Transport Secretary names next Network Rail and DFTO chairs
UK: Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander has appointed Richard George as the next Chair of infrastructure manager Network Rail, and Sir Andrew Haines as Chair of Department for Transport Operator Ltd.
Alstom completes £49m signalling upgrade on the London to Portsmouth line
UK: Alstom has completed a £49m project to install ‘innovative’ signalling and ‘first-of-type’ level crossings between Farncombe and Petersfield on the Portsmouth Direct line.
UK rail accident investigation body issues warning over reliance on remote condition monitoring technology
UK: The Rail Accident Investigation Branch has issued urgent advice asking Network Rail to consider the risk of remote monitoring sensors on earthworks being overwhelmed during extreme weather.
‘Five firsts’ celebrated at Tuxford as UK rail sector seeks role in hydrogen economy
UK: Network Rail and industry partners held an event at Tuxford in Nottinghamshire on December 3 marking the first use of rail to transport hydrogen on the main line network.
Consolidated guidance issued for cranes operating near railways
UK: The Construction Plant-hire Association has released consolidated guidance to provide clear and consistent requirements for all types of crane operating near live railway environments.
Network Rail launches Platform4 to regenerate railway land
UK: Network Rail had officially launched Platform4, a brownfield property development company created though the merger of its Property Development business with government-owned London & Continental Railways.
RSSB updates cross-industry Train Protection Strategy
UK: The Rail Safety & Standards Board has updated its Train Protection Strategy, which is designed to help train operators and infrastructure managers understand and mitigate the risks of signals passed at danger and overspeeding.
Beaulieu Park station opens to support Chelmsford housing development
Infrastructure: Scour monitoring helps to bridge the gap
Network Rail launches weather learning programme for rail staff
National rail clock design with circulating split double arrow launched
Railway emergency response training centre opens
Integrated rail leadership shows early promise
Network Rail and Loram launch track machine ETCS working group
Richmond’s 1937 Art Deco station restored
Network Rail details changes to spending in first year of CP7
Network Rail to improve flooding and coastal risk management planning
Midlands Rail Hub alliance partners selected
Live trial suggests Virtual Worksite Marker Boards could save the rail industry £23m per year
First covered version of Network Rail’s Beacon footbridge installed