ALSTOM says it is ready to start test running at its Valenciennes test centre in northern France with its Urbalis communications-based train control (CBTC) and Huawei's LTE 4G telecommunications system.

FROM December trains operating on the cross-border link between Zevenaar, the Netherlands, and the German border, will only be able to use ETCS Level 2 signalling with signals along the line and the Dutch ATB-EG automatic train protection system set to be removed.

AS part of continuing efforts to improve Europe's transport infrastructure through the Trans-European Network (TEN-T) programme, the European Union has allocated €320m to support 106 projects, including €50.25m to fund 50% of the cost of 18 rail project studies.

SPAIN's high-speed network infrastructure manager, Adif Alta Velocidad, has awarded a €98.6m upgrading and 20-year maintenance contract for a 65km section of the Barcelona – Valencia main line to a consortium led by CAF Signalling.

THREE investigations have been launched in France following a rear-end collision on July 17 between a TER passenger train and a TGV at Denguin, 14km west of Pau on the Tarbes - Dax main line.

POLISH infrastructure manager PKP PLK announced on July 1 that dynamic testing has begun on Poland's first ERTMS Level 2 installation.

A JOINT study by the Norwegian and Swedish infrastructure managers, Jernbaneverket and Trafikverket, recommends upgrading the heavy-haul line linking Kiruna and Narvik to meet a forecast growth in traffic.

A CONSORTIUM of Qatari Diar Vinci Construction (QDVC) and Alstom was awarded a €2bn design-build contract by Qatar Railways for the Lusail light rail project at a ceremony in Paris on June 23 attended by President François Hollande of France and Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Tani, Emir of Qatar.

THE board of Alstom has unanimously approved General Electric's (GE) bid for its energy division after the French government agreed to purchase a 20% stake in the company from its lead shareholder, Bouygues, for around €1.7bn.

WITH Alstom's board set to meet on Monday at the latest to reach a decision on the takeover of its power division, both General Electric (GE) and Siemens-Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) have improved their offers in an attempt to address concerns and get their respective deals over the line.