£61m train signal replacement complete


A new train signalling system has been installed in Carlisle

A £61m project to upgrade a train signalling system has been completed, on a route which is undergoing a series of upgrades.

The Kingmoor resignalling project on the West Coast Main Line at Carlisle, in Cumbria, has seen 1960s systems modernised, including brighter signal lights and new systems, Network Rail said.

Work began in April, but went live after a seven-day closure of the line between Carlisle and Lockerbie for "final installation, testing and commissioning".

It is as the line between Preston and Carlisle is also closed for the demolition and replacement of the Clifton railway bridge, which is expected to reopen on 15 January.

Network Rail said journeys would be more reliable after the "once-in-a-generation overhaul of the signalling system".

Work carried out by principal contractor Siemens Mobility included:
- 26 lightweight LED signal heads replacing traditional bulbs
- New detection systems to monitor train movements
- Upgrades to track and points for the new systems
- Overhaul of signalling power supplies
- New control panels installed for signallers in Carlisle signal box
- Digital operating systems installed in the signal box relay room
- Upgraded CCTV at Floriston level crossing


Brighter LED signals would be easier for train drivers to see, Network Rail said

Buses are running between Oxenholme and Carlisle until 15 January, with a shuttle rail diversion running on the Settle to Carlisle line between Preston and Carlisle.

Meanwhile, the M6 will shut between junction 39 at Shap and junction 40 near Penrith over the weekend, from 20:00 GMT on 9 January to 05:00 on 12 January, so a new bridge can be put in place.

Lorry stuck on slope after smashing through fence


The lorry crashed into an industrial unit in Wingate Close on Wednesday

A lorry became wedged on a steep bank after it left the road and smashed through a fence at an industrial estate in Nottingham.

Nottinghamshire Police said it was called at 04:15 GMT on Wednesday after the lorry and its trailer left the road and crashed into an industrial unit in Wingate Close.

The driver, a man in his 60s, was freed from the wreckage and taken to hospital, where he is being treated for injuries not believed to be life-altering.

The lorry is now stuck between the industrial unit building and the slope leading up the damaged fence while police inquiries continue.


Pictures from the scene show the lorry getting stuck after going through the fence

Pictures of the scene show the rear end of the lorry's trailer bent upwards on a steep slope while the cab had gone through the fence and ended up near a warehouse building.

It is currently unclear what caused the vehicle to leave the road.

A police spokesperson added: "An investigation into what happened is ongoing."

Passer-by Gary Hurst captured the size of the police and ambulance response

Three schoolchildren have fallen through a window from the top deck of a bus in Greater Manchester, police have said.

A large emergency response attended following the incident on Bolton Road in Ashton-in-Makerfield shortly before 16:00 GMT.

The children have "potentially serious injuries" but they not thought to be life-threatening, Greater Manchester Police said.

An investigation was in the early stages but Inspector Simon Barrie said it "appears to be an unfortunate accident".

"This is a serious incident that will cause disruption," he said. "Our priority is to make sure the children get the treatment they need in hospital. Thankfully we don't believe their injuries are life-threatening."

Councillor Danny Fletcher, of Ashton-on-Makerfield South ward, posted on Facebook and said some of the children had suffered potentially life changing injuries. "I've spoken with our policing team this afternoon," he said. "As we know, three young people have fallen from a top floor side window of a school bus and have been taken to Manchester Children's Hospital, some with potentially life changing injuries. I've contacted the schools involved to ensure they have council support if needed. Sending my thoughts and all my love to the kids and families involved."

The road has since reopened.

Transport for Greater Manchester said: "Our thoughts are with those injured and we want to wish them a speedy recovery. Emergency services remain at the scene, and we are working closely with the bus operator in supporting police with their enquiries into the incident."

UK's second busiest passenger ferry port closes after berthing incident

The UK's second busiest passenger ferry port has been forced to close after a berthing incident as a ship docked.

It is the second time in a year that Holyhead has been closed to ferries.

Stena Line, which operates the port, said the incident happened as its vessel Stena Estrid arrived on Wednesday morning from Dublin.

Irish Ferries said they "expect this situation to be resolved this afternoon" and that sailings would resume on schedule from 17:30 GMT on Wednesday.

Wales' transport secretary Ken Skates said he met with Stena representatives and "sought their reassurance on the integrity of the port and services".

The port operates Terminal 3 and Terminal 5.

However, Terminal 5 was closed following an incident in December as one of the ferries docked in the port. Poor weather conditions delayed underwater surveys, with repair work expected to get underway this month.

