In The News | 24th May 2021 | Latest Rail News

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The latest rail news on Monday, 24th May 2021

New designs for train carriages could strip away seats and install stand-up desks at peak times – with train bosses advocating its potential health benefits.

That’s according to an article in The Daily Telegraph, that says bar stool-style “perch seats” feature in proposals for post-pandemic carriages drawn up by rail operator Go-Ahead and rolling stock company Angel Trains.

These would offer passengers extra space to plug in and work on electronic devices in a hotdesk-type environment – with the added benefit of avoiding slouching in your seat.

Campaigners are piling pressure on the Prime Minister by using clips of him promising to deliver high-speed rail lines in the Midlands and North.

An article in The Daily Mirror says The Promises Matter film, by Connecting Britain, shows Boris Johnson repeatedly telling MPs that the “Eastern Leg and the rest of HS2” will be built.

But the Phase 2b blueprint, meant to be published at the end of 2020, never arrived.

A Government spokeswoman said: “The integrated rail plan will soon outline how major projects, including HS2 Phase 2b and Northern Powerhouse Rail, will work.”

Trainline bosses want to meet Government officials to discuss their app’s future after last week’s rail industry overhaul.

That’s according to an article in The Mail on Sunday that says executives want to look at plans for a Great British Railways central ticketing app.

The plan for a Government-backed rival to the ticket giant wiped £500 million off Trainline’s share price.

Finally, HS2’s construction partner Align JV has announced it is recruiting nine new apprentices to play a part in the programme of work to dig the 10-mile twin bore tunnels under the Chilterns.

The Level Two tunnelling operative apprenticeships will be managed by Align’s tier two contractor, TG Tunnelling, a North London-based business.

All nine jobs will be based at the South Portal of the Chilterns tunnel where HS2’s 2,000 tonne tunnel boring machines begin their journey underground.

Photo credit: HS2 Ltd

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