Latest news with #railupgrade
BBC News
01-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Call for £18m rail line upgrade between Nottingham and Lincoln
A proposed £18m upgrade to a "critical" rail line will cut journey times, reduce road traffic and boost the local economy, campaigners have the journey between Nottingham, Newark and Lincoln - known as the Castle Line - takes around an Connect said only 10% of trips on this route were by train, but increasing the speed should make it more group, which represents local councils and transport providers, first put forward the idea in 2023 but has now submitted a new report on the project to the Department for Transport (DfT). 'Economic growth' The proposed upgrades aim to increase train speeds along the route from a typical 50mph (80km/h) to about 75mph (120km/h).The long-term aim is to double the frequency of services to two trains an hour, though no aim has been announced for how long journeys would take between the two cities following the Connect said this could drive economic development, promote more sustainable travel and foster social mobility along the route, helping to address areas of deprivation. Its report estimates the project could deliver a £3.60 return in regional benefits for every £1 proposed work would see the relocation of one signal unit, short sections of minor track re-alignment and carrying out structural repairs to existing Naish, MP for Rushcliffe and chair of the East Midlands all-party political group, said: "The Castle Line is a critical local line, connecting many suburban and rural communities to jobs, services, and opportunities in both major cities."Nottingham and Lincoln are fantastic cities, homes to a diverse range of businesses and excellent universities. "By better connecting them to the local communities in between, we can help to improve social mobility and drive forwards economic growth while promoting more sustainable transport choices."I fully back this proposal."Midlands Connect is asking the DfT to grant approval for the scheme to proceed to Decision to Develop, which is the second of five stages in the Rail Network Enhancements Pipeline (RNEP) it progresses on schedule, work could start in April 2026 with completion in summer 2028.A DfT spokesperson said: "We are absolutely committed to improving connectivity across the East Midlands, which is why we are investing over £2bn to improve transport infrastructure in the region, as part of our Plan for Change."We will look carefully at the proposals for the Castle Line and we fully anticipate it will be part of a pipeline of projects to be considered in future funding decisions."
BBC News
05-07-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Network Rail closes Spalding level crossing for upgrade works
A level crossing in Spalding will be closed as work begins on a £215,000 upgrade scheme. Network Rail said the renovation of the crossing on Winsover Road would "improve both rail reliability and safety for all users".The "essential" work includes replacing the crossing surface, which had "reached the end of its operational life". Deck units, tarmac and road markings will also be replaced, the company crossing will be closed at weekends until 14 July and also overnight between 11 and 13 August. Motorists and pedestrians have been urged to check closure times before starting their journeys. The weekend closures are between 20:30 BST on Saturday and 07:00 on overnight weekday closures in August will be from 21:30 to 06: Rail said it hoped to complete the work while no trains were scheduled to run and "with the least possible disruption to passenger journeys and local residents".Matthew Story, a supervisor for the company, said: "This significant investment will deliver a much smoother and safer crossing for both rail and road users. "We understand the disruption this essential work may cause and thank the local community for their patience while we complete these important upgrades."He said most of the work would be carried out overnight and at weekends to minimise have been put in place. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
MP calls for rail route be named after Alan Turing
An MP has called for a new train line upgrade to be named after mathematician and codebreaker Alan Turing. Luke Charters, who represents York Outer, asked the Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, whether the new TransPennine York to Manchester line should be renamed as the Turing Line. Last year, the government announced a £400m funding package for an upgrade to the main line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, to cut journey times to a little as 63 minutes. Mr Charters said renaming the route would honour Mr Turing's legacy due to his work on computing at the University of Manchester. He said: "I'm thrilled to receive support from the Leader of the House on this campaign. Both our constituencies in York Outer and Manchester Central are not only tied together by a strong northern identity, but vital rail infrastructure making it easier for our constituents to travel between our two great cities. "Alan Turing is one of the most influential people in the history of this country. It would be a fantastic moment for this new rail line to become a tribute to his work - and the historic legacy he has left our great nation – not least following the 80th anniversary of VE Day. "With two weeks until Pride celebrations begin across the country, this is a fitting time to pay tribute to one of Britain's most influential LGBTQ+ figures." Powell said it would be "a fitting tribute to consider the TransPennine route or perhaps another railway line being named after him". While at the Bank of England, Charters was part of the team that helped put Mr Turing on the new £50 banknote. Mr Turing's efforts in cracking the Enigma code are part of the reason that Britain won World War Two. In 2017, thousands of men convicted under historic homophobic laws were also posthumously pardoned as part of "Turing's Law". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. Alan Turing to 'answer questions' in new AI display 'Turing's Law' pardon considered for gay convictions Turing saved 'millions of lives' Celebrating Alan Turing's genius
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
York MP calls for rail route be named after Alan Turing
An MP has called for a new train line upgrade to be named after mathematician and codebreaker Alan Charters, who represents York Outer, asked the Leader of the House of Commons, Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, whether the new TransPennine York to Manchester line should be renamed as the Turing year, the government announced a £400m funding package for an upgrade to the main line between Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds, and York, to cut journey times to a little as 63 Charters said renaming the route would honour Mr Turing's legacy due to his work on computing at the University of Manchester. He said: "I'm thrilled to receive support from the Leader of the House on this campaign. Both our constituencies in York Outer and Manchester Central are not only tied together by a strong northern identity, but vital rail infrastructure making it easier for our constituents to travel between our two great cities."Alan Turing is one of the most influential people in the history of this country. It would be a fantastic moment for this new rail line to become a tribute to his work - and the historic legacy he has left our great nation – not least following the 80th anniversary of VE Day."With two weeks until Pride celebrations begin across the country, this is a fitting time to pay tribute to one of Britain's most influential LGBTQ+ figures."Powell said it would be "a fitting tribute to consider the TransPennine route or perhaps another railway line being named after him". While at the Bank of England, Charters was part of the team that helped put Mr Turing on the new £50 Turing's efforts in cracking the Enigma code are part of the reason that Britain won World War 2017, thousands of men convicted under historic homophobic laws were also posthumously pardoned as part of "Turing's Law". Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
The Sun
11-05-2025
- The Sun
Fury as trains ‘upgraded' at cost of £1billion have NO toilets on board in move slammed as ‘absolute madness'
COMMUTERS fear being caught short in a £1billion rail upgrade which includes trains with no toilets. The electric tram-trains will be brought in as part of 'improvements' in South Wales. 1 But one passenger said it was 'absolute madness' that the carriages will be without loos. Rail staff admitted they were 'dreading' the likely problems with the elderly, children, disabled people and drunks. The Welsh Labour government says the new South Wales Metro project will 'provide better transport options'. Passengers needing the loo will have to get off at a station. One commuter said it was 'absolute madness', adding: 'We certainly are going backwards in Wales!' Another added: 'No public toilets at the vast majority of stations either. 'I regularly travel from Cardiff to Merthyr and also Aberdare. Both big towns and not a toilet in sight.' One shocked commenter added: 'I have a funny feeling there's going to be lots of urine on the floor on a Friday and Saturday night.' Transport for Wales said on-board toilets would 'significantly reduce capacity' and that passengers would always be within a 20-minute journey of a loo.
