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InTheNews: The latest rail news on Friday, 8th July 2022
Workers at Britain’s biggest rail franchise have voted to join the RMT national rail dispute in what the union as described as an ’emphatic’ ballot result.
An article on the ITV website says initially, staff at Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express and Great Northern rejected walking out having voted back in May.
It meant workers were not on the picket lines during three days of action across the country last month, although services across the Govia Thameslink network were severely disrupted with just a small number of trains able to operate.
Now, the RMT union says its second ballot for members saw an 80 per cent yes vote with a turnout of 57.5 per cent in their dispute about pay, working conditions and jobs.
The incorrect use of passenger communication alarms by customers on-board South Western Railway (SWR) services resulted in over 30 hours of delays between December 2021 and May 2022.
There were 176 incidents of customers incorrectly activating emergency alarms, causing 1,825 minutes of delays and nine service cancellations.
When an alarm is activated, the train guard must walk through the train to investigate the incident, with the train remaining at a standstill.
Following the decision by the current Rail Supply Group (RSG) Chair, Philip Hoare, President of Atkins, to step down after four years from his role as Chair of the RSG, James Bain, CEO Worldline UK and Europe, has been appointed as his successor.
James has worked in the rail industry for over 23 years both industry-side with Virgin Trains and Arriva Cross Country and supply-side with Worldline.
Through this time James has worked closely with Rail Delivery Group, Rail Safety and Standards Board, Network Rail, multiple Train Operating Companies, Department for Transport and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.
A heritage railway could purchase a council-owned car park near as part of an effort to upgrade its facilities.
West Somerset Railway (WSR) offered to purchase the car park and toilets near Bishops Lydeard station for £50,000.
Somerset West and Taunton Council is considering the sale, arguing the offer is above market value and therefore “good value for taxpayers”.
Photo credit: South Western Railway
