Railnews Magazine April 2023 Back Issue

Railnews for April was just going to press when the news broke that the RMT is balloting its members for further industrial action over the next six months, after talks with the Rail Delivery Group failed to reach a settlement. Earlier, the RMT had cancelled two strikes at 14 operators, but the dispute continues.

However, the headline story was increasing concern over the future of the HS2 station at London Euston as costs continue to rise, and what the government is doing about it.

Although more than 600 worksites were occupied by engineers over the Easter weekend, one unplanned addition was Nuneham Viaduct between Oxford and Didcot Parkway, which has shown signs of movement and is currently unsafe. Looking ahead, Network Rail will close Barmouth Bridge for up to 13 weeks this autumn.

In light rail news, a West Midlands Metro tram has tested the Wolverhampton extension, light rail is being considered as an option to improve transport for Anglesey, and a mock-up of a train for the Dublin DART system was unveiled by Alstom

Some schemes are not making progress: plans to build a station serving the Hoo Peninsula in Kent have been put on hold, while a feasibility study says the cost of building a station for Devizes would be too great.

In other news, Avanti West Coast’s contract has been extended, the ORR is telling the industry not to conceal cancellations, Network Rail’s Tim Shoveller is moving to the freight sector, the city which will host the GBR headquarters has been named by the government, and a campaign to ‘entice’ travellers back to trains was launched.

Finally, many railway people paused to remember Covid victims, three years after the first lockdown. The commemorations included a service at the National Railway Museum.

Railnews for April is out now