Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 29th June 2022
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 29th June 2022
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps hit out at striking rail unions as he announced a £1 billion investment in digital signalling.
An article on GB News says he said that giving the go-ahead for the replacement of Victorian signalling infrastructure on the East Coast Main Line (ECML) proves the Government is modernising the railways “despite the best efforts of unions”.
But the Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) insisted it was a “non-announcement”, as much of the existing system needs replacing anyway.
Plans to reopen a railway line to passengers have become uncertain after questions over funding and inflation.
An article on the BBC website says the Portishead railway line was due to reopen in 2024 as part of a £100 million scheme to improve public transport.
However, delays due to unknown environmental issues and inflation have caused concerns about its costs.
The West of England Metro mayor Dan Norris said: “The government is contemplating giving additional funding to get us over the line.”
However, Mr Norris said the government required some money from North Somerset and the combined authority as well.
The Northumberland Line has taken a significant step forward after the government gave the go ahead to close level crossings, buy land and carry out work at key points.
A Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) means this can now go ahead.
The application for the Order and deemed planning permission was made on 26 May.
Siggy Cragwell, who is Thameslink’s oldest employee at 82, was a guest of honour at the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument at Waterloo Station.
During the occasion, he met the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William.
Siggy sat among other VIPs including the Duchess of Cambridge, the chairman of Network Rail and its chief executive, and the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
Photo credit: GTR
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