Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 13th July 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 13th July 2023
The boss of HS2 has announced he is quitting the giant rail project after six years in charge.
An article on i news says Mark Thurston, chief executive of Europe’s biggest infrastructure project, said he would step down in September.
He called the job “the highlight of my career and a privilege from the first day” but said “someone else should lead the organisation and programme through what will be another defining period for HS2”.
Sir Jon Thompson, HS2 chair, who will take over interim charge until a replacement can be recruited, praised Mr Thurston, saying “Mark’s leadership has been critical” to the project’s success.
The Department for Transport (DfT) is to reassess evidence for improving rail connectivity in Bradford, and study options for bringing HS2 to Leeds, including better connectivity with Sheffield.
The Business Desk says the DfT was responding to the Transport Committee’s second report on the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) for the North and Midlands, which says alternative options that could transform stations and city centres in key northern cities, have not been properly tested.
The omission of plans for a new line and station serving Bradford from the 2021 IRP provoked ire, with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Northern Powerhouse and MPs lobbying for the plan to be revised.
The DfT now says it will will publish the terms of reference of a new study on bringing HS2 to Leeds before the summer recess. The study is expected to take 18 months.
Network Rail has welcomed independent greeting card retailer Postmark to five of its 20 managed stations across Britain.
Totalling over 3,755sq ft of retail space, Postmark has taken the opportunity to open stores for the first time within Network Rail’s estate following the administration of Paperchase earlier this year.
The first store to open was London King’s Cross followed by London Bridge, London Waterloo, Birmingham New Street and London Victoria this summer.
A blue plaque has been installed at Bridlington station to honour a World War Two railway hero.
An article on the BBC website says Ernest Barker, a ticket collector, battled a fire after a bomb hit the station yard close to a train carriage full of ammunition.
Five people died in nearby Hilderthorpe Road during the raid by a German bomber on 11 July 1941.
However, Mr Barker’s prompt actions saved lives, according to operator Northern citing wartime reports.
Photo credit: HS2 Ltd
