''These are the same key staff who keep services running when demand is at a peak and manage the problems when the lines are hit by breakdowns and failures.
"They deserve respect for the job that they do and not the imposition of inferior working conditions and the threat to jobs.''
But London Underground said the action was unnecessary as officials had already addressed most of the unions concerns.
''We have been in discussion with the unions across the entire Tube network, including the subsurface lines, since 2007 on the impact of changes arising from our upgrading of signalling systems," said Nigel Holness, London Underground's operations director.
''We have already addressed nearly all of the issues raised by the RMT, and I would urge the RMT leadership to continue working with us to help staff prepare for these changes, which will be implemented in five years' time.''
The news comes after staff running the capital's bicycle hire network also threatened to strike during the Olympics over bonus payment.
That 'Boris Bike' strike threat came after 21,000 bus workers in the Unite union are being balloted for strike action that could take place during the games.
Bus operators and TfL are not willing to fund bonus payments for drivers.
Source: www.telegraph.co.uk
Rain battered Britain risks further flooding as downpours continue - The Independent
The misery is set to continue with the number of flood alerts soaring for southern England and Wales, with forecasters revealing there will be no respite from the rain over coming days.
The EA said there is a “continued” risk of surface water flooding from overwhelmed drains across parts of London, East and West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.
Some 50 flood alerts have been issued across England and Wales and six flood warnings - for:
:: River Ouzel at Leighton Buzzard
:: River Mole at Charlwood and Hookwood including Povey Cross Road and Gatwick Airport, West Sussex and Surrey
:: River Mole at Sidlow, Leigh and Betchworth including Kinnersley Manor, Surrey
:: The Barnham Rife at Barnham, including the B2233, Lake Lane, Orchard Way, and Downview Road, West Sussex
:: The Aldingbourne Rife at Bersted, including Addison Way, Riverside Caravan Park, and the South Bersted industrial estate, West Sussex
:: The Aldingbourne and Lidsey Rifes at Felpham, including the Whitfield Close, the A259, Links Avenue, and Butlins Holiday Centre, West Sussex
Further flood alerts are expected for the South West later amid forecasts of torrential downpours in Torbay and South Devon.
There are no severe flood warnings, the highest alert, which mean there is an immediate danger to life.
Wiggonholt in West Sussex received the biggest lashing with 63 millimetres of rainfall during the last 24 hours.
“It is June's rainfall in one day,” said Victoria Kettley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.
The average June rainfall for south east, central and southern England is 50 millimetres.
In just a 12-hour period yesterday Otterbourne, in Hampshire, saw 39 millimetres of rainfall.
The flooding has already wreaked havoc across parts of the country, causing the closures of roads and a hospital.
Emergency cases at Worthing Hospital in West Sussex were diverted to neighbouring Brighton and Chichester for several hours overnight because of flooding.
Meanwhile, a special disaster fund is to be set up after more than 1,500 people were evacuated and 150 rescued in Mid Wales over the weekend.
Water up to five feet gushed through homes and businesses in Ceredigion, Powys and Gwynedd, with the clean-up and insurance costs expected to run into millions of pounds.
Nearby residents from the village of Pennal, near Machynlleth, Powys, mid Wales, were also evacuated last night following a breach in the dam of a quarry.
They were taken to Machynlleth Leisure Centre and other temporary refuges.
Further rain is forecast to fall across the UK today but with less ferocity.
On Wednesday there will be further showers, the heaviest of which will be across Wales and south-west England.
But despite the heavy rainfall, an Environment Agency spokesman confirmed areas of southern England remained in drought.
He said: “The rain we have had since the start of April - following the driest March for 70 years - has led to a huge improvement in water resources, putting us in a much more positive position for the summer.
“Water companies have seen reservoir levels rise, river levels are mostly back to normal, and many wildlife habitats that were suffering due to a lack of water have recovered.
“While the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter, particularly as groundwater levels are still low for this time of year.”
The Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the time of year.
Between January and May, 392.5 millimetres of rain fell across the country, compared to an average of 439 millimetres.
In southern England - including drought-hit areas in East Anglia, the South East and the Thames Valley region - 281.8 millimetres of rain fell from January to May, compared to an average of 303.2 millimetres.
