In The News: 12th June

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Rail bosses are urging ministers to reduce the social distancing limit to one metre.

In an article in the Daily Mail operators have warned the Department for Transport that failure to relax distancing rules will lead to chaos as passenger numbers resurge.

With two-metre distancing, rail services can only carry 20 per cent of normal passenger loads, but with a one-metre gap this increases to 45 per cent.

Defence and infrastructure giant Babcock International has hailed a £1 billion rail track renewal programme contract for Scotland in a set of final results that swung to loss after a massive hit to its aviation arm.

An article in The Herald says shares in the firm dipped lower after it swung to a £178.2 million pre-tax loss in the year to March, after posting a £235.2m profit in the previous year.

However, the company said it is now in a strong position to deal with the impact of coronavirus after reporting ‘good’ growth in its defence division.

Transport for London spent more than £1 million on flights and hotels last year, according to figures released under a Freedom of Information request.

The article in The Daily Telegraph says the bill for flights was up £154,000 on the year before, while the hotel bill was over £438,000, down from £479,300.

A TfL spokesman said air travel was only approved where the use of more sustainable modes of transport would have incurred excessive time, costs or logistical implications.

Finally, and ambulance service staff, teachers, supermarket staff and other key workers will be heard in railway stations making announcements to keep staff and passengers safe.

The messages, broadcast in stations across England and Scotland from Monday, will encourage people to travel at quieter times, wear a face covering and follow public health advice.

Photo credit: Alexey Fedorenko / Shutterstock.com

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