train Archives - Hoang Viet

Uncategorized

Sep 2 2024

Disability access ‘is going to change’, minister says, after ex-Paralympian forced to ‘crawl off’ train | UK News

The government has pledged to improve disability access on the railways after Paralympic great, Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, was forced to “crawl off” a train at London’s King’s Cross station.

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy blamed the previous Conservative government and told Sky News: “This is going to change.”

Speaking at the Paris Paralympics, where Great Britain reached a half-century of medals on Monday, Ms Nandy said the legacy of the team’s success “won’t just be measured in medals, it will be measured in the opportunities”.

The experience of 11-time Paralympic champion Baroness Tanni while on her journey to Paris underscored the investment needed beyond sport to improve the lives of those with disabilities.

The Welsh wheelchair racer used a series of social media posts to reveal there was no passenger assistance to greet her as the LNER train from Leeds got into London.

The train arrived at King’s Cross just after 10pm, and after waiting for about 16 minutes, Baroness Tanni said she “decided to crawl off”.

Ms Nandy said: “Transport accessibility is something that’s always been incredibly important to me and is very, very important to our new government.

“We’ve campaigned for a long time to try to make sure that transport networks are far more accessible to people, and you’ll know that the experience of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson recently is not unfamiliar to many people across the country.

“We’re absolutely determined that this is going to change. It’s something that our new transport secretary is determined to grip among many other things on her desk that were left as a legacy from the last government.”

Labour promised to renationalise nearly all passenger railways within its first term.

In Paris, most stations on the Metro are still not fully accessible to people in wheelchairs, although buses and trams now are as part of the Paralympics investment.

Ms Nandy said: “There’s always more that we can and should be doing. And it’s something that as a government, we’re determined to achieve in the UK as well.”

Read more:
All you need to know about the Paralympics
Opening ceremony in pictures
Record-breaking gold medal haul for ParalympicsGB

ParalympicsGB is second in the medal table five days into Paris 2024 with Stephen McGuire’s gold in the men’s boccia BC4 – allowing the team to hit the 50-medal mark on Monday.

It coincided with ParalympicsGB calling on the government to guarantee equal access to PE and school sports, saying only 25% of disabled children take part in sport at school compared to 41% of non-disabled children.

Ms Nandy said: “We’re really determined that the legacy of this Paralympics won’t just be measured in medals, it will be measured in the opportunities available to young people, regardless of whether they have a disability, regardless of their background or their circumstances in every part of the country.

“And that’s why I’m up here learning about the Equal Play campaign… to make sure that we open up those opportunities to a whole generation of young people.”

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Aug 14 2024

Rail strikes could end following ‘major breakthrough’ as train drivers set to vote on new pay offer | UK News

There has been a “major breakthrough” in the long-running pay row involving train drivers, which could signal the end of national rail strikes, according to the Department for Transport (DfT).

It says that, following a series of “positive” talks led by the government, the drivers’ union ASLEF has agreed to recommend a new pay proposal to its members.

“The offer made to ASLEF is a 5% pay rise for 2022/23, 4.75% for 23/24, and 4.5% for 24/25,” a DfT spokesperson said.

“The offer will now be put to ASLEF members in a referendum.”

During the two-year pay dispute, drivers have taken 18 days of strike action as well as refusing to work non-contractual overtime, leading to huge disruption for passengers.

ASLEF first balloted for industrial action in June 2022 and renewed its mandates for strike action and action short of a strike every six months.

The first strike was held in July 2022, followed by regular walkouts and rolling weeks of action until just before this year’s general election.

The union said on Wednesday that the dispute began because the “Tory government, and the privatised train companies” refused to give train drivers the “pay rise they deserve”.

ASLEF added that drivers had not had a salary rise since 2019 and during that time the “cost of living has increased significantly”.

Mick Whelan, the union’s general secretary, described the pay offer as “fair” and clean” before saying he is urging drivers to accept it.

He said: “We are pleased that after being treated with utter contempt for the last two years by the privatised train companies, and the previous government that was pulling their strings, we finally have a new government – a Labour government – that listens and wants to make the railway work for staff, for passengers, and for the taxpayer.”

