Beleaguered Grayling set to announce major new review of rail services September 16, 2018 The government is set to launch a major review of the UK’s railways this week, following widespread criticism and a series of operational problems. Transport secretary Chris Grayling is expected to appoint Keith Williams, the former boss of British Airways, to undertake a systematic, 12-month review of the country’s rail services. Williams is the deputy [...]
John Lewis boss ‘to lead review’ into rail industry amid calls for nationalisation September 15, 2018 John Lewis boss Keith Williams is to lead the government's review into the rail industry next week as it battles criticism over its franchise system. The Sun reported that deputy chairman Williams will lead review – to be announced on Thursday – to focus on a balance between the public and private sector at a time when the industry [...]
The Grosvenor Estate weighs up move to become a serviced office space provider September 13, 2018 It might be one of London’s oldest landlords, but the Grosvenor Estate is mulling a move into one of the property market’s newest trends. In a bid to cash in on the growing popularity of serviced office spaces, the Duke of Westminster’s Mayfair business confirmed it is weighing up the idea of challenging market giants such [...]
Network Rail: Hungry shoppers and record car manufacturing keep Britain’s freight trains chugging ahead September 7, 2015 Rising consumer spending, faster delivery services and a jump in UK car manufacturing has sent the number of goods needing to be sent up and down the country by freight trains steaming ahead, according to new research from Network Rail. In a report published in partnership with Royal Mail and the Co-Op, Network Rail said [...]
Network Rail is poised for £1bn sale of properties including Vinopolis site and Brixton arches August 16, 2015 Network Rail has taken the first step towards selling off its £1bn commercial property portfolio after hiring bankers to conduct a review of its estate. The government-backed organisation, which runs all of Britain’s rail infrastructure, confirmed that it is working with boutique investment bank Rothschild to explore ways in which it can “make more [...]
Network Rail fined £2m for London Bridge overcrowding chaos and other delays August 10, 2015 Network Rail has been fined £2m by the rail watchdog over chaos at London Bridge station which caused misery for thousands of commuters earlier this year. An investigation into Network Rail's performance by the Office of Rail and Road found that while there was no systematic weakness at the firm causing the failings, it did [...]
More delays? Network Rail submits planning application for a year of construction works at Waterloo Station July 27, 2015 Regular travelers to Waterloo Station should brace themselves: Network Rail has just submitted its first planning application for upgrade works. If it's approved, the works will go on for a year from November. Read more: How new train delay compensation rules will confuse commuters even more The works will include upgrades to the area around the [...]
Train delay compensation: How the new rules will make it more confusing for commuters to claim back for disrupted rail journeys July 20, 2015 Yesterday changes were announced to the National Rail Conditions of Carriage – the rules governing rail travel in the UK. The idea was to make it easier for commuters to claw back refunds for delayed and cancelled trains. All train operators are now obliged to offer passengers cash compensation rather than rail vouchers.That must [...]
Train delay compensation: New rules mean passengers can claim cash if rail journeys disrupted July 19, 2015 Commuters will now be able to claim compensation for train delays in cold hard cash from today, as changes to the national rail travel rules come into effect. Passengers are entitled to claim a refund on their ticket if a train is more than 30 minutes late, but that has previously come in the form [...]
HS2 is “cannibalising” the rest of the transport budget, TaxPayers’ Alliance claims June 25, 2015 The High Speed 2 rail link connecting Birmingham to London is “cannibalising” the rest of the UK's transport budget, Jonathan Isaby, head of the TaxPayers' Alliance, has claimed. Read more: High Speed 2 to lose a link from North to Europe In a statement, Isaby said promises had been made “time and time again” [...]