Talgo has given a sleeping car formerly used on Madrid – Paris overnight services to Chesterfield Borough Council. It is to be used for training and education purposes at the Barrow Hill Roundhouse, where the Spanish company’s UK business plans to establish an innovation centre based on a collaboration with Barrow Hill Engine Shed Society, Chesterfield College, the University of Derby, Newcastle University’s NewRail and Midlands Rail Forum. Plans are being developed by Focus Consultants and Maber Architects.
Transport for Wales has begun construction of the £100m depot which will maintain the South Wales Metro fleet and house the operations control centre. The depot on the Garth Works Industrial Estate at Taff’s Well will be the base for approximately 400 train crew, 35 rolling stock maintenance staff and 52 control centre staff.
TransPennine Express is to introduce Delay Repay 15 on February 2. Passengers delayed by 15 min or more will be able to claim back 25% of their ticket price for a single ticket, and 12·5% for a return ticket. Season ticket holders will also be able to claim compensation.
London Liverpool Street station now offers passengers with hidden disabilities sunflower lanyards and ticket holders, providing a sign for staff that additional support or help may be required. The ticket holders have been specially made to provide extra discretion should someone wish to only disclose when they need help, rather than wearing a lanyard which is on show to everyone. The initiative is supported by charities including the Royal National Institute for the Blind, Alzheimer’s Society, National Autistic Society and Action on Hearing Loss.
The modernised Twickenham station was formally opened on January 27, providing more space for passengers, step-free access to all platforms, 250 cycle spaces, an enhanced queuing system for match days at the stadium and a larger ticket office. The building works were undertaken by Osborne. The station modernisation forms the first phase of the Twickenham Gateway development being undertaken by the Solum joint venture of Network Rail and Kier Property, with phase two to see six retail units open and over 100 homes built by early 2021.
Govia Thameslink Railway has donated more than 75 abandoned bicycles to Sussex Community Development Association’s Get Socially Active/Recycle community recycling project. The bikes are refurbished by people wanting to gain work experience in Lewes, Newhaven, Peacehaven, Seaford and surrounding villages, and then sold with the money made reinvested in the project.
The government has allocated £20m for the new stations fund, £1·5m to develop proposals for reopening the Blyth & Tyne line, £100 000 for similar work on the Fleetwood line, and £300 000 for an ‘Ideas Fund’ to encourage concepts that will be considered for further funding in the future.
West Midlands Trains has launched a Considerate Behaviour campaign targeting passengers on Birmingham’s Cross City Line. Areas of focus include keeping doorways clear and allowing passengers off the train before boarding; keeping noise to acceptable levels; not using bikes, skateboards or roller skates on platforms; keeping feet off the seats; and using litter bins.
