FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has complained to the organisers of the Paris – Roubaix cycle race for allowing several competitors to stream across a level crossing well after the barriers had come down, narrowly avoiding a collision with a TGV.

THE French Railway Safety Board (EPSF) granted a supplementary authorisation to place in service (SAPS) on March 31 for the Siemens Velaro D multi-system high-speed train, enabling the operation of German Rail's (DB) class 407 fleet on the French network.

TRANSAMO, acting as an agent for Ile-de-France Transport Authority (Stif), has issued a call for tender for the supply of LRV fleets for the new light rail lines T9 and T10 in southern Paris. Closing date for bids is May 4.

ST ETIENNE Metropolitan Council gave the go-ahead on April 1 to develop plans for the French city's third light rail line, which will extend the network to serve northern districts of the city.

SOUTH Europe Atlantique Maintenance & Operations (Mesea), which will be responsible for maintaining the new 302km Tours – Bordeaux high-speed line when it opens in mid-2017, has awarded a contract to Carl Software for infrastructure maintenance software.

TP FERRO, the build-operate concessionaire for the international high-speed line between Figueres, Spain and Perpignan, France, has sought judicial protection in a final attempt to avoid bankruptcy proceedings.

A special committee of the French Senate adopted a legislative amendment on March 17 which will pave the way for the introduction of competitive tendering for regional rail services by the end of the decade.

BORDEAUX is celebrating the start of commercial services on the latest addition to its growing light rail network, a 3.7km extension of Line C, following the completion of a €108m project.

FRENCH National Railways (SNCF) has unveiled details of a plan to return its high-speed business to growth and make "TGV the preferred means of transport for the French."

At the end of 2014 Lyon public transport authority Sytral revealed details of its €1bn 2015-2020 investment plan, which aims to significantly increase system capacity over the next six years. Keith Barrow looks at how the city is seeking to build on the success of its existing light rail and metro networks.