In The News | 18th May 2022 | Latest Rail News

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InTheNews: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 18th May 2022

The Queen and The Earl of Wessex have visited Paddington Elizabeth line station in order to mark the completion of the new railway before it is opened to the public.

During the visit, Her Majesty unveiled a plaque celebrating the completion of the line named in Her honour. The plaque has a permanent home at Paddington station, celebrating The Queen’s connection with the railway. 

Accompanied by The Earl of Wessex, The Queen also met with staff who have been key to the Crossrail project, as well as Elizabeth line staff who will be running the railway – including apprentices, drivers, and station staff. 

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Government plans to spend £360 million on introducing contactless ticketing systems at rail stations across the North and Midlands are a “real concern”, an industry expert has warned.

An article on the Yorkshire Post says a report for the Centre for Policy Studies, rail industry analyst Tony Lodge said the Government is facing “the trap of spending money on yesterday’s technology”.

Ministers are looking to bring in pay-as-you-go systems similar to London Oyster card, with rail passengers tapping in and out of stations they pass through.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said it was working to deliver better services to passengers.

A railway station which has undergone two years of renovations is now officially open. March Railway Station and car park reopened its doors at a special ceremony on Friday (May 13).

An article on Cambridgeshire Live said Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, unveiled a plaque to mark the station’s opening.

The redevelopment now includes an open-plan ticket hall and waiting area, modern toilets, retail outlets and a bigger car park. The government and combined authority invested over £1 million into the station.

CrossCountry has announced the two newly-appointed Regional Directors in a bid to further embed its regional structure.

Ben Simkin, who has been covering the role for an interim basis, has been appointed Regional Director for North East and Scotland. Huw Margetts will join CrossCountry as Regional Director for Wales and West in the summer.

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Photo credit: Transport for London

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