In The News | 10th December 2021 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 10th December 2021

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 10th December 2021

Hitachi/Alstom Joint Venture (JV) has been awarded the contracts to build Britain’s next generation of high-speed trains at their factories in Derby and County Durham in a major deal set to support 2,500 jobs across the UK.

The landmark contracts – worth around £2bn – will see the JV design, build and maintain a fleet of 54 state-of-the-art high-speed trains that will operate on HS2 – the new high-speed railway being built between London, the West Midlands and Crewe.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “Today’s announcement places Britain firmly at the forefront of the high-speed rail revolution with these state-of-the-art trains serving communities right across the country from London to Glasgow.”

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The Department for Transport has kicked-off rail’s 30-year strategic plan by launching a public call for evidence.

Announcing the launch, Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris says it will be a rail map for the future, ensuring the industry can deliver on long-term national priorities of levelling up, economic recovery and net zero by 2050.

The search is under way to find a construction partner to build three new railway stations on the Camp Hill line in Birmingham.

The £61 million project will see Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell stations constructed and ready for the return of passenger services on the Camp Hill line in Birmingham.

Shortlisted construction firms have been officially invited to tender for the contract which is expected to be awarded in the Spring.

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Network Rail has produced a guide to help autistic people confidently and independently travel by train.

It’s been developed in partnership with the National Autistic Society, after research was conducted with groups that represent passengers with specific needs, to look into additional ways the railway could be made more accessible for everyone.

The online guide shows the sights and sounds passengers could expect to experience when using the railway. It covers every stage of a journey, from purchasing tickets, to getting to the right platform, to finding a seat on the train.

Photo credit: HS2 Ltd

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