In The News: 2nd June

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A phased 20-year pipeline of rail investment would support the North’s economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis and unlock future potential.

That’s the message from the region’s political and business leaders in Transport for the North’s first submission to the National Infrastructure Commission.

The organisation is making the case that the North not only needs major projects such as Northern Powerhouse Rail and HS2 to be completed in full, but also local and regional improvements to unlock freight and passenger capacity in the shorter term.

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Infrastructure giant Balfour Beatty has reported a 20 per cent surge in its order book following April’s formal go-ahead for work to begin on the HS2 rail project.

The article features in the Herald which also says that 83% of the company’s UK and US construction sites were operational in May.

Of those open 17% experienced ‘significant disruption’ due to a lack of employees, subcontractors or materials as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Trains have started running again on the Cumbrian Coast line after three consecutive storms forced the railway to close earlier this year.

Northern services resumed on the line yesterday after Network Rail completely replaced a railway bridge damaged beyond repair at Parton by Storms Ciara, Dennis and Jorge in March.

For the last 11 weeks the railway between Whitehaven and Workington has been closed so the bridge could be made safe and reliable again.

Finally, and what has been described as an ‘astonishing’ fundraising appeal has secured a popular steam railway’s future.

An article on Gloucestershire Live says the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway has gone past its £250,000 target just 10 weeks after it launched its appeal.

Glyn Cornish, the trust’s chairman, said more than 1,300 people have made contributions and from the bottom of his heart he wants to thank everyone who has helped.

Photo credit: Network Rail

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