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Planning permission has been granted to build three houses on a derelict railway line in Biggar - despite previous concerns about restricting public transport opportunities. [See also news item of 28th January. -RS]
(Permalink) Biggar Broughton Cultural vandalism Green Peebles Public Transport Symington  Biggar: The remains of the station and remarkably well-preserved signalbox at Biggar. Seen here in June 2012, now standing within a contractor's yard. See image [[6449]] |
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Councillors approved the plans today after the application was deferred in November.
(Permalink) Biggar Broughton Cultural vandalism Green Peebles Public Transport Symington  Biggar: The former station at Biggar, South Lanarkshire, looking east towards Broughton on a rainy day in October 1971.  Biggar: 42737 at Biggar with Scottish Rambler No 3 at Biggar on 29 March 1964. See image [[39040]] Biggar: The remains of the station and remarkably well-preserved signalbox at Biggar. Seen here in June 2012, now standing within a contractor's yard. See image [[6449]] |
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A new Freightliner service made its inaugural journey from Southampton to Crewe using entirely Ocean Network Express (ONE) funded GD+ green biofuel. The train continued its journey to Freightliner Coatbridge terminal, Scotland, using an electric locomotive, making this one of the greenest rail freight routes in UK rail.
(Permalink) Coatbridge Freightliner Terminal Crewe Electric Freightliner GD+ Green Ocean Network Express Southampton |
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Exclusive: The Scottish Greens co-leader said the French policy - which curbs short-haul flights where there is a rail alternative - should be looked at by Tory ministers.
(Permalink) Domestic flights Green Politics |
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The plans were rejected earlier this year by Renfrewshire Council. A councillor insists the Scottish Government's decision to allow 39 new homes to be built in a Renfrewshire village 'flies in the face of democracy'. Renfrewshire Council refused planning permission for the development on a plot of land at Yard A, Station Road in Bridge of Weir.
(Permalink) Bridge of Weir Bridge of Weir Railway Cultural vandalism Green Green issues Greenock and Ayrshire Railway Kilmacolm  Bridge of Weir [2nd]: Looking to Elderslie. The main station building was to the left. The bricked-up entry for a footbridge can be seen on right.  Bridge of Weir [2nd]: The Jones Goods taking on water at Bridge of Weir on 17 April 1965 with the SLS/BLS Scottish Rambler No 4.  Bridge of Weir [2nd]: Arriving at Bridge of Weir. 2.6.4T 42190 on Glasgow (St Enoch) - Greenock (Princes Pier) train. |
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ScotRail is developing plans to withdraw all of its diesel trains as part of a programme to replace 65% of its fleet in 2027-35.
(Permalink) Diesel elimination Green ScotRail |
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There is little disagreement over the large scale of the challenge facing railway bosses when the ScotRail franchise passes into Scottish Government hands on April 1.
(Permalink) Electrification Green New stations Punctuality ScotRail Scottish Rail Holdings Timetabling |
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It's vital the government understand the importance of improving our railways. In just a few weeks time, Scotlands transport system will see its biggest shake-up in decades, when the Scottish Government nationalises the countrys train services.
(Permalink) Campbell Gunn Green Nationalisation Net Zero ScotRail Scottish Rail Holdings |
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The managing director of Scotland's Railway, the partnership between Abellio ScotRail and Network Rail Scotland, has called on the transport sector to decarbonise in memory of the Stonehaven rail crash victims.
Alex Hynes claimed Scotland was reminded of the 'devastating impact of climate change' when three people were 'tragically killed on our rail network'. (Permalink) Alex Hynes Carron Water Bridge [West Carmont] Derailment Electrification Green Landslide ScotRail Stonehaven derailment |
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Commuters at Falkirk High will soon be be spotting some changes as ScotRail unveils plans to make it Scotlands first net zero carbon station.
