UK railway round-up

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

• Latest service updates

Shocking CCTV shows sparks flying as woman drunkenly drives on to rail line

Shocking footage shows a woman dicing with death as she drunkenly drives her car onto a railway line, causing a massive plume of sparks as she hits the live rail.

Tayler Barnham, 29, can be seen driving onto a level crossing and then driving left onto the tracks.

Rail industry responds to Levelling Up White Paper

The Railway Industry Association (RIA), the voice of the UK rail supply community, has responded to the Government’s Levelling Up White Paper.

Darren Caplan, Chief Executive of the Railway Industry Association, said: “The Levelling Up White Paper published today is welcome, and it is particularly positive to see transport connectivity and rail services recognised within it.

RIA responds to Transport for London budget update

The Railway industry Association (RIA) has responded to a budget update published by Transport for London (TfL).

The budget says there will be a £1.4 billion funding gap in the next financial year, and confirms several projects have been paused or cancelled, including the Piccadilly line signalling upgrade and Jubilee line optimisation.

Andy Burnham warns North faces ‘second-best train services for 200 years’

The North risks having train services that are “second-best for 200 years”, Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham has claimed.

Mr Burnham told MPs the Government’s Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) will fail to “unlock the full economic transformation” of the region.

Rail firm uses 168,000 litres of cleaning solution in just 10 months

A rail operator used more than 168,000 litres of cleaning solution in the past 10 months to keep passengers safe during the pandemic.

TransPennine Express (TPE), which runs services across northern England and into Scotland, said its sanitation teams also got through more than 1,388 miles of cleaning tissue over the same period.

Latest Service Updates

Gatwick Express  – Gatwick Express services remain suspended until further notice.
Hull Trains – Hull Trains 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.

• RMT STRIKE ACTION: There is planned strike action every Friday and Saturday night between 2030 and 0429 the following morning until Sunday 19 June.
• Docklands Light Railway: A reduced service is operating between Bank/Tower Gateway and Canning Town due to power supply problems.
• METROPOLITAN LINE: Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February, no service between Wembley Park and Aldgate. Please use Jubilee line connections
• NORTHERN LINE: From Saturday 15 January until mid May 2022, no service between Moorgate and Kennington due to major upgrade works. 

Our transport network has never been cleaner. Imperial College London 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 your hands before and after travel.

London Underground Status

Due to the coronavirus, the following service changes will be in place until further notice. Please plan ahead and check before you travel.

• NORTHERN LINE: From Saturday 15 January until mid May 2022, no service between Moorgate and Kennington due to major upgrade works. 
• WATERLOO & CITY LINE: Service operates between 06.07 and 10.13 and between 15.23 and 19.11 on weekdays only. There is no service on Saturdays and Sundays.

London Overground

LONDON OVERGROUND: Sunday 6 February, no service between Highbury & Islington and Dalston Junction. Replacement buses operate.

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