Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Monday, 28th March 2022
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Monday, 28th March 2022
The Railway Industry Association (RIA), has today published a review into the Government’s progress in decarbonising the UK’s railways, finding a mixed picture in meeting the recommendations made by the Parliamentary Transport Committee.
The Committee, made up of cross-party MPs, held an inquiry which reported in March 2021 into ‘Trains fit for the future?’ looking at how the UK can reduce its dependence on diesel-only trains.
One year on since the report’s publication, RIA has found that out of 12 key recommendations, the Government has made good progress on three, limited progress on four and no progress on five.
Good progress includes the Government committing to Midlands Mainline, Transpennine Route Upgrade and Wigan-Bolton electrification in the Integrated Rail Plan published last year.
Network Rail will spearhead the next stage of plans for the Wellington and Cullompton stations with the development of detailed designs and a full business case following receipt of £5 million from the Department for Transport (DfT).
The funding will be used to now develop a detailed design for the stations and a full business case, to be submitted to the DfT. It is anticipated that this next stage will be completed by no later than the end of December 2023.
Transport for Wales is continuing to move forward with the building of the South Wales Metro with major works being undertaken across the Core Valley Lines in the spring.
The transformation of the Core Valley Lines for the Metro, which has been part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund through Welsh Government, will enable faster, more frequent services between Cardiff and the heads of the valleys.
From today (Monday 28 March), the current evening Sunday to Thursday rail replacement bus service between Pontypridd and Radyr will extend to and from Cardiff Central as engineers carry out piling and foundation works in readiness for the installation of overhead line equipment.
Great Western Railway (GWR) is the first UK train operator to be awarded Safeguarding on Rail Scheme Accreditation.
With almost 10,000 vulnerable children identified by British Transport Police last year alone, GWR were the first operator to take action after recognising how much of a magnet stations can be for vulnerable children and adults in crisis.
Over the last 12 months, with support from industry charity Railway Children, GWR has trained over 5,000 staff and created 100 champions to ensure vital assistance is available to those most at risk. GWR plans to undertake further training of onboard staff throughout 2022.
Photo credit: Network Rail
0113 2082620
info@railbusinessdaily.com
15 Mariner Court, Wakefield WF4 3FL
