Awards, contracts & appointments

HS2 Ltd: Five tech firms join Innovation Accelerator initiative

11 September 2020HS2 Ltd have announced today (11 Sept) the first five revolutionary tech firms that will join HS2 Ltd’s Innovation Accelerator programme. The chosen five focus on HS2’s innovation challenges such as productivity; the environment; and...

Network Rail publish Decarbonisation Plan

11 September 2020Network Rail have released their interim Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy, illustrating its preliminary recommendations for decarbonising the rail network, including plans for 12,000 kilometres of electrification by 2050 and a key role fo...

Major station improvements and electric vehicle charging hubs

09 September 2020Following the announcement of Govia Thameslink Railway’s (GTR) programme to develop numerous stations, today (9 Sept) on World Electric Vehicle (EV) Day, GTR welcomed Secretary of State Grant Shapps to open rail’s largest dedicated EV...

Contract awarded by Network Rail to strengthen bridges

09 September 2020Three contracts have been awarded by Network Rail to carry out strengthening work to three railway bridges across the Wessex route in the South of England. The contract with Dyer and Butler, part of M Group Services, includes all aspects from des...

New electric train fleet revealed for Birmingham’s Cross-City Line

09 September 2020The electric train fleet set to transform travel on Birmingham’s Cross-City Line has been revealed to rail passengers in the West Midlands. A sneak-peak was provided for some members of the public, where they witnessed the dozens of new sta...

SWR awards £5m in community improvement schemes

08 September 2020A total of £5m in funding is now set to benefit 67 local schemes supported by the South Western Railway Customer and Communities Improvement Fund (CCIF). Designed to help boost the local economy and recovery, SWR invited bids from its CCIF...

Major investment for signalling upgrade in Manchester

07 September 2020Manchester’s railway signalling system is set to be brought into the 21st century as part of the Great North Rail Project. Tens of millions of pounds is to be used to improve journeys for passengers and freight, with the nearly 40-year-old...

HS2 construction begins with 22,000 jobs expected

04 September 2020Europe’s largest infrastructure project has today (4 Sept) reached a momentous milestone with the start of construction on the project, highlighting the large number of jobs the project will be recruiting for in the coming months and years. ...

Major £1.2bn East Coast Main Line works confirmed

03 September 2020With improving journeys for passengers as soon as possible a priority, Network Rail have today (3 Sept) confirmed dates for key works on the East Coast Upgrade. The completed works will bring improved dependability and punctuality for passengers...

New collaboration between DfT and East Midlands transport leaders

03 September 2020Transport Secretary, Grant Shapps, has today (3 Sept) set out a new collaboration agreement between local leaders in the East Midlands in order to provide them more power in deciding how rail services can support improvements across the region. T...

Ep.16 Unlocking rail investment, David Ollerhead

02 September 2020David Ollerhead, Programme Director at Network Rail’s Open for Business Programme, joins host Ailsa Cowen for episode 15 of Rail Technology Magazine’s podcast, Track Talk. David discusses playing with trains as a child, investment into...

DfT ‘Access for All’ programme has transformed Cadoxton station

02 September 2020As part of the Department for Transport’s ‘Access for All’ programme, a range of new multi-million-pound developments have been done at Cadoxton station in south Wales to improve accessibility for passengers. Any passenger visit...

Atkins and Gleeds brought in by HS2 to monitor costs

02 September 2020Atkins and Gleeds have been appointed by HS2 to monitor the costs and programme development as the project proceeds through its construction phases. £125m has been secured by Atkins to oversea HS2’s new Commercial Delivery and Control...

Investment into Wigan North Western station for better rail journeys

02 September 2020As part of the Great North Rail Project, passengers travelling from Wigan North Western station to Manchester and Leeds, will soon be provided with a multi-million-pound platform extension to allow for longer and more reliable trains. Platform 3...

Major rail upgrades completed across August bank holiday

01 September 2020Across the West Coast main line over the August bank holiday weekend, Network Rail successfully completed numerous essential upgrades. The multi-million-pound investment as part of Britain’s Railway Upgrade Plan included signalling upgrades...