Two 24-hour strikes which had been called on London Underground by ASLEF for tomorrow and Tuesday have been called off, after the union received what it described as a ‘significantly improved’ pay offer from Transport for London. The RMT had already suspended several Underground walkouts which were to be staged in the first few days of this month, after receiving a new offer from TfL on the eve of the first strike. A meeting will take place tomorrow in which ASLEF will discuss the revised TfL deal with its members.  ASLEF London district organiser Finn Brennan said the union was pleased the walkouts had been cancelled, but he declined to comment further until after tomorrow’s meeting. TfL’s chief operating officer Claire Mann said: ‘We believe we have made an offer to our trade unions that is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good for London and we urge our trade unions to continue working with us.’ Meanwhile, Chiltern Railways will not be running between Great Missenden and London Marylebone today, because an emergency timetable had been planned when the RMT was set to strike. This strike would have meant that the Underground-managed line between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham could not be used. Chiltern said: ‘Although the RMT strike was called off on Friday, this did not give us enough time to reinstate all our services for this week because of the detailed planning required.’

Accident investigators have confirmed that the fatal head-on collision on the Cambrian line in mid-Wales on 21 October was caused by wheel slip, and that although the driver of the affected train made an emergency brake application the automatic sanders which should have been triggered by the slipping wheels were blocked. The train concerned, 1J25 from Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth, continued through the passing loop at Talerddig in Powys and collided on a descending gradient with train 1S71 from Machynlleth to Shrewsbury. One passenger died and four others were seriously injured. Eleven more also needed hospital treatment for their injuries. The Rail Accident Investigation Branch says although neither train was derailed, ‘significant damage’ was caused to the leading vehicles. The trains were formed of two-car Class 158 units, operated and maintained by Transport for Wales. They were removed on 25 October, and the line reopened on 28 October. The RAIB said: ‘Initial analysis of data from the on-train data recorder fitted to train 1J25 shows that the driver applied service braking to slow the train as it neared the loop at Talerddig. ‘Around 40 seconds after the first service brake application, the OTDR records an emergency brake demand being made. This emergency brake demand remained in place until the collision. OTDR data shows that wheel slide started during service braking and was constant during emergency braking. ‘Train 1J25 then entered the loop at Talerddig. Although the train slowed while passing through the loop, it did not stop before passing the block marker near the exit. ‘There is conflicting evidence relating to the speed of the trains at the point of collision. Initial analysis indicates that train 1J25 was travelling at between 24 km/h (15 mph) and 39 km/h (24 mph), while train 1S71 was travelling at around 10 km/h (6 mph) in the opposite direction.’ The RAIB’s inquiry is continuing. If defective sanders were a cause of the collision, it will not be the first time that a driver has lost control for this reason. A Southeastern train ran through Stonegate station on 8 November 2010 and continued out of control for more than four kilometres before stopping. There was no collision and no one was injured, but the RAIB identified ‘poor adhesion conditions’, and said the leading sand hoppers were ‘almost certainly empty’.

Transport for London has begun accepting applications for 18+ Oyster photocards and several other cards, as it continues to restore computer systems following the cyber attack just over two months ago. Up to 5000 accounts were thought to have been affected in the attack on 1 September. TfL said it had ‘worked’ closely with the National Crime Agency and the National Cyber Security Centre and notified the Information Commissioner's Office.   The Lymington branch reopened today, after a possession lasting seven days in which 1500m of track was replaced. The rails have been treated by a road-rail Land Rover, known as a Sand Rover, which applied a sticky sand-like gel to help with adhesion. The rails have also been coated to reduce corrosion, which is a risk in the maritime atmosphere. There will be a second possession betweeh 21 December and 6 January, so that the viaduct over the Lymington River can be improved.   The East Coast Main Line will be closed between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin on 30 November and 1 December so that further ERTMS testing can be carried out. LNER services will start or terminate at St Neots or Peterborough. Rail replacement coaches will run between St Neots and Bedford, where passengers can join Thameslink or EMR trains to London. Hull Trains will run two services, which will be diverted to London St Pancras. Lumo will terminate at Peterborough, and provide a non-stop coach from there to London King’s Cross. There will be no Grand Central services.

