In The News | 12th September 2022 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 12th September 2022

InTheNews: The latest rail news on Monday, 12th September 2022

Rail industry leaders have paid tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who passed away at Balmoral, surrounded by her family, last Thursday.

Network Rail chairman Sir Peter Hendy CBE sent his deepest sympathies to the Royal Family, while Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said the nation and the world would recognise the “extraordinary service” of Her Majesty, who served for 70 years with “unrivalled grace, dignity and purpose.” 

In response to the Queen’s passing rail trades unions ASLEF, RMT and TSSA have taken the decision to cancel upcoming strike action as a mark of respect.

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Travel chiefs have warned services and stations will be “extremely busy” in the next week due to the official period of mourning.

An article from City A.M said both the Rail Delivery Group and Transport for London discouraged unnecessary travel and urged planning, as hundreds of thousands are expected to visit Her Majesty the Queen lying in state.

An estimated 500,000 people are set to pay their respects over four days from Wednesday.

The Rail Delivery Group has also announced that off peak and super off-peak ticket holders will be able to get refunds on tickets purchased before the announcement of Her Majesty the Queen’s death last Thursday.

In other news, plans to create a passenger rail service running from Darlington to Weardale have been submitted to government.

The proposals will focus on development of the Darlington-Dales corridor, improving connectivity of towns and villages along the Weardale line, while also reviewing the possibility of providing a link to Crook.

The proposed new rail link would support economic development along the Darlington-Dales corridor, connecting tourism sites including Hamsterley Forest, Bishop Auckland town centre, the Durham Dales, and the Weardale Railway.

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Finally, a heritage railway in North Yorkshire has launched a fundraising appeal to restore passenger train services to a village for the first time in three years.

The Northern Echo reports that Wensleydale Railway, based at Leeming Bar, near Northallerton, has launched an appeal to restore services between Leyburn and Redmire.

The last passenger services on the stretch ran three years ago due to the deteriorating condition of the track and infrastructure, with some track dating back to before the First World War.

The appeal will raise funds for the required track and infrastructure upgrade work, which is estimated to cost in excess of £1m.

Photo credit: Network Rail

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