In The News: 21st July

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A fully costed plan for £1.2 billion rail upgrades and re-openings in the South West have been revealed.

Lord Berkeley and Michael Byng have produced the paper which details seven projects which the authors say will transform travel and could go a long way towards rebalancing the economy.

Lord Berkeley says the plans will open up the South West for business and avoid repeats of the serious resilience failures of sea and river flooding. He also says it would cost roughly 1% of the cost for HS2.

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Speculation is growing that the London transport network could be part-privatised after the government said it would consider Transport for London’s ‘current model’ as part of a review being carried out.

That’s according to an article in The Times that writes an official said the study would also look at higher fares and more driverless trains.

It follows a £1.6 billion taxpayer bailout in May.

The Department for Transport and Rail Minister Chris-Heaton-Harris have issued the 2020 update on actions, challenges, achievements, funding and finances for the Crossrail project.

Over the past year, several milestones have been reached, among which includes final testing and driver training taking place with Bombardier and MTR Elizabeth Line, and progress on the final completion of the new central section.

However, additional funding will be needed. Network Rail’s programme shows that the Crossrail On Network Works requires an extra £140 million of funding.

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Finally, and well done to Nexus workers who have raised over £12,000 to help people who are living with dementia.
It follows a year of fundraising for the Alzheimer’s Society, from heritage tours on Metro through to cake sales and raffles.

The money was officially handed over at a virtual cheque presentation.

Photo credit: Shutterstock

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