Read more from Sky News:
Liz Truss storms off stage after lettuce prank
‘Keyboard warrior’ jailed after ‘blow the mosque up’ post
British men found dead in burned-out car in Sweden

Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “When I took this job, I said I wanted to move fast and fix things – starting by bringing an end to rail strikes.

“The Conservatives were happy to see the taxpayer pay the price as strikes dragged on and on, and passengers suffered. This Labour government is doing the right thing and putting passengers first.

“If accepted, this offer would finally bring an end to this long-running dispute, and allow us to move forward by driving up performance for passengers with the biggest overhaul to our railways in a generation.”

But Tory leadership candidate and shadow home secretary James Cleverly criticised the proposal as an “inflation-busting pay award from the Labour government”.

And shadow transport secretary Helen Whately said on X that “a ‘no strings’ deal means this will be paid for by passengers and taxpayers”, as she accused Labour of caving in to unions.

The DfT has said new industry estimates suggest that train companies have missed out on around £850m of passenger revenue since industrial action began in 2022.

Accounting for additional impacts of strikes, including people being unable to work, or potential reductions in spending on hospitality and retail, the total impact likely exceeds £1bn, the DfT added.

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Mar 29 2024

Teenager charged after man stabbed on train in south London | UK News

A 19-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after a man was stabbed on a train in south London.

It follows an incident between Beckenham Junction and Shortlands railway stations on Wednesday.

Rakeem Thomas will appear at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on 30 April at 10am, British Transport Police (BTP) said.

He has been remanded into custody.

The 19-year-old has also been charged with being in possession of an offensive weapon.

The alleged victim, who is in his 20s, was taken to hospital, where police earlier said he was in a “critical but stable condition”.

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Oct 23 2023

Tube driver who led ‘free Palestine’ chant on London Underground train suspended, TfL says | UK News

A Tube driver who appeared to lead passengers in a chant of “free, free Palestine” on a London Underground train has been suspended pending further investigation, Transport for London has said.

The incident happened on Saturday as around 100,000 protestors took part in a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Footage posted online by a journalist appeared to show the chant being led over the train’s speaker system.

The driver of the Central Line service said “free, free” to which passengers responded “Palestine” – a popular chant at protests.

Follow live: Israel conducts raids inside Gaza

Glynn Barton, TfL’s chief operating officer, said: “We have been urgently and thoroughly investigating the footage appearing to show a Tube driver misusing the PA system and leading chants on a Central Line train on Saturday.

“A driver has now been identified and suspended whilst we continue to fully investigate the incident in line with our policies and procedures.”

The chant was criticised by minister for London Paul Scully who said Tube staff should “focus on the day job” and warned against stoking tension in the capital.

Read more from Sky News:
Soldier wounded while freeing kibbutz wants to return to frontline
Israeli soldier killed by Hamas fighters during ground raid

The Israeli Embassy said: “It is deeply troubling to see such intolerance on London’s Tubes… public transport should be a place of safety and inclusivity for all.”

On Saturday British Transport Police Assistant Chief Constable Sean O’Callaghan said the force was investigating and was “aware of footage circulating on social media which suggests chants are led by driver of a train in London earlier”.

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Oct 21 2023

UK weather: Red warning in place for third day as train operators urge people not to travel during Storm Babet | UK News

Storm Babet is continuing to batter the UK – with another red “danger to life” warning in place for parts of eastern Scotland and four severe flood warnings across England and Wales.

England, Wales and Northern Ireland have had warnings in place since Babet first hit on Wednesday, but eastern Scotland has suffered the worst of the storm which has left three people dead.

Train operators around the UK have advised customers not to travel due to widespread disruption following the storm.

Meanwhile, thousands remain without power as the adverse conditions continue.

A rare red weather warning is in place for parts of eastern Scotland for a third day on Saturday, with the country’s First Minister Humza Yousaf to warn: “We have not seen the last of this.”

Mr Yousaf has also posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, to urge people to heed the red weather warning and evacuate if instructed.