In the meantime, both Stena Line and Irish Ferries were sharing Terminal 3, after altering their timetables to accommodate both services running from a single terminal. But with Terminal 3 out of action, it meant no ships were able to dock.

The Stena ship Estrid was travelling from Dublin at 04:30 on Wednesday and was due to dock at 08:00. The ferry company said all passengers and freight operators "disembarked as normal".

A Stena spokesperson said: "A berthing incident occurred on Wednesday 7 January 2026 as the Stena Estrid berthed at Holyhead Port. The incident is currently being investigated".

In a statement, Irish Ferries said "all customers impacted by delays are being contacted, and we sincerely apologise for this disruption".

(BBC article continues)

That would end the week long intense courses of driving lessons followed by the driving test, though I would imagine trying to book a test to match when you’d have a week of lessons may be tricky these days.

School coach crash with bus leaves 18 injured


Emergency services were seen at the slip road following the crash

Nine school children have been injured following a crash between a bus and a coach on a slip road that saw two people taken to hospital.

The children on a school coach in Reading, Berkshire, suffered minor injuries, along with the coach's driver.

Eight adults on a bus were also injured in the incident on the A3290 slip road onto the Sutton Seeds Roundabout at about 08:25 GMT.

South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) said two people were taken to the Royal Berkshire Hospital for further treatment, while three adults and three children were still being assessed for minor injuries. The other 10 people were discharged at the scene.


Several ambulances were on the scene of the crash that injured 18 people

A Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service (RBFRS) spokesperson said it was initially called to a vehicle fire on the slip road and that it found the crash and the bus's engine on fire on arrival. Firefighters left at about 10:45.

RBFRS, SCAS and Thames Valley Police asked people to avoid the area as there is likely to be disruption while emergency services are at the scene.

Another two-car collision on the same slip road on Wednesday morning resulted in no injuries, SCAS added.

Liverpool Baltic: Public vote for Merseyrail station's new name



A new Merseyrail station, which will stand on the site of one which closed more than a century ago, will be called Liverpool Baltic, the city region's mayor has revealed.

The name was chosen by public vote and references the surrounding Baltic Triangle area in Liverpool. It will be built on the site of St James station, which closed in 1917.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said it was "a testament" to the success of the area's regeneration. He said the Baltic Triangle had "undergone a true renaissance over the last few years, transforming itself from a forgotten industrial area into a vibrant, creative and thriving place".

"The station's name is a testament to that success - and will unlock a host of new opportunities... boost footfall and improve connectivity to the rest of the city region."

The original St James station opened in 1874 and was named after the nearby parish church, but closed as a cost-cutting measure during World War One.

It was decided the new station, near Parliament Street and on the Merseyrail Northern Line, would need a new name to avoid confusion with the existing James Street station in the city centre. Liverpool Baltic won 78% of the public vote, with Liverpool Parliament Street in second and Liverpool Riverside third.

It will be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick stations and due to open in 2025 as part of Mr Rotheram's wider ambition to extend the Merseyrail network.

Councillors back £100m plans for railway station


It is hoped the new Liverpool Baltic station will be finished before the end of 2027

Plans for a new £100m railway station in Liverpool have been backed by councillors.

Liverpool City Council hopes Liverpool Baltic station will "stimulate further development" in the city's Baltic Triangle district.

Work on improving roads in the area is expected to commence in the autumn, while construction work on the new station is due to begin in early 2026.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram said he was delighted that "another major milestone" in the project had been passed. Rotheram said it was part of a wider vision to improve the public transport network. He said the project complements existing rail projects including a new £500m fleet of trains, accessibility improvements across the network, and future plans for three more new stations at Daresbury in Halton, Woodchurch in Wirral and Carr Mill in St Helens.

The target date for opening the new Liverpool Baltic station is the end of 2027.

"For decades there were no new stations built on our network," said Rotheram. "It's not just about improving connectivity – it's about creating new opportunities, connecting our communities to jobs, education, and each other, and contributing to a healthier, greener Liverpool City Region."

The mayor said passengers at the new station would have step-free access from pavement to train, modern facilities, toilets and secure cycle storage.

The station, set to be located on Merseyrail's Northern Line, will serve one of the city's most dynamic districts. The Baltic Triangle was named the "11th coolest neighbourhood in the world" by Time Out magazine in 2023.

You're only as strong as your weakest point.

What's the nature of today's problem?

TfL drivers this evening are telling passengers that the OLE won’t be fixed tonight and not to bother travelling tomorrow.

Hadn't realised quite how long this scaffolding has been there - looks like they put it up in April 2021!