'On track and online' Landmark deal to end mobile dead zones

COMMUTERS will soon be able to work seamlessly and stay connected with loved ones as the Transport Secretary lands a landmark deal to eliminate mobile blackspots on Britain's busiest rail routes.

The breakthrough agreement will transform daily journeys for millions of passengers who currently face the frustration of dropped calls and interrupted streaming on key routes between:- London, Manchester, Newcastle and Cardiff.

The deal, named Project Reach and signed today between Network Rail, and telecoms companies, Neos Networks and Freshwave marks the end of passengers having to pause important work calls or cut short conversations with family members when trains enter notorious signal blackspots.

The project's innovative commercial model brings together public and private sector investment and infrastructure and is expected to save taxpayers around £300 million while creating a high performing digital connectivity backbone for businesses, supporting the UK's digital ambitions.

Project Reach will initially see Neos Networks deploy 1,000 kilometres of ultra-fast fibre optic cable along the East Coast Main Line, parts of the West Coast Main Line and the Great Western Main Line, with ambition to expand beyond 5,000 kilometres in the near future.

In addition to this, Freshwave will tackle signal blackspots in 57 tunnels, covering almost 50 kilometres, including:- the 4-kilometre-long Chipping Sodbury tunnel near Bristol.

As part of the deal, mobile network operators will also invest in new 4G/5G infrastructure at 12 of the biggest Network Rail stations across the country including:- Birmingham New St, Bristol Temple Meads, Edinburgh Waverley, Euston, Glasgow Central, King's Cross, Leeds, Liverpool Lime Street, Liverpool Street, Manchester Piccadilly, Paddington and Waterloo.

Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, 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."

This is a multi-year project with the 1st installation of mobile infrastructure expected to begin in 2026 and fully rolled out by 2028.

The enhanced network will also enable better monitoring of railway assets and facilitate new technologies that rely on improved connectivity, paving the way for more reliable train services and improved safety for railway workers.

Jeremy Westlake, Network Rail's Chief Financial Officer, said:- "I'm delighted that we have now signed this innovative deal with our partners Neos Networks and Freshwave. This investment model will deliver the necessary upgrades to our telecoms infrastructure faster whilst offering significant value-for-money for the taxpayer and stimulating wider economic benefits across the country. As we move towards becoming a unified railway with the formation of Great British Railways, the enhanced telecoms infrastructure will play a key role in our ambition to provide a data-driven railway of the future, delivering better connectivity and a better, more reliable train service for our passengers."

Lee Myall, CEO of Neos Networks, said:- "Project Reach will support the upgrade of the UK's connectivity infrastructure, creating new data superhighways that will drive the UK's digital ambitions forward."

This partnership marks a major stride towards improved performance and better services for passengers as part of Great British Railways, as the Transport Secretary continues to deliver the Government's Plan for Change with a more connected, efficient, and passenger-focused railway fit for the future.

It also builds on £41 million confirmed in the Government's National Infrastructure Strategy to introduce Low Earth Orbit Satellite Connectivity (LEOSC_ on all mainline trains, significantly improving both the availability and internet data connection speeds for Wi-Fi connected passengers.

Lifesaving Bowel Cancer Tests for People 50 and Over

LIVERPOOL City Council welcomes the news that thousands more residents will now receive home testing kits that can help detect early signs of bowel cancer.

The NHS bowel cancer screening programme has recently expanded to include people aged 50 and over.

Previously screening began for anyone aged 60.

Bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in Liverpool, and it is often diagnosed too late. Early detection through screening and being alert to symptoms can dramatically improve treatment outcomes.

Now, those aged 50+ will automatically be sent a free home test kit, known as the Faecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) every 2 years.

The test checks for hidden blood in a small stool sample which is a possible sign of bowel cancer.

Participants will receive an invitation letter with full instructions for the test which is quick and easy to use.

The kit contains return packaging and results are sent back by post, along with guidance on next steps if further tests are needed.

Regardless of age, anyone experiencing symptoms should speak to their GP don't wait for your screening kit.

Symptoms to look out for include:-

• Tummy discomfort or pain.
  

• Blood in faeces.
  

• Diarrhoea or constipation with no obvious cause.
  

• A feeling of not fully emptying your bowels.
  

• Pale or loose stools.
  

• Unexplained weight loss.

People aged 75+ can request a kit by calling the NHS bowel screening helpline on:- 08007076060.

More information is available online at:- NHS.UK.

Liverpool resident, Dr Natalie O'Tham, was sent a lifesaving screening kit when she was 54. She said:- "I was surprised to receive the screening test in the post. The kit came with easy-to-follow instructions to hygienically take a sample and return it in the post. I had never been ill with anything and had no symptoms of bowel cancer, so I was shocked when I found out that I needed a follow up which confirmed the cancer diagnosis. I told my daughter, and we shared a few tears. I had a further MRI test to assess the cancer stage and thankfully it was an early stage when it was treatable. It was a huge relief when the consultant confirmed that the cancer had not spread. I'm now recovering well, and I've been walking the dog regularly to build my stamina back up. I'm looking forward to going back to work in a few weeks."

Natalie has some advice for everyone who receives a bowel screening kit:- "Just get on and do it! I had no symptoms and could never have known I had cancer. Looking back, it feels surreal that I had cancer for 6 weeks and now it's gone. I feel very lucky."

Cllr Harry Doyle, Cabinet Member for Health, Wellbeing and Culture, said:- "Extending bowel screening to more people across Liverpool will offer peace of mind to many and increase the chances of catching cancer earlier when it's far more treatable. It also supports our wider ambition to help residents live longer, healthier lives and reduce projected rises in cancer rates."

Professor Matt Ashton, Director of Public Health for Liverpool City Council said:- "We know that early detection saves lives, so we fully welcome this expansion of the screening programme. It's also vital that people stay alert to the symptoms of bowel cancer whatever your age or eligibility and speak to their GP if something doesn't feel right."