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Talent and gender diversity in the rail sector

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Talent and gender diversity in the rail sector

Guest writer Adam Razzell, head of transport and infrastructure at Advance Resource Managers, reflects on the diversity of talent in the rail industry and questions whether more needs to be done.

With an average staff turnover rate of just three percent (compared with the UK median rate of 13.6 percent), the UK’s rail sector has less experience than most of dealing with skills gaps – but its landscape is changing quickly.

An ideal time for reflection

Due to retirement alone, the industry is expected to lose as many as 50,000 workers by 2033 (from a total of around 240,000), most from operative roles. The futures of a further 15 percent – the workforce’s EU nationals – also remain uncertain because of Brexit.

Then there’s rising demand from passengers (in contrast with falling interest in bus and coach travel) and plans for a new era of high-speed rail infrastructure to create the need for even more staff.

As UK rail looks to steady itself for the future using a range of recruitment and training initiatives, we find ourselves at an ideal point to take stock of its current talent, and the diversity of that talent. Does its recruitment approach need to change drastically for a more secure future, or is it on the right track already?

A general snapshot of rail talent

According to Department for Transport data from December 2019, around 240,000 people work in the UK rail sector – 67.8 percent for rail infrastructure firms and 25.4 percent for train operators, the two biggest categories.

With salaries ranging from £16,000 up to £71,000, the average rail worker earns just over £35,500 per year, although this rises to £39,000 in London and falls just short of £32,000 in Scotland. Average salaries in all other areas of the UK sit between these two figures, meaning all are above the wider national median salary of £30,300.

Given rail’s low staff turnover rate, it’s unsurprising that almost two-thirds (63 per cent) of its workers have eight or more years of experience in their roles. Sixteen percent have between four and seven years of experience, and 20 percent have three years or less. And, while this implies that a retirement surge could cause serious issues, the amount of experience currently present in the sector does bode well for the Strategic Transport Apprenticeship Taskforce (STAT), a body set up in 2016 to address skills gaps and increase diversity across UK transport using apprenticeship programmes.

Gender representation in rail

The rail sector cannot avoid major skills shortage without diversifying its workforce – that’s something that Mike Brown, the recently departed Transport for London Commissioner and STAT chair, implied in STAT’s latest update report.

“A skilled workforce is vital to future economic success,” he said. “Quality training at all levels is fundamental and we need to broaden our talent pipeline if we are to drive productivity and innovation across the transport sector.”

Right now, the data shows a huge imbalance. Of its quarter-million employees (including those working in passenger services, freight operations and the wider supply chain), only 17 per cent are female. That falls to 13 per cent in the commercial rail workforce, and again to 12 per cent in signalling and design – both areas with significantly higher average salaries (£45,800 and £37,900 respectively).

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Both photo credits: Southeastern.

Some companies and regions are more diverse than others. Network Rail – by far the sector’s biggest employer – TFL and Southern Railway hold the most female talent, while London and the South East lead the list of regions. But more needs to be done.

What’s positive is that we are seeing action from some of the sector’s biggest operators. Southeastern and East Midlands Trains, for example, recently introduced anonymous candidate screening and targeted advertising campaigns in attempts to encourage more women to become train drivers. Southeastern is aiming for 40 percent of applicants for driver roles to be women by 2021 (from 4.5 percent in 2019), and East Midlands has already seen the number of female applicants double.

But skills gaps and underrepresentation aren’t challenges that employers can address individually – there needs to be an industry-wide shift. And, as the seemingly inevitable skills gap inches closer, it must happen quickly.

70 apprentices and graduates launching their careers with British Steel

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70 apprentices and graduates launching their careers with British Steel

British Steel has now welcomed the first of the 70 new apprentices and graduates who are joining the business this month.

In Scunthorpe, 36 technical, electrical, mechanical and structural apprentices have now launched their careers with the business. They will shortly be joined by 17 apprentices in similar roles for British Steel’s Northern mills in Teesside and Skinningrove, and 1 at the company’s R&D centre in Sheffield.

At the same time, 16 graduates have joined British Steel – the first to do so since 2022 following this year’s relaunch of the company’s graduate recruitment programme.

Minister for Industry, Blair McDougall, said: “Reindustrialising Britain starts with steel. These new roles will help build the next generation of skilled workers we need to secure the long-term future of British Steel and strengthen one of our foundation industries.