It comes as an amber warning for rain, meaning “extensive flooding to homes and businesses is possible”, is in place for parts of northeast Scotland covering Aberdeen and Cromarty.

The red warning is in place until 6pm.

Read more: Full list of warnings – follow live storm updates

Meanwhile, the Environment Agency has issued three severe “risk to life” flood warnings around the River Derwent in Derbyshire.

They are the highest level of warning and are in place at Derby City Water Treatment Works, Little Chester, Eastgate and Cattle Market, as well as Racecourse Park at Chaddesden.

There were 282 flood warnings, meaning flooding is expected, and 220 flood alerts, meaning flooding is possible, across England as of 12 noon on Saturday.

The fourth severe flood warning has been issued for the River Severn at the village of Llandrinio, nearly Welshpool, in northern wales.

It also covers isolated properties in the Severn-Vyrnwy confluence area including Hendre Lane, Haughton and Haimwood.

Wales had eight further flood warnings in place as well as 14 flood alerts as of 12 noon on Saturday.

In the northeast of England a yellow weather warning for wind, meaning there was a small chance of fast-flowing or deep floodwater, was in place until midday.

Train operators urge people not to travel

It comes as London North Eastern Railway (LNER), Avanti West Coast and Northern Rail have all warned against travelling as lines are widely flooded.

LNER has said there is “an extremely limited service” in place due to flooding between Doncaster and Wakefield.

The service has also been impacted by speed restrictions in Scotland and trains and crews being out of position after extensive disruption on Friday.

There are no LNER services north of Edinburgh on Saturday and rail replacement services are not available because of road closures.

The train operator said remaining services may be subject to short-notice cancellations.

Northern Rail said all lines between Cheadle Hulme and Wilmslow are blocked due to damage to the overhead electric wires.

Services are also not able to run from Sheffield to Nottingham or Lincoln due to flooding.

Trains are also unable to travel between Leeds and Doncaster, Harrogate and Bradford.

The line between Newcastle and Morpeth is also closed due to viaduct damage, Northern Rail added.

Avanti West Coast has said its services are also severely disrupted and it has asked customers to not travel between Crewe and North Wales and that people should only travel between Preston and Glasgow or Edinburgh if absolutely necessary.

Thousands still without power

The Energy Networks Association said around 100,000 customers had been affected by power cuts due to Storm Babet but as of Saturday morning 96% had been reconnected, leaving 4,000 still without power.

Around 55,000 people were left without power on Friday as a result of the storm.

Some 45,000 people were reconnected to the grid as of the evening, the Energy Networks Association said.

Babet leaves three people dead

A man in his 60s died after getting caught in fast-flowing flood water in the town of Cleobury Mortimer in Shropshire on Friday.

Police Scotland previously said a falling tree hit a van near Forfar in Angus on Thursday evening, killing the 56-year-old driver.

A 57-year-old woman also died on Thursday after being swept into a river in Angus.

The council in Angus said it was in uncharted territory dealing with “extreme and really challenging conditions” on Friday – with people rescued from 60 homes in and around Brechin.

The village of Edzell was completely cut off with no emergency access except via helicopter, the council said.

Meanwhile, a major search was under way following reports of a man trapped in a vehicle in floodwater in Aberdeenshire.

Police Scotland said the alarm was raised at 3am on Friday near the village of Marykirk.

It comes as the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) warned a second major river could breach in the country on Saturday.

Aberdeenshire Council has said the latest SEPA modelling indicates a considerable risk of flooding on the River Don at Inverurie, Kemnay and Kintore between 10am and 2pm.

Hundreds of homes in Scotland have already been flooded after the River South Esk breached its banks

Leeds Bradford Airport has said it is “working hard to reopen” at 2pm today and has urged people not to travel to the terminal before that point. The airport closed on Friday after high winds forced a passenger plane to skid off a runway.

Tui customers who were due to travel from Leeds Bradford on Saturday are being directed to Manchester Airport, the airline has said.

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Aug 16 2023

Justin McLaughlin murder: Daniel Haig captured on CCTV holding knife moments before he stabbed 14-year-old boy at train station | UK News

A teenager has been pictured brandishing a knife which he used to stab a 14-year-old schoolboy to death just moments later.

