Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Wednesday, 5th July 2023
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Wednesday, 5th July 2023
Train companies are planning to press ahead with mass closures of ticket offices across England.
An article on the BBC website says industry bosses are expected to confirm a public consultation on the gradual closures of hundreds of ticket kiosks over the next three years on Wednesday.
Some will remain in large stations, but elsewhere staff will be on concourses to sell tickets, offer travel advice and help people with accessibility.
Rail unions are opposed to the plans and have warned of further strikes.
Eurostar will take Team GB to the Paris 2024 Olympics next summer – at what its chief executive expects to be the rail firm’s busiest-ever spell.
An article on The Independent website says the cross-Channel rail firm links London St Pancras International with Paris Gare du Nord in two hours 15 minutes.
Speaking exclusively to The Independent, Gwendoline Cazenave, CEO of Eurostar Group, said: “It’s a challenge, because it’s going to be an amazing amount of travellers and teams, fans, families and customers from all over the world – even more than a normal summer.”
Work continues this month on the biggest programme of improvements to the Midland Main Line since its completion over 150 years ago.
On Sunday 9 and Sunday 16 July, engineers will continue work to prepare for an electrified railway on the Midland Main Line between Kettering and Wigston.
These key upgrades include improvements to drainage systems as well as important work to bridges to provide clearance for new overhead line equipment.
A £1 million scheme to improve accessibility at a Wiltshire railway station has been completed after six months of work.
An article on the Gazette & Herald website says the project to bring a third lift into use at Chippenham railway station, on the north side of the platforms, began in January.
Great Western Railway, who worked alongside Network Rail on the renovation scheme, officially opened the station’s new lift on July 3 alongside representatives from Wiltshire Council and MP Michelle Donelan.
Photo credit: Network Rail
