In The News | 21st December 2020 | Latest Rail News ????

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 21st December 2020

The latest rail news on Monday, 21st December 2020

Police have been deployed to stop people from fleeing Tier 4 areas in the days before Christmas.

Ministers announced there would be extra officers at London railway stations to clamp down on non-essential journeys. It is an article featuring in several of the newspapers, including The Daily Mirror.

Eurostar has also Tweeted saying that following the announcement by the French government that the border with the UK has closed from midnight to tackle the coronavirus spreading to France, it will only be able to run trains from Paris to London for the 21st or 22nd on December.

The Government has announced that it will provide cash refunds for domestic rail and coach tickets for the previous Christmas travel window between December 23 and 27, bought before the change in regulations and guidance announced by the Prime Minister on Saturday.

The Heritage Railway Association says the British steam railways may look to Russia to stay in business.

The comments come after Newcastle City Council has refused planning permission for a new surface coal mine at Dewley Hill.

The decision means an end to UK-based coal production, with the HRA saying it has dashed the hopes of Britain’s heritage railways, who need affordable coal to continue operating.

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Transport for London has begun further feasibility work on a proposed extension of the Docklands Light Railway to Beckton Riverside and Thamesmead.

The work will be carried out by TfL and a joint commission between Arup and Atkins for design, engineering and environmental assessment and with Aecom for socio-economic support.

Finally, and “jumbo trains” up to half a mile long are being introduced to the rail network in greater numbers to reduce air pollution and take lorries off the road.

The article in The Times says that freight trains have been lengthened to 775 metres to carry goods, fuel and construction materials at a time of reduced demand for passengers services, it’s emerged.

Network Rail said that it was trying a system of more routine access for the very longest trains. It said it would analyse their impact, with the possibility of making the trains a “priority” in the coming years.

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Photo credit: Network Rail

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