Department for Transport backs research project for Kemble to Swindon redoubling

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that preparatory research is to be undertaken into double-tracking the existing twelve miles of single line railway between Kemble and Swindon – the stretch of railway line was made single-track forty years ago in 1968 and the preparatory study is required before details plans for improvement can be drawn up. The preparatory study will cost two million, six hundred thousand pounds and is been funded from the South West of England regional funding allocation (£1.6m), the DfT National Networks Division (£0.9m) and the Welsh Assembly Government (£0.1m). Work on doubling this twelve mile stretch of single line could begin in 2010, dependent on the outcome of the study and the funding for the project been secured.

Network Rail aspires to seven-day railway

The Great Western Main Line has been selected by Network Rail as one of the ten priority routes for the company’s seven-day railway initiative, which is designed to deliver more trains, particularly at weekends, and a substantial reduction in the use of replacement buses. Adding crossovers, improving signalling reliability, upgrading tracks and making more lines available to trains in both directions are among the initiatives been planned by Network Rail. Network Rail has commenced a study to improve the availability of the railway lines between Didcot Parkway and Swindon and is also considering the installation of bi-directional signalling at Bristol Parkway.

Stagecoach road safety initiative

Stagecoach is to roll out unique new ‘safer driving’ signs on the rear of the five hundred vehicles, which comprise the company’s coach fleet – the initiative is designed to improve road safety. Special vinyls on the rear of the coaches will display three numbers (30, 50 and 70) which represent the speed limits on many roads. The appropriate number on the vinyl sign becomes visible to a driver when the vehicle is too close to the rear of the preceding Stagecoach coach.

Department for Transport expects train operating companies to default

The Department for Transport (DfT) has issued a tender notice for ‘an operator of last resort’, which suggests that it expects a number of train operating companies to default on their franchises. The contract is been advertised on a five-year cycle as the current agreement with the consultancy, First Class Partnerships, expires in August. The tender notice states that the DfT considers that it may be necessary to procure tens of millions of pounds of services from the ‘operator of last resort’ over the next five years.

People (1)

Elaine Holt has resigned as Managing Director of the train operating company, First Capital Connect, and has left FirstGroup – Elaine had previously worked in the South West of England as a director of First Great Western and as the regional director for the UK Bus division of FirstGroup.

People (2)

Network Rail has confirmed that Rick Haythornthwaite will be the new Chairman in succession to Sir Ian McAllister.

And finally,

Poole Bus Station has fully reopened at the completion of a three hundred thousand pound refurbishment programme – the canopy over the waiting area has been decorated with a ‘bright, eye-catching mural’, which Wilts and Dorset Bus Company claims is the largest artwork in Great Britain!