Revoking Stonehenge A303 tunnel consent would be 'unacceptable'



A proposal to revoke planning consent for a tunnel to be built near Stonehenge has been described as "completely unacceptable".

The controversial plan for the A303 was originally given planning permission in 2023, but the scheme - which had already had £179.2m spent on it - was scrapped last year due to finances. However, the government revoking permission altogether would mean that - if the idea was ever revived - the planning process would have to start again.

Wiltshire Council's leader said this would "disregard years of planning, consultation and investment", while the Department for Transport (DfT) said challenging finances had led to "difficult decisions" about a number of road projects.

Despite the axing of the scheme, the power to build the tunnel – called a development consent order – currently remains in place following approval by the previous Conservative government. But the DFT has issued a draft revoking order, with a consultation until 21 November, before a final decision is made.

Councillor Ian Thorn, leader of Wiltshire Council, said the proposal would "throw away a once-in-a-generation opportunity to improve one of the region's most vital transport corridors".

"The consequences of this decision are far-reaching. It would condemn local communities to continued congestion and rat-running," he added. Mr Thorn also said the government had not discussed alternatives and the move would make it harder to "unlock" jobs and investment in the region. He vowed to contest the government's intention in "the strongest possible terms."

A DfT spokesperson said: "Given the challenging financial picture we inherited, we had to make difficult decisions about a number of road projects as they were unfunded or unaffordable. We remain committed to investing in projects that deliver for the taxpayer and drive growth, which is why we are investing nearly £5 billion in this year alone on our Strategic Road Network to support its maintenance, enhancement, and ensure smoother journeys."

The Scotsman[/url] has a picture of the actual slip, and some new text

That's a lot to do in a short time for one person!  Especially when adrenalin is flowing.

Sensors installed to detect movement in the hillside above the site of the Glasgow-London train derailment in Cumbria appear to have failed to avert the incident, an industry source has told The Scotsman. The first carriage of the 11-coach Avanti West Coast service came off the tracks at 6.10am on Monday when it hit an “object” following a suspect landslip, Network Rail has said. Four of the 87 passengers and crew suffered minor injuries in the incident on the west coast main line near Shap. Network Rail has installed tilt meters or “inclinometers” to detect soil and rock movement since 2022, starting in Scotland. That followed a ScotRail train crashing into a bridge parapet after it hit landslide debris at Carmont, near Stonehaven, in 2020, in which three people died. Network Rail said the sensors sent alerts to control rooms when there was more than a five degree tilt. The industry source said: “The area is very prone to earthworks issues, and getting worse with climate change. “Much of the railway in the fells is built on the side of the hills, so the drainage off the fields is often across the railway. “The area was already staked out with movement detectors, which, for whatever reason, do not appear to have prevented the derailment by stopping train movement in time.” The source also said the Pendolino train had “stayed upright and within the railway alignment, which it is designed to do. The train couplers effectively hold the front vehicle upright and in line. “Luckily nothing was coming the other way and the train hit no obstructions, unlike at Carmont.”    However, another industry source said ...

Train hero who saved passengers during attack named


Samir Zitouni is credited with saving lives on the train

A rail worker credited with saving multiple lives during a mass stabbing on a train has been named as Samir Zitouni.

The 48-year-old's actions on the Doncaster to London King's Cross service on Saturday evening were described as "nothing short of heroic". Mr Zitouni remains "critically unwell" but stable in hospital, British Transport Police said.

Anthony Williams, 32, of no fixed abode, was charged with 10 counts of attempted murder relating to the train stabbing and a count of attempted murder in connection with an attack in London on Saturday.

Mr Zitouni has worked for LNER for more than 20 years.

David Horne, LNER managing director, said: "In a moment of crisis, Sam did not hesitate as he stepped forward to protect those around him. His actions were incredibly brave, and we are so proud of him, and of all our colleagues who acted with such courage that evening. Our thoughts and prayers remain with Sam and his family. We will continue to support them and wish him a full and speedy recovery."

It is thought Mr Zitouni "blocked" the attacker from stabbing a girl, leaving him with a gash on his head and neck. In a statement, his family said they were " immensely proud of Sam and his courage".

"The police called him a hero on Saturday evening, but to us he's always been a hero," they said. "We have been deeply touched by the outpouring of love and kindness shown to Sam, and by the many well-wishes for his recovery. The care provided by the hospital and the support from his colleagues at LNER has been incredible."

On Monday morning, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told BBC Breakfast the bravery he showed was "utterly remarkable" after putting himself "in harm's way".

"There are people who are alive today who wouldn't be… were it not for his actions."

