UK railway news roundup

This week’s roundup of news from the UK railway industry.

• See the latest service updates

New Time-lapse video shows completed Bicester railway underpasses

A massive civil engineering project to construct two new routes underneath the busy Chiltern main line has been completed this Easter.

A £12.3m investment saw two underpasses built in north-west Bicester to help traffic and people move more easily around the town in the future.

£31m Easter rail upgrades complete between London and Scotland

Network Rail has completed a range of essential upgrades to the railway between Euston, the Midlands, North West and Scotland over Easter.

Between Friday 2 and Tuesday 6 April, teams carried out vital work on the railway to improve passenger and freight services on the West Coast main line – the Backbone of Britain.

Rail services ramped up ahead of next easing of lockdown rules

Industry body the Rail Delivery Group said more than 1,000 daily weekday services have been added to timetables since mid-February.

The increase means nearly 18,000 services will run from Monday, when non-essential shops, pub beer gardens and outdoor visitor attractions are among premises allowed to reopen in England. A more significant uplift is planned for May.

World-renowned Ribblehead viaduct repaired ahead of UK ‘Staycation Summer’

Restoration work to the famous Ribblehead viaduct for rail passengers and tourists in North Yorkshire is now complete.

From April 9 visitors to the Ribble Valley can view the iconic piece of Victorian railway architecture in all its glory after months of specialist repairs by Network Rail.

Hull Trains – The latest timetable can be downloaded here. 

Latest service updates

Gatwick Express – Gatwick Express services suspended until further notice.
Hull Trains – Hull Trains will start running services from Monday 12 April.
Island Line – Buses are replacing trains due to major improvement work.

Transport For London Status

If you need to travel this weekend, here are planned works that may affect your journey.

Our transport network has never been cleaner. Since September, Imperial College London has run monthly tests for coronavirus on the transport network and found no trace. You can read their recently published report.

Air continuously flows through all our trains, trams and buses. For example, on average, air in a Tube train changes every few minutes. Buses are fitted with air extraction and ventilation systems and we also leave windows open throughout the passenger area to keep a flow of fresh air.

Please continue to walk or cycle part of your journey where possible. If using public transport, travel during quieter times if you can. This will make social distancing easier. The quieter times to travel are:

• Between 08:15 and 16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays
• Before noon and after 18:00 on weekends

Our TfL Go app can help you plan your journey and show the quieter times to travel. 

You must continue to wear a face covering over your nose and mouth at all times when on the transport network, unless exempt. The overwhelming majority of people are complying with this requirement, and the British Transport Police, the Metropolitan Police and our own officers are on the network to check compliance. Fines of up to £6,400 exist for anyone who does not comply. 

Please also wash or sanitise hands before and after travel.

London Underground Status

Due to staff shortages in our Control Room, there could be disruption to services on the Circle, Hammersmith & City and Metropolitan lines, as well as the District line between High Street Kensington and Edgware Road, and the Piccadilly line between Uxbridge and Rayners Lane. This could also affect Chiltern Railways services at times.

This could mean a reduced service, or no service at other times. Because of this, please plan ahead and check before you travel.

Jubilee line -S aturday 10 and Sunday 11 April – No service between Stanmore and West Hampstead – Rail replacement buses will run between Finchley Road and Stanmore.

Metropolitan line – Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April – No service between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Aldgate – Rail replacement buses will run.

Piccadilly line – Until spring 2022 – Trains will not stop at South Kensington – The District and Circle lines will run as normal, and the station will remain open. Find out more information and travel advice.

Until further notice, there will be no Night Tube or Night Overground service, and limited Night Bus services.

Please check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.

London Overground

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 April

No service between Romford and Upminster
Use local bus routes.

Sunday 11 April

No service between Camden Road and Stratford after 21:45
For Caledonian Road & Barnsbury, use bus route 274 to/from Camden Road, or walk to/from Highbury & Islington. Rail replacement bus services will run.

No service between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction after 22:00
Use local bus route 30. Rail replacement bus services will run.

No service between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace/West Croydon
Rail replacement bus services will run.

No service between Kilburn High Road and Euston until 07:45 on Sunday
Use local bus routes and alternative Tube services.

Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.

Metros around the country

Tyne & Wear Metro

National lockdown: Stay at home. Only use public transport for essential purposes. Avoid travelling at busier times if you can, wear a face covering (unless exempt), open train windows to help with ventilation, stay apart from others and wash or sanitise your hands frequently.

For more timetable information visit nexus.org.uk

Manchester Metrolink

England has now moved to the next step of the Government’s Roadmap out of Lockdown. The main change from Monday 29 March is that ‘Stay at home’ regulations have been lifted. Further details can be found on the Government’s COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021 page.

Nottingham Express Transit

Following the latest government announcement, we want to reassure customers that still need to travel with us during lockdown that we will be operating a full service during this time.

Merseyrail

There are no incidents reported.

Sheffield Super Tram

As restrictions ease, we’re increasing some of our services from Monday 12 April. Yellow route services will go back to the normal timetable and evening and Sunday services will increase on the Blue route.

Edinburgh Trams

The first tram and last tram will run at their usual time, but customers should expect trams to operate every 15 minutes during the day with this being kept under constant review.

Glasgow Subway

The Subway is running as normal.