The Environment Agency warned people to remain vigilant and check its website and Twitter feed for the latest situation. The agency added that the public was “strongly” advised to stay away from swollen rivers and not to drive through floodwater.
The RSPCA said it was working closely with fire services to rescue stranded animals, including 20 cows at Cuckfield Road near Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, left marooned on a river bank.
This morning the Environment Agency issued another flood alert, taking the figure to 51, and another flood warning - at River Colne in Colney Heath, Hertfordshire - taking the figure to seven.
PA
Source: www.independent.co.uk
Here she comes! Cheryl Cole announces dates for her FIRST solo UK tour - Daily Mirror
Cheryl fans may struggle to contain their excitement after it was announced the singer will embark on her first solo UK arena tour.
It's been a good week for Cheryl who wowed Wembley at the Summertime Ball and her new single Call Me Name when straight to No.1 within hours of release on iTunes, clocking up record breaking sales.
Now it has been confirmed that the Fight For This Love singer will tour the country and Ireland for the first time as a solo artist.
Cheryl will play eight shows in October, including the O2 Arena and a homecoming at the Metro Radio Arena in Newcastle.
She opened as a special guest for the Black Eyed Peas European tour in 2010 and played four sold-out arena tours as part of Girls Aloud.
She's one of the most exciting performers in music and will be performing songs from previous albums 3 Words and Messy Little Raindrops, as well as new material from the much awaited A Million Lights which will be released July 18.
There will plenty of surprises in store for fans who can purchase tickets from 9am on June 15 at Live Nation .
CHERYL COLE TOUR
6 Oct Capital FM Arena, Nottingham
7 Oct 02, London
9 Oct Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
11 Oct Echo Arena, Liverpool
12 Oct LG Arena, Brimingham
13 Oct Manchester Arena,
15 Oct SECC, Glasgow
17 Oct Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle
Source: www.mirror.co.uk
Win tickets to England v Ukraine at Wembley Stadium including hotel stay! - SkySports
Source: www.skysports.com
Sussex coach rates Rusty as a match-winner (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex coach rates Rusty as a match-winner
9:30am Tuesday 12th June 2012 in Sport By Steve Hollis
Coach Mark Robinson believes Sussex have landed a proven match-winner after signing Juan Theron for their Twenty20 campaign.
But Robinson’s joy at bringing in the South Africa seamer was tempered by the news that England wicketkeeper Matt Prior will miss the first half of the group stages through injury.
Prior had been expected to be available for eight of Sussex’s ten group games but has now been told to rest an ongoing Achilles injury by the England management following the final Test against West Indies yesterday.
Robinson is delighted to finally capture a second overseas signing, however, with Theron – nicknamed Rusty due to his ginger hair – due to make his debut against Kent Spitfires at Canterbury tonight.
He said: “When we started the process of looking for a second overseas player we expected to have Matt for eight games so a death bowler looked to fit the bill nicely and Rusty is a proven performer in the department.
“We planned our team around having Matt so to lose him for another three games is disappointing. It does make it difficult but we have got to deal with it.”
Theron joins former New Zealand all-rounder Scott Styris as Sussex’s two overseas signings for the competition as the Sharks bid to go one step further having been knocked out in the quarter-finals in the past two seasons.
Sussex moved for the 26-year-old after he was left out of the South Africa squad for their triangular Twenty20 series against Zimbabwe and Bangladesh in Harare next week.
Theron, who played league cricket for Brighton and Hove for two seasons in 2006 and 2007, said: “Sussex have been a leading county in T20 for the last three seasons so I see this as a great opportunity to make a good impression and to try to get a more regular place in the South Africa team.”
Tonight’s opening game against Kent was initially scheduled to be played at Tunbridge Wells but has been switched to Canterbury with the Nevill Ground flooded. The start time has also been put back from 5.30pm to 7pm.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Sussex on flood alert (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex on flood alert
6:36am Tuesday 12th June 2012 in News
Sussex is on flood alert after a month's worth of rain fell in just 12 hours - with experts warning of more to come.
The deluge forced people out of their flooded homes while animals stranded in fields resembling rivers had to be rescued.
Officials warned residents in the worst hit areas to prepare as rain continues to fall today into the county's swollen rivers.
