10th May 2013
- Queen’s speech announces two High Speed 2 bills
- Arriva pushes West Coast open access plans
- New MD for First Capital Connect
Main stories this week
Supporters of High Speed 2 have been promised not one but two pieces of legislation in the Queen’s Speech this week. [Transport Briefing]
- The row over High Speed 2 has caused a collapse of the Tory vote in one of the party’s main heartlands. [The Sunday Times]
- Former Wales secretary Cheryl Gillan has labelled the High Speed 2 rail project a “boy’s toy” that will “saddle future governments with huge debt”. [BBC News]
Arriva, the international arm of the German state-owned rail operator, is seeking to start passenger services on the West Coast mainline that would put it in competition with incumbent Virgin Rail. [Financial Times]
David Statham is to become First Capital Connect‘s new managing director, replacing Neal Lawson who is joining Network Rail. [Bedfordshire News]
New services
Transport for London commissioner Peter Hendy has signed off funding for the first stage of a £30m upgrade of the south London Tramlink network. [Transport Briefing]
Hopes for a new Crossrail station at Kensal in north Kensington have been dashed with a decision by the Department for Transport and Transport for London not to support the project. [Transport Briefing]
Finance update
UK transport companies frustrated at delays to domestic rail bidding competitions are turning to Europe as cash-strapped governments are forced to open up their train and bus markets. [Daily Telegraph]
- National Express underlined its focus on expanding its position in Germany, as it looked to build on its initial success in Europe’s largest rail market by bidding for new tenders that could bring in annual revenues of €900m. [Financial Times]
