Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Friday, 8th April 2022
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday, 8th April 2022
Shadow Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said train passengers are being forced to “pay more for less” as thousands of services have been slashed during the pandemic while rail fares continue to rise.
That’s according to an article in The Yorkshire Post that says the comments come after Rail Delivery Group, which represents rail operators, published figures which show the number of weekly services running across the country has fallen by 19,000 (around 13 per cent) over the last two years.
Rail fares also rose by 3.8 per cent last month, meaning the average season ticket for commuters now cost £3,263 – £1,069 (49 per cent) more than in 2010.
Operators claim they are running reduced timetables as demand for passenger services has not returned to pre-pandemic levels, particularly during weekdays, but Ms Haigh said they are being forced to axe services because the Government is winding down the amount of financial support it provides.
Great Western Railway (GWR) and Network Rail have invested £6.5 million in the railway in Penzance to build three new sidings.
The new, longer sidings – which are effectively laybys for trains – will mean GWR will be better able to service and run longer, nine-carriage trains between London Paddington and Penzance.
A heritage railway group has said it is due to start work on a £1 million plan to replace a bridge.
An article on the BBC website says the Great Central Railway, based in Loughborough, said the work will help reunite the eight-mile section of the track it operates down to Leicester with a separate section in Nottinghamshire.
Work to reconnect the two halves of the line began in 2016.
A celebration “fit for Royalty” is planned by bosses at the Severn Valley Railway who will be welcoming visitors to a four-day special event in June to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
An article in the Express & Star says festivities will take place from June 2 to June 5 as the railway joins with the nation to celebrate the historic and momentous occasion across the extended Bank Holiday weekend.
Crowning the first day of the event will be the unveiling of locomotive 34027 with its new name, Elizabeth II, new number ’70’, and unique, head-turning purple livery, specially commissioned to mark the Jubilee.
Photo credit: Network Rail
