Amey Rail is to undertake Network Rail Product Acceptance trials with off-the-shelf safety programmable logic controller technology for level crossings which has been developed by Sella Controls. It is envisages that the use of COTS PLCs could provide significant cost reductions and increased performance.
A flood defence system is incorporated into a 181-space car park which is due to open at Northern’s Mytholmroyd station on February 1. The park-and-ride facility has been built in a £3∙9m project funded by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, and includes a 431 000 litre tank which will capture storm water for release into the River Calder at a controlled rate to reduce the risk of flooding.
The Office of Rail & Road has authorised the operation of London Overground’s five-car Bombardier Transportation Class 710/2 dual voltage EMUs singly or in pairs, the first authorisation under rules revised following the UK’s departure from the EU.
The period when buses and coaches which do not meet accessibility regulations can still be used on rail replacement services has been extended to September 30. The Department for Transport said train operators are expected to use compliant vehicles wherever possible, and should provide accessible transport for disabled passengers. This new period of special authorisations is intended to allow the government and industry to continue to explore long-term solutions for providing compliant rail replacement services. ’I acknowledge this is not an issue that can be resolved by the rail industry alone’, Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris told the Rail Delivery Group.
On January 15 the RMT trade union said it was ‘kicking off a new fight’ for Covid-safe working practices, and was unhappy with proposals from the Rail Industry Coronavirus Forum. ‘The union believes that there is a dangerous “business as usual” attitude emerging from employers as we do not see evidence of measures being put in place to adequately protect our members, and rigorous enforcement of such measures, in view of the changed and more dangerous phase of this pandemic’, commented General Secretary Mick Cash. ‘I am issuing revised guidance to our lead officers, representatives and members specific to the work being undertaken to ensure that the measures in place have taken into account the dangers and risks presented by the new variants.’
Low and medium volume sheet metal, pressed and formed parts company Premier Group Manufacturing (Coventry) Ltd has joined Rail Forum Midlands.
Stephen George + Partners has promoted transport specialist Alistair Branch to partner at its Leeds office. ‘SGP’s willingness to co-operate across sector specialisms and offices has helped us to deliver successful public and private sector air, bus and rail projects and I am confident that growth in transport and the wider Leeds office sectors will continue’, he said.
Local contractor Thompsons of Prudhoe has been appointed to undertake demolition of the Tyne & Wear Metro’s Gosforth depot, which is being rebuilt by VolkerFitzpatrick as part of the fleet replacement programme. Other regional companies involved in the project are Consultive Solutions, Ryder Architects, CMS Architects and Advance365.
SLC Rail has obtained Great Place to Work-certification. ‘It’s a really positive endorsement of the collaborative culture we encourage, which benefits not only our people and partners but those clients who choose to work with us, said Managing Director Ian Walters.