Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, who said passengers deserved an affordable, reliable and rapid service , but had been failed by years of fragmentation, confusion and over-complication , declared: That complicated and broken system ends today.
He added: Great British Railways marks a new era in the history of our railways. It will become a single familiar brand with a bold new vision for passengers - of punctual services, simpler tickets and a modern and green railway that meets the needs of the nation.
The shake-up is based on the recommendations of a review of the industry carried out by former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams following the chaotic introduction of new timetables in May 2018.
But it still seems a long way off because vital investment in Essex does not appear to be on the agenda as part of the national shake-up.
Making its latest case, a taskforce for the Great Eastern Main Line has renewed its calls for new track at Bow Junction, between Stratford and Liverpool Street, and new signalling between Colchester and Shenfield.
To demonstrate the existing disparity, it currently takes 40 minutes longer to travel from Norwich to London than it does from Grantham. The road distance from the Lincolnshire town is around 35 miles further.
2) Strengthening west Norfolk
The King s Lynn to Hunstanton railway line once helped the seaside resort become a booming tourist destination.
Published:
2:43 PM May 19, 2021
The Great Eastern Main Line taskforce wants all Norwich to London trains to take 90 minutes.
- Credit: Greater Anglia
Business and political leaders have repeated calls for investment in the line from London to Norwich - claiming it could bring £9.3bn in benefits.
But the goal of running all trains between Norwich and Liverpool Street in 90 minutes still seems a long way off because vital investment in Essex is not on the agenda.
The Great Eastern Main Line taskforce case for investment points out that journey times in East Anglia are still longer for similar-length trips than in other parts of the country despite the new trains being introduced by Greater Anglia.
Trains now running on Elizabeth line
- Credit: Crossrail
Trains are now running on Crossrail’s long-delayed Elizabeth line through Whitechapel from the West End right up to Canary Wharf and beyond.
But it’s no use trying to get on the £16 billion tube linking east London to Heathrow just yet.
The line started being tested for safety and to see if it runs smoothly on May 10, the
East London Advertiser has learned.
Four trains an hour are testing the tracks and signalling for the rest of the year before it opens by the summer of 2022.
New station connections at Whitechapel from Elizabeth line to the Underground and Overground.
Published:
10:50 AM May 11, 2021
Rail commuters could be affected by essential works taking place over a string of weekends in May and June
Essential track works will be taking place during a number of weekends this month and next to improve safety.
Network Rail will be carrying out the work on the track in areas of Norfolk, Suffolk, and Cambridgeshire during weekends in May and June.
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia
- Credit: Archant
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia, said: “Track wears out faster on the busy main lines and that’s why we carry out a regular programme of replacement across the network. Renewing the tracks helps to prevent faults that lead to speed restrictions and cancellations, meaning our passengers can get to where they need to be without delays.