Network Rail News Page 17
First ever passenger forum to take place at Waterloo Station
Passengers are invited to join a cross section of managers from the South West Trains – Network Rail Alliance for the first ever passenger forum at the UK’s busiest station, London Waterloo on Tuesday 6 August.
Network Rail AGM sets sights on better value railway for Britain
Network Rail’s 11th annual general meeting has taken place today in Cardiff, at which chief executive David Higgins set out the progress made by the company in improving Britain’s railways over the past year.
Network Rail announces completion of work on first phase of North West electrification
Electric trains will be able to run between Manchester Airport and Scotland from December 2013, Network Rail said today, as it announced completion of the first phase of the £400m North West electrification programme.
Investment to provide passengers with better station access in SE London and Kent
Eight stations in south east London and Kent are to benefit from an £18.5m investment which will improve passengers’ access to trains and platforms.
Network Rail closes one in ten of Britain’s level crossings
The closure of Moors Gorse level crossing in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire means Network Rail has now closed 700 level crossings across Britain – around 10 per cent of the total – since 2009 as part of its £130m national level crossing investment programme.
Network Rail launches technical strategy for the future
Network Rail has published its technical strategy, outlining the research and development priorities and opportunities for the next 30 years. The creation of the strategy, which follows the release of the overall Rail Technical Strategy in December last year, has been driven by a need to focus R&D investment on meeting its key outcomes: safety, performance, customer experience, capacity, cost-efficiency and sustainability.
Network Rail’s newest train takes to the rails
The newest addition to Network Rail’s UK train fleet has left the depot for the first time on a series of test runs. Former passenger unit 313121 has been adapted to become a laboratory train for the European Rail Traffic Management System programme and will be used on the ERTMS National Integration Facility when it opens later this summer.
Three stations on West Coast main line to become more accessible for all
Work is start this month to provide passengers at Leighton Buzzard, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead with step-free access between the station entrance and platforms, making the railway more accessible for everyone.
New ideas for value for money rail growth
Network Rail today publishes its ‘alternative solutions’ network route utilisation strategy – the result of a wide-ranging consultation with industry stakeholders and which looks at future, cost-effective options for growth. The study examines five main areas for development: further use of trams, tram trains, hybrid light rail, innovative ideas for electrification and further expansion of community rail initiatives.
£400m Edinburgh-Glasgow electrification work out to tender
Network Rail has now begun the tendering process for the electrification of the flagship Edinburgh Waverley-Glasgow Queen Street line.
Thorne South station to be fully accessible when line reopens
Passengers using Thorne South station will find a fully accessible footbridge linking the platforms when the line reopens to rail services on 8 July. A temporary stepped structure which was installed in January to replace a level crossing has been replaced with a purpose-built bridge which has both steps and ramps.
First passenger services start using Hitchin, UK flyover
The first passenger services have started to use the new Hitchin flyover after Network Rail completed work to build the new stretch of track, which will make the railway more reliable, reduce delays and provide extra capacity in future.