Latest news with #JacquelineStarr
Leader Live
26-06-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
New deal will end many mobile blackspots for rail passengers, Government claims
It made the claim after an agreement was signed between Government-owned Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. Passengers often suffer from dropped calls and weak internet connections when travelling by train. The new deal, named Project Reach, will initially see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the 'near future', the DfT said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels covering nearly 50km (31 miles), including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement 'brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure', and is expected to save taxpayers 'around £300 million'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. 'By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. 'This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.' Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and chief executive officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: 'We know how much customers value good mobile connections when they travel and we're delighted that a digitally connected railway will soon become a reality. 'Travelling by rail drives economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero. 'This vital upgrade to telecoms across the network will give everyone the opportunity to stay connected, wherever they're headed.' The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
North Wales Chronicle
26-06-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
New deal will end many mobile blackspots for rail passengers, Government claims
It made the claim after an agreement was signed between Government-owned Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. Passengers often suffer from dropped calls and weak internet connections when travelling by train. The new deal, named Project Reach, will initially see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the 'near future', the DfT said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels covering nearly 50km (31 miles), including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement 'brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure', and is expected to save taxpayers 'around £300 million'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. 'By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. 'This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.' Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and chief executive officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: 'We know how much customers value good mobile connections when they travel and we're delighted that a digitally connected railway will soon become a reality. 'Travelling by rail drives economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero. 'This vital upgrade to telecoms across the network will give everyone the opportunity to stay connected, wherever they're headed.' The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
South Wales Guardian
26-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Guardian
New deal will end many mobile blackspots for rail passengers, Government claims
It made the claim after an agreement was signed between Government-owned Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. Passengers often suffer from dropped calls and weak internet connections when travelling by train. The new deal, named Project Reach, will initially see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the 'near future', the DfT said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels covering nearly 50km (31 miles), including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement 'brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure', and is expected to save taxpayers 'around £300 million'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. 'By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. 'This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.' Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and chief executive officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: 'We know how much customers value good mobile connections when they travel and we're delighted that a digitally connected railway will soon become a reality. 'Travelling by rail drives economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero. 'This vital upgrade to telecoms across the network will give everyone the opportunity to stay connected, wherever they're headed.' The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
Rhyl Journal
26-06-2025
- Business
- Rhyl Journal
New deal will end many mobile blackspots for rail passengers, Government claims
It made the claim after an agreement was signed between Government-owned Network Rail and telecoms companies Neos Networks and Freshwave. Passengers often suffer from dropped calls and weak internet connections when travelling by train. The new deal, named Project Reach, will initially see Neos Networks install 1,000km (621 miles) of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along parts of the East Coast Main Line, West Coast Main Line, Great Western Main Line and Chiltern Main Line. There is an ambition to expand the cabling beyond 5,000km (3,107 miles) in the 'near future', the DfT said. Freshwave will tackle blackspots in 57 tunnels covering nearly 50km (31 miles), including the Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol. As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G and 5G infrastructure at these 12 railway stations: Birmingham New Street, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo. The DfT said the agreement 'brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure', and is expected to save taxpayers 'around £300 million'. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: 'This is a game-changer for passengers up and down the country, and will revolutionise journeys from Paddington to Penzance and Edinburgh to Euston. 'By boosting connectivity and tackling signal blackspots, we are also ensuring a more reliable and efficient service. 'This means better journeys for passengers while supporting our broader plan for change goals of economic growth and digital innovation.' Jacqueline Starr, executive chair and chief executive officer of Rail Delivery Group, said: 'We know how much customers value good mobile connections when they travel and we're delighted that a digitally connected railway will soon become a reality. 'Travelling by rail drives economic growth by connecting businesses and communities, improving productivity, and supporting the transition to net zero. 'This vital upgrade to telecoms across the network will give everyone the opportunity to stay connected, wherever they're headed.' The installation of infrastructure under Project Reach is expected to begin next year and be completed by 2028.
