Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 11th May 2021
The latest rail news on Tuesday, 11th May 2021
Disruption to railway services caused by cracks being discovered in a fleet of trains is likely to continue for a number of weeks, passengers have been told.
An article in The Times says customers have been warned to expect cancellations and crowded trains and have been urged to move their travel plans to reduce chaos as the easing of coronavirus restrictions bring commuters back to the rail network.
A number of Hitachi Class 800 trains had to be withdrawn from service on Saturday after cracks were found in the lifting points on the chassis beneath carriages. Checks are required on up to 182 intercity-class trains before they can return to service.
As a result LNER has been running a reduced service on the East Coast Main Line, while Great Western Railway has been running an “extremely limited” service on routes between London and the west and southwest of England.
HS2 Ltd has confirmed that a team made up of Mace and Dragados will build Birmingham’s new city centre high speed railway station, in a deal that is set to further boost the West Midlands economy.
The deal, which is worth up to £570 million, will see Mace Dragados work with HS2 Ltd in two stages to finalise the detailed design and then build the landmark station.
A train company emailed staff promising a bonus for their work during the pandemic but the offer was to see if they would fall for online scams.
An article in The Times says rail unions have criticised the stunt by West Midlands Trains after it chose to test employees’ cybersecurity awareness.
A West Midlands Trains official said the design of the email was just the sort of thing a criminal organisation would use.
Finally, Southeastern is setting out best practice for mental health in the rail industry, with wide-ranging initiatives to create a supportive working environment.
The train operator is due to launch the railway industry’s first ever Mental Health Charter this month, which sets out eight actions that can be taken by organisations to identify mental health hazards, addressing problems and train supportive managers.
Designed by Southeastern Mental Health Lead, Lee Woolcott-Ellis, the charter can be signed by any organisation associated with, or supporting, the railway industry in the UK.
Photo credit: HS2 Ltd
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