News and Events

Forthcoming Events

If you know of a rail related event and would like to see it mentioned here, please e-mail the site webmaster.

Forthcoming/Ongoing Rail Studies

SRA Timetables review - the SRA has launched a debate about the priorities for allocation of train paths where a mix of slow, semi-fast and express services have to share tracks. Changes will take effect from 2004.

SRA Fares Review - the SRA has initiated a debate about the future of fares policy in the UK. Let us know your views. To say nothing is to give the operators a free hand to increase fares. Changes will take effect from 2004.

West Anglia Capacity Enhancement - The SRA and Railtrack are jointly looking into options for enhancing the capacity of the West Anglia route through Harlow. This will hopefully improve recovery times after disruption and see the end to the lop-sided southbound off-peak timetable.

Crossrail - planning for new East to West and North-East to South-West cross London rail tunnels, seeks possible new routes into and across London to/from key destinations e.g. Heathrow, Stansted and Gatwick Airports, as well as relieving tube congestion, likely to impact services from 2010, see http://www.crossrail.co.uk/

Got an opinion on any of these studies? Would you like us to invite a speaker from the study team to talk about the options and give you the chance to give your feedback? If so, let us know through the forum.

Latest News

Read the latest issue of our Newsletter here.

1st April ‘03 - the SRA announce that GB Railways, National Express and Arriva have pre-qualified for the Greater Anglia franchise bid process.

1st Feb ‘03 - the SRA’s recently re-issued 10 year infrastructure plan now shows no sign of previously promised extra track works to enhance the capacity of the line between Broxbourne and Tottenham Hale. Extra platforms for Liverpool Street and Cambridge are, however, still promised.

17th Dec ‘02 - WAGN reassure HRUG that the SRA capacity utilisation study is unlikely to greatly affect the timetable for Harlow services.

12th Sept ‘02 - Official SRA figures for peak performance Apr-Jun ‘02 give WAGN the lowest score (73.6%) of the London & South East operators.

5th Sept ‘02 - The SRA lauches another consultation on network utilisation. Enhancements and upgrades take too long to allow congestion relief. Major changes in stopping patterns could mitigate this, but at a price, like closure or reduced service for smaller stations e.g. Harlow Mill.

31st Aug ‘02 - The SERAS report into options for Stansted airport unveils a vision of 12 Stansted Expresses per hour, but at a price of £1.5bn.

19th July ‘02 - The SRA initiates a debate on future fares policy. Worst case outcomes could include a substantial increase in commuter fares, travelcard costs and the complete loss of the network railcard.