High Speed Rail Group
@hsrailgroup.bsky.social
We are an industry body dedicated to advancing the UK’s rail infrastructure, with a particular focus on high-speed rail and better-connected, new rail systems. https://www.rail-leaders.com/
One in five passengers across major cities stood during peak hours in 2025, rising to one in four in London. Although overall capacity increased, busy services remain under pressure. Continued investment is essential to give passengers a reliable railway with room to grow.
Rail passenger numbers and crowding on weekdays in major cities in England and Wales: 2025
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
gov.uk
Rail growth is not confined to London. Newcastle recorded a 10% rise in daily arrivals following the opening of the Northumberland Line. Better connections can change how people travel and strengthen access to jobs, education and opportunity.
Rail passenger numbers and crowding on weekdays in major cities in England and Wales: 2025
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
gov.uk
Morning peak arrivals into major cities rose by 4% in 2025, with two in five daily arrivals concentrated in those three hours. Growing demand at the busiest times underlines the need for a railway built with sufficient capacity for the long term.
Rail passenger numbers and crowding on weekdays in major cities in England and Wales: 2025
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
gov.uk
Rail demand continues to grow. New government figures show 1.92 million passenger arrivals into major cities on a typical autumn weekday in 2025, up 3% in a year. Sustained investment in capacity, reliability and connectivity must keep pace.
Rail passenger numbers and crowding on weekdays in major cities in England and Wales: 2025
We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
gov.uk
Alstom has invested £35 million in its next-generation Adessia train, designed and engineered in Derby. A reliable pipeline of rolling-stock investment gives manufacturers the confidence to develop new trains, strengthen British expertise and prepare the industry for future demand.
UK Prime Minister visits Alstom's Litchurch Lane factory in Derby
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met around 100 apprentices and graduates in Alstom’s National Training Academy at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, providing the backdrop for changes to the education system
alstom.com
Alstom spent more than £720 million with almost 1,300 British suppliers last year, supporting close to 11,000 supply-chain jobs. Sustained rail procurement can spread investment through businesses and communities across the country.
UK Prime Minister visits Alstom's Litchurch Lane factory in Derby
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met around 100 apprentices and graduates in Alstom’s National Training Academy at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, providing the backdrop for changes to the education system
alstom.com
Prime Minister Andy Burnham met around 100 apprentices and graduates during his visit to Alstom’s Derby factory. With 120 trainees currently supported by its National Training Academy, Alstom shows how rail investment creates lasting routes into engineering careers.
UK Prime Minister visits Alstom's Litchurch Lane factory in Derby
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met around 100 apprentices and graduates in Alstom’s National Training Academy at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, providing the backdrop for changes to the education system
alstom.com
Alstom’s Litchurch Lane Works in Derby is the UK’s only factory able to design, engineer, build and test trains for domestic and export markets. Long-term rolling-stock investment protects this national capability and the skilled jobs behind it.
UK Prime Minister visits Alstom's Litchurch Lane factory in Derby
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham met around 100 apprentices and graduates in Alstom’s National Training Academy at Derby Litchurch Lane Works, providing the backdrop for changes to the education system
alstom.com
Britain needs the capacity, connectivity and economic benefits that new rail infrastructure can provide. HS2’s contract reset is an important step towards rebuilding confidence that major projects can be delivered efficiently and responsibly.
HS2 signs new civil engineering deals
B-roll footage - Construction progress on the EKFB and Align section of the HS2 route Download a selection of images showing construction progress on the EKFB and Align sections of the route
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
Major infrastructure needs contracts that reward progress and manage risk responsibly. These new agreements will translate stronger accountability into measurable delivery.
HS2 signs new civil engineering deals
B-roll footage - Construction progress on the EKFB and Align section of the HS2 route Download a selection of images showing construction progress on the EKFB and Align sections of the route
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
EKFB and Align are responsible for more than 100km of the HS2 route. Their renegotiated contracts provide an opportunity to bring greater commercial discipline to a huge and complex programme, with clearer incentives to deliver efficiently, on budget and on time.
HS2 signs new civil engineering deals
B-roll footage - Construction progress on the EKFB and Align section of the HS2 route Download a selection of images showing construction progress on the EKFB and Align sections of the route
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
HS2’s new contracts with EKFB and Align put cost control and timely delivery at the heart of the commercial relationship. Aligning incentives with outcomes is essential if the programme is to regain public confidence and deliver value for taxpayers.
HS2 signs new civil engineering deals
B-roll footage - Construction progress on the EKFB and Align section of the HS2 route Download a selection of images showing construction progress on the EKFB and Align sections of the route
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
An integrated railway is more than track and stations. On Québec City’s TramCité project, HSRG members Siemens Mobility and AtkinsRéalis will bring together signalling, cybersecurity, power, communications, passenger information and traffic-control systems across a 19-kilometre route.
Siemens Mobility & AtkinsRéalis Partner on Québec City's TramCité Project
Siemens Mobility, together with AtkinsRéalis, has been selected by CDPQ Infra to advance the next phase of the TramCité project in Québec City.
mobility.siemens.com
Complex rail projects benefit when systems expertise is involved from the outset. During TramCité’s co-development phase, HSRG members Siemens Mobility and AtkinsRéalis will help refine the technical solution, schedule and final pricing before implementation begins.
