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This morning, the British Transport Police has named the rail worker who tragically lost his life at Surbiton on Tuesday morning as Tyler Byrne. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines and Southern region director John Halsall have provided the following updates:

Network Rail has kickstarted a national laptop for schools volunteer programme which aims to donate at least 8,000 refurbished laptops to schools across Britain to support children learning at home and reduce waste. The first school to benefit was St. Willibrord's R.C. Primary School in Clayton, East Manchester, who received enough laptops for every pupil in the school to continue their learning from home during lockdown. Over 70 children took delivery of their laptop last week, with more devices due to be given to pupils in the coming days.

Network Rail has kickstarted a national laptop for schools volunteer programme which aims to donate at least 8,000 refurbished laptops to schools across Britain to support children learning at home and reduce waste. The first school to benefit was St. Willibrord's R.C. Primary School in Clayton, East Manchester, who received enough laptops for every pupil in the school to continue their learning from home during lockdown. Over 70 children took delivery of their laptop last week, with more devices due to be given to pupils in the coming days.

Scientists are using cutting-edge technology along Britain’s 20,000-mile rail network, as part of Network Rail’s new action plan for sustainable vegetation management.

• Charlie Mackesy, author of the much-loved book The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, has come together with Samaritans and Network Rail to encourage passengers and staff to reach out over a virtual cuppa and chat to those they care about during the winter months
• Charlie's illustration, of his beloved character the Mole, will be featured across Network Rail stations, including London Waterloo’s big screen, from January 18

• Network Rail makes Glassdoor’s list of Best Places to Work in the UK for the first time with a rating of 4.2 out of five
• Awards by Glassdoor are based on employee feedback

Network Rail, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive (SYPTE) and Stagecoach Supertram have together launched the Tram Train Pilot Learning Hub, containing a wealth of information drawn from the collective experience of designing, constructing and operating Britain’s first Tram Train system.

Three Network Rail employees have been recognised in the New Year’s Honours list 2021, published on 30 December.