First of a Kind competition opens £9 million fund for rail innovators
The competition is calling for fresh thinking from rails inventors and innovators with ideas to improve passenger journeys and decarbonise the rail network.
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DfT News
New consultation launched to improve Manchester’s railways
While the public are being asked to stay at home, the rail industry is using this opportunity to plan improvements around Manchester ready for when passengers return in much greater numbers.
HS1 to develop augmented reality technology to virtually replicate rail assets
The technology will monitor the real-time performance of rail assets and allow for the swift detection and repair of faults.
Bombardier signs agreement with Porterbrook to fit digital onboard signalling on UK trains
Under the agreement, Bombardier will fit ETCS equipment and the BOMBARDIER EBI Cab 2000 onboard Automatic Train Protection system to all ELECTROSTAR fleets in the UK.
UK Department for Transport delays rail fare rise until March 2021
The Department for Transport (DfT) will delay the normal annual January change to rail fares until 1 March 2021, offering a significant window for commuters who cannot work at home to purchase cheaper season tickets at the existing rate and allowing greater flexibility in uncertain times.
DfT and FirstGroup reach agreement on future of SWR and Avanti
The agreement with DfT has outlined that FirstGroup will not be required pay a pre-existing franchise agreement termination sum for Avanti, but must pay a contribution of £33.2 million for SWR.
£85 million funding and financing package for final phase of Crossrail confirmed
After the announcement in August 2020 that Crossrail Ltd would require funding beyond the original agreed funding envelope, a new £85 million package has been agreed upon.
Fifteen schemes given funding to restore historic rail lines and stations across England
Fifteen rail schemes across England have been awarded up to £50,000 to accelerate plans that could restore lines and stations to communities, including those closed during the Beeching cuts.
Northern Powerhouse Rail recommendations given to UK government
The Northern Powerhouse Rail network spans from Liverpool to Hull, Sheffield and the North East, and would begin construction in 2024/25.
UK digital signalling project gains additional £1.2 million in government funding
The funding will accelerate feasibility work for digital signalling on vital sections of the West Coast Main Line, Midland Main Line and East Anglia route.
HS1 set to become first UK railway to run entirely on sustainable power
By utilising wind and solar power, HS1 aims to operate solely on renewable energy and has pledged to be fully carbon neutral within a decade.
ORR statistics outline lowest passenger levels in UK since mid-19th century
During Q1 of 2020-2021, the number of passenger journeys decreased by more than 400 million when compared to the same quarter in 2019-2020.
Hydrogen-powered train to run for first time on UK mainline
The hydrogen-powered HydroFLEX train, developed by the University of Birmingham and Porterbrook, will help to decarbonise rail transportation.
Richard Allan appointed as new Managing Director for Chiltern Railways
Richard will join Chiltern Railways in October 2020, at a crucial time for the train operator after it recently signed a new agreement with the Department for Transport (DfT).
UK government ends rail franchising in bid to connect fragmented network
As part of its efforts to connect the UK's fragmented rail network and support operators through COVID-19, the UK government has begun the process to end railway franchising.
