Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 28th June 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 28th June 2023
A process to shut nearly all of Britain’s railway station ticket offices could begin as early as next week, the RMT union has warned.
An article in The Guardian says almost 1,000 offices are believed to be targeted for closure under government proposals to cut costs and “modernise” the railway, although ministers have for months shied away from spelling out the extent of the plans, in the face of concern from their own MPs as well as unions and passenger groups.
However, an announcement of public consultations, the first stage in the formal process, will come in early July, according to rail sources quoted by the Association of British Commuters, a campaign group.
The Department for Transport did not comment on the timing, while the Rail Delivery Group, which represents train operators, said staff would be informed before any public announcement.
Kent’s first new railway station in eight years will open next month, transport bosses have announced.
An article on the BBC website says passengers will be able to travel from Thanet Parkway to London in 70 minutes, Network Rail said.
Located between Ramsgate and Minster, the £39 million station will aim to improve connectivity between East Kent and the capital by providing access to mainline and highspeed train services.
The £61 million scheme to reintroduce rail services in Moseley, Kings Heath and Hazelwell is facing a year long delay.
An article on the business desk website says work by VolkerFitzpatrick began on the three stations in November but has since found a plethora of issues, meaning the stations will not be open until the end of 2024.
Andy Street, the Mayor of West Midlands, said: “It is of course disappointing that it will take a little longer than we previously planned to get the line open, but with our contractors and partners we are working tirelessly to look at options to reduce that timescale and bring the benefits of the Camp Hill line as soon as possible.”
Refurbishment works at a rail station and a historic shed are due to resume months after the construction firm Tolent collapsed.
An article on the BBC website says the redesign of central station and redevelopment of Robert Stephenson’s steam locomotive works, both in Newcastle, had been put on hold.
Gateshead-based Tolent collapsed in February with the loss of more than 360 jobs.
Newcastle City Council said work was expected to resume in July.
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