“We acted to safeguard British Steel because steelmaking is vital to our economy, our security and our industrial future. Today’s announcement is a sign of that brighter future, creating new opportunities for young people in communities across the UK to build careers at the heart of Britain’s industrial renewal.”

Nick Ashton, HR director at British Steel, said: “Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for our newest apprentices and graduates, and we’re delighted to welcome them to British Steel.

“The calibre of candidates this year was extremely high, and these individuals have earned their place through a competitive recruitment process. With their arrival, they bring fresh talent and new ideas that will help strengthen our business for the future.

“Investing in people is essential to our long-term success. Our apprentices and graduates will develop the skills and experience needed to become the next generation of engineers, manufacturing specialists, technical experts and business leaders.

“We are committed to supporting them every step of the way and look forward to seeing them build successful careers while making a valuable contribution to British Steel in the years ahead.”

Jordan Carne, one of British Steel’s first-year electrical apprentices, said: “I decided to become an apprentice with British Steel because engineering is something I’ve always been passionate about.

“After working in construction for several years, I wanted to return to that passion and gain hands-on experience while developing my skills in electrical engineering. I’m really excited to learn more about British Steel and the opportunities the apprenticeship will provide.”

Jarucha Pattaraworrasin, one of the company’s new graduates studying Material Science, commented: “I’m excited to see first-hand how steel is made and how the entire process comes together.

“During my studies in chemical and materials engineering, I discovered a real passion for materials science, and joining British Steel gives me the opportunity to apply that knowledge in a world-class industrial environment. I’ve always wanted a career where I could contribute to something bigger and make a meaningful impact, so this is a fantastic opportunity.”

Earlier this year, British Steel reopened its Scunthorpe apprentice training centre as part of its ongoing commitment to skills development.

During their induction, apprentices and graduates will be introduced to British Steel’s operations and safety culture through a programme of presentations, site tours and e-learning sessions. They will meet senior managers and colleagues from across the business, complete essential health, safety and environmental training and take part in team-building activities designed to help them prepare for their future careers with British Steel.

Training for the Scunthorpe apprentices will be delivered by tutors from British Steel’s training provider, CATCH, alongside experts within the business. Their first year will be a mix of classroom and workshop activities to give them core skills and knowledge before they spend 3 years getting hands-on experience on the Scunthorpe site.

Apprentices for Teesside and Skinningrove will start their studies with TTE in partnership with Middlesborough College Group in the coming days. They will spend their first year developing the knowledge and skills required for their roles before progressing to site-based learning in their second year.

Graduates will join in a series of roles across the business, including Engineering (Electrical/Mechanical/Chemical), Manufacturing, Technical, Commercial, Finance, and I.T.

Image credit: British Steel

Consultation launched on how Great British Railways will oversee train access to rail network

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Consultation launched on how Great British Railways will oversee train access to rail network

A consultation has launched into how Great British Railways (GBR) will make decisions on which passenger and freight services can use Britain’s rail network.

For the first time in three decades, GBR will bring together decisions about passenger and freight access to the railway – bringing greater clarity and consistency about how capacity is best used.

And in supporting more passenger and freight services, this new approach will not only reduce the burden on taxpayers and attract more investors to the sector, but also link up better with local transport schemes, including at a devolved and mayoral authority level, so that communities are better served by their railways.

Today (Wednesday 9 September), the consultation on GBR’s future Access & Use Policy (AUP) has been launched which sets out how these decisions will be made, in a consistent way, that freight, open access operators, and other industry stakeholders can understand and trust. Safety will remain at the centre of all decision-making.

Anit Chandarana, group director of system operator at Network Rail, said: “Our aim is simple: to continue to make fair, transparent and consistent decisions about access to the railway, so we make the best possible use of the network for passengers, freight customers and taxpayers.

“The existing access and charging framework is no longer fit for purpose. It has grown over 30 years through layers of legislation, regulation, contracts and codes, and too often encourages different parts of the railway to take decisions in isolation.

“Change on this scale needs to be handled carefully and openly. The current draft of the policy has already benefited from positive engagement across the industry, and we are keen to hear further views through this consultation as we continue to shape the way forward.”