Last minute peace talks have averted several days of RMT strikes on London Underground this week. The union suspended its action on 1 November, hours before the first 24-hour stoppage. This only involved engineering staff but more widespread walkouts had been set to follow, and very few Underground trains would have run from tomorrow until Saturday. Chiltern Railways services would also have been cancelled between London and Great Missenden, because they use tracks controlled by the Underground between Harrow-on-the-Hill and Amersham. The last minute suspension came too late for Chiltern to amend its strike day timetables for tomorrow and Wednesday, but the normal timetable is being restored from Thursday. After Friday’s talks the RMT said: ‘Following intense negotiations with London Underground management and a significantly improved offer, we have suspended the strikes scheduled to start this evening. ‘London Underground have sensibly abandoned their proposed changes to pay structures which now means all our members will receive the same value in any pay award. ‘Further discussions will take place next week regarding the pay offer but progress has been made which would not have been possible without the fortitude and industrial strength of our 10,000 members on London Underground.’ No further details have been published about the improved offer. ASLEF members are still set to walk out on 7 and 12 November, when few Underground services are expected to run. ASLEF organiser Finn Brennan said: ‘We don’t want to go on strike – we don’t want to make travelling in and around the capital more difficult for passengers and we don’t want to lose a day’s pay – but we have been forced into this position because management won’t sit down properly and negotiate with us.’ Transport for London’s chief operating officer Claire Mann said: ‘We are pleased that the RMT has suspended its planned industrial action on the London Underground network to allow further talks. We believe that our offer is fair, affordable, good for our colleagues and good news for London. ‘We will continue to work closely with all our trade unions, and urge ASLEF to also call off its planned action. If it goes ahead, customers should check before they travel as during their strikes there will be little-to-no service.’

Transport for London is warning of serious disruption on London Underground over the next few days, because members of the RMT and ASLEF will be staging industrial action unless there is a last-minute settlement of disputes of over pay and bargaining.The first stoppage, today and tomorrow, affects RMT staff at Engineering Vehicles Operations and Maintenance, who are to walk out for 24 hours from 18.00 this evening.This walkout is not expected to cause significant disruption, but last trains will run earlier than usual on Sunday, and most Underground services will be cancelled from Tuesday to Friday next week. More disruption is expected on Tuesday 12 November.TfL said its other networks, including Overground, the DLR and trams, are not directly affected by the walkouts, but other trains may not be able to call stations which are managed by London Underground. It also warned that alternative services will be busier than usual on strike days, including buses.RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: ‘London Underground’s pay offer falls short of what our members deserve. It threatens to remove collective bargaining for a growing portion of staff, pushing them into pay bands that are decided solely by management. This undermines our members’ rights and the core principles of fair negotiation.’TfL said it was ‘working hard’ to resolve the disputes. Chief operating officer Claire Mann said: ‘We are disappointed that the RMT and ASLEF unions have announced strike action, following our recent discussions over pay, terms and conditions. We are continuing to talk with all trade unions to discuss the issues and seek a resolution. Our offer is fair for our people and affordable for London.‘We urge the trade unions to call off this action, accept our offer, and avoid disruption.’

Autumn Budget 2024 The chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that road fuel duty is to be frozen next year, and the 5p reduction for each litre introduced by the last government will continue. However, regulated rail fares will rise by 4.6 per cent on 2 March 2025, one percentage point above RPI. HS2 tunnelling to London Euston will be funded, and the Transpennine Route Upgrade is to go ahead in full, with further electrification including Church Fenton to York (Colton Junctions). East West Rail is confirmed in full between Oxford and Cambridge. There will be upgrades to stations at Bradford Forster Square and Manchester Victoria,.as well as funding for West Midlands Metro to Brierley Hill and upgrades for trams in Sheffield. Still in Yorkshire, Leeds trams are also going ahead. Subject to an industry proposal, the government will agree a £5 increase in the price of most rail cards (except the disabled person’s rail card). Industry reactions have started to come in. Rail Partners chief executive Andy Bagnall said: ‘Government should set fares at a level that will ultimately encourage more people to travel by train in the future, helping to secure the long-term financial sustainability of the sector and capture the wider economic and environmental benefits of rail for the nation as a whole. The focus must be on growing passenger numbers, not making current passengers pay more. ‘While today’s road fuel duty freeze will be welcome news for motorists, holding it flat since 2010 has made it more difficult for rail freight to compete with road haulage. ‘Rail Partners and its members welcome the rail investments announced in today’s budget including funding for tunnelling to Euston, which helps keep open options for HS2 in the North. ‘Filling the capacity gap left by the cancellation of the northern section of HS2 is still essential if we are to encourage more people to travel by by train and to unlock freight capacity to reduce congestion by moving goods off the roads and on to the railway.’ National Infrastructure Commission chair Sir John Armitt said: ‘We welcome the government’s plan to invest over £35 billion in economic infrastructure in 2025-26. ‘Linking Old Oak Common and Euston is fundamental to the viability of HS2 so we welcome funding for the tunnel connection, which should help secure the maximum economic benefit from the investment already made in the project. The question of how to boost connectivity and capacity beyond Birmingham remains to be answered, and the National Infrastructure Strategy should set out how government plans to address this long-term challenge.’

