International & UK Railway News 12th February 2014

 Total Railway News

 

 


Another day of weather hitting the headlines.. and the Government announces new measures to help communities hit by flooding, including the Department for Transport (DfT) to provide £31million to fund 10 rail resilience projects in the South West to improve resilience to flooding, including works at Cowley Bridge in Exeter.

There is one assessment that the current situation and its aftermath will persist for months....
But there is some relief for Tube commuters now that the latest strike has been called off..  for now, anyway.


In Japan, the first Hokuriku trains take to the tracks...but another analyst comments that the high speed train market will slow down....


Infrastructure refurbishment has been to the fore in South Africa...Ethiopian railway builders have come up against low bridges ... and in Powys, the decision has been taken to close a level crossing ..or two.


And we read of the village blighted by HS2...............


Read On...........






Headlines.

 

High-speed train market set to slow (IRJ) 

 

Japan: first Hokuriku trains take to the tracks (IRJ) 

 

UK floods: 'Unspent' £60m may be used on rail repairs. (BBC News)

 

6,405KM OF RAIL REPLACED IN SA. (Railways Africa) 

 

LOW BRIDGE STYMIES ETHIOPIAN RAIL BUILDERS. (Railways Africa) 

 

Trains between Reading and London delayed by flooding. (BBC News)

 

We're 'Britain's most blighted village' claim residents. (BBC News)

 

UK floods: 'Delays for weeks, if not months' (BBC News)

 

Green light for Powys rail crossings closure.(BBC News)

 

STUDENTS TAKE ON COMMUNITY RAIL PROJECT (Island Echo)

 

 

Tube strike cancelled after last minute talks.(The Telegraph)


West Coast Main Line closures scrapped after Network Rail review.(Northampton Chronicle & Echo)


Stop Network Rail sleepwalking into another procurement fiasco. (The Information Daily)












www.parliament.uk

 

Recent Storms and Floods in the UK

 

11 February 2014

                           

 

A report by the Met Office and the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, ‘A Global Perspective on the Recent Storms and Floods in the UK’ stated that the severe weather in the UK “has been exceptional in its duration, and has led to the wettest December to January period in the UK since records began”. It concluded that this was part of a more general increase in the intensity of North Atlantic storms and UK rainfall.


The run of storms that has hit Britain over the winter has been fueled by colder than usual air over North America entering the North Atlantic jet stream, which caused a temperature gradient that contributed to the creation of a succession of depressions that have resulted in record rainfall as well as inland and coastal flooding. The report concludes that the weather on both sides of the Atlantic is affected by conditions in the Pacific Ocean influencing the jet stream. However, it is not yet possible to give a definitive answer on the possible contribution of climate change to the recent storminess, rainfall amounts and the consequent flooding.


The report notes that the cluster of drought and flood events through the early years of the 21st century and the recent runoff and recharge patterns, are near to the extreme range of historical variability. In April 2013, POST held an event on adapting landscapes and infrastructure to the increased frequency and intensity of flood and drought events expected with climate change; audio recordings and copies of the presentations are available here.


The recent storms have led to a number of calls for changes in the UK’s approach to flood protection. For example, the Chartered Institute for Water & Environmental Management, leading flood scientists and engineers  have all called for a more long-term, coordinated approach, including use of ‘soft engineering’ – a subject that POST covered in 2011 with a POSTnote on flood risk management using landscape features (Natural Flood Management).

Sapsan train: a ride in the cab. (Russian Railways on YouTube)


Sapsan train number 163A, St. Petersburg - Moscow: a ride in the cab.
Video from Alexander Popov

 

 

www.railway-technology.com Updates New

 

Kochi Metro Rail to receive €180m loan from French financial agency

Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) has signed an agreement with French financial agency Agence Française de Développement (AFD) for a long-term loan for the Kochi Metro Phase-1 project. 

       
Russian Railways to purchase 629 new locomotives in 2014

Russian Railways has allocated RUB76.1bn ($2.19bn) to purchase 629 new locomotives, including 352 electric and 277 diesel vehicles, as part of its 2014 investment programme. 

       
SBS begins driverless Downtown Line 1 service in Singapore

SBS Transit has begun passenger service on the Siemens-equipped driverless underground metro line, Downtown Line 1 (DTL1), in Singapore. 

        
Network Rail agrees five-year plan with ORR

Network Rail has agreed with the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) to spend £38bn in maintaining, renewing and improving the network of Britain's railway over the next five years.

 

 

www.progressiverailroading.com US News New

 Florida East Coast posts progress on Port Everglades' new container facility


Sen. Hoeven schedules meeting between BNSF, ag product shippers to address delays


Committee reviewing high-speed rail proposal for Alberta


Texas university opens rail safety research center


Progressive Railroading seeks nominations for Rising Stars 2014


Caltrain begins clearing vegetation for San Mateo bridge project


Minnesota rail authority issues RFPs for corridor between St. Paul, Mall of America


North Dakota crude terminal launches unit train operations

 Amtrak turns on free Wi-Fi service for Midwest trains



and....

Amtrak, short-line tax credit, train-crew size among key rail topics in D.C.