The consultation builds on an AUP Discussion Document published in December 2025, as well as extensive prior engagement with government, regulators, and a wide range of industry stakeholders, including freight and passenger operators, infrastructure managers, and devolved and regional transport bodies.

Image credit: Network Rail

Kier to deliver major accessibility upgrade programme across six Greater Manchester stations

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Kier to deliver major accessibility upgrade programme across six Greater Manchester stations

Kier, a leading UK infrastructure services, construction, and property group, has been awarded a contract to deliver major accessibility improvements at six railway stations in Greater Manchester.

Passengers using Flowery Field, Newton-for-Hyde, Levenshulme, Davenport, Woodsmoor, and Bredbury stations will benefit from the investment, with Kier appointed by Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) to deliver the design and build works.

Funded by the Department for Transport’s Access for All Programme and locally devolved City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) , the upgrades will provide step-free access and improve the experience for all that use the railway.  Kier will:

  • Evaluate options and progress outline and detailed designs before work starts.
  • Work with partners to find smarter, better-value ways to deliver the upgrades.
  • Complete the improvement works at each station ready to open and hand over.

Mandy Duncan, managing director for rail and aviation at Kier Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted to have been selected to deliver these important improvements for communities across Greater Manchester. 

“These works will make a real difference to passengers, making the stations more inclusive for all that use them, particularly people with reduced mobility and those travelling with luggage, bicycles or prams.

“We look forward to working closely in collaboration with TfGM and partners Network Rail, Vextrix, Tony Gee and Partners and Northern, to deliver these valuable enhancements.”

Simon Elliott, network director rail at TfGM, commented: “Delivering accessibility improvements at these six stations is absolutely key to our ambitions as we continue to build a public transport network that works for everyone in Greater Manchester.

“We’ll be working closely with Kier and our partners in the rail industry to help ensure that these upgrades remove barriers to travel and create a welcoming, attractive and customer-friendly experience at all these stations.”

Last year, 472,012 passengers used Levenshulme station, 183,740 used Flowery Field, and 139,956 travelled through Newton-for-Hyde, while Davenport saw around 291,000 passengers, Woodsmoor approximately 247,000, and Bredbury just over 172,000 in the most recent reporting year.

Elsewhere in the rail sector, Kier delivered new stations at Willenhall and Darlaston in the West Midlands earlier this year, providing modern, accessible facilities for local communities.

Image credit: Kier

New report says Avanti West Coast delivers significant economic boost

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New report says Avanti West Coast delivers significant economic boost

Avanti West Coast generated over £5 billion in value to the UK economy last year, according to a new report.

Unveiled at the intercity operator’s annual Stakeholder Conference in Manchester, the study shows the positive impact that the intercity operator had across the regions it serves including London, the North West, West Midlands, Scotland and North Wales.

It calculates that for every £1 invested in Avanti West Coast’s services, staff and supply chain, £5.10 of wider economic value is generated.

The independent report, which was produced by transport consultants Steer, outlines that Avanti West Coast services deliver over £4bn in economic, social and environmental benefits. These include time savings to passengers, the social and environmental benefits of reduced car and air travel; and the productivity benefits from connecting some of the UK’s biggest cities.

Spread across the UK, £1.6 billion of these benefits are in London, with £1.2 billion in the North West of England, £640.9 million in the West Midlands, £304 million in Scotland, and £154 million in Wales.

It also highlights the role rail plays in supporting a more sustainable future, helping reduce congestion and carbon emissions while providing an alternative to road and domestic air travel. In 2025, journeys on Avanti West Coast services prevented more than two billion kilometres of road travel and in turn 261,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. This generated environmental benefits worth more than £100 million, alongside wider societal benefits from reduced congestion. The report estimates that over one million air journeys are avoided annually when passengers use Avanti services, which is the equivalent to over 114,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide not being emitted.

Through community partnerships, education programmes, and initiatives that improve accessibility and inclusion, Avanti West Coast generated approximately £471 million of social value. More than 2,000 young people were supported through educational initiatives, Passenger Assistance usage increased by 30%, and 290 community projects were delivered across our route, helping to create opportunities, build skills, and strengthen local communities.

