UK Railway News 15th November 2012

Train companies respond to union claim over return to third class rail (ATOC)

14/11/2012

Responding to a union claim about a return to "third class rail", a spokesperson for the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) said:

“Decades of decline on the railways have been turned around since privatisation as train companies have used their commercial skills to offer passengers improved services, helping to attract record numbers of people to travel by rail. Satisfaction and punctuality are all close to or at record levels but we know there is always more we can do.
“Profit margins for train companies are, on average, around 3% - considerably lower when compared with other industries.”

Bingham level crossing – have your say (Network Rail)

 

Following feedback, Network Rail is holding another public event to discuss options to close the level crossing at Moor Lane in Bingham. The work is to reduce the risk of misuse and create a safer crossing over the railway.
 

Martin Frobisher, East Midlands route managing director for Network Rail said: “Working with the local community we want to find a solution to this crossing point. There are still different options on the table of how we achieve this.

These proposals are part of Network Rail’s level crossing improvement scheme. Network Rail is committed to reducing the risk at level crossings across the East Midlands. We want to hear as many local residents’ views as possible.”

The next public event will take place on 10 December at Bingham Methodist Centre from 14.00 until 20.00. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer any questions.
Options include:

A fully accessible bridge at Moor Lane including ramps

• A smaller stepped footbridge with additional footpaths
• Modifications to the existing station footbridge

 

Work begins on Sleaford rail line(Network Rail)

 

The Sleaford avoiding rail line is being renewed by Network Rail to help meet increasing demand for rail travel and freight capacity.

Preparatory vegetation works on the line on the east side of Sleaford, will take place in the coming weeks. It is part of a £280m programme of essential renewals on the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line which runs from Peterborough to Doncaster via Spalding, Lincoln and Gainsborough.
Scheduled for completion in Spring 2014, work includes the replacement of a number of level crossings, renewal of the existing signalling system, bridgeworks and extensive track renewals, replacing older track with a modern equivalent helping reduce the environmental impact from passing rail traffic.
Work on the line at Sleaford will include vegetation clearance works and the removal of some sections of the older track during normal working hours, Monday to Friday over the next four to five weeks. New track bed and rails will then be installed later next year.
Network Rail Route Managing Director Phil Verster said: “Once it is renewed this line will allow us to divert rail freight traffic around Sleaford Town Centre. It will also provide far greater operational flexibility than is currently available, helping us to improve train performance and reliability.”

Notes:

On completion, the GNGE project will deliver enhanced safety, improved performance and reliability, a reduced need for heavy maintenance and will provide additional capacity for freight and passenger traffic when required, with each freight train taking approximately 60 lorry journeys off the roads.

Notes to editors