Scottish Sun
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Get your career on track as rail firms offer 2,000 apprenticeships in industry jobs boom
Read on to find out how you can prepare for redundancy in these troubled times SUNEMPLOYMENT Get your career on track as rail firms offer 2,000 apprenticeships in industry jobs boom Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HELP Britain keep on the move with a new career on our railways. This year marks the 200th anniversary of the modern railway and it's one of the few sectors that can still offer a solid job for life. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Railway 200 campaign marks 200 years of trains with 2,000 apprenticeships on track for 2025 and 8,000 more by 2030 Credit: Getty - Contributor However, as the network modernises and embraces new tech, it also needs pioneering talent to keep trains rolling into the next century and beyond. To celebrate the bicentenary and attract new staff, the nation's rail firms have launched the Railway 200 campaign. Championing railway careers, it is offering 2,000 apprenticeships this year and a further 8,000 by the end of the decade. Jacqueline Starr, chief executive of Rail Delivery Group, which represents operators, said: 'Apprenticeships provide a fantastic opportunity for people to start their careers in a variety of roles in rail. 'The rail industry plays a vital role in connecting communities and supporting the economy, and we need a diverse range of skills and perspectives to create the workforce of the future. 'As we celebrate the railway's rich heritage, we're looking to the future, investing in our people to help us deliver the high-quality, innovative service that passengers expect.' The apprenticeships on offer range from one to four-year schemes and are open to people from all backgrounds and ages, whether entering the workplace for the first time or looking to retrain in a career move. There are positions with employers nationwide and across the rail industry, including Network Rail, train and freight operators, manufacturers and the rail supply chain. The jobs span engineering to finance, train driving to sustainability, and IT to human resources, customer service and operations. Bosses are seeking to recruit more women, people from ethnic minorities and those with neurodiversity. How train driver skipped uni to earn £50,000 Neil Robertson, chief executive of the National Skills Academy for Rail added: 'These are good apprenticeships, mostly in skills-shortage disciplines, that are recognised all around the world. 'We are looking for committed people from a wide range of backgrounds to fill them.' For more, see TRACK TO THE FUTURE HOLLY Hardy Johnson spent 20 years as a zookeeper, looking after penguins and other birds and lecturing at a specialist college, before joining the rail industry as a learning and development trainer with Avanti West Coast. The 40-year-old from Nantwich, Cheshire, recently completed a Level 5 operation management leadership apprenticeship. She said: 'I've always had a passion for lifelong learning and joining the railway appealed to me as a career move – despite feeling scary. "I was able to transfer the knowledge and experience I gained as a lecturer teaching young people and adults to train new staff joining the railway. 'Now, I specialise in sustainability, inclusion, first-aid and safeguarding. 'My focus on delivering quality and project management means I have had the opportunity to work with organisations across the industry, including the British Transport Police and Network Rail. 'We strive to give the best training to our people, which in turn means we can help our customers and the planet.' BE STEP AHEAD OF JOB SHED 3 Mona Mourshed has supported thousands of people to switch careers - here she gives tips on how to become redundancy ready ONE in four employers plan to make redundancies in the next three months, so if you fear your job may be at risk it makes sense to prepare now. As CEO of training and careers support specialist Mona Mourshed has supported thousands of people to switch careers. Here she shares her expert advice to become redundancy ready. 1. Invest in your network. Think about who you already know working in the sectors you have your eye on and build those relationships – even when there isn't a job on the table. Don't know anyone in the space you want to work? Find events or online communities that can expand your network. 2. Know your priorities, flex on the rest. Make a list of everything you want then hone it down to only the most important things. In a tough job market, you need to be willing to flex on your nice-to-haves. 3. Think in terms of career stepping-stones. Your next role might not be your dream job but perhaps it can get you one step closer to it. You need to be thoughtful about how you can gain the skills and experiences that will move you closer to your long-term goals. 4. Do more than expected. Standing out is hard in a crowded field but, with the fast pace of change in the current labour market, there are opportunities for you to demonstrate your ambition. Raise your hand for new projects, bolster your skills through training and master new tools. 5. Stay the course. In a tough market, you'll need to apply to many more jobs than you would otherwise. Even though this process can be discouraging, put in the work and find ways to keep your spirits up until your efforts pay off. 6. Colleagues are as important as the role. Your new work colleagues and your manager will play a substantial part in making the job a positive working and learning experience – or not! Select your new role based on both the people you will be working with on a daily basis and on the job opportunity itself. JOB SPOT NATIONAL retail chain Accessorize is recruiting for sales assistants and deputy store managers nationwide. Search for posts, and availability near you, at CVs STRAIGHT IN BIN ONE in two job applications get thrown out immediately, a new study has revealed. With recruiters receiving an average of 22 applications for every vacancy, 11 are screened out immediately. A further six then fail at a phone-call stage, leaving just five to land an interview proper, research from employment search site Totaljobs reports. The most common reason to reject an applicant at first base was a lack of relevant skills, followed by no work experience. But a third of employers had seen enough after applications were poorly presented. Spokeswoman Natalie Matalon said: 'Candidates greatly improve their chances by ensuring skills and experience align with the role. Detail matters.' JOB SPOT BUILDERS merchants Plumbase need sales advisors, showroom managers and warehouse staff. See SO HOT TO TROT 3 Over half of office workers admit to leaving early in summer, with Friday the top day for the sneaky escape Credit: Alamy MORE than half of office workers admit leaving work earlier during the summer months. Friday is the most popular day for pulling the so-called summer sneak, with a third of employees confessing to bunking off before time without telling their boss. Two in five have called in sick to attend social events at this time of year, while 45 per cent lengthen lunch hours to take advantage of the warmer weather, a report from human-resources platform Dayforce reveals. A spokesman suggests: 'For organisations looking to minimise summertime sneaking, create a culture where people feel empowered to take the time off they need.'
