Network Rail has started work to build Cameron Bridge station as part of the £116·6m Levenmouth Rail Link project. The station will have two platforms, a footbridge, lifts and 125 park-and-ride spaces with provision for EV charging. Opening is planned for spring 2024.
Transport for Wales Rail has appointed LB Foster to its Pan-Wales Station Information & Security Systems framework, which runs for four years with an option for a two-year extension.
On January 24 Network Rail said it was in exclusive discussions for a long-term partnership with a consortium of two unnamed private sector mobile tower and fibre companies which would provide third-party funding to enhance its telecoms infrastructure in return for rights to commercialise the network. An agreement is expected by mid-2023. ‘The proposal provides a comprehensive package that will deliver real benefits for passengers and the railway, and also significant savings for the UK taxpayer’, said Corporate Finance Director Harriet Hepburn. Lazard & Co is acting as financial adviser to Network Rail.
During February principal contractor Story is to begin work on a £5m project to improve accessibility at Port Glasgow station, including construction of a new footbridge and lifts as well as ramped access to the entrance. The project is funded by the Access for All scheme and Inverclyde Council.
Balfour Beatty has installed Zonegreen’s Points Converter system to automate manual turnouts at South Western Railway’s Southsea sidings. Turnouts can now be operated from a post-mounted key switch panel on a walkway around 100 m away, removing the need for staff to traverse uneven terrain alongside the third rail. ‘We have not only removed the need to access these dangerous locations, but also improved the depot’s efficiency by eliminating many of the stop/starts necessary when moving trains’, said Zonegreen Technical Director Christian Fletcher.
Go-Ahead Group has set a target of hiring 1 020 apprentices in 2023, including 220 apprentice engineers and train drivers to be recruited by Govia Thameslink Railway. ‘Apprentices are fundamental to the future of our business and of our industry as a whole — and providing on-the-job learning has helped us to attract people from all walks of life’, said HR Director Scott Maynard. ‘Our apprenticeships programme is forever expanding, and the vast majority of our apprentices continue their careers with Go-Ahead after their training is completed.’
Subsidence engineering specialist Geobear has appointed Peter Luby as Group COO. He joins from Network Rail where he was the Head of Capital Delivery, leading teams delivering works on behalf of HS2 Ltd.