Railnews Magazine February 2022 Special Issue

THE Bill to authorise HS2 from Crewe to Manchester has started its journey through Parliament, while criticism of the government’s Integrated Rail Plan has been met with a firm response from Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines, who said: ‘Those people who have been prepared to say that £96 billion is a “kick in the teeth” and an insult are doing an enormous disservice with the Treasury.’

In other news the financial crisis at Transport for London remains unresolved, although the government has extended support for another two weeks until 18 February, while talks over a long-term funding plan continue.

The RMT has called two 24-hour strikes on London Underground. The walkouts on 1 and 3 March are being staged in protest at TfL’s difficulties, which the RMT alleges have been ‘engineered by the government’. TfL chief operating officer Andy Lord responded: ‘Nobody has or will lose their jobs as a result of the proposals we have set out.’

Elsewhere, bad weather blocked railways and stranded a train after floods eroded the track, and urgent repairs are underway at a viaduct damaged by the River Tame. Climate change is posing a threat to the railway, Network Rail has warned.

Operators are also looking ahead, and called for Great British Railways to guide rather than control them.

A new station is being proposed to serve the National Memorial Arboretum, construction of a new station in Bristol for a Park & Ride has begun, and plans for a People Mover for HS2’s Birmingham Interchange have been submitted.

Because this is the 300th edition of Railnews, a special feature recalls 20 years of railway changes with the help of many archive pictures, while a celebratory outer cover includes many historical Railnews front pages.

Our special edition is out now