(Permalink) Falkirk High Green Net zero  Falkirk High: The 'Antnine' artwork and a Class 380 eye each other up at Falkirk High on 29th August 2018.  Falkirk High: An Edinburgh to Glasgow Queen Street pulls into Falkirk High on 12 March 2020. These are the only two destinations this station offers (being situated between trailing junctions doesn’t help). ... |
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New technology to transfer long-distance lorries from motorways to railways is set to revolutionise the movement of freight and free up congested road networks. [Full article requires subscription. -RS]
(Permalink) Containers Green Railfreight |
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The Climate Emergency: how workplaces need to become an active part of the solution. With COP26 in Glasgow just around the corner, there has never been a more crucial time for workplaces to take action on climate change. Scotland is committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045.
(Permalink) Green Travelknowhow Scotland |
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RMT warns that electricity price hike threatens to destroy rail freight and jack up dirty diesel use.
(Permalink) Electricity costs Green RMT Rail freight |
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Cutting emissions through the mass electrification of rail networks continues apace, with Scotland's Railway “ a partnership between Network Rail Scotland and ScotRail “ keen to promote the sector as a zero carbon solution to haulage pollution.
(Permalink) Green RMT Rail freight  Bay Horse: 0715hrs, 9th June 2020, and the Story contractor's staff haven't yet arrived at the works site at Forton cutting. Freightliner 90041 and 90045 power north with a Crewe to Coatbridge intermodal service ...  Barton and Broughton: Two elderly Class 86 electrics, still in front line Freightliner service, head south at Barton and Broughton with Coatbridge to Crewe containers on 30th July 2014. 86609 was the second of the class an ... |
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Scotland's Railway has launched a new campaign to encourage more people to choose greener trains over congestion on the roads. Ahead of the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) “ which runs 31 October -12 November 2021 “ ScotRail has added a specially designed logo to its fleet of electric trains to promote rail as the most environmentally friendly way to travel.
(Permalink) COP26 Green ScotRail |
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Decarbonising transport, including rail services, offers a significant opportunity to contribute to reducing the threat of climate change, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said.
Speaking at a formal launch of the £120m Glasgow Queen Street Station today, the First Minister applauded the substantial investment of over £9bn in rail infrastructure since 2007 that sees over 75% of all rail passenger journeys in Scotland made by electric services. (Permalink) Decarbonisation Glasgow Queen Street High Level Green  Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Officina Sans Bold is not usually quite as bold as this. Lettering above the front entrance, facing George Square. I wonder why the E&G didn't choose George Square as the name for its new station? Aft ...  Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Glasgow Queen Street pillar refurbishment in October 2020.  Glasgow Queen Street High Level: New departures board at Queen Street. No one can claim to be starved of information, including a little train graphic to show the number of carriages. The Next Edinburgh Express panel is presumably th ... |
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First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Glasgow Queen Street station today (Monday, October 4) to join Scotlands Railway in marking the official completion of the stations £120m Scottish Government-funded transformation.
(Permalink) Decarbonisation Glasgow Queen Street High Level Green Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Officina Sans Bold is not usually quite as bold as this. Lettering above the front entrance, facing George Square. I wonder why the E&G didn't choose George Square as the name for its new station? Aft ... Glasgow Queen Street High Level: Glasgow Queen Street pillar refurbishment in October 2020. Glasgow Queen Street High Level: New departures board at Queen Street. No one can claim to be starved of information, including a little train graphic to show the number of carriages. The Next Edinburgh Express panel is presumably th ... |
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Nexus are working with Newcastle University on a project to reduce the carbon emissions of the Shields Ferry. The project, called CLEANFERRY, has received financial backing from the Department of Transport (DfT). Over £23m has been allocated to 55 initiatives to reduce emissions from the maritime sector across the UK. The Shields Ferry is dependent on fossil fuels and the project will see Newcastle University experts working with Nexus and engineering specialist Royston to help transition the ferry to run carbon free.
(Permalink) Green Nexus Shields Ferry Tyne and Wear Metro |
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Avanti West Coast's Responsible Business Team recognised at BusinessGreen Leaders Awards 2021.
(Permalink) Avanti West Coast Green Sustainability |
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The role of public transport in the recovery from the pandemic was always going to be challenging one. After months of being told to keep our distance from each other and not to gather in groups, the prospect of getting on a train or bus will be daunting one, especially for those who remain vulnerable to the virus even when they are vaccinated.
