Christmas retail trading (29 November to 27 December 2014) at Network Rail’s 18 managed stations was the busiest on record growing 15.8%, with like-for-like sales growing by 10.7%, according to figures just released by the rail operator.

This contrasts sharply with the BRC-Nielsen Shop Price Index which recorded growth of only 2.6% for the 5-week period.

Essential improvements to provide a better, more reliable railway for passengers between London and Norwich will take place over eight weekends from the end of January to the middle of March affecting services at Colchester, Witham, Chelmsford and Marks Tey.

Network Rail is to install collision protection beams on a railway bridge on Stoke Road to reduce the risk of damage if the bridge is hit by vehicles.

In December last year, engineers from Network Rail’s ‘orange army’ began the process of removing the old Royal Mail mail conveyor from Bristol Temple Meads station, culminating in the structure being lifted out on Christmas Day. This time-lapse photography shows the scale of the project and level of work involved.

Network Rail has apologised to passengers after equipment on the railway near London Bridge has proved unreliable and caused delays this week.

People from Aylesbury to Princes Risborough will have the opportunity to give their views on how railway crossing safety can be improved in their area by attending public consultation events on January 21 and 28.

Southern and Network Rail accept that performance on the Brighton Main Line and routes into London Bridge has not been good enough and we understand passengers' frustration when things go wrong.

• Hundreds of engineers will be deployed across the network tonight and tomorrow to monitor conditions and repair damage

• Our fleet of snow ploughs and our snow clearing train are ready to deploy to clear routes for passengers

• Limited number of services being withdrawn from noon on Wednesday when worst of the winds will strike.