Eurostar The Prime Minister has supported calls for Eurostar to serve Ashford again, in response to a question in the Commons from Ashford’s MP Sojan Joseph. Eurostar trains have not stopped at Ebbsfleet or Ashford since the Covid pandemic, and the operator has not announced any plans to do so in the near future. Sir Keir Starmer said: ‘I know this is an issue of considerable frustration to his constituents. The decision in question is ultimately for Eurostar, but we are keen to see international services reinstated to Ashford as soon as possible and I will be happy for the Rail Minister to update him on the latest discussions.’

Metro The first new Stadler train for Tyne & Wear Metro developed a fault yesterday and was withdrawn from service, having started carrying passengers on 18 December. Nexus head of fleet and depot replacement Michael Richardson said: ‘A new Metro train was withdrawn at South Gosforth this morning, January 8, due to a technical issue. This meant that a reset of the train was required. Given where it was located, and the time of day it occurred, the train was taken out of service to minimise disruption. We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused. Unfortunately, minor issues like this are to be expected in the early stages of a rolling stock introduction programme and we learn from them.’

Repairs Major repairs to the roof at Bristol Temple Meads station have been delayed again, although 1900 individual pieces of work have been carried out so far. Network Rail said blasting grit off the roof has revealed additional defects in the exposed steelwork, and that the repairs ‘still have a fair way to go’. The project is not now expected to be finished until next year.

HS2 Siemens Mobility has been awarded four contracts by HS2 Ltd worth a total of 560 million pounds. They cover Command, Control, Signalling & Traffic Management, the Engineering Management System, High voltage power supply systems (a joint venture with Costain Ltd) and Operational Telecommunications and Security Systems. Work on all these contracts is due to start this year. They include long-term maintenance agreements, and additional options are also possible.