This week’s roundup of news from the UK railway industry.
Full HRA Awards results
The Dartmouth Steam Railway were the big winners at the 2021 Heritage Railway Association (HRA) awards – which were hosted virtually due to COVID-19.
Closely beating Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway, Didcot Railway Centre, the Seaton Tramway and the Statfold Barn Railway, Dartmouth scooped the Outstanding Visitor Attraction for a year plagued by closures due to coronavirus. Here are all the winners from the 2021 HRA Awards.
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East Midlands Railway conductors to stage strikes over pay
Conductors on East Midlands Railway are to stage a series of strikes in a dispute over pay and conditions.
More than 200 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on May 16, 23 and 30. The union said its members had strongly supported industrial action in a ballot.
Balfour Beatty workers to vote on industrial action over pay
Workers employed on railway track renewals, maintenance and upgrades are being balloted on whether to take industrial action in a dispute over pay.
Members of the Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association (TSSA) at construction giant Balfour Beatty will vote in the coming weeks on whether to launch a campaign of industrial action.
Severn Valley Railway Class 50 Alliance wins HRA award
Severn Valley Railway’s (SVR) Class 50 Alliance have won the first ever diesel preservation award in the Heritage Railway Association’s 2021 scheme.
Over three decades, the Class 50 Alliance has acquired five Class 50 diesel electric locos with a sixth on long-term loan.
The overhaul, restoration, preservation and operational work of this volunteer-only group has enabled many memorable events, including more than 85 main line railtours and the famous SVR Class 50 Golden Jubilee Gala in 2015, attracting nearly 4,000 visitors.
Survey reveals what passengers most looking forward to on return to rail
Four in 10 Brits are most looking forward to a change of scenery on their return to the railways when lockdown restrictions end, according to a new survey.
Commissioned by Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), the survey asked passengers what they are most looking forward to about train travel. The top three answers were; enjoying a change of scenery, exploring the UK and having some time to wind down.
Latest service updates
Gatwick Express – Gatwick Express services remain suspended until further notice.
Hull Trains – Hull Trains services have resumed operation and are currently running a reduced service in line with passenger demand and current government advice.
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.
Circle Line: Minor delays clockwise due to train cancellations. GOOD SERVICE anticlockwise.
District Line: Minor delays between Earl’s Court and Wimbledon while we fix a signal failure. GOOD SERVICE on the rest of the line.
TfL Rail: Minor delays between Hayes & Harlington and Paddington while we fix a signal failure. GOOD SERVICE on the rest of the line.
Waterloo & City Line: No service until further notice.
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
No service between Romford and Upminster
Use local bus routes.
Until further notice, there will be a reduced service during peak times on weekday London Overground services to and from Bush Hill Park and Enfield Town. There will now be two trains per hour throughout the day in place of the standard four trains per hour peak service. The following trains will not run: Liverpool Street to Enfield Town at 06:45, 07:15, 07:45, 08:07, 08:45, 16:15, 16:45, 17:15, 17:45, 18:15 and 19:22. Enfield Town to Liverpool Street at 06:54. 07:24, 07:54, 08:24, 08:54, 09:24, 17:07, 17:37, 18:07, 18:37 and 19:07. In addition, trains at 08:00 from Liverpool Street to Cheshunt and at 08:43 from Cheshunt to Liverpool Street will not run. This is due to a shortage of staff.
Until further notice, a reduced service operates. Two trains operate per hour between Richmond and Willesden Junction, continuing to Stratford. Six trains operate per hour between Willesden Junction and Stratford, with four of these trains an hour operating to/from Clapham Junction.
Changes to Gospel Oak to Barking train times on Friday 7 May: The following train will not run from Gospel Oak to Barking (first train): 0610. The following train will not run from Barking to Gospel Oak: 0654.
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.