Peter McDonald, the Liberal Democrat chairman of Cambridgeshire County Council, also paid tribute to the "extraordinary bravery" shown by Mr Zitouni. He said: "In a moment of great danger, Sam put the safety of others before his own. Thanks to his courage and presence of mind, lives were saved." He further praised the efforts of all the emergency service staff involved and those employed by the train operator and Network Rail.

Ten people on board the LNER train, which stopped at Huntingdon in Cambridgeshire, were taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital. An eleventh person went to the hospital later. Seven of those have been discharged and four remain in a stable condition, British Transport Police said.

The attack took place on the 18:25 GMT LNER service from Doncaster, South Yorkshire to London's King's Cross station. Passengers said one person brandishing a knife began stabbing people on the train after it passed through Peterborough.

(BBC article continues)

Jaiden Shehata was hit by a train as he crossed a rail line at Kenley on his way to school

An 11-year-old boy who was hit and killed by a train at a level crossing is believed to have been distracted by a video on his mobile phone, an investigation has found.

Jaiden Shehata was walking to school on 23 January when he was struck by a Southern train travelling at 50mph (31km/h) at the Bourneview footpath crossing near Kenley in south London, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said.

Like many footpath crossings, the site does not have warning lights or barriers and users are expected to stop, look, listen and decide when to cross.

Network Rail said it was taking "significant steps" to help prevent any similar deaths, including by installing safety features.

Investigators said CCTV footage appeared to show Jaiden walking towards the crossing, looking ahead and down at a "glowing object" almost certain to be the illuminated screen of a phone in his hands, with his coat hood pulled over his head.

Analysis of his phone suggests a video clip was playing at the time of the accident. After seeing Jaiden start to cross the railway, the driver sounded the horn and applied the emergency brake. He looked up in response but did not have time to move clear before the train reached the crossing.

The RAIB said the accident happened because Jaiden did not perceive the risk associated with the train, probably because he was distracted by his phone.

Jaiden, a pupil at the nearby Riddlesdown Collegiate secondary school, had regularly used the crossing on his way to and from school since starting there in September 2024, the RAIB said.

Network Rail's most recent risk assessment of the location in May 2023 documented six near misses between 30 November 2018 and 9 February 2023. There was a previous death, in March 2020, which was recorded as a deliberate act.

The RAIB has recommended that curriculum setters for UK schools work with railway infrastructure managers to introduce "targeted and locally relevant railway safety lessons to pupils of all ages". It also made two recommendations for Network Rail, in partnership with industry body the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB).

The first was to make the dangerous area at level crossings more noticeable - particularly to people whose attention may be distracted - and the second was to consider whether different approaches to "risk mitigation" at the sites were needed for younger users.

An RSSB spokesperson said: "Ensuring safety at level crossings remains a key priority for RSSB and the rail industry, and we will be working collaboratively to consider and implement the RAIB's recommendations."

Lucy McAuliffe, Sussex route director for Network Rail, said: "There are no words sufficient to express our sorrow after such a loss. We are taking significant steps to help prevent a tragedy like this from happening again. Following close work with Croydon Council, the crossing was temporarily closed on August 11."

"In December, we'll be installing miniature stop lights to improve safety by providing a clear signal and warning sound to let people know when it is safe to cross. We are studying the RAIB report carefully and will act on its recommendations."

Lift shaft obscuring the signal…

Lift shaft obscuring the signal…

The Trust is delighted to invite you to our ‘Reading Runabout’ on 16th November, a vintage bus day to conclude the 2025 event season.  An invited selection of buses and coaches that once operated in the Reading area will give visitors a varied experience of bygone travel.

​The event is centred on St Mary's Butts (RG1 2LG) with buses stopping at Reading Station (North exit).  FREE services run out and back to Tilehurst Triangle, Donkin Hill, Wokingham Road and the University campus.

Feeder services will run in to Reading from:

Maidenhead Station, departing King Street Stop RA (0915), via Twyford High Street (0935) and Charvil Wee Waif (0940) arriving Castle Street (1005) courtesy of the Trust.

Oxford Bus Museum, departing Long Hanborough (0930) via Seacourt Park & Ride (0950) and Wallingford Market Place (1020) arriving Castle Street (1100) (courtesy of Oxford Bus Museum).

Feeder service returns from Reading will run to:​

Maidenhead Station, departing St Mary's Butts Stop CS (1600) via Charvil Wee Waif (1620) and Twyford High Street (1625) and arriving King Street Stop RB (1650).

Oxford Bus Museum, departing West Street Stop CU (1530) via Wallingford Market Place (1610), Seacourt park & Ride (1640) and arriving Long Hanborough (1700).

​​Morning shuttle buses will run from Reading Station (North side, Stop NB) to St Mary's Butts from 1025 with services calling at the station through the day.