February 10th, 2009
Safety Has to be Addressed in the Rail Industry
Following the release of horrifying footage of a near miss at a Welsh rail crossing Network Rail and other safety campaigners have called for more attention to be given to the issue of safety at rail crossings across the UK, in particular in the rural sectors where track security is more easy to abuse and ignore.
The CCTV security footage released to the media yesterday was filmed at Llangadog railway station in Wales and highlights the moment when a family car jumps the crossing and drive across the rail track at the very moment a passenger train passes through. The train only misses the motor vehicle by inches as it swerves in front of the train. Whe looking at the footage it is difficult to comprehend how the train actually misses the vehicle at all.
More horrifying is the fact the man driving the motor car also had his wife and young child in the car with him, the consequences of which are difficult to imagine. Fortunately in this instance everyone, including all the passengers on the train at the time of the incident escaped without injury or indeed any idea what had happened.
Network Rail and the rail industry in general are deeply concerned that health and safety and overall public perception to the dangers involved in the rail industry are being abused on such a scale despite years of publicity and education to the dangers involved. Figures revealed show there is now a 5 year high for incidents that have been reported on the UK’s rail crossings with over three thousand incidents reported in the previous twelve months alone. The shocking figures highlight that in 2008 fifteen people were actually killed and twenty vehicles were involved in crashes with trains at UK level crossings. Everyone involved are now reviewing what can be done to improve this alarming situation.
Published by – Arbil Rail, industry leaders in the hire and sales of quality rail equipment and parts for the rail industry
Posted in Arbil Rail |
February 5th, 2009
Job Cuts Spark Rows in the Rail Industry
Hampshire’s biggest commuter rail company has announced plans to cut another 180 jobs, on top of its previous announcement to cut 480 positions throughout the company. In the public announcement South West Trains revealed the employment cuts will include, management roles right across to ticket office staff and station staff.
As the largest service provider in Hampshire South West Trains deliver commuter rail services across the London area and throughout the South of England. They are reported to be imposing the cutbacks to lower costs but stress they are not making any cuts to the number of train drivers, station guards and essential rail maintenance levels. South West Trains are also keen to stress that they been be striving to deliver the local community with the same level and number of passenger services but the Rail, Maritime and Transport union is angry at South Wests move and are now calling on the Government to take action. The RMT are also confirmed that it is not ruling out a ballot for industrial action due to the sheer volume of job cuts involved.
The RMT wants answers to why profit generating train company can make over 600 jobs whilst at the same time raising it dividend payments by thirty three per cent.
Published by – Arbil Rail, industry leaders in the hire and sales of quality rail equipment, parts and rail services
Posted in Arbil Rail |
February 2nd, 2009
Education Provides Lifeline to Construction Industry
In the midst of the current economic downturn with recession predicted to be looming for at least another year its great to hear some good news every now and then.
Catalyst Education, a group of companies headed by Bovis Lend Lease and Catalyst Lend Lease have just secured a very impressive contract to rebuild or regenerate all of Birmingham’s eighty nine secondary schools, a contract that is expected to take another fifteen years.
The contract is reported to be worth £1.2bn and is expected to see local companies benefit from the funding that will be made available. The construction industry from builders through to providers of cranes and heavy lifting gear will benefit from the lucrative contract.
The funding provided through the Governments BSF initiative (Building Schools for the Future) was awarded to Catalyst Education by Birmingham City Council and is reported to be the largest single investment for school improvements in the last half century.
The first phase of the project will start next April and is expected to take twelve months to complete as it spans across a number of Birmingham schools including: Four Dwellings, Park View, Moseley, Broadway, George Dixon and a number of other secondary schools.
In working closely with the construction industry the Birmingham City Council has helped form a Local Education Partnership. This is great news for many companies involved in the building and construction industry including surrounding services from lifting gear suppliers to skilled labour requirements.
Posted in Arbil Lifting Gear |
January 20th, 2009
New Man at the Top
The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) has appointed a new CEO in the form of Geoff Holden who has just spent the previous six months as Chief Executive designate. With over 33 years experience in the heavy lifting industry and overhead lifting industry Holden is best placed to take on this executive position at the LEEA.
Looking optimistic for the forth coming year Holden is also very conscious of the tough economic climate and the difficult path industry is likely to take during the current recession. There will be a big focus on support this year to the ever expanding membership base at the LEEA. The Heavy lifting industry is fortunate is some areas that larger projects are still being processed with budgets already allocated whilst the small to medium industries are going to feel the pinch along with supporting industries.
With nearly 250 companies across the world in its membership the LEEA is fast becoming an international authority in the heavy lifting industry and Holden is keen to nurture the ever expanding international support and membership it is receiving.
Best wishes go out to Derrick Bailes who is stepping down as the formal Chief Executive at the LEEA, he will be staying within the industry and at the LEEA in a technical advice role.
Posted in Arbil Lifting Gear |
January 13th, 2009
Rail Freight Opportunity Presented by the MoD
The Ministry of Defence barracks at St Davids in Bicester, Oxfordshire is quite unique in the fact it owns over 36 miles of quality yet unused railway line. The 1500 acre site runs adjacent to the barracks and now the MoD are looking to the rail industry for help and support in finding ideas on how to develop it.
In a bid to attract rail developers the MoD is holding an open day for all those interested in putting ideas forward to how best the site can be developed. The Defence Storage and Distribution Agency (DSDA) who currently manage the area for review have advertised the venture in many rail industry trade magazines as a ‘Rail Freight Development Opportunity’.
The rail track itself is completely sound despite it being unused for a number of years. Although any rail project that might come to fruition will not impact on the barracks themselves the use of the area for any domestic housing development has been completely ruled out. The area however is being quoted as being ‘ideal for a rail freight development.
The Ministry of Defence are holding the open day at the Bicester barracks on the 29 January.
Rail news published by – Arbil Rail, industry leaders in the hire and sale of quality rail parts throughout the UK
Posted in Arbil Rail |
