers a year.”
BAA also wants to construct a second runway at Stansted as part of its long-term plans for the airport.
Now you can enjoy a ride on new air-conditioned Tube trains in London
September 30, 2008
Millions of commuters experience hot and sweaty tube journey while ridding the London Underground- The-Tube. To provide succour, London Mayor Johnson unveiled the first air-conditioned London Underground trains thereby bringing an end to the commuters’ torrid journey woes.
“I can assure passengers who will use them that we hope, rather than arriving at their destinations drenched in perspiration, they will emerge cool as cucumbers and ready to enjoy all that the capital offers,” London Mayor Boris Johnson said. This will ensure that the hot and sweaty journey on the Tube will be relegated to history and be a memory of the past.
The air-conditioned trains will serve the 150 year old Underground’s Metropolitan line beginning in 2010 and additional lines later. By 2015, they are all expected to be up and running. Underground’s 40 % of net the network will be covered where the trains will operate.
The new trains that will be added to the oldest parts of the railway will have nearly 20% more space. They are part of a ₤3 billion ambitious upgrade project. In the meantime, London, Underground is scouting for finding untapped water sources to cool the hottest stations. Presently, water from the river Tyburn is used to drive cool air through Victoria station. Even a alternative solution is considered of putting of ice underneath train seats that will release chilled air into carriages. Forty industrial fans will be installed this summer. It’s a cool beginning for a cooler journey.
London Mayor wants to build a new airport in place of Heathrow
September 23, 2008
As it is, for one reason or another, Heathrow never fascinated London Mayor Boris Johnson. On many an occasion, Johnson called it a ‘planning error of the 1960’s’. Now the London Mayor proposes closure of one of the world’s busiest airport’s closure to build a new airport.
His proposed new site is on the artificial island in the Thames, about two miles north of the Isle of Sheppey where the estuary is only 10 ft-13 ft deep. His officials are already engaged in drawing up plans for the new 24-hour airport.
According to the plans, an artificial island can be created from landfill. Next it would be connected to the mainland by a railway bridge and ferry terminals would link it to both Kent and Essex. By descending over the North Sea, disturbance to the residential areas by aircrafts in approach will be avoided. To transport passengers from London in about 35 minutes, the airport would be connected to the channel tunnel rail link.
According to the estimates, all this can be achieved in six years time. Heathrow can be closed and it can make way for a high-tech business and residential area.
Kit Malthouse, one of Johnson’s deputies, overseeing the project said: “I think it’s madness to expand any of the other airports when there is an obvious solution elsewhere.” The cost of building a third runway at Heathrow may well be around £13 billion.
London’s black taxi cabs taken off the streets
September 18, 2008
Hundreds of London’s black taxi cabs have been taken off the streets after cases of mystery engine fires. TfL (Transport for London) runs the UK capital’s public transport system.
TFL already had ordered checks on close to 600 taxis last month after series of fires in a model of cab, the TX4 with the new ‘56’ registration. It took further action after an eighth cab caught fire on Wednesday (September 17), the fourth in the capital city this month and worryingly enough, the 12th throughout the country.
TfL noted in a statement on Thursday: “Following the latest reported fire last night, PCO (Public Carriage Office) suspended the licences of all LTI (London Taxis International) TX4s with a 56 licence plate with immediate effect. This is not a step that we take lightly. But we cannot take any chances with the lives of taxi drivers or their passengers.”
The cause of the sudden blazes remains a mystery. Thankfully, nobody has been injured so far. TfL pointed out that cab manufacturers LTI had checked out nearly 100 affected taxis and those found to be safe were allowed to run.
There are nearly 21,000 black cabs in London.
