One man's reason is another man's excuse... so how have the railway contractors (Borders Railway)responded to complaints about lack of privacy from those living alongside the line?
And what reasons will be forthcoming from Portsmouth residents about development of a railway depot.....?
No excuses here though...in Swanage ...and Portishead (read the linked articles to learn more..)
What reasons..or excuses... will be given to the UK 's Lords Select Committee, when they speak with HS2 consultants to justify their predictions for its economic benefit...?
And if you're in Ireland, what good reason would you have for not taking advantage of the bargain rail fares over the weekend holiday.....?
Click on the links....
Headlines
UK
Arriva Trains Wales rail conductors hold second strike.(BBC News)
Rail company's £7.8m investment on track to deliver service improvements between Bradford and London.(Telegraph & Argus)
Only two in five passengers will get seats on new London commuter train.(London Evening Standard)
Favourite site chosen for new Portishead railway station.(The Bristol Post)
Work starts on vital rail link to Swanage.(Dorset Echo)
Leeds to Manchester rail link through Huddersfield is key to economy of our region says influential think tank.(Huddersfield Examiner)
Borders Rail line ‘strips residents of privacy’(Edinburgh Evening News)
‘Thin end of the wedge’ - fears of more development.(Portsmouth News)
Network Rail Press Release
Final section of work to start on GNGE line
Rail passengers are reminded of just-under a fortnight of changes to train travel between Spalding and Peterborough as the next – and final - stage of investment to the Great Northern Great Eastern (GNGE) line starts this Wednesday (22 October).
Twelve modernised level crossings and new signalling between Spalding and Werrington Junction will be brought in to use as rail engineers carry out the next phase of investment to transform the GNGE line, which runs between Peterborough and Doncaster via Spalding. This work has also seen the level crossing at Fox Covert close, and the new footbridge open.
Justin Page, area director for Network Rail, explained: “The GNGE line is an important route for both freight and passenger trains. Demand for rail services continues to grow and the upgrade of this line is an important project to help meet that demand.
“In just twelve days our engineers will install modern signalling which will help to allow for future increases in services as well as improving reliability. At the same time, ten level crossings will be upgraded with the latest technology and the barrow crossing at Spalding station will be removed – further improving the safety of our network.
“This is an essential element of our continuing investment in Britain’s railway. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience to passengers and the public during this time, and thank the local community for their patience while we transform the GNGE line.”
No trains will run between Sleaford and Peterborough, in either direction, between 9pm on 22 October and 7am on Monday, 3 November to allow the improvements to be completed. Details of alternative travel arrangements are available on www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling 08457 48 49 50
08457 48 49 50.
The new signalling system will replace 1930s mechanical technology with modern electronic systems controlled from Network Rail’s Lincoln signalling control centre.
The level crossings being modernised are:
Network Rail held exhibitions in Spalding and Deeping St Nicholas during September to explain the impact of the work and road closures to residents and businesses.
Temporary closure details and diversionary routes will be signposted at each level crossing. Some preparatory works have already taken place at many of the crossings. Details of the level crossing work dates and road closures are available as a web-document at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/Great-Northern-Great-Eastern/
On completion, the £280 million, government funded GNGE project will deliver an upgraded diversionary route for freight traffic between Doncaster and Peterborough, which in turn will allow greater use of the East Coast Mainline (ECML) for passenger train paths. Consisting of five phases in total, four of which are based on Siemens’ modular signalling solution, the works will improve safety, capacity, performance and reliability, reducing the need for heavy maintenance over a 15 year period.
Further information is available by calling Network Rail’s Community Relations team on 08457 11 41 4108457 11 41 41 or by emailing CRNE@networkrail.co.uk.
Lords Select Committee
Lords ask HS2 consultants to justify their predictions for its economic benefit
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee will take evidence from the consultants who assessed the economic case for HS2.
Parliament TV: The Economic Case for HS2
Inquiry: The Economic Case for HS2
Select Committee on Economic Affairs
The Committee will question Mr Glaister on his views on whether there is a strong strategic and economic case for HS2, how reliable HS2’s demand forecasts are and whether he believed there is ‘symbiotic’ relationship between transport infrastructure and economic growth.
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Letter from Baroness Kramer to Louise Ellman MP concerning the DfT response to the Law Commission review of level crossing legislation dated 13 Ocotober 2014
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Justin Page, area director for Network Rail, explained: “The GNGE line is an important route for both freight and passenger trains. Demand for rail services continues to grow and the upgrade of this line is an important project to help meet that demand.
