in brief... T
S S
Halt NR Millionaires club says TSSA
SSA leader Manuel Cortes has called on ministers to halt a bonus scheme which could see Sir David Higgins
and four executives earn bonuses of 125 per cent on top of their six figure salaries. ‘It is deeply ironic that this is also the 50th anniversary of the Great Train Robbery. This is the Great Train Robbery mark two - the inside job,’ he said. Graham Eccles, chair of the NR
remuneration committee said comparable firms in the private sector paid annual bonuses of 75 per cent of salary and 50 per cent for long-term bonuses.
Arup to develop Surrey rail strategy
urrey County Council has appointed Arup to develop a rail strategy. John Furey, SCC’s cabinet member
for Transport and Environment, said: ‘It’s awful feeling like a sardine packed into a carriage. Our rail strategy will look at overcrowding, reducing bottlenecks and longer platforms. Nothing is off the table.’ Surrey is one of the most densely
populated counties in England and contributes around £28 billion to the UK economy - more than anywhere outside London.
Bluebell Railway finally extended
aturday 23rd March will see the first passenger carrying trains in and out of East Grinstead Station since 1958.
The Bluebell Railway is the result of a 39- year project to reopen the line, which was closed by British Rail in the 1960s. For more details or to book a seat,
telephone 01825 720800 or go to www.
bluebell-railway.com
HS2 plans to be a ‘good neighbour’ H G
igh Speed Two Ltd has published its plans to be good during construction of the line’s first phase
between London and the West Midlands. Measures set out include GPS tracking
of dumper trucks to ensure no fly tipping; use of ‘directional broadband’ instead of reverse warning beeps for vehicles, which are safer and cause less disturbance; maintenance of existing public rights of way; and control measures to prevent pollution from site, ranging from emissions and site run-offs to litter and cigarette ends.
Tube should get mobile coverage
areth Bacon, London Assembly Member, has asked Transport for London to implement
mobile phone coverage on the London Underground. ‘TfL has been dragging its feet for too long and London is far
Page 6 March 2013
behind in terms of mobile connectivity because of this. The technology exists and TfL needs to make the kind of progress-driven deals other world cities have made. This may mean TfL will gain a smaller percentage of the large profits this technology will reap, but at this point London needs to catch up.’
Cinderella rail services can go to the ball
L
ocal rail services should be managed by local authorities rather than the government according to new
research,Going Local, by Campaign for Better Transport. Stephen Joseph, chief executive, said:
‘Too often local train services are the Cinderella of the rail network - the routes in London Overground and Merseyrail certainly were, but control by the local transport authorities has transformed them. Going Local shows that passengers and communities are the winners when rail franchises are run locally.’
DB Scheneker to operate Telford International Railfreight Park
D P T
B Scheneker Rail, Europe’s largest rail freight company, was appointed as the new operator
through formal EU procurement after Telford & Wrekin Council consulted with rail freight industry experts on how to boost business opportunities via the park. The link with DB Scheneker supports
the council’s ambition to encourage local businesses to use the facility, as well as attract more companies to relocate to Telford.
c2c is most popular and punctual franchise
assengers voted for c2c in the National Passenger Survey from Passenger Focus, the independent
watchdog. c2c was also ranked as the top London commuter rail franchise in 12 categories including overall satisfaction with the station, frequency of trains and speed of journey.
Greater Anglia seeks stakeholder support
he company is asking for help to secure upgrades for the East Anglian rail network by 2019.
Ruud Haket, managing director of
the Abello-owned Toc has written to more than 200 regional stakeholders to ask them to write to the ORR, DfT and Network Rail requesting that improvements be made to the Great Eastern Main Line and the West Anglia route by 2019.
Left to right: David Simpson, Network Rail’s route managing director for Scotland, Keith Brown and Steve Montgomery.
£2 million transformation for Commonwealth
stations
Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Nicola Sturgeon, has announced a major investment by ScotRail following an agreement with the Scottish government that will see stations serving the 2014 Commonwealth Games transformed. With thousands of additional passengers expected during the games, the refurbishments to Queen Street Low Level, Charing Cross and High Street stations will double the £1 million programme of improvements already planned at 20 stations across Strathclyde. Sturgeon said: ‘The 2014 games will be a huge event and these stations will be gateways to Glasgow as well as the Commonwealth games. The appearance and service of our public transport networks is a hugely important part of that.’
New station at Conon Bridge
Keith Brown, Minister for Housing and Transport in the Scottish government opened the £600,000 station, which marks the return of rail services to the town more than five decades after the original station closed in 1960. Funded by Transport Scotland,
HITRANS and The Highland Council, the facility - located between Muir of Ord and Dingwall on the Far North Line - is operated by ScotRail. Keith Brown said: ‘Instead of travelling to Dingwall, locals can now access trains into Inverness and beyond right here on their doorstep.’ Steve Montgomery, managing director of ScotRail described the opening as a ‘landmark day for the people of Conon Bridge who are once again linked to the Scottish rail network.’
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