The DfT took the opportunity of the official opening of the Thameslink traincare depot at Three Bridges last week to publish the Terms of Reference for the London and South Coast Rail Corridor Study, which will review the demand for rail travel and proposed rail schemes in the area between London and the South Coast. Keymer Junction (pictured) is the key constraint on the Brighton Main Line south of Three Bridges; Network Rail proposes quadruple track and a dive-under junction here to boost capacity. Alongside this study, local authorities must quantify the economic growth benefits which rail investment in the area would generate.

On 12th October 2015 Northumberland County Council initiated the GRIP 2 feasibility study, costing around £850,000, to carry out the detailed development work for the Ashington, Blyth & Tyne scheme. (photo John Brierley)

Today Patrick McLoughlin, Secretary of State for Transport, formally opened the new depot at Three Bridges and launched the new Class 700 Thameslink fleet which will be maintained there. Whilst the new journey opportunities that will be created by Thameslink are welcome, the design of the new trains highlights the need for more infrastructure capacity between East Croydon and London Bridge.

The Hastings Rother Taskforce presented the economic case for running high speed rail services to Rye, Hastings and Bexhill to a stakeholder group, including Railfuture, in Bexhill today.

This week has seen a massive improvement for passengers, with the opening of the refurbished station at New Street in Birmingham. £750 million has been spent on a huge new glass and steel domed roof covering the atrium – a modern take on the largest glass and iron roof in the world, measuring 65m x 256m, which Victorian designers constructed for the station when it was originally opened in 1854. Photo by Michael Tombs for Railfuture.

Good news for Railfuture's aspiration to see Robin Hood Line services extended through Warsop and Edwinstowe to Ollerton, to serve proposed business parks on the site of the now-closed Thoresby Colliery near Edwinstowe, and Center Parcs near Ollerton.

HS2 Limited have recently published their fourth attempt at a plan for Euston station, with an increased cost, massive property demolition and more disruption over a longer timescale. However there is an alternative - Euston Express would provide the necessary capacity sooner whilst costing £1.5Bn to £2Bn less and avoiding significant disruption. (Image DfT.)

Network Rail published the final Sussex Area Route Study last week, following the consultation at the beginning of this year. The study recognises the strength of feeling for Uckfield - Lewes reinstatement - 44% of the consultation responses mentioned it - and considers the potential of the Uckfield route and the Lewes Horseshoe to relieve the Brighton Main Line.