Transport secretary ‘more open’ about TfL suburban expansion

THE new transport secretary Grant Shapps is reported to be ‘more open’ about the transfer of more National Rail suburban services in Greater London to Transport for London. Grant Shapps met London Mayor Sadiq Khan yesterday for the first time since the resignation of transport secretary Chris Grayling. Mr Grayling had not supported more TfL control, apparently because London has a Labour mayor. Mr Shapps, however, has not voiced similar opposition, and the possibility of extending TfL control to more lines was at the top of the agenda when the two met. The Department for Transport would only say that Mr Shapps was ‘pleased to discuss his key priorities for the Department for Transport with the mayor of London’, but Sean McKee, who is director of policy and public affairs at the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry, told City AM: ‘There are significant question marks over punctuality and capacity of some mainline routes – which will only be exacerbated by London’s growing population over the coming years. We believe that bringing these lines into TfL control will benefit them in the same way it has benefited the Overground network and TfL Rail. Better connected locations also have increased potential to boost house building rates and related local economic investment.’

Consultation launched about redesigned Birmingham station

PASSENGERS and residents in a Birmingham suburb are being offered the chance to have their say about the final design of the new multi-million pound station at University on the Cross City line. More passengers are expected in the years to come, because of expansion at the University of Birmingham, the University Hospital and continued regeneration in the surrounding area. The station first opened in May 1978, and was originally designed to handle around 500,000 passengers a year. There are now more than 3.5 million, and that figure is expected to double at least by 2043. The project is being led by WMRE and TfWM.