“In just twelve days our engineers will install modern signalling which will help to allow for future increases in services as well as improving reliability. At the same time, ten level crossings will be upgraded with the latest technology and the barrow crossing at Spalding station will be removed – further improving the safety of our network.
“This is an essential element of our continuing investment in Britain’s railway. We apologise in advance for any inconvenience to passengers and the public during this time, and thank the local community for their patience while we transform the GNGE line.”
No trains will run between Sleaford and Peterborough, in either direction, between 9pm on 22 October and 7am on Monday, 3 November to allow the improvements to be completed. Details of alternative travel arrangements are available on www.nationalrail.co.uk or by calling 08457 48 49 50
The new signalling system will replace 1930s mechanical technology with modern electronic systems controlled from Network Rail’s Lincoln signalling control centre.
The level crossings being modernised are:
- Winsover Road, Spalding
- Hawthorn Bank, Spalding
- London Road, Spalding
- South Drove, South Drove Drain
- Luck's Road, Deeping St Nicholas
- Tinsley’s, Deeping St Nicholas
- Littleworth , Deeping St Nicholas
- Sly Brothers, Deeping St Nicholas
- Stow Gate, Deeping St James
- St James Deeping
- Welland Bank, Deeping St James
- Folly Bank, Peakirk
Network Rail held exhibitions in Spalding and Deeping St Nicholas during September to explain the impact of the work and road closures to residents and businesses.
Temporary closure details and diversionary routes will be signposted at each level crossing. Some preparatory works have already taken place at many of the crossings. Details of the level crossing work dates and road closures are available as a web-document at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/Great-Northern-Great-Eastern/
On completion, the £280 million, government funded GNGE project will deliver an upgraded diversionary route for freight traffic between Doncaster and Peterborough, which in turn will allow greater use of the East Coast Mainline (ECML) for passenger train paths. Consisting of five phases in total, four of which are based on Siemens’ modular signalling solution, the works will improve safety, capacity, performance and reliability, reducing the need for heavy maintenance over a 15 year period.
Further information is available by calling Network Rail’s Community Relations team on 08457 11 41 41
Lords Select Committee
Lords ask HS2 consultants to justify their predictions for its economic benefit
The House of Lords Economic Affairs Committee will take evidence from the consultants who assessed the economic case for HS2.
Witnesses
On Tuesday 21 October, at 3.35pm, Committee Room 2a, Palace of Westminster:- Bridget Rosewell, Volterra Consultants
- Lewis Atter, KPMG
- Jim Steer, Steer Davis Gleave Consultants
- Professor Stephen Glaister, Imperial College London
- How robust are the findings in KPMG’s report for HS2 Ltd of a £15bn annual uplift for the UK economy by 2037 as a result of HS2
- How much shorter journey times are worth to business and whether the journey times stated take account of the length of time to get to the proposed station locations
- What other policies or investment will be needed to ensure regional cities benefit from HS2
- Whether alternative rail investment in the existing infrastructure would produce greater economic benefits
- The impact charging premium fares would have on passenger demand and the predictions made in the economic case.
The Committee will question Mr Glaister on his views on whether there is a strong strategic and economic case for HS2, how reliable HS2’s demand forecasts are and whether he believed there is ‘symbiotic’ relationship between transport infrastructure and economic growth.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter from Baroness Kramer to Louise Ellman MP concerning the DfT response to the Law Commission review of level crossing legislation dated 13 Ocotober 2014
===========================================
These are exciting times for the tunnelling industry. Thames Tideway Tunnel’s Development Consent Order (DCO) has now been granted. London Underground announced the Ferrovial Agroman and Laing O’Rourke JV as the winning team for the Northern Line Extension earlier this year. And just last week, Simon Kirby announced that all tier one contractors for the £6.1 billion Phase One of HS2 will be awarded ahead of Royal Assent.<
With senior representatives from Thames Tideway Tunnel, London Underground and HS2 speaking this year, the 2014 Tunnelling Summit is set to be a critical event for anyone involved in this booming sector.
For more information on the speakers and sessions this year, download the event brochure here.
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International
Bangladesh
More reasons to overhaul railway.(New Age)
Illegal structures on the railway tracks...268 deaths in last 8 months.....
