The conclusion of engineering work on the Isle of Wight and in Cornwall has allowed trains to return to the lines between Ryde and Shanklin, and between Par and Newquay. Island Line has been dogged by repeated closures in recent years, often in connection with work on Ryde Pier, while the Newquay line in Cornwall has also been closed for repeated possessions this year so that Network Rail and its contractors could complete tests on new digital signalling.

A renationalised operator says it is not waiting for the ‘structural reform’ which will come with Great British Railways to get more passengers on board. Northern, which was returned to public ownership in March 2020, has unveiled a ‘30 by 30’ plan intended to increase annual passenger totals by 30 million by the end of this decade.