This week’s round-up of business news from the UK railway industry.
Between August 29 and September 7 Network Rail and contractor AmcoGiffen strengthened a 160-year-old 15-arch Chapel Milton viaduct on the Great Rocks freight line near Chapel-en-le-Frith. The £7·5m project has seen voids filled to strengthen the structure, brickwork repairs, reinforcement of the parapets, installation of new waterproofing and drainage systems as well as handrails and guardrails, track renewal and realignment. The line serves four major quarries, with 25 000 tonnes of material carried over the viaduct daily.
First in class dynamic testing of ETCS on an LNER Hitachi Azuma trainset has been completed at the Melton test track as part of the East Coast Digital Programme. The trainset was fitted with ETCS from new, and has had a software upgrade in readiness for use in passenger service from next year.
Walker Construction has begun work to upgrade Greater Anglia’s Wickford station by autumn 2026, with new waiting facilities, a new platform awning, ticket vending machines, a new ticket office and a toilet. Walker Construction Managing Director Phil Webb said ‘we are proud and privileged to be collaborating with Greater Anglia on this first-of-a-kind hub station. It is forward-thinking of Greater Anglia to use modern methods of construction, and this project will significantly improve the passenger experience.’
Land, environment and infrastructure planning and consents specialist Dalcour Maclaren, which supports complex transport schemes including HS2, has launched a Stakeholder Engagement service designed to help projects move faster and with fewer risks. It is led by Beth Motley, who brings 20 years of experience in strategic communications, public affairs and community engagement across the built environment, energy and infrastructure sectors. ‘The Stakeholder Engagement team will align technical delivery with strategic communications’, said Motley. ’By drawing on our collective expertise, we aim to better understand the individuals, organisations and communities that influence project outcomes – helping to build trust and foster collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.’
South Western Railway is expanding the use of body-worn video cameras for frontline staff including guards and gateline assistants to help tackle a rise in assaults and abuse. The cameras are activated by the wearer and capture 30 sec of footage prior to activation.
Rail infrastructure contractor Spencer Group has added a buddy scheme to its apprenticeship programme. This year’s cohort of 13 young people includes six engineering apprentices, two each in commercial, marketing and IT roles and one in plant fitting. The buddy scheme sees each apprentice paired with an apprentice from an earlier cohort who will support them, in addition to their assigned mentor who guides them through their studies.
Former Secretary of State for Transport Lord McLoughlin is stepping down as Chair of Transport for the North having chaired his final meeting on September 15.
TransPennine Express has installed cycle lockers topped with green roofs at Selby and Brough stations. They have space for five bicycles, with the roofs designed to absorb rainwater, support pollinating species and capture carbon dioxide. Customers can use the facilities for free by bringing their own padlock or bike lock.
CrossCountry reports that refurbishment of the long-distance Voyager fleet has begun in earnest, with the first refurbished train scheduled to roll off the factory line by Spring 2026.
Anne Shaw is to leave her role as Executive Director of Transport for West Midlands to become Chief Executive of the National Transport Authority in Ireland.
Transport for London has awarded Mitie a five-year contract to provide mechanical, electrical, fabric and fire safety maintenance at 32 head office sites and 200 other transport hubs including the London Trams depot, as well the London Transport Museum. The contract wil see 86 people transferring to Mitie. There is an option to extend for a further two years.