Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 24th April 2024.
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 24th April 2024
The creation of a major new high speed rail station in Liverpool, strengthening the city’s links with Manchester, has taken a significant step closer.
An article on the Manchester Evening News website says with the time that voters go to the pools to choose Liverpool’s Metro Mayor drawing closer, Steve Rotheram pledged alongside Andy Burnham to create a new public-private Liverpool-Manchester Railway Board that could further increase rail capacity between the two city regions.
The Labour candidates been informed by the government that options can now be considered to bolster the corridor between Liverpool and Manchester after HS2 was scrapped last year, the ECHO reports.
Should the pair be returned in their respective elections next month, the two hope to see progress on the project to coincide with the 200th anniversary of the world’s first passenger railway in Rainhill in 2029.
“Bigger and better” planned elements have pushed the cost of improvements at Middlesbrough railway station over the £50m mark.
An article on Teeside Live says the figure was confirmed by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) after initially being shared in a Freedom of Information request which asked the authority for details and costs of ongoing transport schemes.
TVCA, which has majority funded the project along with contributions from Network Rail, stressed current and completed phases of work at the station had “come in on budget in line with original figures”.
Construction union Unite has secured access to the HS2 Old Oak Common construction site – leaving the London tunnels as the only HS2 site where it is not welcome.
An article on The Construction Index website says an agreement to allow trade union access to the HS2 Old Oak Common construction site has been signed between joint venture contractor Balfour Beatty, Vinci, Systra (BBVS) and Unite.
The agreement secures the right of Unite representatives to visit the project’s inductions. It also allows Unite representatives access to rest facilities to talk to workers on the site during their breaks to address any concerns or worries they may have.
Finally, Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) has announced that John Whitehurst has been appointed as its Chief Operating Officer (COO) and will begin the role on Monday 20 May.
John will be responsible for ensuring GTR’s operations are safe, reliable, and sustainable while maintaining a relentless focus on making sure customers receive a high-quality service.
The role will see John lead the planning and delivery of services across GTR’s four brands – Gatwick Express, Great Northern, Southern, and Thameslink – which collectively represent approximately 18 per cent of UK rail passenger journeys. He will also hold key relations with the supply chain and industry partners such as Network Rail.