Driving conditions are treacherous this morning across the county.
There are renewed risks of further flooding, the Environment Agency has warned.
Forecasters have revealed there will be no respite from the rain over coming days.
The EA said there is a "continued" risk of surface water flooding from overwhelmed drains across parts of East and West Sussex.
Some 50 flood alerts have been issued across England and Wales and six flood warnings, including for:
The Barnham Rife at Barnham, including the B2233, Lake Lane, Orchard Way, and Downview Road, West Sussex
The Aldingbourne Rife at Bersted, including Addison Way, Riverside Caravan Park, and the South Bersted industrial estate, West Sussex
The Aldingbourne and Lidsey Rifes at Felpham, including the Whitfield Close, the A259, Links Avenue, and Butlins Holiday Centre, West Sussex
Wiggonholt in West Sussex received the biggest lashing with 63 millimetres of rainfall during the last 24 hours.
"It is June's rainfall in one day," said Victoria Kettley, a forecaster with MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association.
The average June rainfall for south east, central and southern England is 50 millimetres.
Despite the heavy rainfall, an Environment Agency spokesman confirmed areas of southern England remained in drought.
He said: "The rain we have had since the start of April - following the driest March for 70 years - has led to a huge improvement in water resources, putting us in a much more positive position for the summer.
"Water companies have seen reservoir levels rise, river levels are mostly back to normal, and many wildlife habitats that were suffering due to a lack of water have recovered.
"While the risk of drought with further water restrictions and associated environmental impacts this summer has reduced, the situation could deteriorate again next year if there is not enough rain this winter, particularly as groundwater levels are still low for this time of year."
The Met Office said the UK was still below its average rainfall for the time of year.
Between January and May, 392.5 millimetres of rain fell across the country, compared to an average of 439 millimetres.
INCIDENTS - updated 9.50am
A fallen tree near the junction of the the A27 and A24 in Worthing is causing delays to commuters.
Traffic reports suggested the road remains closed both ways, just west of the Offington Corner roundabout, alongside Durrington Cemetery.
West Sussex Fire and Rescue reported that the volume of calls to its centre had steadied overnight.
A spokeswoman said its crews were still out pumping water where it could.
She added the worst affected areas were the Felpham and Middleton areas of Bognor. Some properties were under five to six feet of water.
A group of elderly people in the Elmer area of Bognor had to be rescued and were taken to the Arun rescue centre in Felpham.
Those staying at Butlin's holiday park in Bognor said last night they had to be reallocated rooms as water in some blocks had reached waist height.
Others due to visit have been turned away by staff.
Emergency teams warned last night that access to Bognor remains difficult as all three main routes are blocked A29, A259 and Elmer Road.
Last night its teams focussed on pumping water away from the A259 to reopen the road.
Crews from Hove Fire Station assisted colleagues in West Sussex in pumping water from properties and areas in Littlehampton.
By 10am a number of roads had reopened, incuding the A259 Bognor to Chichester and A27 Chichester to Emsworth.
Send us your wet weather pictures. Email them to news@theargus.co.uk or text them to 80360 starting your message with SUPIC.
Road closures currently in effect:
A285 Petworth Bridge to Cottershaw Bridge; Monteswood Lane, Hayward Heath; Ifield Avenue, Crawley; A259 Felpham; A29 Shripney; Elmer Road, Bognor; Ancton Lane, Bognor; B2149 Station Road, Rustington; B2140 South Terrace between Fitzalan Road and Pier Road; Angmering village; fear river over road on A272 Newbridge just west of Billingshurst
Roads passable with care but causing long delays:
A259 Bognor to Chichester now open; A27 Chichester to Emsworth now open; B2233 Yapton Road open with minor flooding at junction of B2132 but passable
SCHOOL CLOSURES
Bartons Infant School, Bognor; Edward Bryant Primary School, Bognor; Felpham Community College, Bognor; West Wittering Parochial Church of England School, Chichester
Ticklemetoo Playschool, Littlehampton will be closed until Monday. A week will be added on at the end of the summer term.
Send us your wet weather pictures. Email them to news@theargus.co.uk or text them to 80360 starting your message with SUPIC.
Source: www.theargus.co.uk
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