Daniel Haig, 18, was also seen in other CCTV images arriving at Glasgow’s High Street station before the fatal attack and then fleeing the scene.

Haig has now been jailed for a minimum of 16 years after stabbing Justin McLaughlin in the heart and leaving him to die on a railway platform.

Just before, Haig had run at a group of youths, including Justin, and a clash broke out on a platform. After the scuffle ended, Haig jumped on to the track to retrieve the bladed weapon which he had dropped.

The killer inflicted the single fatal blow after Justin tripped and fell during a chase at the station in October 2021.

Justin, who had just celebrated his birthday two days earlier, pleaded for his mother as friends tried to come to his aid following the stabbing. He was taken to hospital but never recovered.

Haig, who was 16 at the time of the attack, admitted knifing Justin but had denied murder. Back in June he was found guilty following a trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was handed a life sentence with a minimum of 16 years behind bars at the High Court in Edinburgh on Wednesday.

The judge said the murder had a “devastating effect” on the victim’s family.

Lord Clark said: “They are left with the dreadful loss you have caused for the rest of their lives.”

The judge described it as a “brutal murder”.

He added: “Justin McLaughin was only 14, a child.

“And he was just getting back on his feet when you stabbed him. He was in a defenceless position.”

The trial heard Haig got into a scuffle with Justin and a group of his friends at the railway station on 16 October 2021.

Haig pulled a knife out of his rucksack and was seen on CCTV chasing the youths. He was also recorded jumping on to the track to retrieve the weapon after dropping it.

Lord Clark said: “They were all running some distance away from you, but Justin McLaughlin tripped and fell.

“You ran right up to him and as he was standing back up you stabbed him. The knife went right through his heart.”

The judge added it was “deeply disturbing” to see gang activity still happening in Scotland.

Lord Clark said: “It has been going on for many decades. A boy with a knife attacking and killing another boy because he is from a different local scheme, and there is gang rivalry, is completely senseless.”

Read more:
Man jailed for ‘vicious, feral and wholly murderous’ near fatal knife attack
Deaths of teenagers who attended DJ event investigated as ‘drug related

Haig claimed he was carrying the blade for “protection” as he had been attacked a day earlier. He also said he had not intended to kill the Coatbridge teen and felt “really bad about it”.

Killer ‘bitterly regrets his actions’

Defence counsel John Scullion KC said: “He now bitterly regrets his actions and the tragic consequences for the deceased and his family.”

Mr Scullion said Haig had “adverse childhood experiences during formative years” and by the time he was 16 he was regularly using drugs and alcohol.

The defence counsel said the case represented “a tragic waste of human life”.

Justin’s family said their lives would “never be the same”.

Victim was ‘blue-eyed boy”

Paying tribute to their “blue-eyed boy”, they said: “He was the character of the family. His younger brothers miss him so much.

“He was their best friend as well as a brother. It is a family devastated by knife crime.”

Following the verdict, it emerged that Haig had attacked a man with a garden fork and was later caught with a blade before Justin’s murder.

Moira Orr, head of homicide and major crime for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), said: “This case is tragic evidence of the destruction wreaked when young people carry bladed weapons.

“We must hope this sends a message to children and teenagers who may be tempted to carry knives. They risk causing calamitous and irreparable harm to others and to themselves.”

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Jul 19 2023

Train strikes: Commuters warned to expect disruption as 20,000 rail workers stage walkout in ongoing pay row | UK News

More than 20,000 rail workers will strike on Thursday in a long-running dispute over pay, jobs and conditions – with passengers warned they may experience severe disruption to services.

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) will walk out on 20, 22 and 29 July while drivers in Aslef are banned from working overtime this week.

RMT members involved in the strikes include station workers, train managers and catering staff with 14 train companies affected.

Read more: A full list of July dates and services affected by industrial action

The industrial action will see variations in services across the country with trains due to start later and finish much earlier than usual.

Around half of train services will run in some areas, while others will have no services at all.

Services the evening before and morning after strike days may also be affected.