Other News         New Mallard 75 - National Railway Museum Russian Railways to reduce stake in Aeroexpress - Railway Gazette  European railways unveil joint technical strategy - Railway Gazette  Spring Steam Gala « West Somerset Railway  Cabinet backing for Indian locomotive factories - Railway Gazette Penalty regime in new Buenos Aires commuter operating agreements - Railway Gazette  New measures to help communities hit by flooding - Press releases - GOV.UK  New measures to help communities hit by flooding David Cameron has announced a comprehensive package of new measures to help hard-working homes, businesses and farmers hit by the floods The measures include: a £5,000 “repair and renew” grant for all affected homeowners and businesses - this will top up any money received from insurers to ensure flood resilience is built into homes and businesses as they are repaired all affected businesses will get 100% business rate relief for 3 months and will also get an extra 3 months to pay the business taxes they owe to HMRC as they get back on their feet a £10 million fund for farmers suffering water-logged fields to help restore it to farmable land as quickly as possible. a total commitment in excess of £750 million from the major banks to provide financial support to business and individual customers affected by the floods Read more about the UK government response to the ongoing severe weather and flooding. Prime Minister David Cameron said: Britain is facing some of the worst flooding in decades following the wettest winter in 2 and a half centuries. Through the COBR mechanism, this government continues to take clear action across the board to ensure that everything that can be done is being done; whether that is extra pumps and sandbags, a commitment to dredging in Somerset, deploying the military to shore up flood defences and provide additional support for local emergency services. We are taking, and will continue to take whatever steps are necessary. And today I have announced a comprehensive package of new measures to help-hardworking homes, businesses and farmers hit by these floods to get back on their feet with special grants for homeowners and businesses, business rate relief, a £10 million fund for farmers and a £750 million commitment from all the major banks to provide financial support. We are helping people who need help and protecting communities who need protecting, and as I said yesterday money is no object to help this flood relief effort. In addition to the £130 million of increased flood funding already announced, the Prime Minister pledged new action to keep affected areas moving, including: the deployment of military personnel to support the flood effort. The military are working through existing Gold and Silver commands to assist local communities and emergency response teams on the ground - reinforcing sandbags and shoring up flood defences, helping children get to school and the sick to medical assistance, providing relief to emergency services who have been working 24/7 and checking on vulnerable individuals £31 million confirmed to deliver 10 key rail projects in the South West to improve resilience to flooding, including works at Cowley Bridge in Exeter a further £30 million for local authorities in England affected by the severe weather for road maintenance, including pothole repairs Patrick McLoughlin will chair urgent resilience meetings with the bus and coach operators to ensure that all necessary extra services are in place for the areas currently affected, and to plan for any further capacity required should the severe weather continue and affect other parts of the country. The Prime Minister will continue to lead the national response by chairing meetings of the government’s emergency committee, COBR. To oversee the government’s wider policy response to the recovery, the Prime Minister has set up a new Cabinet Committee and will chair the first meeting on Thursday. Details of the new measures “Repair and renew” grant for all affected homeowners and businesses The £5,000 grant will provide financial support for households and businesses to pay for repairs which improve a property’s ability to withstand future flooding. Business taxes all affected businesses will be able to apply to their local authority to get business rate relief for 3 months further detail will be announced shortly on the application process and eligibility HMRC will also set up a new hotline for those who have been affected by flooding and may have difficulties in meeting their tax liabilities in all cases HMRC will look to offer up to 3 months additional time to pay. This will cover all taxes owed to HMRC, including VAT, PAYE and corporation tax £10million fund for farmers suffering water-logged fields the government will make available up to £10 million for a one-off grant scheme designed to support farm businesses to restore flooded agricultural land and bring it back into production as quickly as possible the fund will also help farmers introduce lasting and sustainable flood prevention measures to help secure future production once land is restored the fund will be open for applications by the end of February - we will keep the application window open for as long as possible given uncertainty around flood water levels receding the scheme will be open to all farm businesses that require support but will be targeted at those areas most affected by the flood crisis the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will announce further details and a single point of contact (for email, post and telephone) shortly £750 million from the major banks A total commitment in excess of £750 million from the major banks to provide financial support to business and individual customers affected by the floods. The packages include a mixture of repayment holidays, reduced or waived fees, loan extensions, increased flexibility of terms, and additional specialist support teams deployed on the ground. This support is being made available to businesses, farmers and individual customers in affected areas. RBS have already announced a £250 million interest free loan fund for affected businesses, and have extended this with an offer of repayment holidays for mortgage customers Lloyds and Barclays have today announced financial packages of around £250 million each HSBC, Santander and Nationwide have also announced extensive programmes of support for their affected business and individual customers Transport announcements Rail resilience projects The Department for Transport (DfT) will provide £31million to fund 10 rail resilience projects in the South West to improve resilience to flooding, including works at Cowley Bridge in Exeter. Network Rail will undertake work at the following locations: Cowley Bridge Junction Chipping Sodbury Hinksey Whiteball Tunnel South Athley – Cogload Hele Bradninch Flax Bourton Patchway up Tunnel earthworks strengthening at Honiton and Crewkerne Network Rail will also install rainfall, river flow and groundwater monitoring around Cowley Bridge Junction and Chipping Sodbury. Funding for local authorities The Department for Transport (DfT) will provide £30 million of additional funding for local authorities in England affected by the severe weather for road maintenance, including pothole repairs. This is in addition to the £3.5 million transport element of the £7 million flood recovery package announced on 17 January. Industry resilience meetings The Prime Minister has tasked the Transport Secretary to work with bus and coach industry and other public transport operators to ensure that all necessary extra services are in place for the areas currently affected, and to plan for any further capacity required should the severe weather continue and affect other parts of the country.