Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 21st February 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 21st February 2023
The rail minister has announced the launch of a 12-week consultation on setting minimum service levels for passenger rail.
Huw Merriman says the Department for Transport is seeking views from the public, from the rail sector, trade unions and wider industries to develop a more detailed understanding of the impact of strike activity and how minimum service levels might be applied for passenger rail to reduce the disruptions caused by strikes.
Subject to the outcome of the consultation, and the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Bill receiving Royal Assent, minimum service levels for passenger rail would then be delivered through regulations.
UK support to help rebuild Ukrainian railways bombed by Russia will play a critical role in ensuring the country wins the war, the transport secretary said.
An article on the BBC website says Ukraine’s railways have been under attack by rockets and cruise missiles since Vladimir Putin invaded last year.
Despite damage, trains have provided a lifeline to military efforts and assisted four million evacuees to flee.
The UK Government has pledged £10 million worth of material and rail equipment.
The West Coast main line will close for 16 days in March as Network Rail engineers deliver a vital programme of work to upgrade Carstairs Junction.
The closure of the line, between March 4 and March 19, is the first phase of a three-month programme of work which will also see trains diverted and journey-times extended between March and June for all services between Glasgow/Edinburgh and Carlisle.
The work is part of a £164 million Scottish Government investment to modernise the key junction for passenger and freight services.
It will also see the creation of Scotland’s largest freight loop, capable of accommodating 775m-long freight trains to help more businesses move goods off the road and onto rail to help achieve the Government’s Net Zero targets.
Collectable £2 coins celebrating the centenary of the Flying Scotsman are being launched by the Royal Mint.
An article on the LBC website says some versions of the coin depict the steam locomotive in colour and the edge inscription on the coins reads: “Live for the journey”.
The new coins will be available to buy from the Royal Mint’s website from February 23 and have been created in collaboration with the National Railway Museum.
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