Furthermore, the operator invests over £700 million into suppliers along the West Coast Main Line route – with 41% of this spend in London, 20% in North West England, 17% the West Midlands, and 7% each in Scotland and Wales. These includes contracts for cleaning to ensure trains and stations are at the top cleanliness; catering for stocking with products before departure; food and drink suppliers to provide customers with local produce; and with fleet suppliers as part of the train maintenance and upgrade programmes.

The operator has invested around £100 million into its staff, including salaries, uniforms, equipment, and training. This impact, as well as the supply chain investments, leads to further £523.1 million investment when employees of Avanti West Coast and its supplier spend their earnings in the wider economy, with this expenditure equivalent to supporting a further 6,500 jobs in the UK.

Andy Mellors, managing director at Avanti West Coast, said: “This report highlights the wider impact of Avanti West Coast in creating value through everyday railway journeys.

“We’re incredibly proud to serve the towns, cities and regions across the West Coast Main Line. It is important that the value we create extends beyond the railway itself – supporting jobs and businesses, improving connectivity between major economic centres, and delivering benefits for customers, communities and taxpayers alike.

“The true value of train travel is often overlooked, with each journey made having a different, individual reason. Our services enable people to travel for work, study, leisure, or to see friends and family, and provide access to opportunities which enable businesses to grow and allow communities to thrive.

“This report measures the value of connection in pounds, places and outcomes. But its real value is reflected in the opportunities created, the lives changed and the stories that unfold across our network every day.”

Image credit: Avanti West Coast

Southern gateline assistant reflects on saving a life

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Southern gateline assistant reflects on saving a life

Benjamin Woods, 34, works as a gateline assistant for Southern. Ahead of World Suicide Prevention Day (10 September), he’s sharing his story after saving somebody’s life on the railway.

“I had just started my late shift when I spotted a man in his mid-50s leaving the station through the gateline. He initially seemed fine, but when he reappeared an hour later there were clear signs of intoxication. When he approached the gateline he asked if I was a security guard, which rang alarm bells because I’ve never been asked that before, so I stopped what I was doing to keep an eye on him. Once he was on the platform, he suddenly went down onto the tracks. Without hesitating, I put in an emergency call to shut all lines into the station.

“As railway staff, we are given training on how to handle these delicate situations, so I put this into practice by approaching the man calmly and urging him to leave the tracks while keeping myself at a safe distance. I repeatedly asked him to get back onto the platform, which he didn’t acknowledge until I upped the level of my voice slightly to break his negative thought cycle. He then listened and finally came up to the platform. Unfortunately, he refused to leave the station and quickly boarded a train to another destination, so I alerted the British Transport Police (BTP) and GTR’s Travel Safe Officers, who took over and supported him further.

“A couple of days later, the man came back to thank me for saving his life. This was the first time I’d made a lifesaving intervention, so it was quite emotional knowing I’d helped him see another day.”

Benjamin, who live in Pulborough, said he was able to empathise with this man after experiencing his own mental health struggles as a teenager.

“I was able to put myself in their shoes because I previously suffered from depression when I was a teenager, due to various situations which saw me at my lowest. Having this experience helped me when talking to this man because I’ve been there and understand that we all need help sometimes.”

Benjamin added that suicide prevention training at work has helped boost his confidence when it comes to making lifesaving interventions.

“The training provided by Southern and the Samaritans is brilliant because it gave me an insight of the different situations I could face and how to stay safe in a high-pressure situation. It taught me how to spot a vulnerable person and the best way to connect with them, so I can guide them to safety. It can be difficult approaching someone who is risking their life, however sometimes it only takes a simple conversation to turn things around.”

The rail operator is encouraging members of the public to look out for one another when travelling. If people spot concerning behaviour, they can text the British Transport Police on 6106, or call 999 if it is an emergency.  People can also call Samaritans anytime on 116 123.

Image credit: GTR

Replica new Metro train to support rail safety training

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Replica new Metro train to support rail safety training

A life-sized replica of the new Tyne and Wear Metro train has become a teaching aid to support railway safety classes for thousands of local children.

The Metro cab mock-up has been given a permanent home at SafetyWorks in Newcastle, an interactive education centre providing realistic, hands-on safety training for schools, youth groups, and community organisations.

