New Network Rail chair warns safety must come first
The new chair of Network Rail has warned that the creation of Great British Railways and associated reforms must never be at the expense of safety and performance. Richard George was speaking after his appointment had been announced by transport secretary Heidi Alexander. She has also named former Network Rail chief executive Sir Andrew Haines as the chair of DfT Operator Ltd, which runs recently nationalised operators until Great British Railways can take over.
Most lines have been cleared and reopened following Storm Goretti last week, but problems caused by winter weather are continuing in some places.
Train services have returned to normal in most places after the disruption caused by Storm Goretti, but there are still problems for weekend travellers in the West Midlands, Wales and Cornwall.
Network Rail engineers are checking lines in many parts of the country for damage and obstructions after Storm Goretti moved east last night, and some routes are expected to remain closed until tomorrow.
Train services in many parts of Britain are being reduced today, in preparation for the arrival of Storm Goretti. There are amber snow warnings affecting Wales, the Midlands, the South West and Yorkshire & Humber, while an amber wind warning has been issued for Cornwall, where all train services will be suspended from 18.00 this evening. Earlier heavy falls of snow are still causing problems for ScotRail passengers in parts of the Highlands.
Train services have returned to normal after Network Rail’s major programme of engineering work over the Christmas and New Year break. However, more bad weather is likely to cause disruption again from tomorrow, as Storm Goretti arrives. Scotland is still dealing with the effects of heavy snow, and some trains on lines in the Highlands are cancelled today. The Met Office has issued snow warnings affecting much of England and Wales from 18.00 tomorrow until midday on Friday, with rain, snow and high winds forecast.
Snow and ice are continuing to obstruct train services in Scotland, as the cold snap continues. Some lines in the Highlands have disappeared under the snow and Network Rail is using a fleet of snow ploughs to clear the tracks, but more heavy falls are predicted today.