Siemens Mobility & AtkinsRéalis Partner on Québec City's TramCité Project
Siemens Mobility, together with AtkinsRéalis, has been selected by CDPQ Infra to advance the next phase of the TramCité project in Québec City.
mobility.siemens.com
HSRG members Siemens Mobility and AtkinsRéalis have formed Connexion Capitale to advance the rail systems scope of Québec City’s TramCité project. The partnership combines advanced rail technology with systems integration, engineering and major project delivery expertise.
Siemens Mobility & AtkinsRéalis Partner on Québec City's TramCité Project
Siemens Mobility, together with AtkinsRéalis, has been selected by CDPQ Infra to advance the next phase of the TramCité project in Québec City.
mobility.siemens.com
Moving more goods through Barking Eurohub by rail will reduce lorry journeys, ease pressure on roads and cut carbon emissions. Rail freight has a vital role in building a cleaner and better-connected transport network.
Work begins to transform Barking Eurohub into Britain’s gateway for European rail freight
£15 million investment enters delivery phase as three-year programme gets underway.
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
The transformed 40-acre Barking Eurohub will connect British supply chains directly with major markets including France, Germany, Italy and Spain. Stronger international rail links can support more resilient supply chains and economic growth.
Work begins to transform Barking Eurohub into Britain’s gateway for European rail freight
£15 million investment enters delivery phase as three-year programme gets underway.
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Barking Eurohub will be remodelled to accommodate continental freight trains up to 700 metres long, substantially increasing its current capacity. Modern infrastructure that enables longer, more efficient trains is essential to growing rail freight.
Work begins to transform Barking Eurohub into Britain’s gateway for European rail freight
£15 million investment enters delivery phase as three-year programme gets underway.
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Work beginning on the £15 million redevelopment of Barking Eurohub marks important progress towards restoring regular cross-Channel rail freight. Sustained investment like this can strengthen trade links and give British businesses a more sustainable way to move goods.
Work begins to transform Barking Eurohub into Britain’s gateway for European rail freight
£15 million investment enters delivery phase as three-year programme gets underway.
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Preparing Hitachi-built Azuma trains for digital in-cab signalling will help improve safety, reliability and network capacity on the East Coast Main Line while reducing reliance on traditional lineside signals.
LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line
LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
An LNER Azuma tested digital in-cab signalling at line speed between Welwyn Garden City and Hitchin. The trial allowed engineers to assess how the train communicated continuously with trackside systems in real operating conditions.
LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line
LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Hitachi Rail, LNER, Network Rail, Agility Trains and RailAdventure UK worked together to test digital in-cab signalling on an LNER Azuma, demonstrating how industry collaboration can advance railway innovation.
LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line
LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Hitachi Rail has helped deliver the first live operation of an LNER Azuma using ETCS Level 2 on the East Coast Main Line. The digital system sends signalling information directly to the driver’s cab.
LNER reaches major digital signalling milestone on the East Coast Main Line
LNER has reached a significant milestone in its journey towards digital signalling, completing the first live operation of an Azuma train under European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Restoring the Portishead line is expected to generate £43 million of economic growth each year, unlocking housing and employment opportunities across North Somerset and Bristol.
New stations, faster journeys and better connections as work begins to restore Portishead line for the first time in 60 years
Work has started to restore passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol for the first time in 60 years by reinstating the Portishead line and building two brand-new stations Backed…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
New stations at Portishead and Pill will improve access to jobs and education while helping to reduce congestion on one of the region’s busiest commuting routes.
New stations, faster journeys and better connections as work begins to restore Portishead line for the first time in 60 years
Work has started to restore passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol for the first time in 60 years by reinstating the Portishead line and building two brand-new stations Backed…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
The restored Portishead line will offer hourly services to Bristol Temple Meads, with journeys taking around 25 minutes. That is less than half the time the trip can take by car during rush hour.
New stations, faster journeys and better connections as work begins to restore Portishead line for the first time in 60 years
Work has started to restore passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol for the first time in 60 years by reinstating the Portishead line and building two brand-new stations Backed…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
Work has begun to restore passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol for the first time in 60 years, reconnecting more than 50,000 people to the railway.
New stations, faster journeys and better connections as work begins to restore Portishead line for the first time in 60 years
Work has started to restore passenger rail services between Portishead and Bristol for the first time in 60 years by reinstating the Portishead line and building two brand-new stations Backed…
networkrailmediacentre.co.uk
More than a year of planning has gone into coordinating HS2’s major construction over the M42. By progressing the twin box and Water Orton viaducts during the same closures, Balfour Beatty VINCI is delivering complex infrastructure while minimising repeated disruption.
HS2 prepares for major motorway bridging works
Download footage of beams being installed on the twin box structure Download aerial footage of the twin box and the Water Orton viaducts Download images of the Water Orton viaducts and the twin box
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
Six 45-metre spans, each weighing 1,000 tonnes, are being assembled beside the M42 before being moved into position as part of the Water Orton viaduct extensions. The work demonstrates the specialist engineering expertise supporting HS2’s construction.
HS2 prepares for major motorway bridging works
Download footage of beams being installed on the twin box structure Download aerial footage of the twin box and the Water Orton viaducts Download images of the Water Orton viaducts and the twin box
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk
Delivering HS2 across the M42 requires engineering on a remarkable scale. Balfour Beatty VINCI’s teams are installing 175 precast beams for the twin box while extending two Water Orton viaducts across the motorway.
HS2 prepares for major motorway bridging works
Download footage of beams being installed on the twin box structure Download aerial footage of the twin box and the Water Orton viaducts Download images of the Water Orton viaducts and the twin box
mediacentre.hs2.org.uk