Metro operator Nexus said it was delighted to find a use for the replica, which had previously been used to familiarise Metro drivers with their new cab before the real trains started to be delivered. It has now become part of the immersive Metro safety training facility, which includes a Metro station, tracks, ticket machines, platforms, and a level crossing.

The replica, which was provided to Nexus by the Swiss train builder Stadler in 2021, brings the Metro training area at Safety Works right up to date, replacing a mock-up of the original Metro carriage that was previously there. Safety Works is a multi-agency training facility which is used by the Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service, Northumbria Police, Nexus, and the local authorities to conduct safety awareness days for young people. It is visited by 5,000 school children every year.

Deborah Rodenby, youth liaison officer at Nexus, said: “The replica of the new Metro train is a vital new tool for engaging young people when they visit SafetyWorks.

“It’s going to really grab their attention and that will make it easier for us to get the key railway safety messages across.

“It’s fantastic to give the cab mock-up a permanent new home. It looks amazing. It has supported our Metro drivers with adapting to the new trains, and now it’s got a new lease of life as a teaching aid, helping thousands of children learn about the dangers of trespassing on the lines.

“By stepping onto this realistic station layout, they experience the real-world environment of the new Metro fleet firsthand, learning about the dangers of trespassing and to respect the lethal nature of high-voltage overhead lines. This hands-on training does more than just teach rail safety. It actively deters dangerous trespassing and anti-social behaviour by fostering a genuine respect for the network.”

Michael Richardson, head of fleet and depot replacement at Nexus, commented: “This is a great legacy project within the ongoing roll out of the new Metro train fleet.

“The cab mock-up did a great job early on in the project when we used it to familiarise our drivers with the new trains ahead of the real ones arriving.

“It’s heartwarming to see that it’s now getting used to educate young people in railway safety and accident prevention. As a Metro operator we are committed to youth liaison work to ensure children understand the dangers of trespassing on our lines.”

The Stadler mock-up, which is to scale, was used to help finalise the new fleet during the design process. It was built based on the feedback Metro train crews provided on virtual reality software. Stadler brought it over from Germany, where it was constructed, before being shipped to the UK and assembled on site in a workshop at the Gosforth Metro depot. It boasts the full Metro cab layout, a driver’s seat, and the exterior is exactly what the new trains are like, right down to the yellow livery and running board.

The focus of SafetyWorks lies in teaching pupils about various forms of health and safety, and there are a number of different day trips that schools can get involved with. It prides itself on creating an interactive, informative day out. The classes are scenario-based, meaning children are immersed in realistic situations throughout their visit to learn about potential problems, how they arise and how to combat them directly.

All classes are held in a life-sized ‘safety town’, so the resources that the students interact with are the physical areas around them.

Image credit: Nexus

Thousands have their say on Midlands Rail Hub proposals

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Thousands have their say on Midlands Rail Hub proposals

Thousands of people have shared their views on proposed major upgrades to the railway in Birmingham as part of the first consultation about Midlands Rail Hub.

The eight-week consultation, which ran from 6 July to 28 August, invited members of the public, businesses, passengers and other stakeholders to comment on early proposals for upgrades to the railway between Bordesley and Birmingham Moor Street.

More than 3,500 responses were received during the consultation, with people also engaging with the Midlands Rail Hub Alliance through a series of public events, an online webinar, and meetings with local organisations and stakeholders.

Midlands Rail Hub is the region’s biggest and most ambitious rail improvement scheme which would provide faster, better, and more frequent journeys for local, regional, and national passengers. It would also boost economic growth, create jobs and apprenticeships, support the delivery of new homes, create regeneration opportunities, and improve regional access to HS2 at Curzon Street.

The scheme will add up to 300 additional trains on the rail network per day into or out of Birmingham and provide faster, more frequent or new rail links for over 50 locations, including Nottingham, Leicester, Bromsgrove, Nuneaton, Worcester, Hereford and Cardiff.

Mark Cuzner, Midlands Rail Hub Alliance director, said: “Thank you to everyone who took the time to find out more about the proposals and share their views. We have received more than 3,500 responses, alongside valuable feedback through our consultation events and conversations with businesses and stakeholders.

“This first consultation has given us a clearer understanding of both the opportunities people see in the scheme and the concerns they have about its potential impacts. We will carefully consider that feedback alongside our ongoing technical and environmental work as we refine the proposals and look for opportunities to avoid, reduce or manage impacts where possible.

