Contributions for by far the UK’s most published column by the same author - now in its 42nd year - are most welcome from all sources. Personal observations, society magazines, website printouts and live links, transport group newsletters and media cuttings (with dates, please) are sought to maintain topicality. Please email your contributions direct to hj@howardjohnston.co.uk, or rail@bauermedia.co.uk
WESTERN
Castle Cary: The Great Western Railway station car park has been extended by 190 spaces, at a cost of £3 million.
Bath: Repairs to Green Park station are under way following the roof fire on April 23 (only days after it had been reglazed). The Grade 2 Listed Somerset & Dorset Railway terminus, closed in 1966, is now a Sainsbury’s supermarket and shopping centre, but retains many of its original features.
Newquay: The new A392 road bridge over the line to Nansledan has space for the reinstatement of double track. This will allow two level crossings to be closed.
Theale: The new footbridge at the West Berkshire station has been installed. It will be ready for use in spring 2014.
EASTERN
Doncaster: Moss level crossing on the East Coast Main Line was closed from November 24 -27 for a £150,000 resurfacing programme.
Hitchin: The derelict 1857 Midland Railway weighbridge in the goods yard could be rescued with grants from Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust. It still contains its Pooley equipment.
White Rose: Good progress is being made with the new Leeds station, with the two footbridges between the buildings and the canopied platforms installed, and the external cladding fitted.
MIDLANDS
Northampton: A ten-day total route possession is planned for next March, to install the connections to the new Gateway Logistics Park freight complex.
St Albans: Govia Thameslink Railway is supporting three community art projects to help marginalised and isolated communities.
NORTH WEST
Fiddlers Ferry: Four of the sky-dominating cooling towers of the coal-fired power station were blown up on December 3. The generating plant between Widnes and Warrington, which was the core business for the former Sheffield-Woodhead-Manchester route, closed in 2020.
Great Musgrave: Contractors working for Highways England have completed the removal of the unathorised infill of the overbridge, within the deadline prescribed by Eden Council, and the road has reopened. Liverpool: Although it awaits final approval, the appearance of Baltic station on Merseyrail route maps (covered up) is a clear indication that it will be built.
St Helens: The site of Parkside Colliery (closed in 1993) is earmarked for a new rail freight facility. Proposals will be developed by Tritax Symmetry, which has a similar project running at Hinckley.
SOUTHERN
Battersea Pa
