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Network Rail is on the hunt for more than 220 apprentices to join its ranks and help deliver a multi-billion pound programme of work to renew and maintain one of the most intensely used networks in Europe while boosting capacity and improving performance.

Sunderland football fans’ route to Wembley is easier after rail engineering works were re-planned and extra trains provided for the club’s appearance in the Capital One Cup final.

Two proposed closures of the West Coast main line at Watford have been withdrawn after a detailed review of the work meant they were no longer necessary.

Residents, visitors and businesses in Lincoln are set to benefit after Network Rail was granted permission to build a new bridge over High Street level crossing. The plans, which involve re-modelling the property at 179 High Street, will allow pedestrians and cyclists free-flowing access along the street 24-hours-a-day.

It follows permission granted last year for a free-standing structure on Brayford Wharf East.

Network Rail and its partners have announced plans to build a three-deck car park at Haywards Heath station, in addition to a regeneration scheme unveiled last year.

Work is to start to rebuild a second bridge in Ashton-under-Lyne as part of a £400m electrification project which will deliver a better railway across the north of England.

The public are being invited to give their views on new artist’s impressions of The Forth Bridge Experience, released today by Network Rail.

Network Rail is inviting young people and their families from across West of England to its delivery unit in Swindon on 1 February to experience life as a railway apprentice and meet the people and high-tech kit involved in keeping Britain’s rail network running.