THE 2016-17 Transport for London (TfL) budget presented to the London Assembly includes funding for improvements to the Croydon Tramlink network including capacity enhancements and additional LRVs.

ALSTOM announced on May 17 that it has been granted planning permission by Halton Borough Council to acquire 30 acres of land for a new 30-acre rail technology and training centre at Widnes near Liverpool.

BRITAIN's secretary of state for Transport Mr Patrick McLoughlin inaugurated a new £12m rolling stock testing and commissioning facility at Bombardier's Derby plant on May 13.

BRITAIN's Rail Accident Investigation Branch (Raib) says 2015 was the eighth year in a row that there were no passenger fatalities resulting from train accidents, and that Britain's railways remain among the safest in Europe.

BRITAIN's Office of Rail and Road (ORR) has approved applications by Virgin Trains East Coast (VTEC) and First Group to operate additional long-distance passenger services on the East Coast Main Line, but rejected an application from Great North Eastern Railway (GNER).

CONSTRUCTION of Britain's National College for High Speed Rail commenced on May 9 following groundbreaking ceremonies held at sites in Doncaster and Birmingham.

BRITAIN's parliamentary Transport Committee has invited written submissions for an inquiry which will scrutinise passenger rail franchising and consider options for the future of the system.

CROSSRAIL has awarded Linsinger, Austria, a contract worth around £12m to supply an MG31 rail milling train for the Elizabeth Line east-west link across central London.

BRITISH infrastructure manager Network Rail NR has awarded Alstom a £79m contract to resignal the 58km London Paddington - Reading section of the Great Western Main Line.

EUROSTAR confirmed at the launch of its Community and Environment Programme in London on April 25 that it intends to launch London - Amsterdam services at the end of next year, and is also looking to take advantage of the opening of new high-speed lines in France to expand its network.