... (fellow admins and moderators), please do not tidy it up ...

Red Arrows get first woman leader

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Wing Cdr Sasha Nash says she hopes "to inspire future generations of aviators" during her time in the role

The Red Arrows will be led by a woman for the first time in its history.

Wing Cdr Sasha Nash, who has taken over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins as the most senior officer in the Royal Air Force aerobatic team, described it as the "opportunity of a lifetime".

Nash said she was "incredibly proud", adding she hoped to "inspire future generations of aviators from all backgrounds".

In 2023, the team faced criticism after an inquiry found predatory behaviour towards women within the team was "widespread and normalised".

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The Red Arrows team has performed thousands of displays in more than 50 countries

Nash, a former Tornado pilot who has flown tours in Afghanistan, will command 150 RAF and civilian personnel at the team's headquarters at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, and have responsibility for overseeing all aspects of the operation.

"This is a career opportunity of a lifetime," she said. "If someone had told me 20 years ago that, one day, I'd be Officer Commanding of the Red Arrows, I don't think I would have believed it."

Talking about her passion for aviation, she said it had all started when she was a child. "I was a six-year-old little girl when I decided to join the Royal Air Force and to fly fast jets – inspired by air shows and seeing the speed and excitement of aircraft displaying at those events. That ambition stayed with me throughout school, where I achieved a sixth form scholarship and subsequent university bursary to join the RAF."

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Wing Cdr Sasha Nash has taken over from Wing Cdr Adam Collins

Nash, who has previously worked alongside the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, and played lacrosse for England at junior and senior level, paid tribute to her predecessor. "I've worked alongside Adam over the last couple of years and witnessed, first hand, his utter dedication to both the team and the RAF."

Collins, whose career saw him lead the team during its 60th anniversary season, as well as a five-week tour of Canada, wished his successor well. "I am confident that, under her leadership, the Red Arrows will continue to demonstrate our recipe of precision, excellence and teamwork across the globe," he said.

Speaking in 2024, Collins said the team had moved on from the harassment claims, saying at the time it was his job to "make people feel included, valued and respected".

Didn't take long to answer my own musings as a web search looped straight back to this very web site.

Mark

https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/t30230.html

I was in Wokingham a few months ago - I was surprised at how intimidating the combination of narrow pavements and 30mph limits was. But I'm less surprised that Wokingham folk tend to oppose 20mph limits; it's a different world there.

New Birmingham-Manchester rail link to be proposed

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The Northern Powerhouse rail project is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns

The government is set to announce its intention to build a new rail link between Birmingham and Manchester, the BBC understands.

Previous plans for the HS2 high-speed rail line had included a line between the two cities, but that part of the project was scrapped by Rishi Sunak's government.

On Wednesday, the government is also expected to confirm proposals for new and improved rail links across the North of England in a scheme known as Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR). Little detail about a new Birmingham to Manchester route is anticipated, other than the intention to build it after NPR is completed, meaning it may not happen for decades.

Plans to bring high-speed rail to the north of England were first put forward by former Conservative chancellor George Osborne in 2014.

A new rail line between Liverpool and Manchester is seen a central piece of the overall Northern Powerhouse rail project, which is aimed at cutting travel times between northern cities and towns as well as boosting the UK economy outside of London. But expected announcements from the current government were put on ice several times last year due to cost concerns.

Insiders said an extended review process of the project was under way in a bid to avoid mistakes made with HS2, which has been dogged by problems and costly delays.

HS2 is currently tens of billions of pounds over budget and around a decade behind schedule. Reports state that the now-shortened line between Birmingham and London could cost £81bn. Accounting for inflation, that would mean at least £100bn will be spent but only 135 miles of railway built.

HS2 Ltd, the company created by the Department for Transport, has accepted it failed to keep overall costs under control and said delivery has not matched what it described as the unrealistic early expectations.

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The new footbridge is set to open to the public in spring 2026

A new £7.9m footbridge connecting platforms at a railway station has been installed.

Network Rail says the new bridge over the Midland Mainline at Harlington Station, Bedfordshire, is designed to last for 120 years. It replaces an older bridge which had shown signs of corrosion.

Shak Munshi, project manager for Network Rail, said the bridge "represents a significant investment in modern, reliable infrastructure that will improve safety and create a better experience for everyone who uses the station".

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New bridge components were lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running

Network Rail said the installation was a key part of the station investment project, which also includes the renewal of platform surfaces, paving and yellow lines.

It was lifted into place over Christmas when trains were not running, meaning there was no disruption for passengers.

A 300-tonne crane with a 40m boom was used to lift sections weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes.

Jenny Saunders, Thameslink customer services director, said: "We look forward to the opening of the new footbridge, after which the car park will once again become fully available."

The project is set to be completed in spring 2026. Part of Harlington station's car park remains closed to accommodate construction facilities.

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A 300-tonne crane with 40m boom lifted into place new bridge components weighing as much as 9.1 tonnes

He added that the raised edge separating the cycle track from the pedestrian path also could pose a risk to cyclists.

Nope - GWR error there, combining both Bicester stations

Looe branch now confirmed as being closed until the 23 January.

BREAKING: Doris Whitcombe, 81, from Chislehurst didn’t expect to remove her shoes in public before 10am and neither did anyone else!

 Visitors to the newly opened Bramblewick & Lower Puddlecombe Heritage Railway were left confused, shoeless and slightly damp this weekend after management introduced full airport style security screening for anyone boarding or leaving the platform.

The unexpected measures appeared without warning on Saturday morning, complete with plastic trays, metal detectors, handheld scanners and several very serious looking volunteers wearing high visibility vests and expressions normally reserved for international departures.

Passengers hoping to enjoy a gentle ride behind the railway’s pride and joy, a gleaming LMS Black 5 steam locomotive, instead found themselves queuing politely while being instructed to remove belts, shoes, watches, loose change, sandwiches and in one case a suspiciously large fruit cake.

06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47

Facilities on the 06:35 Salisbury to Worcester Foregate Street due 09:47.
Will be formed of 3 coaches instead of 2 from Westbury.