Sadiq Khan has said Transport for London (TfL) should replace Network Rail as the UK's rail infrastructure manager to improve the reliability of services for London's commuters. The London mayor wants responsibility and funding for key rail assets such as tracks and stations to be transferred to the transport body so it is able to plug the communication gap between the rail operators and Network Rail, the current provider of the infrastructure. Rail troubles over the last year have been partially blamed on the lack of integration between the state-run Network Rail and the train operators, who run services on a government subsidy. TfL says it would be able to prioritise investment and upgrade tracks and signalling systems to minimise hold-ups. In the aftermath of the May timetable chaos, in which thousands of services were delayed and cancelled, an inquiry found there was an "apparent gap in industry responsibility and accountability for the management of systemic risks” and that … [Read more...] about Sadiq Khan calls for TfL to take over from Network Rail as London’s railway manager
Network rail
Interserve cleaning staff to vote on strike action amid union complaints of ‘culture of fear’ at Network Rail stations
Interserve cleaning staff at Network Rail stations are preparing to vote on strike action after the firm allegedly imposed a “culture of fear,” according to the RMT union. The rail union said this morning it would ballot around 300 facilities management workers for strike action after it received complaints of bullying from its members. Read more: Mitie closes in on Interserve support services arm Staff at stations from the Midlands to the south coast will vote on the action amid claims of “bullying and harassment” from management, as well as “victimisation” of union representatives. Interserve management has also allegedly refused RMT access to its work places at several locations “in an attempt to stop union representatives from carrying out their basic trade union functions.” A source close to the matter told City A.M. there was “significant appetite” among workers for the strike to go ahead, and a vote would occur in the … [Read more...] about Interserve cleaning staff to vote on strike action amid union complaints of ‘culture of fear’ at Network Rail stations
Network Rail signalling fault at Edinburgh’s Haymarket station causes major disruption
0 Have your say Commuters have faced travel misery following a Network Rail signalling fault at Haymarket. The fault was reported shorty after 9.30am on Wednesday affecting countless services across the country. Engineers worked throughout the day to replace a faulty part, despite initial predictions the job would take an hour.Train operator ScotRail cancelled - or revised - timetables and replacement buses were in place at Edinburgh, Bathgate, Cumbernauld, Linlithgow, Falkirk High, Falkirk Grahamston, Polmont, West Calder, Glasgow Queen Street and Stirling. Frustrated travellers took to social media to vent their frustration at the disruption.Neil Hunter wrote on Twitter: “You said this would be resolved within 60 minutes over two hours ago. Will this be fixed by rush hour?”Another passenger posted: “You might want to put some staff on at Edinburgh Park where the buses are dropping people off to tell them where to go for the trams. It’s … [Read more...] about Network Rail signalling fault at Edinburgh’s Haymarket station causes major disruption
Network Rail warn of 30-minute delays between Spalding and Peterborough
UPDATE: Services on the rail route between Peterborough and Spalding continue to be disrupted due to a fault with the signalling system. Network Rail are awaiting for a new power card to arrive on site which is hoped will fix the problem.Passengers may experience delays of up to 30 minutes.PREVIOUSLY (TODAY, 12.15PM): Train passengers are being warned they face delays after a signalling system fault.East Midlands Trains say there is a fault between Peterborough and Spalding, causing delays of up to 15 minutes while the service runs at a reduced speed.Network Rail are investigating. … [Read more...] about Network Rail warn of 30-minute delays between Spalding and Peterborough
Network Rail moves engineering work for Brighton & Hove Albion’s FA Cup semi-final
Planned engineering work on the Brighton Mainline will be moved so that Brighton & Hove Albion fans can make it to Wembley on Saturday April 6. The Seagulls will face Manchester City for the FA Cup semi-final. The date of the works clashed with the big game, but Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) and Network Rail agreed to reschedule the line closure.Related stories: Dunk hails amazing day after Brighton reach FA Cup semi-finals ‘the hard way’Chairman Tony Bloom hails Brighton’s ‘miracle’ comeback at MillwallIt would have meant no trains would have been running from Brighton and Lewes to Three Bridges – the main rail route to London.Paul Harwood, director of investment at Network Rail south east, said: “We congratulate the Seagulls on reaching the semi-finals.“This match is incredibly important, not just to so many Brighton fans but also the wider Brighton economy, so we started planning to reschedule the work as soon as Brighton were … [Read more...] about Network Rail moves engineering work for Brighton & Hove Albion’s FA Cup semi-final