Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 18th August 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday, 18th August 2023
One of the main contractors behind the project to deliver new railway stations in Willenhall and Darlaston has filed for administration.
An article on Birmingham Live says Buckingham Group said huge losses on major contracts has resulted in the construction company not being able to continue trading currently.
Bosses have filed an intention to appoint administrators with the aim of saving as much of the business as possible and protecting jobs. But the shock news has cast doubts over projects in which the firm has been involved with, including the long-awaited new stations in Walsall.
Starting this Saturday (19 August), Network Rail’s team of engineers will work around the clock for 14 consecutive days to switch on the 116 new state of the art digital signals installed across parts of the railway in south west London and Berkshire and finish upgrading seven level crossings during this multistage closure.
The existing system is controlled by the Feltham Area Signalling Centre and the current signals and track circuits date back to 1974 and need upgrading as they have become less reliable and harder to maintain.
Following the switching on of the newly installed signals, passengers will benefit from more reliable journeys and fewer delays on the Windsor Lines which are a key route for commuters in and out of London.
The former office block tower at Plymouth railway station has been transformed into a £33 million health campus which will welcome students from next month.
An article on Plymouth Live says now named InterCity Place, the building, with its “halo of light” already illuminating the night sky, will be the training centre for the next generation of health professionals.
The University of Plymouth has transformed the 11-storey former InterCity House office block into a facility to train and develop nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, optometrists and social workers.
An ultra marathon runner is taking on the unique challenge of running the length of the Tyne and Wear Metro network over two consecutive days to raise money for charity.
Ben Cook will undertake the 63-mile run over the August Bank Holiday weekend, charting the same route as the iconic Metro map. He will track the Metro lines, taking in the fastest routes from station to station via public roads and footpaths.
Ben is supporting The Running Charity which helps 16-25 year olds who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Photo credit: Network Rail
