In The News: 11th August

Click here to listen to the latest news on Tuesday, 11th August 2020

The University of Birmingham has been identified as the preferred bidder for the National College of Advanced Transport and Infrastructure by the Further Education Commissioner’s Structure and Prospects Appraisal process.

Following the first phase in a government-initiated process to secure the future of the NCATI, it could potentially be incorporated into the University’s group.

The proposal will be further considered and scrutinised by government, the College, the FE commissioner and the University’s Council.

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A pioneering Southampton tech firm is being snapped up by the Japanese giant Hitachi in a move which the buyer says could improve the reliability of trains around the world.

The news, which was revealed yesterday, features in today’s Hampshire Chronicle, which says that all 73 staff at Perpetuum will become part of the Hitachi Rail operation, which has more than 12,000 employees in 38 countries.

The company develops digital technology to optimise railway operation and maintenance.

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A group of cross-party MPs has written to rail bosses to share their concerns about the temporary axing of a railway route through Tameside to Stockport – which is opposed by more than 5,000 residents.

The article, in the Manchester Evening News, says the Labour and Conservative MPs are urging Northern to reconsider their planned withdrawal of services between Rose Hill station in Marple and Manchester Piccadilly.

Bosses say the ‘tough decision’ has been taken due to the continuing impact of Covid-19, with many staff classed as vulnerable and a training backlog affecting the number of drivers available.

Finally, and Cecilia and Florence, have been revealed as the names of the first two boring machines for HS2.

Each, weighing about 2,000 tonnes, are destined to spend most of their working life scrapping away the earth somewhere beneath the Chilterns.

In an article in The Times, says they will dig a 10-mile tunnel up to 260ft underground as part of the first phase of the proposed line between London and Birmingham.

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Photo credit: HS2 Ltd

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