Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 26th March 2024.
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 26th March 2024
Transport for the North (TfN) has unveiled its new strategic plan, the Construction Index reports.
The document builds on TfN’s last plan (which was published five years ago), outlining its vision for the North.
Approved during TfN’s board meeting last week, it makes the case for improving connectivity in the region. TfN says that this will help to enable economic growth, creating new opportunities, and decarbonising the transport system.
The Government has pledged £12 billion towards the delivery of Northern Powerhouse Rail “as previously set out”, according to an article on The Business Index.
The project will include a new link between Liverpool and Manchester.
It has committed to hearing from local leaders and MPs, who will have the chance to share their ideas about how the funding should be used, and to put forward alternative proposals.
MPs and leaders have also called for Northern Powerhouse Rail to serve Warrington Bank Quay AND Manchester Airport, broadly following the proposed route between Liverpool and Manchester.
CrossCountry has announced that it is growing its fleet, with 12 new trains set to enter service by May 2025.
Rail Magazine reports that the operator has secured five Voyager trains from Beacon Rail, adding that they will provide a “significant boost for capacity.”
The news comes after CrossCountry secured seven Voyager trains in October 2023. Its 12 additional trains (which comprise 60 carriages in total) will help to improve long-distance services, boosting capacity on north-south routes.
Network Rail’s Chief Executive, Andrew Haines, has been reflecting on Control Period 6 (CP6).
Looking back at the infrastructure manager’s last five-year funding period, he paid tribute to its supply chain – and touched on the contribution of both SMEs and global players.
He added that Network Rail needed their help “more than ever” to “create an efficient railway”.
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