Passengers have been advised to check their journeys in advance.

RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the strikes would show the country “just how important railway staff are to the running of the rail industry”.

“My team of negotiators and I are available 24/7 for talks with the train operating companies and Government,” he said.

Mr Lynch said neither party had “made any attempt whatsoever to arrange any meetings or put forward a decent offer that can help us reach a negotiated solution”.

“The Government continues to shackle the companies and will not allow them to put forward a package that can settle this dispute,” he added.

Meanwhile, Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan said the union wants to resolve the dispute.

“Train drivers don’t want to be inconveniencing the public,” he said.

“We have given the Government and rail operators plenty of opportunities to come to the table but it remains clear that they do not want a resolution.

“Our members, the drivers who keep the railway running day in, day out, will not accept the Government’s attempts to force our industry into decline.

A Rail Delivery Group spokesperson said: “The upcoming rail strikes called by the RMT union and the overtime ban by Aslef will undoubtedly cause some disruption, affecting not only the daily commute of our passengers but also disrupting the plans of families during the summer holidays.

“This will lead to disappointment, frustration, and financial strain for tens of thousands of people. We apologise for the inconvenience caused and understand the impact on individuals and businesses.

“While we are doing all we can to keep trains running, unfortunately there will be reduced services between 17 July and 29 July so our advice is to check before you travel.

“Passengers with advance tickets can be refunded fee-free if the train that the ticket is booked for is cancelled, delayed or rescheduled.”

Read more:
Train strikes – Full list of July dates, Tube and rail services affected by industrial action
Nearly every railway ticket office in England could close under plans due to be unveiled
RMT’s Mick Lynch insists rail strikes ‘have been a success’

London Underground passengers were also warned to expect disruption next week because of industrial action by the RMT and Aslef in a separate dispute.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “The Government has met the rail unions, listened to them and facilitated improved offers on pay and reform. The union leaders should put these fair and reasonable offers to their members so this dispute can be resolved.”

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Jul 3 2023

Rail passengers warned of six days of disruption as train drivers refuse to work overtime | UK News

Disruption to rail journeys are expected across the country this week as train drivers refuse to work overtime for six days.

ASLEF announced last month that its members would withdraw non-contractual overtime, known as rest-day working, with 16 of the country’s 35 rail operators from Monday 3 July to Saturday 8 July.

Train companies affected are: Avanti West Coast; Chiltern Railways; Cross Country; East Midlands Railway; Greater Anglia; GWR; GTR Great Northern Thameslink; Island Line; LNER; Northern Trains; Southeastern; Southern/Gatwick Express; South Western Railway main line; SWR depot drivers; TransPennine Express; and West Midlands Trains.

The action may impact visitors to the first week of the Wimbledon tennis tournament.

It is understood that there have been no negotiations between the union and the rail operators since the action was announced on 19 June.

Mick Whelan, ASLEF’s general secretary, said at the time: “Once again, we find ourselves with no alternative but to take this action.

“We have continually come to the negotiating table in good faith, seeking to resolve this dispute.

“Sadly, it is clear from the actions of both the train operating companies and the government that they do not want an end to the dispute.

“Their goals appear to be to continue industrial strife and to do down our industry.

“We don’t want to inconvenience the public.

Rail strikes: Full list of July dates, lines and services affected by industrial action

“We just want to see our members paid fairly during a cost-of-living crisis when inflation is running at above 10%, and to not see our terms and conditions taken away.

“It’s time for the Government and the companies to think again and look for a resolution.”

A spokesman for the Rail Delivery Group responded: “ASLEF’s leadership continues to disrupt customers’ travel plans.

Read more:
Russian and Belarusian players to return to Wimbledon
Joe Biden to meet King and Rishi Sunak in visit to UK
Actress dies after suffering with dementia

“They rejected a fair and affordable offer without putting it to their members which would take average driver base salaries for a basic salary for a four-day week without overtime from £60,000 to nearly £65,000 by the end of 2023 pay awards.

“Train companies will work hard to minimise the impact of the overtime ban but the impact of ASLEF’s action will vary across the 16 train operators and customers are advised to check their travel plans before setting off.

