Railnews Magazine March 2023 Back Issue

THE TWO-YEAR DELAY to building HS2 north of Birmingham is the lead story in Railnews for March. Also making headlines was the latest development in the long-running industrial disputes which have been disrupting trains for almost a year. The RMT is balloting its members over a new offer from Network Rail, but strikes at most English train operators were still set to go ahead, with the first being staged today.

In other news, wintry weather affected many parts of the railway in the second week of March, the Act of Parliament needed for Great British Railways could be passed next year according to GBR Transition Team leader Andrew Haines, and regulated fares in England and Wales rose by an average of 5.9 per cent on 5 March.

Restored railways continue to be on the agenda, with the news that the Newcastle-upon-Tyne and Ashington line is set to reopen next year, and five potential new stations have been named for the West Midlands. HS2 is not the only new route: a people mover between the Midland Main Line and London Luton Airport has opened.

Other changes included the decision to renationalise the Caledonian Sleeper in June, while Arriva has called for an industry summit about the future of open access and Great Western Railway has bought equipment from train engineers Vivarail so that it can work towards introducing battery trains on the Greenford branch.

British Transport Police have remained busy. Among the many incidents competing for their attention was the man who admitted that he tried to pull a woman in front of a London Underground train, and two moped riders who avoided death by seconds when they ignored level crossing lights.

Finally, this month’s feature looks at the stations of tomorrow. This, and much more, is in Railnews for March.