“These proposals represent a key element of the wider vision for Midlands Rail Hub, which would provide faster, more reliable and more frequent journeys for local, regional and national passengers, helping to open up opportunities for millions of people. The feedback we have received will play an important role in shaping our proposals ahead of a second consultation planned for summer 2027.”

The proposals consulted on included:

  • Construction of the Bordesley chords.
  • Capacity enhancements at Birmingham Moor Street station.
  • Widening of sections of the existing Bordesley viaduct.

These improvements would transfer a number of regional train services from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Moor Street. This would reduce congestion at Birmingham New Street – the busiest station outside of London – and allow for much-needed additional local and long-distance services to be added.

The proposals would also help to better integrate the railway with other transport networks including buses and trams, helping to provide more seamless and better journeys across the West Midlands.

In more detail, the proposals would enable:

  • Three additional trains per hour to towns and cities South West of Birmingham.
  • The reinstatement of two additional Cross City line trains per hour (meaning there would be six trains per hour in total).
  • Four additional trains per hour towards the East Midlands, one of which will also serve the North East, subject to future decisions about affordability and value for money.

Consultation feedback will now be analysed in detail and considered alongside ongoing design, engineering and environmental work. As the proposals are developed, the Alliance will consider how feedback can inform the designs, including opportunities to avoid, reduce or manage potential impacts where possible.

Refined proposals will be subject to a second consultation in 2027. The Midlands Rail Hub Alliance then expects to submit a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application to the Secretary of State for Transport in early 2028 to secure the consents needed to deliver the scheme.

More information on the project is available at www.mrhalliance.co.uk.

Image credit: Network Rail

Government targets 40% freight growth by 2040

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Government targets 40% freight growth by 2040

The Government has unveiled its vision for Great British Railways to back British businesses, strengthen supply chains, and drive economic growth, with a new target to increase rail freight by at least 40% by 2040.

The target is the first milestone towards the Government’s ambition of increasing rail freight by at least 75% by 2050, giving industry the confidence to invest while ensuring Great British Railways plays a central role in delivering growth across the country.

Rail freight already carries goods worth almost £34 billion each year to the UK’s economy. Meeting the new target would increase this figure by around £15 billion, helping businesses move more products across Britain, strengthening supply chains, and supporting growth.

A single freight train can carry enough materials to build around 30 homes. Network Rail estimates the new targets could increase rail freight of construction materials by 45%, and boost the movement of goods like cars, wine, white goods, and medicine by around two-thirds.

Transport Secretary, Heidi Alexander, said: “Great British Railways will have a clear mission to help grow our economy by moving more of the goods British businesses rely on.

“Our new target gives the rail freight industry the certainty it needs to invest, helping businesses move more products, deliver the materials needed to build new homes and infrastructure, and support jobs across the country.”

Rail freight helps businesses move goods efficiently across Britain, eases pressure on the road network and produces significantly less carbon than moving the same freight by road. Meeting the new target could save up to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide every year compared with transporting the same goods by road.

The Railways Bill, which establishes Great British Railways, begins its Committee Stage in the House of Lords today. The Bill will give Great British Railways the powers it needs to deliver on the new freight target, including strategic oversight of network access and two clear duties to support freight growth.

A dedicated member of the Great British Railways Board will also have responsibility for freight, ensuring the needs of freight operators and the businesses they serve are embedded in decision-making from the outset.

These changes will help Great British Railways work more closely with freight operators to unlock additional capacity on the network, supporting investment, strengthening supply chains, and helping drive economic growth across Britain.

Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail’s chief executive, said: “Rail freight is a vital part of our transport network and the UK economy, moving millions of tonnes of goods every day – putting food on our supermarket shelves, delivering the materials that build our homes and critical infrastructure, and much more besides.

“Increasing the role of freight on the railway is not just good for economic growth; it reduces congestion on our roads, cuts carbon emissions, and supports our ambition to build a cleaner, more resilient transport system. We fully support the government’s target, which sets a clear direction of travel and rightly demonstrates just how critical the role of rail freight is, and we will continue to work with partners to make this ambition a reality.”

Maggie Simpson OBE, director general, Rail Freight Group commented: “We welcome this announcement as a further signal of Government’s commitment to growing rail freight.