“We ask ASLEF to recognise the very real financial challenge the industry is facing and work with us to deliver a better railway with a strong long-term future.”

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

Jun 15 2023

Man found dead on train tracks after car chase with police in Streatham | UK News

A 34-year-old man has died on train tracks in south London after a car chase with police officers.

The Metropolitan Police said the car failed to stop at 3.26am on Wednesday as it headed towards Streatham High Road.

“A vehicle pursuit was authorised and officers followed the car for a short time, indicating it should stop,” said a Met statement.

The driver ran away after crashing in Brunswick Mews, Streatham, and police lost sight of him in nearby Potters Lane, the force said.

A police helicopter joined the search and a body was spotted on tracks near Estreham Road.

The power to the lines was turned off so the emergency responders could get to the man.

Police said: “As soon as the lines were confirmed as safe, officers and paramedics approached the man who was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.”

The Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards has been informed and the Independent Office for Police Conduct is also investigating.

admin 0 Comments

Uncategorized

May 13 2023

Train strike action ‘solid’ and will continue until government ‘unblocks’ pay dispute, says RMT union boss Mick Lynch | UK News

Striking rail workers have vowed to continue walking out until the government “unblocks” their pay dispute on the second day in a row of cancellations.

There are 14 rail operators affected by strike action by the RMT union on Saturday – the day of the Eurovision finale in Liverpool – after a separate walkout by train drivers from ASLEF on Friday.

Both strikes have caused widespread cancellations and show no signs of stopping after the RMT rejected a 9% pay increase.

ASLEF, which was offered an 8% increase over two years, has strikes planned until 3 June – the day of the FA Cup Final.

After rejecting the most recent offer, RMT general secretary Mick Lynch called for a special summit of unions, train operators and the government in a letter to Transport Secretary Mark Harper.

He told Sky News rail bosses want unions to call off any remaining strikes before negotiating any further – but their industrial action is “solid” and “will be as long as this campaign goes on”.

“What they want us to do is call off the dispute and then go into another set of negotiations without the leverage on the table – and we simply can’t do that,” he said on Saturday. “You don’t disarm yourself half-way through a campaign.

“It’s up to the government to unblock this dispute because they are the ones who have the final say on what is proposed at the table.

“In their contracts with these companies they stipulate what the negotiating position is and what the offers are.”

Union did not put latest offer to its members

Paul Gentleman, spokesperson for Great Western Railway, whose members are on strike today, said he knows of RMT members happy with the latest offer – but the RMT has not given members a chance to vote on it.

Describing it as “disappointing” and the dispute as “toxic”, he told Sky News a separate summit is unnecessary as “existing methods” could “provide the solution”.

Labour’s shadow employment secretary Alison McGovern added that constant train strikes are hindering the UK’s economic recovery.

Read more:
Rail passengers and Eurovision fans face significant disruption in fresh strikes
Who is taking industrial action in 2023 and when?

But Mr Lynch said the union did not put the offer out for ballot because it did not keep up with the cost of living crisis and inflationary pressures.

“It’s not acceptable. It doesn’t meet the demands in the dispute,” he said.

It comes after the government was forced to bring the operator TransPennine Express under its control following a year of widespread delays and cancellations.

TransPennine, which was also on strike on Saturday – and covers the north of England and a small part of Scotland, has been badly affected by ASLEF driver strikes.

Mr Harper said his department had “played our part but ASLEF now need to play theirs” by calling off further strikes.

Click to subscribe to the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts

Merseyrail, which runs the trains out of Liverpool, was not on strike on Saturday, with Eurovision organisers insisting travel to the city for the final would not be disrupted.

But those not already in Liverpool for the final will be unable to get there if they were relying on connecting services run by: Avanti West Coast; c2c; Chiltern Railways; CrossCountry; East Midlands Railway; Gatwick Express; Great Northern; Great Western Railway; Greater Anglia; Heathrow Express; Island Line; LNER; London Northwestern Railway; Southeastern; Southern; Stansted Express; Thameslink; TransPennine Express; or West Midlands Railway.

admin 0 Comments