Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Thursday, 26 March 2020

BBC News

• Coronavirus: London transport workers 'dropping like flies'Images of London's rammed Tube carriages have been all over the media and there has been little chance for many key workers using the service to stay two metres away from others.
• Coronavirus: New Tube restrictions to stop non-essential journeysLondon mayor Sadiq Khan said the number of Tube passengers fell by a third on Wednesday.

The Telegraph

• London Underground coronavirus row: Sadiq Khan and Government at loggerheads as Tube remains packed

Mail Online

• Coronavirus UK: Sadiq Khan says London tube could be cut againCity Hall and No10 have been at loggerheads after commuters complained of packed tubes in breach of social distancing measures to tackle the coronavirus.

Network Rail

• TV documentary shows complexities of homelessness for Network Rail and BTPVeteran railway worker Dennis Ash responds to reports of a homeless person encamped beneath the West Coast main line in an ITV documentary on Network Rail tomorrow (Thurs) night.

London Evening Standard

• Appeal for retired signal workers to keep rail openFollow our live coronavirus updates here Coronavirus: the symptoms
• London construction sites halt work to ease Tube pressure during coronavirus pandemicNetwork is less packed, insists Mayor, but medical staff say carriages are still full

The York Press

• National Railway Museum's new Central Hall winning design chosen THIS is the winning entry in a competition to design a £16.5 million new Central Hall at the National Railway Museum in York.

East Anglian Daily Times

• Transport police deployed to stop non-essential workers from travellingTransport police will be available to stop non-essential workers from travelling on trains in the region, it has been announced.

Other Regional Press

• Nurse says Southeastern is 'cashing in'A front line NHS worker from Tunbridge Wells says a rail firm is taking advantage of key workers by charging more for tickets.

New Civil Engineer

• Covid-19 | Mothballing of sites hits major projects including HS2Temporary shutdown of construction sites is occurring across the UK as contractors gauge their activity no longer feasible in light of government rules and social responsibility.

Rail Magazine

• EXCLUSIVE: Angel Trains hints at plan to scrap High Speed TrainsNearly 200 High Speed Train Mk 3s and more than 20 Class 43 power cars look set to be scrapped in the coming weeks and months.

Rail Technology Magazine

• Lord Berkeley calls for six month delay to HS2In light of the current coronavirus pandemic that is sweeping the nation and the world, Lord Berkeley has published a letter to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Transport, Grant Shapps calling for HS2 to be paused for six months. At the beginning of February, Prime Minister Boris...
• Ep.9 Navigating the freight world, Debbie Francis Debbie Francis, Direct Rail Services, joins us in the RTM Podcast room to discuss the rail industry from a freight perspective. Debbie is a rail fanatic, leading the way in a male dominated area of the rail industry. With hosts Matt Roberts and Ailsa Cowen, the conversation flowed from...
• Network Rail Southern Region appealing for former professional signallers Despite losing staff to self-isolation and sickness during the coronavirus crisis, Network Rail Southern Region operations team are working to keep signal-boxes and control centres open 24/7. However, with the necessity to keep lines running day and night to keep key workers getting their jobs...
• GB Railfreight back the country's response to COVID-19 As the UK and the world comes under lockdown of varying degrees to tackle this pandemic, rail services must continue, and perhaps more than ever. GB Railfreight, Managing Director, John Smith, released a statement today (Mar 25th) exemplifying their backing for the UK’s COVID-19...

Railnews

• Work on HS2 is latest to stop during coronavirus emergency Contractors working at HS2 sites are reported to be suspending their work in reaction to the coronavirus emergency. The move follows the news that work on Transport for London and Crossrail construction sites has already been temporarily suspended. The sites included in the pause apparently include those being run by the Costain Skanska joint venture at London Euston, Old Oak Common and other enabling sites in Greater London.
• Retired railway staff urged to help out during emergency Retired railway staff are being urged to volunteer for a temporary return to duty, as the importance of maintaining rail services, particularly vital freight movements, is being highlighted by the coronavirus emergency. The first appeal was made by ScotRail, but this has now been followed by similar appeals in England and Wales. Network Rail said it is particularly seeking former signallers, crossing keepers, roster clerks, mobile operations managers and electrical control operators.

Transport Network

• GTR suspends Gatwick Express as demand slumpsThe Gatwick Express rail service will be suspended indefinitely, as part of further cuts announced by the country’s biggest rail franchise.

Other News Sources

• How smart technology is revolutionizing Asia’s railwaysWith aims to take cars off roads, reduce the impact on the environment and transform mobility, transportation is a key focus of technological disruption – and the rail systems that criss-cross our landscapes are certainly not exempt from those efforts.
• LNER postpones Mallard trainsets’ retirementIt’s reported by industry publication RAIL that train firm LNER will retain its Mallard electric trainsets for a further three years.