Budget 2024: updates … The chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced that road fuel duty is to be frozen next year. The 5p reduction introduced by the last government will continue. The Transpennine Route Upgrade is to go ahead in full, with further electrification including Church Fenton to York (Colton Junctions). East West Rail is confirmed in full between Oxford and Cambridge. Upgrades at Bradford Forster Square and Manchester Victoria. HS2 tunnelling to London Euston will be funded. Funding for West Midlands Metro to Brierley Hill; upgrades for trams in Sheffield. Leeds trams to go ahead. Annual regulated rail fares cap will rise by 4.6% on 2 March 2025, one percentage point above RPI.  Subject to an industry proposal, the government will also agree a £5 increase to the price of most rail cards (except the disabled person’s rail card).

Network Rail has taken action to improve London Euston station, where there have been complaints of dangerous congestion on the ramps leading to the platforms after departures had been announced almost at the last minute. A trial of ‘earlier boarding’ is being introduced on Avanti West Coast and London Northwestern trains, so that people will not be in such a hurry. The announcement comes after Network Rail and the Department for Transport had announced a five-point plan to improve the situation. Transport secretary Louise Haigh intervened after protests from passengers and claims that the overcrowding was dangerous. Around 40 per cent of Avanti West Coast departures are now being announced 20 minutes before departure, and the proportion will grow over the coming weeks, while ‘continuous boarding’ of London Northwestern Railway's Birmingham services was introduced on 21 October. Passengers are now invited to platforms to await their train as soon as the previous service has departed. Network Rail West Coast South route director Gary Walsh said: ‘Getting passengers to their services in good time is at the heart of our improvements at Euston, and today’s changes will tackle that issue head-on. Taking quick and effective action is at the core of our five-point plan which I’m pleased to say is starting to deliver for our passengers at London Euston.’ Network Rail has also convened its first rail industry summit to give passenger user groups and government an update on progress with Euston’s five-point improvement plan. Louise Haigh said: ‘For too long, Euston station simply has not been good enough. That’s why I have tasked Network Rail and operators with delivering a clear plan to alleviate some of the issues passengers are facing while we work on a long-term solution for the station.’

Cambrian line reopens after accident Train services have returned to the Cambrian line this moning after the collision between two passenger trains a week ago at Talerddig, in which one passenger died and 15 were injured, four seriously. Evidence from the scene is now being considered by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, which has said rail adhesion was ‘relatively low’. Signalling upgrade No trains are running in south London between Crystal Palace, Tulse Hill and Peckham Rye so that signalling can be upgraded. The possession began on Saturday and will continue until 1 November. Network Rail hopes that the upgrade will reduce the number of delays caused by signalling problems, following similar work between East Croydon and London Victoria in 2022 which it says reduced delays by more than half. World engineering Transport UK has become a commercial partner for UNESCO World Engineering Day 2025. Transport UK is the successor to Abellio in Britain, and currently owns several train operating companies as well as holding 11 per cent of London bus contracts. The UNESCO campaign recognises the role of science and engineering in sustainable development around the world.

Trains are expected to start running again on the Cambrian line between Machynlleth and Shrewsbury on Monday. Buses have been replacing trains since last Monday, when two Transport for Wales trains collided head-on near Talerddig passing loop. One man died and fifteen other passengers were injured, four of them seriously, when a westbound train overran the loop and collided with an eastbound train. It has been reported that the man who lost his life had suffered a heart attack. Initial investigations by the Rail Accident Investigation Branch have revealed that rail adhesion was ‘relatively low’, leading to speculation that the down train could not be stopped in the loop but slid beyond it. It has also been reported that the driver of the train left the cab in the last few seconds, and warned passengers to brace themselves because a collision was imminent. Network Rail has been working to separate and remove the damaged trains. Simultaneously, Network Rail engineers have been carrying out repairs, maintenance and safety inspections. Test trains will run through the area to make sure everything is operating normally before passenger services restart on Monday, but Network Rail has warned there could still be some disruption for a while. Network Rail’s Wales & Borders route director Nick Millington said: ‘Monday night’s tragic events will forever be etched in my memory and my thoughts remain with all those affected. Thankfully, incidents like this are extremely rare on the railway network. We continue to operate one of the safest railway networks in Europe. ‘Our engineers have been on site throughout and have conducted very thorough safety checks and we will run test trains through the area. ‘I am grateful to the local community who have been very accommodating throughout this last week while we have been managing this incident. ‘I would also like to thank passengers for their patience, understanding and support during the last few days as our teams have worked tirelessly to restore the railway as quickly as they could.’ TfW chief operating officer Jan Chaudhry van der Velde added: ‘The railways in Wales have a very good safety record, so when serious incidents like this happen, we at TfW, together with our partners at Network Rail, are determined to get to the bottom of what caused it. For that reason, we are co-operating fully with the authorities investigating the collision, and in particular, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch.  ‘Our condolences go to the family of the passenger who passed away, and we hope that those passengers and staff members injured in the collision make a speedy recovery.’