This week’s roundup of news from the UK railway industry.
Grant Shapps urged to electrify railways to meet carbon targets
More railway lines must be electrified if the UK is to meet its targets to cut carbon emissions, according to the rail industry.
Fifteen industry, business and campaign groups have written to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps urging him to launch a “no regret” scheme of electrification work. The letter stated that claims about the cost of electrification focused on “a few past projects”.
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Stonehaven investigation to focus on lack of drainage inspections
An investigation into the Stonehaven rail crash is focusing on the “lack of an effective drainage inspection regime”.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said there is “no evidence” a drainage system involved in the fatal accident in Aberdeenshire had been fully inspected since its construction in 2012. Read the full interim report.
Passengers warned of closures at King’s Cross station
Passengers are being urged not to travel to or from London King’s Cross over the weekend of April 23-25 as major upgrades are made to the signalling system.
There will be extensive closures across the East Coast route, when there will be no trains via Finsbury Park to or from King’s Cross, St Pancras or Moorgate. Some changes will be put in place.
Rail union warns of national action over ‘lethal’ job cuts
A rail union is stepping up a campaign warning of huge job cuts in the coming months amid the threat of a national industrial dispute.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union claims spending cuts are putting thousands of Network Rail jobs at risk, as well as safety maintenance work.
The union has launched a social media campaign and sent details to all its Network Rail members, warning they face an open-ended pay freeze and a “wholescale attack” on working conditions.
Network Rail hit with £700k fine after worker seriously hurt in substation fire
Network Rail has been fined £696,666 for failing to protect the safety of staff following a fire at Godinton substation which left one worker seriously injured.
The rail body pleaded guilty under the Health and Safety at Work Act, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR) said.
A Network Rail employee was seriously injured with third degree and mixed depth burns in a fire at the substation, after Network Rail failed, over a significant period of time, to prevent water leaking into the building and to maintain dehumidifiers installed inside.
Miniatur Wunderland model railway sets Guinness World Record during lockdown
Miniatur Wunderland, a model railway museum in Germany, have been busy in lockdown setting a new Guinness World Record.
The museum set the world record for the ‘Longest melody played by a model train’ when lockdown meant that visitors were not allowed in the exhibitions.
Hollywood’s Tom Cruise pictured filming on NYMR
Hollywood actor Tom Cruise has been pictured at North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR) filming scenes for a new movie.
The Hollywood star, 58, was flanked by an entourage as he made his way across the set of Mission Impossible 7.
Hundreds of crew were seen setting up for filming in the village of Levisham on the North York Moors near Pickering, which appeared to involve the use of a modified train and tracks.
Latest service updates
Gatwick Express – Gatwick Express services remain suspended until further notice.
Hull Trains – Hull Trains services have resumed operation and are currently running a reduced service in line with passenger demand and current government advice.
Transport For London Status
If you need to travel this weekend, here are planned works that may affect your journey.
Our transport network has never been cleaner. Since September, Imperial College London has run monthly tests for coronavirus on the transport network and found no trace. You can read their recently published report.
Air continuously flows through all our trains, trams and buses. For example, on average, air in a Tube train changes every few minutes. Buses are fitted with air extraction and ventilation systems and we also leave windows open throughout the passenger area to keep a flow of fresh air.
Please continue to walk or cycle part of your journey where possible. If using public transport, travel during quieter times if you can. This will make social distancing easier. The quieter times to travel are:
- Between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays
- Before noon and after 18:00 on weekends
Our TfL Go app can help you plan your journey and show the quieter times to travel.
You must continue to wear a face covering over your nose and mouth at all times when on the transport network, unless exempt. The overwhelming majority of people are complying with this requirement, and the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police and our own officers are on the network to check compliance. Fines of up to £6,400 exist for anyone who does not comply.
Please also wash or sanitise hands before and after travel.
London Underground Status
Due to staff shortages in our Control Room, there could be disruption to services on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, as well as the District line between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road, and the Piccadilly line between Uxbridge and Rayners Lane. This could also affect Chiltern Railways services at times.
This could mean a reduced service, or no service at other times. Because of this, please plan ahead and check before you travel.
Waterloo & City Line: No service until further notice.
Until further notice, there will be no Night Tube or Night Overground service, and limited Night Bus services.
Please check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.
London Overground
No service between Romford and Upminster
Use local bus routes.
Until further notice, there will be a reduced service during peak times on weekday London Overground services to and from Bush Hill Park and Enfield Town. There will now be two trains per hour throughout the day in place of the standard four trains per hour peak service. The following trains will not run: Liverpool Street to Enfield Town at 06:45, 07:15, 07:45, 08:07, 08:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15, 17:45, 18:15 and 19:22. Enfield Town to Liverpool Street at 06:54. 07:24, 07:54, 08:24, 08:54, 09:24, 17:07, 17:37, 18:07, 18:37 and 19:07. In addition, trains at 08:00 from Liverpool Street to Cheshunt and at 08:43 from Cheshunt to Liverpool Street will not run. This is due to a shortage of staff.
Until further notice, a reduced service operates. Two trains operate per hour between Richmond and Willesden Junction, continuing to Stratford. Six trains operate per hour between Willesden Junction and Stratford, with four of these trains an hour operating to/from Clapham Junction.
Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.
Metros around the country
Tyne & Wear Metro
National lockdown: Stay at home. Only use public transport for essential purposes. Avoid travelling at busier times if you can, wear a face covering (unless exempt), open train windows to help with ventilation, stay apart from others and wash or sanitise your hands frequently.
For more timetable information visit nexus.org.uk
Manchester Metrolink
England has now moved to the next step of the Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown. The main change from Monday 29 March is that ‘Stay at home’ regulations have been lifted. Further details can be found on the Government’s COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021 page.
Nottingham Express Transit
Following the latest government announcement, we want to reassure customers that still need to travel with us during lockdown that we will be operating a full service during this time.
Merseyrail
There are no incidents reported.
Sheffield Super Tram
As restrictions ease, we’re increasing some of our services from Monday 12 April. Yellow route services will go back to the normal timetable and evening and Sunday services will increase on the Blue route.
Edinburgh Trams
The first tram and last tram will run at their usual time, but customers should expect trams to operate every 15 minutes during the day with this being kept under constant review.
Glasgow Subway
The Subway is running as normal.
