The RMT has called for an urgent rail safety summit involving the UK and Scottish governments, the rail unions, Network Rail, the rail infrastructure companies and train operators, following the publication of the RAIB's final report into the fatal derailment at Carmont in north east Scotland in August 2020. RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: 'It is shocking that although the failure of the sub-contractor Carillion was one of the key causes of this tragedy the fact that the company is now defunct means those responsible may not be properly held to account. There were also systemic and structural failures in railway safety caused by fragmentation, with different companies responsible for the management and implementation of safety critical work, signalling, operations and rolling stock. Ultimately risks will be reduced by creating one unified railway, but in the meantime we are demanding an urgent safety summit to agree steps to ensure this type of tragedy can never happen again.'

Derby launches formal bid to be GBR HQ

The city of Derby has formally launched its campaign to host the headquarters of the new Great British Railways. The council said the bid is being backed other East Midlands councils including Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Nottingham, Leicester and Leicestershire, which represent more than three million people. Derby City Council leader Chris Poulter said: 'Rail is in the blood of many generations of people in Derby, who are naturally proud of our rich and deep-rooted rail heritage. My own father spent the whole of his working life at the Derby Loco Works and the smell of engine oil still lingers strong in my memory. The home of the railways should also have an eye to the future and this is where Derby can excel. It is a centre for rail excellence and innovation, with a strong supply chain to support a large, diverse rail cluster. We are the natural home for the first national headquarters of Great British Railways.' Other towns and cities which are competing to be the home town of GBR include York, Crewe, Barrow, Darlington, Doncaster and Milton Keynes.

Work starts on second Kirkby station

Construction has begun in Merseyside on the £80 million scheme to build a second station in Kirkby. Liverpool City Region mayor Steve Rotheram visited the site, where he saw earthworks being carried out to prepare for the new station at Headbolt Lane. Construction of platforms and buildings will follow later this year. New bridges will also be built and the embankment on the line from the existing Kirkby station will be widened. When the new station is complete Merseyrail trains on the Kirkby Line will continue to Headbolt Lane, but using battery power rather than a conductor rail.