August is usually seen as a quiet month as various organisations wind down for the Summer Holidays. However, that has not slowed down the number of updates on this site with only a slight dip in the number of posted articles (37) compared to June and July (39).
Major Stories
The major headlines were that East West Rail was expected to deliver substantial economic benefits and growth to the areas on this line. A £15bn plan was proposed for connecting the Northern Cities and a long term rail strategy published for the Liverpool City region. Services on the Todmorden curve were delayed by another six months, whilst a local MP pushed local Councils to use their reserves to accelerate the Wisbech study so that it would be ready for funding bids next year. Barrhead South Railway Station received funding as part of the Glasgow City Deal whilst the Tavistock branch received funding following planning approval for a housing development.
Movers and Shakers
Opening
Shottle Railway Station 9th August
Testing Started
Manchester Airport Trams, Nottingham Trams on NET Phase 2 and Corwen on Llangollen Railway
Dates Confirmed
Portway Park and Ride – April 2016
Ebbw Vale Town – Spring 2015
Borders Railway – 6th September 2015
Around the UK
Crossrail
The Government announced that it was going to launch a study into extending Crossrail up the WCML to Watford
Site Tours of Canary Wharf, Farringdon and Moorgate were announced for the Open House London Weekend
Battersea PS owners made a bid for a stop at their site on Crossrail 2
East West Rail
Report backs central section of East West Rail
Riding Stables fear closure over rail noise
TfL
TfL announces preferred bidder for the Northern Line extension.
Scotland
Borders Railway opening date announced as 6th September
Scottish Government makes pledge on Levenmouth line
Station funding for Barrhead Railway Station
Northern England
Five Cities unveiled the £15bn plan that would improve links between major cities.
Rail Links were proposed to Doncaster Robin Hood and Liverpool John Lennon Airports
Todmorden Curve services delayed until May 2015 but Low Moor remains on track to open in December 2015
First Trams arrived at Manchester Airport
Midlands
Erewash Council launched a Masterplan to develop the area around the new Ilkeston Railway Station
MP calls for Councils to use their reserves on Wisbech Rail Study
First Tram over Nottingham Bridge
Bermuda Park construction scheduled to start
Wales
Pye Corner on track to open later this year
Ebbw Vale Town extension should be ready during Spring next year
South West
Portway Park and Ride is set to open in April 2016
Work starts on Portishead Level Crossing proposal
Approved Housing Development releases funding for Tavistock line
Demonstration to keep Saltford on the agenda
Heritage Railway
Shottle Railway Station Reopened
The first train arrived at Corwen on the new Llangollen Railway extension