Labour stalwart and public transport champion John Prescott dies
Former deputy prime minister and transport minister John Prescott has died at the age of 86. His main influence on transport policy came after he had been appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions by the new Prime Minister Tony Blair in May 1997.
New figures released by Network Rail show that high lorries colliding with bridges caused over 100 days of delays for trains in the twelve months to March this year. Network Rail is warning that it will report offenders and attempt to recover all the costs.
Arriva’s British open access operator Grand Central is applying for a licence extension beyond 2027, saying that it will order new bi-mode trains if the extension is granted.
The Elizabeth Line concession has been awarded by Transport for London to a new operator, less than three years since the line was opened in full.
A new centre for storing newly-manufactured lengths of rail has been opened by British Steel in Scunthorpe, where most rail for British tracks is made. BS said the new ten million pound ‘stocking hub’ will make sure that new rail is ready when needed for Network Rail projects.
Although it is still autumn, wintry weather has swept across the Midlands, Northern England and North Wales overnight. Railways are affected by snow in a number of places and Network Rail has launched its snow plan, which involves removing ice at junctions and equipping locomotives with mini snow ploughs.
The drivers’ union ASLEF is calling for radical improvements to the provision of toilets for drivers, because the lack of hygienic facilities is a ‘real problem’. ASLEF will be launching a report called Dignity for Drivers at the House of Commons tomorrow, to coincide with World Toilet Day.