(Permalink) Green Industrial Action Post COVID ScotRail Timetabling |
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Unipart Rail and McCulloch Group have launched a prototype zero-emissions version of the Trac Rail Transposer rail handling machine, which can be used to remove and install bullhead, flat bottom and conductor rail in lengths from 6 m to 425 m, as well as switches and crossings.
(Permalink) Green McCulloch Group Trac Rail Transposer Unipart Rail |
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The Railway Industry Association is urging the Government to prioritise new fleets of hydrogen trains in its efforts to create a hydrogen economy
(Permalink) Green Hydrogen Railway Industry Association |
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The electrification of rail and introduction of self-powered trains is essential if Scotland is to meet its climate targets.
(Permalink) Electrification Green Scotland |
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German ship design consultants have been handed £360,000 to help with the concept for a batch of seven ferries to replace ageing CalMac vessels and try to provide better and greener lifeline services for Scotland's islands.
(Permalink) CMAL Caledonian MacBrayne Green Navalue |
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Following a summer of repeated issues with its ferry services, Caledonian Maritime Assets Limited (CMAL) have called on German ship design consultants to sail their fleet into the future.
(Permalink) CMAL Caledonian MacBrayne Green Navalue |
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Train fares on popular UK routes are 50% more expensive than plane fares despite rail journeys causing 80% lower carbon dioxide emissions, according to analysis by the consumer group Which?. It said passengers face a 'near impossible' choice between low ticket prices and climate-friendly travel.
(Permalink) Green Ticketing |
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Although the climate emergency is recognised by mainstream parties across the political spectrum, the re-election of the SNP administration in Scotland has been interpreted by the rail industry as a vote of confidence in existing plans to decarbonise the Scottish economy of which a continuing program of rail electrification forms the backbone.
(Permalink) Electrification Green |
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Work to convert a Class 08 shunter from diesel to hydrogen power has passed a significant milestone.
(Permalink) Class 08 Green Hydrogen Power Severn Valley Railway |
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Battery powered, zero-emission seagliders could be the future of inter-island transport in Scotland. But how do they work?
(Permalink) Green Seagliders Zero-emission |
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It's World Environment Day and we're sharing how we're working hard to make rail travel even greener.
(Permalink) Green Network Rail World Environment Day |
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On World Environment Day (5 June), the United Nations is encouraging countries to take action to protect our environment.
(Permalink) Green World Environment Day |
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Network Rail has today announced plans to work with rolling stock owner and asset manager, Porterbrook, to showcase some of the best of British low-carbon train technology at the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), which will be held in Glasgow later this year.
(Permalink) COP26 Green Network Rail Porterbrook  Evesham: The Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education / Porterbrook / Jeff Vehicles 'HydroFLEX' crosses over River Avon east of Evesham station. |
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GBRf & MSC UK drive sustainability with new 5-year rail deal GB Railfreight (GBRf) and Mediterranean Shipping Company (UK) Ltd. (MSC) are delighted to announce a new five-year deal, further strengthening their long-established relationship and joint commitment to delivering sustainable solutions for customers. GBRf has been a provider of rail services to MSC since 2002.
(Permalink) GBRf Green MSC UK |
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Angel Trains has partnered with Arcola Energy and its industry consortium partners to deliver Scotland's first hydrogen train.
(Permalink) Angel Trains Bo'ness Green Hydrogen |
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Translink is to assess the options for procuring zero-emission trains in support of its recently published Climate Positive Strategy, which sets out an 'ambitious' target to achieve a 50% reduction in train, bus and building emissions by 2030, net zero emissions by 2040 and to go beyond this to ...
(Permalink) Green NI Railways Translink Zero Emissions |
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Rail companieshave todaypledged to makestationsacross Britainmore sustainable. Actionto reduce waste,supportlocal wildlifeandcutthe carbon footprint of railway stationswill be informed bythe industry's ...
(Permalink) Community Rail Network Green |
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The vast investment in rail infrastructure outlined by Lorna Slater in the Green Party manifesto will delight those living in Durness, Ullapool, Campbeltown, and Kelso who currently lack a railway station. It will indeed be a pleasant surprise to the residents of Lerwick, whose nearest railway station is in Bergen.
