There are fresh hopes of resolving the disputes which threaten Easter train services, following the news that talks between Network Rail and the RMT are moving to the conciliation service ACAS. full story
General Headlines:
-
ScotRail has made a new move to end the dispute with the RMT over driver only operation, which has already resulted in three 24-hour strikes and fears of more disruption to come over Easter. Talks over train crew arrangements on the new Airdrie-Bathgate line broke down last month.
-
The Department for Transport has signalled a major development for Midland Metro, the tram line which currently links Wolverhampton and Snow Hill station in Birmingham. ‘Initial funding approval’ has been announced for an extension of the line through Birmingham city centre to New Street station.
-
The rebranding of East Coast last November cost £634,842 of which taxpayers had to find £339,189, according to official figures. The deletion of the title ‘National Express’ from trains, stations and software was carried out over a couple of weeks. New publicity was also printed.
-
The Government has announced that a new National Skills Academy for Rail Engineering is to be created, and that a second industry training centre specialising in sub surface lines and tunnelling is to be set up by Crossrail. The academies will receive funding worth almost £8 million. The transport secretary has welcomed the news.
-
New government policy on noise levels in large urban areas could land Network Rail with major bills for sound barriers alongside busy lines. Some line speeds may also have to be reduced at night.
