In The News: 19th June

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UK taxpayers face a bill of at least £3.5 billion to bail out train companies because of the coronavirus crisis, although the figure is expected to rise sharply as rail industry executives press for more financial support.

That’s according to an article in the Financial Times which writes that train operators are in talks with the government about extending existing ’emergency measure agreements’ which are due to expire in September, for 12-18 months.

One rail executive told the paper that the Government must ‘provide continued stability’, warning it will take time to ‘get revenue levels back to where they were’.

An article in City A.M writes that Rail Minister Chris Heaton- Harris says the government has not yet made a decision about what will happen when the initial six-month period elapses.

A brand new train station in Leeds which could cost up to £22 million has been given the go ahead.

An article in Leeds Live says Leeds City Council has approved the decision for a new two-platform station to be built near the White Rose Shopping Centre.

Platforms at the station will accommodate six-carriage trains, with space to expand to accommodate those with eight carriages in the future.

ScotRail is to start providing free masks at some of its bigger stations following the announcement from Nicola Sturgeon that face coverings will be mandatory on public transport in Scotland from Monday.

Staff will also be expected to wear a mask and visor to protect themselves and the people around them from the virus, according to an article on Edinburgh Live.

Finally, and there’s a warning for passengers to check before they travel this weekend as the next stage of planned works on the huge East Coast Upgrade continues.

Among the impacted includes trains from Peterborough and Cambridge that normally serve King’s Cross, St Pancras or Moorgate that will run only as far as Potters Bar.

Network Rail will be installing new overhear line equipment in the latest stage of the £1.2 billion project.

Keep up to date here with all the UK rail news.

Photo credit: Sterling images/ Shutterstock.com

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