In The News | 5th August 2021 | Latest Rail News

Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 5th August 2021

The latest rail news on Thursday, 5th August 2021

Work to link the South Wales Metro Control Centre to the rail network begins next month ready for the arrival of the new £150m fleet of Metro tram-trains.

The scheme includes raising the road bridge and creating a new tunnel to join the £100m control centre, maintenance facility and depot in Taff’s Well, Cardiff, to the rail network.

Phase 1 will involve work to prepare the site for the new tunnel between 23 August and 10 December 2021. Pending planning approval, Phase 2 will involve the build of the new bridge between 10 December 2021 and Autumn 2022. 

Click here for more details.

Disabled or elderly passengers who need assistance to board trains will be able to turn up and travel rather than book six hours ahead, under a scheme launched by South Western Railway

An article in The Guardian says the launch of “assisted boarding points” at stations on SWR, allows passengers to contact a customer service team who then alert the guard on the next available train to ensure assistance is provided.

SWR said the service would require only 10 minutes’ notice. The article says standard industry practice is usually to request bookings the day before travel if possible to guarantee assistance.

HS2’s contractor delivering the London tunnels, Skanska Costain STRABAG Joint Venture (SCS JV), has signed the first of two contracts for the production of concrete precast tunnel segments that will be used to construct HS2’s London tunnels.

Pacadar UK will be manufacturing the tunnel lining at their factory in the Isle of Grain, Kent. It will be the largest contract the company has ever delivered in the UK and will support 180 jobs in the UK.

Click here for more details.

Railway workers who worked throughout the COVID-19 pandemic have been recognised for their efforts at a special reception held at 10 Downing Street.

Among those attending were Avanti West Coast train Driver Lyle Mitchell and Train Manager Samuel Obiri-Yeboah, who were personally thanked by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps.

The pair were guests alongside other workers from the transport sector at the event this week which highlighted their invaluable contribution during the pandemic.

Click here for more details.

Photo credit: Transport for Wales

Download article