News / UK and world by Press Association May 1, 2018, 7:20 am FacebookTwitterLinkedInWhatsAppEmail Sign up to our Daily newsletter Trains in Britain could be running around the clock in the “not too distant future”, the chief executive of Network Rail has said. Mark Carne, who will step down in the summer as chief executive of the company responsible for rail infrastructure, said people wanted rail services to reflect their lifestyles. Five lines on the London Underground have run a 24-hour service since 2016, with services also running around the clock on the London Overground line between Highbury and Islington and New Cross Gate. Mr Carne told the Times the public sector company was looking at its systems for inspecting and repairing the railway to prepare for round-the-clock services. Stressing the importance of Network Rail staying ahead of demand, he told the paper: “If you have a 24-hour Tube, it is not going to be long before people want … [Read more...] about Trains could soon run 24 hours a day, says Network Rail boss
Network rail
Millions of trees mapped by drone in Network Rail felling programme
Wildlife charities have voiced concerns about railway tree felling as it emerged Network Rail has drawn up a map of 10 million trees which might pose a risk to trains. The railways operator has used drones to create an aerial plan of all trees within 60 metres of its tracks, comprising “hotspots” which include mature trees. The programme to keep leaves and branches off the lines has already involved the destruction of thousands of horse chestnuts, ash, poplar and sycamore trees. Network Rail, however, said not all the 10 million trees identified would be felled or pruned. But the RSPB last night warned that such activity should only take place at this time of year - the nesting season - if trains were at imminent risk. The warning follows a row in Bournemouth after the British Transport Police was called following complaints Network Rail was felling hundreds of trees along the railway line, prompting concerns about nesting birds. Meanwhile felling along the … [Read more...] about Millions of trees mapped by drone in Network Rail felling programme
Council leader says Market Harborough’s station upgrade remains a ‘top priority’ for Network Rail
The leader of Harborough District Council says he is pleased that a major project to improve Market Harborough’s railway station remains a “top priority” for Network Rail. In January, Councillor Neil Bannister asked for assurances from Network Rail around proposed improvements to Market Harborough railway station. following the collapse of Carillion, the firm involved in the project.Cllr Bannister raised concerns that much-needed improvements to the station and car park could be affected, and asked for assurances the project would continue as planned.But in a letter to Cllr Bannister, received this week, Network Rail said that it was continuing to work hard to provide continuity for the project at Market Harborough and that this will continue to be a “top priority”.A spokesman for Network Rail said: “Since the announcement [about Carillion] Network Rail’s aim has been to minimise the impact on rail infrastructure projects and the wider supply … [Read more...] about Council leader says Market Harborough’s station upgrade remains a ‘top priority’ for Network Rail
Network Rail fix Victoria Road crossing after three failures in as many days
Updated PUBLISHED: 09:51 26 April 2018 | UPDATED: 10:01 26 April 2018 Conor Matchett Oulton Broad South station. Picture: Nick Butcher © Archant 2012 The rail crossing at Victoria Road, near Oulton Broad South station, which broke three times in three days last week causing chaos for drivers in Lowestoft, has been fixed by Network Rail. Network Rail said the failures of barriers were caused by fuses burning out on a motor which was drawing too much current. On Friday, April 20, the barriers at the crossing came down for a passing train at 12.48, but only three of the four barriers successfully opened. An engineer was called to fix the issue, which Network Rail say has been solved, but not until drivers and businesses suffered during the warmest week of the year so far after two similar incidents on Wednesday and Thursday last week. Tony Must, who runs Lowestoft Marina Limited off Victoria Road, blamed the broken crossing for problems businesses are facing in the town. He … [Read more...] about Network Rail fix Victoria Road crossing after three failures in as many days
Network Rail accused of safety failures
A railway signaller had warned about the dangers of cars using a manual level crossing only hours before he was seriously injured, a court heard.Doug Caddell emailed his boss at Network Rail on April 24, 2015 to report a car drove through the crossing at East Farleigh, near Maidstone, as he was closing the gates.He made some suggestions to line manager Geoffrey Orman about how the crossing could be made safer.But then at about 1.25pm that day a car struck the gates as Mr Cadell was closing them.He was knocked to the ground and suffered two broken vertebrae in his neck. He was detained in hospital until May 9.“He made good progress but continued to suffer with a number of health problems,” prosecutor William Davis told a jury at Maidstone Crown Court.Network Rail is on trial accused of safety failures at the crossing.The company denies contravening the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 between February 23, 2014 and April 25, 2015 by failing to make a … [Read more...] about Network Rail accused of safety failures