Latest news with #Network Rail
Telegraph
18 hours ago
- Business
- Telegraph
Network Rail accused of sabotaging bid to run private trains
Network Rail has been accused of 'dreaming up' objections to a new private train service from London Waterloo in a bid to sabotage the plan, according to the route's would-be operator. Alliance Rail, which wants to launch a service from London to Southampton next year, has accused the state-controlled group of advising the rail regulator that there is insufficient capacity on the route without conducting a formal assessment. Ian Yeowart, Alliance's managing director, said Network Rail also claimed that a level crossing and signal box could not cope with more trains and that there was no parking at the end of the planned route, even though his company had undertaken to fund any required work. He claimed the group's stance on so-called open access rules – which will allow private firms to run trains on poorly served routes even after nationalisation – had become more hostile after ministers warned against granting too many applications. 'Network Rail's intention is that they don't want us to operate. They've always been averse to new trains, but their position seems to have hardened,' he said. 'Maybe they've thought that the mood music is that the Government doesn't want open access. But it's in an untenable position on this route because they know there is capacity, and so does the regulator. They're just dreaming up problems.' Resumed service The Alliance Rail plan calls for the resumption of passenger services on the three-mile line to Marchwood on the eastern bank of the Solent, where the station would reopen after 60 years. The track is used by freight trains to a nearby military port and remains in good order. From Marchwood, the bi-mode trains would switch from diesel to electric power and run to Waterloo via Southampton, Basingstoke and Wimbledon. Alliance is seeking route rights for seven years, after which services could be extended a further five miles from Marchwood to Fawley Mr Yeowart claimed Network Rail had told the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), the regulator, that Alliance's proposed timetable was unworkable and conflicted with 24 other trains – even though information that National Rail provided indicated no such issues, he claims. Alliance also claims that Network Rail could still have proposed changes to the timetable that would have allowed the new trains to operate, as it did with earlier open access applications. Network Rail made its claims regarding capacity despite the fact that passenger numbers at Waterloo have plummeted since Covid amid a drop in commuter traffic, with the station losing its long-held status as Britain's busiest rail hub. Network Rail itself received £7m of funding to develop a business case for the so-called Waterside Line – which runs from London to Southampton, under the Restoring Your Railway scheme scrapped by Labour last year. The same trains, which would be fitted with intercity-standard interiors, could also carry cruise passengers direct to their ships using a mothballed diesel-only line in Southampton. Mr Yeowart, a former British Rail manager who has succeeded in numerous open access bids over the past 26 years, said that with spending tight, the Government should make the most of the model. Network Rail said it is for the ORR to decide whether Alliance Rail will be able to get the go-ahead for the route. A spokesman said: 'As part of their consultation, we looked at the proposed timetable and found that only two of the 41 proposed train paths adhered to timetable planning rules for the route and 24 of them had major conflicts with other services. 'In addition to timetable issues, the Waterside Line requires upgrade work to make it suitable for passenger trains, along with increased Network Rail resources to maintain and operate the line. None of these are funded.'
BBC News
28-07-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Blackheath tunnel reopens after 10-week repair closure
A rail tunnel in south-east London which is prone to leaks and water damage has reopened after a 10-week closure for trains between Charlton and Blackheath have resumed using the mile-long Blackheath tunnel (about 1.5km), after being diverted via Greenwich during the second such closure within a Rail said the £10m repair work saw thousands of bricks replaced, new lining added and drainage systems Davidson, Network Rail's chief operating officer for south eastern railway, said the programme was "groundbreaking" and reliability would be increased by the strengthening and waterproofing work. The tunnel, which first opened in 1849, had been closed since 27 Davidson added: "Savings from this approach are estimated to be around £10m and this can be reinvested across the network to deliver more improvements that will keep passengers moving."Last summer, engineers cleaned soot from the tunnel lining, carried out detailed surveys and replaced thousands of bricks to stop water getting in. This year a new tunnel lining will be installed, drainage systems rebuilt, and essential track work completed - including the removal of the waterlogged sections known as wet beds.
The Independent
19-07-2025
- The Independent
Driver in his 70s dies after car crashes on to railway track
A driver in his 70s has died after his car crashed on to railway tracks, police said. North Yorkshire Police received reports at 3.19pm on Friday that a car was on the line near Stray Rein in Harrogate. Officers found a silver VW Golf on the tracks with one person inside. The driver, a man in his 70s, was pronounced dead at the scene. Police said the vehicle was travelling in York Place before it left the road and went down the railway embankment. Officers are 'appealing for any witnesses, or anyone with dashcam footage taken in the area, to come forward as a matter of urgency'. They asked anyone with information to email mcit@ or call North Yorkshire Police on 101, quoting reference 12250132761. Superintendent Andy Nunns said: 'We will continue to work with Network Rail and the British Transport Police to minimise disruption. 'My thoughts at this time remain very much with the man's family and I would like to thank the public for their patience.'
BBC News
14-07-2025
- BBC News
How work on Stockport's £20m new bridge will hit rail passengers
No trains will call at Stockport station for three weeks when a £20m project to replace a bridge in the town centre begins next monthThe West Coast Main Line will be closed from 2 August as part of the work by Network Rail. It means no trains will run on the line between Manchester Piccadilly and Stoke-on-Trent via Macclesfield and Cheadle Hulme, the operator has will also be no train services on various other lines into Stockport. When will train services change? Some rail services will be diverted and replacement buses will run between 2 and 22 August while the new bridge will be Magee, Avanti West Coast station manager at Stockport, said there would be no trains to or from Stockport for 21 she said the station's ticket office and underpass "will be open as normal during the works and the Avanti West Coast team will be on hand to support those making journeys via rail replacement bus". How will this affect me? Ms Magee said commuters should "plan ahead, leave extra time for their journeys, and check the National Rail website, as well as with their train operator for the latest updates".Stephen Rhodes, director of bus for Transport for Greater Manchester, said: "When the rail line is closed in August we'll be accepting rail tickets on Bee Network buses in the area to help reduce the impact of the closure and make sure people can get where they need to be."Rail tickets will also be accepted on Metrolink tram services between Altrincham and Navigation Road. Engineers and utility companies plan to divert services, such as water and electricity, from below the road and into a temporary bridge that was built in should ensure local residents will have access to utilities during the work in August. Why is the bridge being replaced? The current bridge on Greek Street was built in 1958 and has "reached the end of its life", Network Rail Rhodes said the replacement of the structure - under which about 400 passenger and 50 freight services pass daily – would "ensure the safety of road and rail users for generations to come".Two cranes will be used to replace the structure, which has about 200 concrete beams, with a new bridge that is expected to last about 120 years. When will the roundabout open? Normal railway services are expected to resume on the morning of the 23 August however the overall project is expected to be completed when the road is reinstated over the bridge in spring Greek Street roundabout will then reopen. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
