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Network Rail is in exclusive discussions with a private sector consortium to enter a long-term partnership to upgrade its ageing telecoms infrastructure and improve connectivity across the UK in a deal that will result in significant savings for the taxpayer. 

Three Network Rail employees have been recognised for their outstanding contributions in the King’s New Year’s Honours List.

• RMT strike action is set to severely impact train services across the country on Christmas Eve and passengers are being asked to only travel if absolutely necessary, and if possible to consider travelling another day
• Trains will finish around 3.00pm with wide regional variations – both earlier and later - with some last trains departing in the morning and some locations seeing no services at all
• Those who must travel should expect disruption, and plan and check services before starting their journeys. 

Rail passengers are being advised to check before they travel after heavy snow in London, the South East and East Anglia.

Network Rail has teamed up with Newcastle University, Met Office and MetDesk to run a Weather Academy pilot programme, bringing together rail operations staff, asset engineers and meteorology experts to identify ways of delivering a safer, more reliable service for passengers during adverse and extreme weather.

• Vast majority of the rail network – more than 95% – will be open for business as usual for passengers travelling by train over the festive period
• Most of the £120m upgrade work planned for when passenger trains don't run – such as on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and overnight – to keep passengers moving over the holidays.
• Some routes will be affected by essential work, passengers advised to plan journeys in advance