News

Welsh Government 20-year plan to reduce carbon emissions from the transport network

Anew draft Transport Strategy has been published pledging a major reduction in carbon emissions from the transport network in Wales.

Transport currently makes up 17 per cent of Wales’ carbon emissions, but the Welsh Government has committed to set new and stretching five-year priorities to meet decarbonisation targets.

The draft strategy, ‘Llwybr Newydd – New

Path’, sets out a range of new ambitions to reshape transport in Wales, including a new sustainable transport hierarchy that will help shape investment towards greener transport options.

The last Pacer to carry Northern customers has completed its swansong journey having travelled from Kirkby to Manchester Victoria.

The final journey – completed by 142004 – marks just over 35 years of continuous service in the north of England, clocking 3 million miles in the process.

Chris Jackson, Regional Director at Northern, said: “The Pacers have kept millions of northerners on the move and, while they have served us well and provided some communities with rail services they may have otherwise lost, it is time to give them a well-earned rest.

“Northern has overseen significant modernisation in recent months and the retiring Pacers have made way for a fleet of 100 brand new trains which are already servicing

It sets our four long-term ambitions for the transport system in Wales, delivered through a set of five-year priorities. It also contains nine ‘mini-plans’ for modes and sectors: active travel; rail; bus; roads.

A consultation has been launched for people to have their say on the plans, which runs until 25 January 2021.

Ken Skates, Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales, said: “The shift towards a greener transport system is already underway, with record levels of investment in active travel and public transport.

“Llwybr Newydd is a once in a generation opportunity to reinforce and accelerate that people across the north of England.” During their time on the network, Northern’s fleet of 102 Pacers travelled more than 300 million miles – equivalent to 630 trips to the moon and back.

Retirement of the Pacer fleet began in the summer of 2019 and the trains have been gradually removed from service as more and more new and refurbished trains have been introduced.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: “The Pacer fleet has connected communities on the Northern network for over 30 years, but today marks the sun finally setting on trains that have become loved by some but hated by many. This marks a new era of transport in the north, with passengers enjoying a brand new fleet of trains delivering more modern services and creating a more reliable network across the north.” work so that we can make our transport system in Wales genuinely fit for future for generations

Pacers bid final farewell to Northern network

to come.”

London Waterloo the busiest station in Britain for 16th consecutive year

It’s been revealed that London Waterloo station has topped the list of the busiest stations in Britain.

But the Office of Rail and Road’s estimate of station usage statistics show there were 7.3 million fewer entries and exits between April 2019 and March 2020, compared to the previous year.

The least used station was Berney Arms in Norfolk which recorded 42 entries and exits during the year. Usage at this station fell by 90 per cent in 2019-20 due to the lines serving the station being closed most of the year for signalling upgrade work.

Four new stations opened in 2019-20 bringing the station total to 2,567 at the end of March 2020.

Around Great Britain, Glasgow Central (32.5 million) remained the busiest station in Scotland while in Wales, Cardiff Central recorded 12.7 million entries and exits.

Jay Symonds, ORR senior statistical analyst, said: “The dramatic drop in passenger numbers towards the end of March due to COVID-19 explains much of the drop in usage compared to last year.

“With numbers staying at historically low levels during 2020, there is no doubt that next year’s figures will look a lot different.”

Rail family raises £540,000 for Rail Aid

When industry charity Railway Children asked for help this November, the railway family answered the call and came together like never before.

Rail Aid, the charity’s response to the impact of COVID-19 on their fundraising programme, generated an incredible wave of support within the industry and raised an astonishing £540,000 to ensure Railway Children’s work with vulnerable children will continue despite the devastating effects of the pandemic.

Dubbed ‘the railway’s answer to Children in Need’, Rail Aid was organised from a standing start following the cancellation of the charity’s 2020 events programme, including the Three Peaks Challenge by Rail and the Railway Ball, which collectively raised almost £900,000 last year.

Rail Aid Ambassador Sir Peter Hendy CBE said: “I cannot thank our industry enough for the part each business, corporation, team and individual played in ensuring that Railway Children can continue their vital work to help children who were already vulnerable and who are now dealing with the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on their lives. It has been humbling to witness how many people took the time and effort to join in with Rail Aid during this most difficult period for us all.”

Terina Keene, Chief Executive of Railway Children, said: “We’re amazed, thrilled and above all incredibly grateful to everyone in the railway family for making Rail Aid such a success. COVID-19 has affected so many people worldwide and as a result children are more vulnerable than ever. The pandemic has had a devastating effect on our fundraising programme and we have faced the proposition of having to close projects. Thank you to every single person who did so much to support us. We are extraordinarily grateful to each and every one of you.”

Free train travel for almost a thousand fleeing domestic abuse as demand for help soars

Train companies are extending free train travel for survivors of domestic abuse until the end of March next year.

The move comes as figures show four survivors a day, on average, have been using the scheme as reports show that abuse has worsened during coronavirus restrictions.

Rail to refuge is a joint initiative between rail companies and Women’s Aid in which train operators cover the cost of train tickets for women, men and children travelling to refuge accommodation. Since April, train operators have provided free tickets to 836 people, including 210 children.

First introduced by Southeastern in September 2019 and then GWR on its routes in March 2020, all train operators joined the Rail to refuge scheme on 9 April with the original plan to keep it in place for approximately 12 weeks or for the duration of lockdown.

Jacqueline Starr, Chief Operating Officer at the Rail Delivery Group, said: “We’re proud to have provided a vital lifeline for almost a thousand people escaping a desperate situation, but there are still too many women, men and children that need help. Our staff are working hard to support the survivors of domestic abuse with free train journeys while keeping the railway running for all the people, communities and local economies that rely on it.”