Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 20th April 2021
The latest rail news on Tuesday, 20th April 2021
The ScotRail train that derailed near Stonehaven last year came off the tracks after striking stones and debris, an official report has found.
Several national newspapers feature the interim report by the Rail Accident Investigations Branch into the tragedy which killed three people and left six more injured.
The i paper says the train was travelling around 73mph – 2mph below the area’s speed limit – when it collided with stones washed on to the track, raising questions about the drainage system in the area.
Meanwhile the Daily Record writes that hero railway workers rushed to help injured passengers following the tragedy.
Contractors at the scene put out fires and built a makeshift bridge to access the crash site after the derailment.
In other news and a leading rail union is stepping up a campaign warning of huge job cuts in the coming months amid the threat of a national industrial dispute.
The Independent article says the RMT union claims spending cuts are putting thousands of Network Rail jobs at risk, as well as safety maintenance work.
The union has launched a social media campaign and sent details to all its Network Rail members.
Rail passengers with unused travel vouchers have been given extra time to redeem them to ensure they are not left out of pocket from COVID related restrictions.
Thousands of passengers with Rail Travel Vouchers which have expired or are due to expire between 20 October 2020 and 30 June 2021 will get an additional six months after their original expiry date to redeem them, to recognise the fact that most passengers had been unable to use them during the second and third national lockdowns.
Finally, and the North’s leaders have approved the appointment of Martin Tugwell as the next Chief Executive of Transport for the North (TfN).
Following agreement from the TfN Board, Martin is set to lead the region’s statutory transport body, which speaks with one voice on behalf of the North’s civic and business leaders on transport investment.
He’ll succeed Barry White, who is due to step down this month.
Photo credit: Network Rail
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