Railnews Magazine July 2015 Back Issue

The growing spending crisis at Network Rail came to a head just before the latest edition of Railnews went to press – and the announcement that some projects are being ‘paused’, accompanied by top-level changes at NR, makes the lead story. One problem disappeared, however – unions have voted to accept Network Rail’s revised pay offer and so the threat of a national rail strike has been lifted. Major difficulties at Calais which followed a strike of French ferry workers spread to St Pancras, and we report how Eurostar and Eurotunnel services came to a standstill as police and security services stemmed the tide of migrants who were trying to head for Britain. In other news, we have updates on progress being made on the West Coast Main Line by the Staffordshire Alliance, and also on HS2. This is supported by the Railnews lawyer – whose column provides a summary of the legal moves which still lie ahead before construction of the high speed line can begin in 2017. Two new stations have opened – in south Wales and south Devon – while training of drivers and conductors has started on the Borders Railway, ahead of its opening in September. Peter Rayner’s Guest Opinion asks how the railway can shed staff and still remain passenger-friendly, particularly for those with disabilities, while It’s also been another month for livestock stories: Network Rail’s project to electrify the Great Western has encountered a minor challenge – how to protect the bats who live in Box Tunnel – while we report that the staff who keep the Midland Metro tramline clear of rubbish and obstructions have animal – and bird – issues too. They regularly have to shoo geese and turkeys away, but the most unusual creature they have found on the track so far has been a goat. All this, and much more, is in Railnews for July.