Canada
Efficiency gains at Canadian Pacific Railway in Q3
Clark Schultz, SA News Editor (SA Breaking News)
- Canadian Pacific Railway (CP +3%) reports freight revenue increased 9% Y/Y to $1.629B during Q3.
- Total carload volume up 2% to 687M.
- Freight revenue per carload +7% to $2,372.
- Operating expenses +4% to $1.049B.
Take the Train this Weekend
No Traffic Jams, No Hassle
If you are considering a Bank Holiday getaway this weekend,
If you are considering a Bank Holiday getaway this weekend,
Why not make your weekend even more enjoyable by taking the train;you can relax all the way to your destination and all the way back.
Trains are filling up fast though so be sure to book online today.
Great hotel offers are available from our partner irishrailhotels.ie starting at just €39 per person sharing.
Check out www.irishrailhotels.ie for 100's of fabulous destinations and offers to suit every budget.STUDENTS ITS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO WIN
Are you a student hoping to get home this Bank Holiday Weekend?
Then simply tweet your preferred origin and destination with #RailFTW to be 1 of the many lucky students that have won a free return trip home with us.
You can also enter on Facebook
Entrants must have a valid Student Id and be available to travel this Friday 24th October.
===============================================================
Check out www.irishrailhotels.ie for 100's of fabulous destinations and offers to suit every budget.STUDENTS ITS YOUR LAST CHANCE TO WIN
Are you a student hoping to get home this Bank Holiday Weekend?
Then simply tweet your preferred origin and destination with #RailFTW to be 1 of the many lucky students that have won a free return trip home with us.
You can also enter on Facebook
Entrants must have a valid Student Id and be available to travel this Friday 24th October.
===============================================================
Thailand
Japan seeks tech, railway cooperation.(Bangkok Post)
USA
www.progressiverailroading.com
China to pitch high speed trains to California (Reuters)
How viable is a U.S. high-speed rail system?(CBS News)
Don't miss this high-level event for the European rail industry.Watch the European Rail Summit on the web - join the debate live!
The European Rail Summit will bring together leading figures from the European Parliament, Commission and Council, along with senior railway representatives and customers from around the world to discuss the future of Europe's railways.
As part of European Union’s vision for transport between now and 2050, rail is expected to play an increasing role in moving freight and passenger traffic across the Single Market.
Register HERE
Better conversations between Europe’s rail industry and the EC (European Railway Review)
Other Railway Press
www.railway-technology.com
UIC report reveals railway accidents in Europe increased in 2013
The International Union of Railways (UIC) 2014 annual report has revealed that the number of railway fatalities had increased on European railway networks in 2013.
Stadler Rail delivers first FLIRT train to MTR Express
Switzerland train manufacturer Stadler Rail has delivered the first unit of six FLIRT intercity trains to the Hong-Kong based private operator MTR Express.
Alstom to deliver 12 new MF01 metro sets for STIF and RATP
A consortium consisting of Alstom, Bombardier Transport and Areva will deliver 12 new MF01 metro sets to Ile-de-France Transport Authority (STIF) and Paris transport operator Régie Autonome des Transports Parisiens (RATP).
Turkey's 79km-long section of Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway project to complete in 2015
Turkey Transport Minister Lütfi Elvan has announced that the construction of a 79km-long railway route in Turkey is to be completed in 2015.
SmartRail World
Improving passenger comfort through data management innovation.
By Luke Upton
"Notably, the biggest challenge is NOT the technology. All the pieces are already in place, or soon will be, for better engagement between passengers and trains. The main challenge is providing services with sufficient value to motivate the passengers to interact and participate."
Today SmartRail World speaks to Rick Pearson, Senior Solutions Engineer at Quester Tangent, a leading independent supplier of monitoring and diagnostic systems in North America. Quester Tangent has been providing train electronics and software solutions for the passenger rail transit industry for over 20 years. They work with the world’s major train manufacturers and transit authorities, with offerings including monitoring and control products, on-train displays, event recorders, communication and data networks, and passenger information systems.
LU: Thanks for the time today Rick, just how quickly are the demands of both passengers and the rail transit industry changing?
RP: As the saying goes: “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” Our passengers demand the same experience today as in the past: reliable transportation, personal safety and a comfortable environment. Transit authorities can find meeting these needs more challenging due to the increased use of technology, automation and computerization on board the trains and the wayside. Innovative approaches are required to maximize the use of these high-tech systems to improve the passenger experience and increase rider comfort.
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