In The News | 15th July 2021 | Latest Rail News

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The latest rail news on Thursday, 15th July 2021

Welcome to the railway news round-up.

In today’s headlines, representatives of the rail industry have responded to yesterday’s publishing of the UK Government’s Transport Decarbonisation Plan, which aims to decarbonise all modes of domestic transport by 2050.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the plan, which includes creating a net zero rail network by 2050, is a world-first and will outline how the UK will deliver a step change in the breadth and scale of its ambition to reduce transport’s greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero. 

The Railway Industry Association welcomed the plan as ‘positive’, praising the Government’s commitment to a “cost-effective” and “sustained” programme of electrification, and its promise support the deployment of battery and hydrogen trains. Midlands Connect, said the “decisive” strategy is “what the industry has been waiting for”, and demonstrates the Government’s commitment to a cleaner, greener and more sustainable transport network.

Read more at: https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/industry-reacts-as-government-publishes-transport-decarbonisation-plan/

Southport’s rail link to Manchester Piccadilly has moved a step closer to being cut after a committee recommended scrapping the service, Liverpool Echo reports. 

Transport for the North’s Manchester Recovery Task Force (MRTF) has proposed getting rid of the hourly service from Southport, provoking strong opposition from both residents and politicians.

The task force is aiming to reduce congestion on the railways around Manchester and says cutting the link would reduce the impact on passengers from Southport while still cutting delays by around 25%. The proposals, which could see the service scrapped from the end 2022, are set to be consulted on later this year. 

Rail lines between Three Bridges, Brighton and Lewes will close for 9-days from Saturday 19 to Sunday 27 February 2022, to allow for track replacement work to place and a new underpass to be built, Network Rail has announced. 

The £11m upgrade project will see the replacement of the 1980s track at Copyhold junction and between Burgess Hill and Lewes and a new underpass will provide safe access under the railway at Hassocks. Over 1,000 metres of track renewal will take place on what is said to be one of the country’s busiest routes. 

Train operator Southern rail says alternative travel arrangements including replacement buses and ticket acceptance on open routes, will be provided for passengers during the 9-day closure. 

And finally, schoolchildren from across Wales and the borders have been chosen as winners to name new Transport for Wales trains in a competition judged by a panel including CBBC star and motorsport presenter Grace Webb.

‘Llyn Barfog’, ‘Deva Victrix’ and ‘Ruabon Ruby Rooster’ were among the winning names selected by the judging panel for The Magnificent Train Journey competition, which included Ms Webb, who presents Grace’s Amazing Machines on Cbeebies.

The competition also provided teachers and schools with an interactive learning pack based around topics including sustainability and transport, trains old and new, stories from around Wales and the borders and places to explore on the train.

Read more at: https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/train-naming-competition-winners-announced/

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