“There are huge opportunities for moving more goods by rail and the sector stands ready to fulfil government’s bold targets for growth, making an even stronger contribution to the nation’s productivity, development and resilience.”

Image credit:

Campaigners protest infilling of historic Hertfordshire bridge

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Campaigners protest infilling of historic Hertfordshire bridge

More than a hundred people of all age groups gathered at a historic railway bridge on Sunday (6th September) to demonstrate against National Highways’ proposal to infill it with hundreds of tonnes of concrete.

The state-owned roads company is responsible for the structure which carries the B1368 over the former Buntingford branch at Braughing in Hertfordshire. The original timber bridge, which opened with the railway in 1863, was replaced by the existing one in 1920.

The structure forms part of a group of historic railway assets with the restored and preserved Braughing Station, immediately to the north. It frames a view of the site from a public footpath on its south side.

The infilling scheme, which requires planning permission, is being pursued after inspections recorded severe corrosion of the bridge’s edge girders, bringing the risk of sudden collapse. Campaigners have condemned National Highways for ignoring safety recommendations from both its examiners and consultants.

Edge girders suffering severe corrosion. Credit: HRE Group

Ian Ribbons, owner of the station, is the grandson of Horace Ribbons who was appointed stationmaster at Braughing in 1942, remaining in post until the line closed to passengers in 1964. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve learned a lot about the mismanagement of the bridge and how it’s become a threat to public safety”, says Mr Ribbons.

“This was not inevitable; it’s happened through neglect. And now, the problems created by National Highways are being used by the company to justify infilling. They cannot be allowed to get away with that.

“We share the frustration of locals whose journeys are being disrupted by the traffic lights that have been set up to control traffic over the bridge. But infilling is not the answer; there is a repair option on the table that achieves the same safety goals without the heritage harm.”

Sunday’s rally was attended by 107 people, with some travelling from Lincolnshire and Norfolk to show their support. It followed the setting-up of an online petition against the infill scheme which secured its 2,000th signature last week.

Martin Spackman, chair of the Buntingford Railway & Local History Society, was amongst those who gathered at the station. “The mood was determined and upbeat”, he observes. “Too many of our important legacy assets are being lost because custodians are unwilling to recognise their value and look after them appropriately. The station and, by extension, the bridge are valued by the community and embedded in Braughing’s history.

“We understand that money is limited, but that’s not the issue here. If National Highways can afford half-a-million pounds to infill the bridge, why couldn’t it find modest sums to keep up with day-to-day maintenance? Because it wants rid of a perceived liability, come what may. That raises some uncomfortable questions about its suitability as the bridge’s caretaker.”

It’s expected that an application for planning permission to infill the bridge will be submitted within the next few weeks. Meanwhile, campaigners have secured the help of a heritage consultant to seek the local authority’s recognition of the structure as a ‘building of significant interest’ due to its architectural and historical value.

Image credit: Paul Kearley

Northern delivers disability training commitments after ORR intervention

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Northern delivers disability training commitments after ORR intervention

Northern Trains has overhauled the way it manages the training of its staff to support disabled passengers following an investigation by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR), earlier this year.

ORR found the train operator had failed to deliver the required disability awareness training for its passenger-facing staff, as it commits to do in its Accessible Travel Policy, and also did not have adequate oversight in place to make sure staff received the right training.

Northern subsequently provided an improvement plan with 23 actions, which it has delivered on, ORR announced today.

Northern has now:

  • Strengthened responsibility and accountability for staff training;
  • Introduced better systems to track who needs training and whether they have completed it;
  • Addressed gaps in the training records of existing staff; and
  • Improved training for new starters and staff needing refresher training.

ORR will now return to its regular monitoring of Northern’s disability awareness training, including reviewing information submitted by the operator every quarter.

Stephanie Tobyn, ORR’s director of strategy, policy and reform, said: “Disabled passengers should be able to trust that staff have the knowledge and confidence to provide the support they need.

“Our investigation found serious weaknesses in Northern’s management and monitoring of disability awareness training. Northern has responded positively, completing all the actions we required and putting clearer accountability and stronger checks in place. We welcome these improvements and will continue to work with Northern to ensure they are sustained.”

Image credit: Northern

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