(Permalink) Green |
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New plans floated by the Scottish Greens would see the Rosyth to Europe ferry line reinstated after more than a decade.
(Permalink) Green Rosyth  Rosyth Dockyard: Blue Star 1 arriving at Rosyth with the ro-ro ferry from Zeebrugge on 26 June 2008. Passenger services on the route ceased at the end of 2010 although a freight only service is still in operati ... |
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Scotlands newest 100 per cent electric commuter trains cut carbon emissions by over 10,000 tonnes in 2019, making a significant contribution towards Scotlands ambitious 2035 net zero railways target.
(Permalink) COP26 Class 385 Green  Edinburgh Waverley: 385003 about to leave platform 16 with the 1415 to Glasgow Queen Street on the first day of Class 385 passenger operation - 24th July 2018.
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The rail industry needs the government to provide a clear strategy for decarbonising operations including the launch of a rolling programme of electrification, the House of Commons Transport Committee says in its sixth Trains Fit For The Future? report.
(Permalink) Decarbonisation Green House of Commons Transport Committee |
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The themes of decarbonisation and innovation were evident during this year's RFG Scottish Conference, with all the presenters emphasizing a strong positive outlook for rail freight in the years ahead. The event was held online on 24 March. In his keynote speech, Michael Matheson, MSP, Cabinet Secretaryfor Transport,Infrastructureand Connectivity, praised the industry's 'heroic efforts' ...
(Permalink) Decarbonisation Green Innovation RFG |
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Scotland's ambitious plans to transform its railways to a zero emissions network by 2035 is helping to push forward innovation in green technology that could ultimately change the world.
(Permalink) Electrification Green Hitachi Rail Zero-emission |
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Organisations across the North East are coming together to showcase walking & cycling projects that are improving how we travel around the area. Nestrans, along with Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire Councils, and NHS Grampian, will be presenting to elected members, local authority officers, and representatives from key partners. The event, Moving Towards Net Zero, will detail the ongoing and upcoming active and sustainable travel projects that aim to make the area cleaner, greener, healthier, and safer. Topics include the new Regional Transport Strategy, Active Travel Action Plans, the Integrated Towns project, ...
(Permalink) Aberdeen Aberdeenshire Green |
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ScotRail is already going the extra mile to keep safe, people, like key workers, who use the railway for essential travel.
But, the train operator is also helping make Scotlands Railway healthier in general by fighting climate change as we look forward to Novembers COP26 event in Glasgow. (Permalink) COP26 Climate Change Green ScotRail |
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The Scottish forestry sector is estimated to contribute around £1bn to the economy each year, with around three-quarters of that coming from forestry and timber processing. Around 10m tonnes of timber are harvested each year, and this is forecast to increase over the long term as Scottish Government increases forest planting to support its green recovery and climate change ambitions. The most recent update to the Climate Change Plan stated that Government will increase woodland creation from the current level of 12,000 hectares in 2020/21 up to 18,000 hectares in 2024/25.
(Permalink) Climate Change Green Timber  Georgemas Junction: Close up of the wagon loading equipment in use for the trial timber trains at Georgemas Junction, seen on 4th August 2020. |
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Post-coronavirus financial pressure on governments and mounting public concern about climate change may finally prove the catalysts to unlock substantial private investment in European rail freight. Stephen Layburn and Tim Jackson of transport finance house Centrus describe the outlook to Nick Kingsley.
(Permalink) COVID-19 Green |
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Tube users are experiencing severe delays on the Central Line following the derailment of a train on Thursday.
The line remains closed in both directions between Leytonstone and Liverpool Street, in east London. A special bus service is running and Tube tickets are being accepted on buses and some mainline rail services. Safety checks are under way on the Tube's storage facilities after a dislodged roll of tarpaulin landed on the tracks, causing the derailment. Three carriages came off the rails on a westbound Central Line between Mile End and Bethnal Green during the morning rush hour. (Permalink) Bethnal Derailment Green Mile End |
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Tube maintenance firm Metronet orders safety checks across the network following a rush hour train derailment.
(Permalink) Bethnal Derailment Green Mile End |
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