Following a site-based behavioural study undertaken by the University of Nottingham and SHE Solutions, Network Rail has approved the SiteZone RFID proximity warning system, which uses tags worn by staff to provide vibration, audio and visual alerts if someone enters the protection zone around vehicles or plant. SiteZone PWS has already been used on civil engineering projects including Crossrail, London Underground’s Four Lines Modernisation programme and HS2 enabling works.
Testing, inspection and compliance services company Socotec has undertaken environmental swabbing of train and station touchpoints to determine the level of microbiological contamination including any traces of the SARS–CoV-2 virus. No traces of the virus were detected on door handles, grab rails, tables, toilet flushes and driver’s cabs, and the surfaces had low levels of bacteria, fungi, yeasts and moulds.
South Western Railway has gained ‘Putting the Customer First’ accreditation from Customer First UK, which visited the train company’s facilities in Basingstoke and conducted secret shopper visits at stations. ‘This is a great accolade for any organisation during normal business cycles, but the determination demonstrated by SWR to continue their efforts during the pandemic is particularly impressive’, said Customer First UK CEO Ted Stone.
As part of efforts to make travel on the Reading to Gatwick line more accessible, the North Downs Line Community Rail Partnership is providing online rail travel training for older people, adults with a disability and people with mental health needs, and is developing photographic station and local area walking guides for adults with learning disabilities.
Chief Executive of HS2 Ltd and Loughborough University alumnus Mark Thurston has joined the university as Visiting Professor of Complex Project & Programme Leadership. ‘HS2 is committed to leaving a lasting legacy of skills and knowledge in engineering and major projects’, said Thurston. ‘I look forward to supporting the research and teaching in this area, as well as engaging with the students about the project.’
Transport for Wales Rail is seeking start-ups to join Cohort 3 of its remote innovation accelerator programme, which will begin in May. The deadline for applications is April 4.
East Midlands Railway has launched a Build Back Better Competition, giving passengers the opportunity to share their ideas for better journeys and win £5 000. The first theme is wellbeing. ‘We welcome all ideas; no idea is too small. We can’t wait to see what creative ideas you have’, said Managing Director Will Rogers.
Worldline and Evoke Creative have designed a charity donation kiosk which will be installed at Glasgow Central, Leeds, Manchester Piccadilly, Birmingham New Street and Reading stations, enabling people to tap a bank card to quickly donate from £3 to £15 to the Routes out of Homelessness charity initiative.
HS2 Ltd has launched a jobs brokerage site to promote the estimated 20 000 roles that Phase 1 will create throughout the supply chain. Vacancies can be searched by region or specialism. ‘I’d encourage anyone who is interested in working on the UK’s largest infrastructure project to check the new HS2 jobs board, whether you work in health and safety, engineering, catering, logistics, or the many other sectors where HS2 is already creating huge opportunities’, said HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson.