Rail

The French train company Alstom is to build a new multimillion-pound plant in the north-west of England, delivering a major boost to the region during a time of uncertainty for the UK.Alstom will spend an initial £20m on a new site at Widnes, Cheshire, creating about 600 jobs. The facility will modernise the Pendolino trains on the west coast mainline and contain a training academy, but it could eventually manufacture new rolling stock if Alstom wins a contract to produce trains ...Read more

Uncertainty over the date when electrified trains will start running to Swansea is affecting potential investment, it has been claimed.  Network Rail said electrification would arrive between 2019 and 2024, but the exact date was “to be confirmed”.  The line is being electrified to speed up journey times from London to Wales.   Electrified trains were originally due to arrive in Cardiff by 2017 but that deadline has now been put back.  Network Rail’s programme manager Anthea Dolman-Gair said that it had now ...Read more

A report from the National Audit Office has said the HS2 high-speed rail project faces major cost pressure and an unrealistic timetable.  The NAO believes that the 2026 target opening date for the first phase was at risk despite making good progress. HS2 is still confident it can achieve all its goals.In 10 years’ time the phase linking London and the West Midlands is due to be completed.  The next section, running to Crewe is due to open a year later ...Read more