Sunak looks to control HS2 costs as backlash grows against plan to cut back project September 26, 2023 Rishi Sunak is reportedly aiming to control the spiralling cost of the HS2 railway line project, which could reach over £100bn.
Government would be ‘crazy’ not to reconsider HS2 costs, minister says September 24, 2023 The government would be “crazy” not to reconsider the costs of the HS2 rail project, Grant Shapps has told the BBC. Shapps said Rishi Sunak was prepared to take “difficult long-term decisions” amid reports the Prime Minister is set to axe the northern leg of HS2. The defence secretary told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura [...]
Transport Select Committee sets tests for rail strike minimum service levels September 22, 2023 MPs have set the Government a series of tests over its controversial new law on minimum levels of service during rail strikes. The Transport Select Committee outlined a number of principles for what ministers should include in regulations due to be published following the passing of legislation. Unions are strongly opposed to the law, warning [...]
Heavy rain causes delays and cancellations on lines into London Kings Cross and Moorgate September 21, 2023 Rail passengers faced some cancelled and altered services on Thursday morning in the wake of heavy rain overnight. A National Rail statement said all lines between London Kings Cross / Moorgate and Stevenage, Hertfordshire are closed following “a number of incidents”. “Trains may be cancelled, delayed by up to 90 minutes or revised,” the statement [...]
Mick Lynch accuses government of prolonging rail strikes July 22, 2023 The leader of the biggest rail workers union has accused the government of prolonging the national dispute which led to fresh travel misery for passengers on Saturday. The Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said thousands of its members were solidly supporting the walkout, which disrupted services, with some areas having no trains all day. [...]
Rail cancellations swell as figures reveal 2022-23 worst year on record May 25, 2023 Train passengers in Britain have faced record levels of disruption over the last twelve months, with new figures revealing 2022-23 was the worst year ever for rail cancellations. Passengers have faced record levels of disruption after the past year was the worst on record for train cancellations, figures from the Office for Road and Rail [...]
Plans to shake up British railway network could be watered down as new powers likely delayed May 19, 2023 Plans to shake up the railway network may be watered down as legislation to give powers to a proposed new public sector body could be delayed, it has been reported. Great British Railways (GBR), announced in 2021 by then-prime minister Boris Johnson as a way to simplify the rail network and improve services for passengers, [...]
60 business leaders warn Sunak to bring Great British Railway plans forward – or jobs and investment will be on the line May 9, 2023 Sixty business leaders have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today, urging him not to delay legislation that would establish Great British Railways (GBR) beyond the current parliament. The letter, which was also addressed to Transport Secretary Mark Harper and Rail and HS2 Minister Huw Merriman, argued that pushing the reforms into the long grass [...]
Not so thirsty Thursday as Nightcap blames ‘targeted’ rail strikes for £1.2m earnings loss March 13, 2023 Cocktail bar operator Nightcap has estimated that 13 days of rail strikes over the last year has cost the company £1.2m. The bar company, which operates a number of venues across Clapham and central London, claimed rail strikers “deliberate targeting” of Thursdays and Saturdays, the most lucrative trading days for the hospitality sector, caused a [...]
Government plans to delay HS2 will cost the UK more in the long term, London business group warns March 9, 2023 Delaying the construction of HS2 to save money will cost the UK more in the long term, a London business group has warned after reports the government is set to announce further delays to the already over budget and overdue project. “Delaying construction of HS2 to save money is a false economy. Failing to invest [...]