The closure of Moors Gorse level crossing in Cannock Chase, Staffordshire means Network Rail has now closed 700 level crossings across Britain – around 10 per cent of the total – since 2009 as part of its £130m national level crossing investment programme.

The Chancellor visited a railway site on Friday, 12 July, to welcome the progress made on the £45m Swindon to Kemble investment scheme. He saw the improvement work entering a vital stage as new sets of switches and crossings were being assembled for installation this summer.

Work is start this month to provide passengers at Leighton Buzzard, Berkhamsted and Hemel Hempstead with step-free access between the station entrance and platforms, making the railway more accessible for everyone.

• Crossrail represents major step-change in public transport and will play a significant role in regeneration of the local area
• Plans for bright and spacious landmark station with two additional tracks for new Crossrail services
• Crossrail to add up to 12 extra trains an hour to link Abbey Wood with central London and beyond, slashing journey times and reducing congestion on existing services
  

Network Rail has published its technical strategy, outlining the research and development priorities and opportunities for the next 30 years.

The newest addition to Network Rail’s train fleet has left the depot for the first time on a series of test runs.

One of the greenest buildings on the railway network has been awarded a prestigious seal of approval this week by BRE (Building Research Establishment) the internationally recognised leaders of construction sustainability standards.

Passenger and freight trains are once again running through Hatfield & Stainforth. The railway was forced to close after a spoil heap slip at Hatfield Colliery and engineers have relocated approximately one million cubic metres of material in order to restore services.