Rail News – Late July 2024
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The cancellation of HS2’s northern leg might force the government to discourage rail travel between Birmingham and Manchester due to reduced passenger capacity on trains.
A report by the National Audit Office (NAO) indicates that new HS2 trains on existing tracks will have fewer seats than current services, potentially reducing capacity between these cities by 17%.
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Twelve Tier One UK infrastructure and construction contractors and consultants have published their Blueprint for Growth, sharing 12 recommendations that the future government should implement to effectively boost the UK’s economic growth and productivity.
Collectively directly employing nearly 100,000 people across the UK and representing £25 billion of UK revenue – which can be factored by at least a three-fold economic impact as infrastructure investment generates significant wider economic benefit in the wider supply chain and communities – the Blueprint for Growth represents the asks of a significant portion of the UK infrastructure and construction industry.
Salisbury Station Forecourt is to undergo a major revamp following the approval of final designs by South Western Railway and Network Rail.
Wiltshire Council has said the exciting designs reflect the station’s character as well as replicating the styles and palette of materials used on the neighbouring Fisherton Gateway scheme. It will enable the popular station to provide a more welcoming first impression to the historic cathedral city and be more accessible for visitors and residents. https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/salisbury-station-forecourt-set-for-major-revamp/
Alstom has signed a contract worth around £370 million for ten new nine-car Aventra trains – and maintenance – for Transport for London’s (TfL) Elizabeth line.
Opened in 2022, the Elizabeth line continues to experience passenger demand ahead of predictions and its current 70-strong fleet of Alstom-built Aventra Class 345 trains would be insufficient to meet demand later this decade and through the 2030s.
The additional Aventra electric multiple unit (EMU) passenger trains will be built at Alstom’s Derby facility. https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/alstom-signs-a-370-million-contract-for-10-aventra-trains-with-associated-maintenance-for-the-elizabeth-line/
Alstom signs €323 million contract with the Polo Logistica FS to supply 70 Traxx Universal locomotives with maintenance services.
- Contract includes 12 years of full maintenance and option for up to 30 additional locomotives, with first deliveries set to begin in 2025
- Locomotives to be manufactured in Italy at Alstom’s Vado Ligure site, with maintenance services provided across the country https://www.alstom.com/press-releases-news/2024/6/alstom-signs-eu323-million-contract-polo-logistica-fs-supply-70-traxx-universal-locomotives-maintenance-services
Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group has completed the first phase of a £36m enhancement project at a rail maintenance depot in Birmingham.
Spencer Group is carrying out the works at Tyseley Depot on behalf of West Midlands Trains and key stakeholder Network Rail. The project is split into three phases known as Works Packages 3, 4 and 5.
Sellafield’s rail team welcomed the latest addition to their fleet this month as the site took delivery of its first fully electric locomotive. https://news.railbusinessdaily.com/sellafield-takes-delivery-of-first-fully-electric-train/
