UK railway news roundup

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This week we learn more about HS2’s new Curzon Street station. Plus North Yorkshire Moors Railway reveals their second phase of reopening.

New HS2 station set to reduce carbon emissions by 55%

HS2

The new HS2 Curzon Street station is set to reduce carbon emissions by an unprecedented 55%.

The station, designed by a team in Birmingham, will also achieve net zero carbon emissions from regulated energy consumption and use a range of technologies to generate energy from renewable sources.

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Through innovative design, there are over 40 opportunities for carbon reduction, resulting in a reduction in the station’s lifetime emissions by over 87,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent – the same as removing the emissions of over 10,000 houses, or the equivalent of travelling 500 million kilometres in your car. Click here for the full story.

South Western Railway’s retiring Island Line fleet looking for new homes

Island Fleet retiring

South Western Railway (SWR) is looking for new homes for its retiring Island Line fleet.

The five Class 483 trains, built in 1938 for the London Underground, have been serving the Isle of Wight since 1989.

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But, as announced in September 2019, following a £26m investment to secure the future of Island Line, the current fleet is due to be replaced by the Class 484 trains. Find out more here.

North Yorkshire Moors Railway reveal second phase reopening plans

North Yorkshire Moors Railway

After a hugely successful opening weekend, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway has released plans for the second phase of reopening to the public.

The railway will be running The Optimist from Monday 17 August, a new service enabling passengers to travel all the way along the 24-mile heritage line through the North York Moors National Park directly to Whitby. Click here for the full details of the NYMR reopening.

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£40m Stevenage station platform opens for services

Stevenage platform

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris has announced the opening of a new £40 million platform and track at Stevenage station.

Construction work on the project has been accelerated and delivered more than a year ahead of the revised schedule. Rail passengers will benefit from more frequent and reliable services as well as better long-distance connections. Click here for more details.

London Transport Museum depot to open to the public for first time

The London Transport Museum is appealing for donations towards maintaining its future as it looks to reopen in the autumn.

The London Transport Museum Depot in Acton Town, West London will be opening its doors for a ten-day summer event this month.

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Between 19-23 August and 26-30 August, the museum depot will open to the public from 11.00am to 18.00pm.

The depot houses most of London Transport Museum’s extensive collection – over 320,000 artefacts from the capital’s transport history. The new summer season has been designed especially for families, giving them the chance to explore a transport treasure trove during the summer holidays after months in lockdown. Click here for the full details.

Network Rail launch cycling initiative with Cycling UK

Cycling UK initiative

Network Rail and Cycling UK have launched a partnership as figures reveal that a fifth of Brits say they would consider cycling to work.

A new YouGov study, commissioned by Network Rail, has revealed that 20% of people are now likely to consider cycling to work, with nearly 60% of commuters feeling confident about travelling back into their workplace.

Although people are keen to cycle all or part of their journey, the study has revealed a number of barriers putting people off. Click here for the full story.

Latest rail service updates:

Transport for London are using hospital-grade cleaning products in all public areas across the network.

Key interchanges are being cleaned throughout the day, and we have increased our cleaning frequency to ensure regularly touched surfaces are clean. Check our guidance on safer travel before your journey.

When using public transport there are a few things we ask you to keep in mind:

  • You must wear a face covering over your mouth and nose for your entire journey including inside stations, unless you are exempt. This is to keep everyone safe. Please be assured the police and our enforcement officers are working to ensure everyone is wearing one and people may be refused entry, could risk a fine or be prosecuted if they are not.
  • Travel during the quiet times on the network, between 08:15-16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays, and before noon and after 18:00 on weekends. Find out more about busier times and stations.
  • Please maintain social distancing from other passengers wherever possible and allow extra time as some station layouts may have changed.   
  • We have lots of online tools to help you plan your journey, including maps with walking times between Tube stations and walking times between shops and attractions in West End.
  • With hot weather predicted in London over the next few weeks, it’s important to stay hydrated and carry water with you when travelling. See here for guidance on how to keep safe in hot weather.

London Underground

Due to engineering work the following services will be closed, please check if any of these will affect you. Some lines and stations may be busier than usual. In order to maintain social distancing, please avoid changing trains at Green Park and where possible, travel during the quiet times on the network, between 08:15-16:00 and after 17:30 on weekdays, and before noon and after 18:00 on weekends.

Circle line

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, there will be no Circle line service. Use alternative Tube and local bus services.

District line

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, there will be no service between South Kensington and East Ham. Rail replacement bus service DL6 and DL7 will run. Use alternative Tube, local and replacement bus services

Hammersmith & City line

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, there will be no service between Baker Street and Barking. Use alternative Tube and local or replacement bus services.

Metropolitan line

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, there will be no service between Baker Street and Aldgate. Use alternative Tube and local bus services.

Bakerloo line

On Sunday 9 August, there will be no service between Queen’s Park and Harrow & Wealdstone. Rail replacement bus service BL1 and BL2 will run.

No Night Tube or London Overground Night Service and limited Night Bus services are running. Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.

See the latest status updates on London Underground, including a map of closures. 

London Overground

Due to engineering work, the following London Overground services will be affected. 

On Saturday 8 August, there will be no service between, Kilburn High Road and Euston after 21:30. Use alternative Tube or local bus services.

On Sunday 9 August, there will be no service between:

  • Camden Road and Stratford after 21:45. Rail replacement bus service S will run. Or use local bus services
  • Watford Junction and Euston. Rail replacement bus services will run. Use Tube and local buses between Euston and Queen’s Park. Or use London Northwestern services between Watford Junction and Euston.

On Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 August, there will be no service between:

Highbury & Islington and New Cross Gate. Rail replacement bus service X will run between Dalston Kingsland and New Cross Gate. Or use Tube, DLR or local bus services 

New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace or West Croydon. Use alternative Southern Rail services, and local or replacement bus services

Surrey Quays and Clapham Junction. Rail replacement bus service M will run between Canada Water and Clapham Junction.

No Night Tube or London Overground Night Service and limited Night Bus services are running. Check before you travel and plan your journey ahead of time.

See an overview of planned track closures for the next six months.

See the latest status updates on London Overground, DLR, TfL Rail and Trams, including a map of closures and information about rail replacement buses.


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