In The News | 16th January 2026 | Latest Rail News

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InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday 16th January 2026

Plans to improve accessibility at three railway stations in the West Midlands have been shelved.

An article on the BBC website says the stations at Small Heath in Birmingham, Ledbury in Herefordshire and Whitchurch in Shropshire were among 50 in the UK due to benefit from the Access for All (AFA) programme.

A government announcement in May 2024 confirmed feasibility work would be carried out to see whether step-free accessible routes could be delivered at the stations.

But on Thursday, the Department for Transport (DfT) named the three West Midlands hubs among 19 projects that would not be progressing. One MP whose constituency was affected branded the outcome a disgrace.

Labour ministers said the announcement under the previous Conservative government was made “without indicating how the delivery of such schemes would be funded”.

A new railway station in East Renfrewshire is one step closer to opening.

An article on the Glasgow Times website says the £18.3million project has reached a construction milestone with the installation of its footbridge and lifts, marking significant progress towards its planned autumn opening.

Located in the Barrhead area, Balgray Station is designed to improve transport links and encourage sustainable travel to and from Glasgow, while supporting the region’s ongoing growth and development.

Plans by HS2 to carry out “essential” works at the old Curzon Street Station are set to be given the green light.

An article on the BBC website says the high speed rail developer has submitted proposals to carry out repairs at the historic building near the new HS2 Birmingham city centre terminus.

The revised design of the new station, which is set to become a key destination on the divisive HS2 line, was approved last year.

Rail passengers are being thanked for their patience as the West Coast Main Line fully reopened following the completion of multiple projects carried out since the start of 2026.

An article on the News & Star website says on Thursday (January 15) train services were running again along the northern half of Britain’s busiest mixed-use passenger and freight route after 14 days of essential upgrades.

The biggest of all was the replacement of a 4,200-tonne, 130-metre-long bridge over the M6 just south of Penrith.