Business Travel
First female engineering director for train firm
Rail operator West Midlands Trains (WMT) has announced that Zena Dent has been appointed as its new engineering director. Zena (pictured) will oversee the implementation of two brand new train fleets as well as maintenance of the existing fleet. She said: “It is a very exciting
time to take up this post as we are on the cusp of a significant positive change with our two fantastic new train fleets. “This will start with our smart
new, air-conditioned diesel fleet carrying passengers in the West Midlands followed by our new electric trains which will particularly benefit our popular commuter routes to and from and London and through Birmingham.” Zena, who joined WMT as a
and that is something that has always appealed to me, no matter what the environment. It is a pleasure to work as part of teams providing trains which carry millions of passengers every year. “I am a firm believer that
everyone is different but everyone is equal and I would absolutely encourage any young person – male or female – to consider an engineering career on the railway.” Zena began her career with
Zena Dent: on-board at West Midlands Trains
project manager in 2018, will become one of only a handful of female engineering directors working at Britain’s train operating companies when she takes up her post. She will be the first woman to hold the position at
a West Midlands rail franchise. She said: “Engineering is about problem-solving
British Rail in the 1990s before overseeing the purchase and implementation of a number of train fleets across the country, including the high-speed Class 395 Javelin trains introduced ahead of the London 2012 Olympic Games. West Midlands Trains managing director Julian Edwards said: “I am
delighted to welcome Zena as our new engineering director at an exciting time for the company. “Despite the challenges coronavirus is presenting
to the rail industry and society, we know the £1bn investment we are making in new trains, stations, depots and our people will make a huge difference to our customers.”
Sector Focus
Government backs active travel plan
Plans for pop-up cycle lanes, wider pavements and other measures to encourage more cycling and walking across the West Midlands have been given backing from Government. The Department for Transport
(DfT) has awarded Transport for West Midlands (TfWM) and its partner councils a £3.85m grant to introduce the new measures over the next two months. A list of more than 45 projects is
involved, and includes a pop-up cycle lane linking Coventry city centre to the Canal Basin, as well as a Birmingham city centre cycle lane connecting the A38 and A34, and road closures to improve pedestrian and cycle safety in Wolverhampton city centre. The grant from the Government’s
emergency active travel fund is £400,000 more than the West Midlands asked for. West Midlands mayor Andy
Street said: “We have seen a significant shift towards cycling and walking during the pandemic and as we emerge from lockdown we want to provide safe alternatives to car use so that we can maintain both the health and environmental benefits we have clearly seen.”
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