• Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines, transport secretary Grant Shapps and BTP assistant chief constable Charlie Doyle commit to tackling street homelessness as first signatories of new charter

• Network Rail to work with five charity partners as part of Routes out of Homelessness initiative, including fundraising, events, additional support and pilot outreach scheme in stations

• Murals unveiled at Network Rail stations to mark the occasion ahead of World Homeless Day on Saturday 10^th October

Network Rail is working with technology startup nPlan to use Machine Learning technology across its portfolio of projects, potentially transforming the way major rail projects are delivered across Britain. Through using data from past projects to produce accurate cost and time forecasts, the partnership will deliver efficiencies in the way projects are planned and carried out, and improve service reliability for passengers by reducing the risk of overruns.

Network Rail’s fleet of 61 leaf-busting trains and 80 leaf-busting teams are being readied to help tackle the annual blight of ‘leaves on the line’ and keep passengers moving safely and reliably over autumn, as today (1 October) marks the first day of the railway’s autumn season.

• Network Rail installs 32 coffee cup recycling bins at seven of Britain’s biggest and busiest stations
• Cup recycling facilities in all 20 managed stations by the end of October, after YouGov poll reveals that less than a third (30%) of Brits who buy coffee while travelling recycle their cup properly, using a recycling bin specifically for paper/coffee cups
• Initiative forms part of Network Rail’s ambitions to make stations cleaner and greener

• Network Rail and Highways England publish joint document to improve development of parkway stations and help communities access the places most important to them
• Collaborative approach will also relieve pressure on the strategic road network (SRN), support economic growth and contribute to the Government’s low carbon agenda

Network Rail has launched two independent task forces, led by world renowned experts, to help it better manage its massive earthworks (cuttings and embankments) portfolio and its understanding and response to severe weather events.

• Network Rail carrying out £105m worth of investment to upgrade the railway and improve future passenger journeys over August Bank Holiday
• Those who are travelling by rail should wear a face covering unless they are exempt. Passengers should also travel at quieter times and maintain a distance from others wherever possible

Dancing on Ice champion and Celebrity Gogglebox star, Joe Swash, is fronting a new campaign designed to teach children about rail safety. The Stay Safe with Thomas campaign, launched by Network Rail and Thomas & Friends™, is designed to give parents the tools to educate their children about how to keep safe when travelling on the railway.