Policy - Page 78

Major South West rail improvements including increased capacity and an alternative route to the coastal line between Exeter and Newton Abbot are moving closer.

Virgin and Stagecoach want inter-city franchises replaced by a licensing model, to increase competition and replace “confused and damaging” open access system.

Capacity is to be increased on the Aberdeen-Inverness route, thanks to a £170 million upgrade funded by the Scottish Government.

Control of the capital’s suburban services should be devolved to Transport for London as existing franchises expire, says London Assembly Transport Committee.

Local council commissions £850,000 feasibility study into re-opening the Ashington, Blyth and Tyne line, in conjunction with Network Rail.

Transport for the North could be a statutory body in 2017, after Government said it would propose amendments to Cities and Local Government Devolution Bill.

The campaign to develop a second main line linking Brighton, the South Coast with central London, Essex and Stansted Airport, BML2, has taken a step forward.

Network Rail Chairman Mark Carne says the costs of the Great Western Main Line (GWML) electrification could now be up to £2.8 billion.

Three young writers have had works selected to be part of Poems of the Underground series

Transport for London is planning to rebuild Camden Town Underground station