Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 22nd March 2021
The latest rail news on Monday, 22nd March 2021
A further £33 million of emergency coronavirus (COVID-19) funding has been provided to support light rail and tram operators during the pandemic.
Operators will receive emergency funding of up to £33 million over the next 11 weeks, building on over £160 million in funding that has already been announced by the UK government for light rail and trams during the pandemic – and taking the total support so far to nearly £200 million.
The funding will support operators as they continue to face reduced revenues caused by low passenger numbers. It will ensure these vital services remain viable for the future, as the country prepares to ease lockdown restrictions and people start travelling more frequently.
Wales has been “robbed” of more than £500m in rail infrastructure investment in less than a decade because the policy area is not devolved, according to a new report from academics published.
An article on Wales Online says a failure to make amends by devolving such responsibility will “bake in” further losses to the Welsh budget, according to Cardiff University’s Wales Governance Centre.
The article says the UK Government will respond to the committee’s findings in due course.
Merseyrail services resume today after Network Rail completed repair work at Kirkby Station.
The 6.35pm service from Liverpool to Kirkby ran through the buffer stop on Saturday 13 March and left the track at the end of the line.
Investigations are continuing into the cause of the derailment and the Rail Accident Investigations Branch will report its findings in due course.
Finally, and works to pave the way for £55 million construction of two Black Country Railway Stations will begin this Spring following the final approval of Government funding.
The budget earlier this month saw the final piece of funding for the construction of Darlaston and Willenhall Stations confirmed as part of a wider package of rail funding for the West Midlands.
It means that contractors will be on site this Spring to prepare the ground for full construction to begin during the Autumn.
Photo credit: Transport for West Midlands
