West Midlands Metro service cut from Monday

HEADWAYS on West Midands Metro will be widened slightly from Monday, with trams running four times an hour. However, evening and Sunday services will be continued so that essential workers can still travel. West Midlands Metro is one of several tram and light rail systems which urgently need financial help, City Mayors have warned. Talks are understood to be under way with central government.

Planning permission for HS2 station

BIRMINGHAM Curzon Street HS2 station has been given planning permission by Birmingham City Council. Three applications for the station and landscaping were approved by the Council’s planning committee yesterday, which described the scheme as ‘truly world class’.

Accessibility rules eased on rail replacement buses

RAIL minister Chris Heaton-Harris has eased the accessibility requirements on rail replacement buses and coaches until the end of this year, but only for those operators of road services who apply for exemption to the Rail Delivery Group by 28 April. The current exemption will expire on 30 April.

Railway pays more blue tributes to NHS

MORE railway structures were lit with blue light last night for the weekly national tribute to the NHS. The Royal Albert Bridge across the Tamar was illuminated last week, and the tributes have now spread to Bristol Temple Meads station and the Britannia Bridge, which connects the Welsh mainland and Anglesey.