Click here to listen to the latest rail news on Tuesday, 28th May 2024.
InTheNews: The latest rail news on Tuesday, 28th May 2024
HS2 has appointed Mark Wild, the former boss of Crossrail, as its new Chief Executive.
Construction Enquirer reported that he will replace Mark Thurston, who stepped down in September 2023 after six-and-a-half years in the role.
It added that his appointment is one of several reforms geared towards ensuring that the HS2 project is delivered on time and within budget.
Sir Jon Thompson, Acting Executive Chair of HS2, said: “It is a mark of the scale and ambition of HS2 that we can attract a leader of his calibre.”
South Western Railway hopes to renovate disused railway buildings and spaces across Surrey, turning them into assets for the community.
According to BBC News, the operator is looking to turn out-of-use areas into spaces where groups can meet, and has already located several potential locations.
These include two former waiting rooms in Oxshott, former retail units in Wordplesdon, and a disused men’s toilet in Addlestone.
Southeastern will launch an improved timetable on 2 June.
The operator said that the move will lead to less platform waiting time, more punctual services, and more space on the busiest services.
Based on journey data and customer feedback, its new timetable will also see longer trains and additional services introduced on the network.
Scott Brightwell, Southeastern’s Operations & Safety Director, said that the improved timetable would support local economies.
And finally, a campaign to prevent the closure of The Nene Valley Railway (NVR) has raised up to £20,000 in just two weeks, BBC News reports.
“Unprecedented financial pressures” are putting the heritage railway at risk of closure, and it is campaigning to raise £300,000.
Michael Purcell, Chairman of the charity, thanked railway enthusiasts for their support, adding that it came from “people’s love of heritage railways and steam”.
