Latest news with #WestCoastMainLine
Sky News
10 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News
Mobile signal blackspots to be eliminated on many of the UK's major train routes
Train journeys can be frustrating at the best of times - with passengers having to put up with delays, noisy commuters or a lack of available seats. However, train users could soon have one less thing to worry about as mobile signal blackspots - where the internet cuts out and pauses your favourite TV show or game - are set to be eliminated on many of the UK's major train routes by 2028. The move, called Project Reach, comes after the Department for Transport (Dft) signed a deal with Network rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. The installation of infrastructure is expected to begin next year and will initially see Neos Networks install 621 miles of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 3,107 miles in the "near future", the DfT said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels - covering nearly 31 miles - including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol and the Gasworks and Copenhagen tunnels outside King's Cross. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement "brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure", and is expected to save taxpayers "around £300m". Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. "By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. "This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation."
Yahoo
14 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
London train stations to get 4G and 5G upgrade in project to eliminate mobile blackspots on rail network
A infrastructure deal has been signed in a bid to to eliminate mobile signal blackspots on many of Britain's major train routes. Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave agreed the deal in an effort to end the dropped calls and weak internet connections people suffer when travelling by train. The new deal, named Project Reach, will initially see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the 'near future', the Department for Transport said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels covering nearly 50km (31 miles), including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement "brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure", and is expected to save taxpayers "around £300 million". Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: "This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. "By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. "This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation." The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
New deal will end many mobile blackspots for rail passengers, Government claims
Mobile signal blackspots will be eliminated on many of Britain's major train routes, the Department for Transport (DfT) has said. It made the claim after an agreement was signed between Government-owned Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. Passengers often suffer from dropped calls and weak internet connections when travelling by train. The new deal, named Project Reach, will initially see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the 'near future', the DfT said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels covering nearly 50km (31 miles), including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement 'brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure', and is expected to save taxpayers 'around £300 million'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. 'By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. 'This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.' The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
The Independent
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Independent
Crackdown on mobile signal blackspots across UK train journeys
Train passengers across Britain can anticipate an end to frustrating mobile signal blackspots and unreliable internet connections, as the Department for Transport (DfT) announces a significant initiative to boost connectivity on major routes. The DfT confirmed that a landmark agreement has been signed between Government-owned Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave, aiming to eliminate the long-standing issue of dropped calls and weak signals for commuters and travellers. Named 'Project Reach', the initial phase will see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along key arteries including parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line, and Chiltern Main Line. The DfT has expressed an ambition to expand this cabling network beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the "near future". Complementing this rollout, Freshwave will specifically target connectivity issues within 57 tunnels, covering nearly 50km (31 miles) of track. This includes notorious blackspots such as the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol, promising a more seamless digital experience even in previously challenging areas. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement 'brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure', and is expected to save taxpayers 'around £300 million'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. 'By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. 'This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.' The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
