Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Thursday, 7th March 2024.
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Thursday, 7th March 2024
The government has given the green light to the next section of the long-awaited East West Rail (EWR) in the Budget.
An article on the BBC website says Chancellor Jeremy Hunt said works would be accelerated to allow services from Oxford to Bedford to run by 2030.
He said delivery of works on the Bletchley to Bedford section would be brought forward, supported by £240 million from existing budgets.
Porterbrook has agreed a deal with St Modwen to acquire the freehold of the Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre in Warwickshire.
Porterbrook has been operating the site since June 2021, and already invested over £13 million to upgrade and enhance facilities across the centre.
“This deal provides absolute clarity for our business, our shareholders and the wider rail industry over the long-term future of Long Marston Rail Innovation Centre” said Mary Grant, CEO of Porterbrook.
A new train service between London and central Scotland has been given the go-ahead.
An article on The Herald website says rail regulator the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) said it has approved an application by Grand Union Trains to operate four daily return services between London Euston and the city of Stirling.
This is in competition with LNER, which currently operates services on that route.
Grand Union Trains will launch its services in June 2025.
Business leaders in Kent are backing calls for Eurostar stops at stations in the county to be reinstated.
An article on the BBC website says rail services linking the UK to Europe have not stopped at Ashford or Ebbsfleet since March 2020.
A Kent County Council (KCC) survey has received hundreds of responses from business representatives, with nearly all calling for a return of stopping services.
Eurostar has said its Kent stations would remain closed throughout 2024.
Photo credit: Porterbrook
