Commuters on the Brighton Main Line and throughout South London’s rail network have been suffering for years. Lines passing through East Croydon go through the busiest railway junction in the United Kingdom and as a result are plagued with delays on a daily basis. On an average workday, more than …
Read More »Rail privatisation is failing and here’s what the government plans to do about it – Jonathan Walker
The current system of rail franchising isn’t working, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has admitted. Mr Shapps made it clear that he plans major changes to the way our rail industry works, as he announced that private sector operator Arriva was to be stripped of the Northern rail franchise, which will …
Read More »Failing Grayling is no longer in the Cabinet but his plans to reform the rail network live on – Jonathan Walker
Remember ‘Failing Grayling’? The former Transport Secretary will go down as one of the most unpopular cabinet ministers of all time. Among other things, he took the blame for bungled timetable changes which led to cancelled trains and general chaos on rail services across much of the country. After three …
Read More »New Southern Link Road Bridge route at Crewe station agreed
Proposals for a new bridge south of Crewe station aimed at easing congestion in Nantwich Road have been adopted by Cheshire East Council. Cabinet members approved a preferred route for the new Southern Link Road Bridge at Tuesday’s meeting, following consultation held over the summer. The new bridge would be …
Read More »Will Bristol Temple Meads be getting another passenger entrance?
When Bristol University’s brand new £300 million campus is built behind Temple Meads, it is hoped it will include a new entrance to the city’s historic railway station. The station has already seen a number of upgrades in the last year, including the electrification project and two new sets of …
Read More »Newton Abbot Railway Station is set to get a new entrance
A new entrance to Newton Abbot Railway Station from the Brunel Industrial Estate is set to be built. Devon County Council has given the go ahead for the new entrance and station building to be built on land currently used as parking by International Dance Supplies and Royal Mail. The existing …
Read More »Train franchising may have ‘had its day’ but the wait goes on for answers on rail reform
On 9 October 1990, just weeks before the downfall of Margaret Thatcher, the then transport secretary Cecil Parkinson addressed the Conservative Party conference in Bournemouth. On the future of British Rail, he was unequivocal. “The question now is not about whether we should privatise it, but how and when,” he said. The “when” …
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