Contactless ticketing is set to become available at Bletchley railway station as part of an expansion of the service.
The station is one of 14 stations served by London Northwestern Railways (LNWR) to have upgraded Pay As You Go (PAYG) contactless technology to be installed from Sunday 2 February.
The technology comes as part of a £20 million government investment to modernise the network, which was previously intended to be introduced in 2024 and is intended to offer simpler and more flexible payment options across the South East at 47 more stations on lines across the region heading into London.
Contactless PAYG technology has been introduced on more rail lines in recent years, having first been introduced in the UK on suburban rail routes in London.
It is as yet unknown when this technology may be expanded to Milton Keynes Central, Wolverton, further stations northwards on the West Coast Main Line or stations on the Marston Vale line connecting Bletchley with Bedford.
LNWR confirmed that as well as Bletchley station, the infrastructure will be introduced to Apsley, Berkhamsted, Bricket Wood, Cheddington, Garston, Hemel Hempstead, How Wood, Kings Langley, Leighton Buzzard, Park Street, St Albans Abbey, Tring and Watford North stations.
The equipment had already been introduced at Watford Junction and stations down to London Euston.
In a statement, LNWR said, “Passengers travelling to and from these stations will only need their contactless card or device to travel, providing easy access to the best priced adult fare available on the day. The PAYG upgrade also allows customers to benefit from daily and Monday – Sunday caps. Current methods of ticket purchasing such as paper tickets and online purchases, remain available.”
Jonny Wiseman, customer experience director at LNR, said: “We’re excited to launch this upgraded PAYG technology across more of our stations in the South East, bringing flexible travel to customers across the Abbey Line, and between Watford Junction and Bletchley.
“Ahead of the launch, we encourage passengers to read up on the new system before they travel, with information available via our website.”
The government’s Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy, said in a statement that the system was intended to try to help simplify purchasing rail tickets for travellers.
Lord Hendy said, “The ticketing system is far too complicated, so we’re taking the stress out of navigating the labyrinth of fares and replacing it with new technology so passengers can simply tap-in tap-out, while being guaranteed the best fare available at the time on the day.
“This hassle-free technology will simplify thousands of journeys every day for passengers across the South East, and it’s something we will roll out to other cities as soon as we can, unlocking growth across the country as part of our Plan for Change.
“We are delivering the biggest overhaul of our rail network in a generation, putting passengers at the heart of every journey and encouraging more people to choose rail.”
Milton Keynes City Council has encouraged local residents and visitors to share their views in the annual Community Safety Survey.
As part of the Safer MK Partnership, the City Council is seeking to hear residents’ opinions in a survey that gathers feedback and concerns from the community, which is then used to inform proposals aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour and other local crime concerns.
Results from the survey play a crucial role in shaping community safety measures. In recent years, feedback has helped the city council secure almost £750,000 in funding to enhance safety in the city centre, with the installation of improved street lighting and CCTV.
Concerns about anti-social behaviour have driven improvements such as a new management system for cases, ensuring a swift resolution and better support for victims. The city council is also continuing its work with Thames Valley Police to address violent crime through awareness campaigns and targeted action.
The Community Safety Survey is open until 31 January 2025. It takes just a few minutes to complete and can be accessed via the city council’s website.
Cllr Amber McQuillan, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said, “We’re dedicated to working with our partners, local people, and businesses to create a safer, more welcoming Milton Keynes. Your feedback ensures that our resources are directed towards addressing the issues that matter most to you. The results from previous surveys clearly demonstrate the power of community input in delivering meaningful change.”
MK Dons slumped to defeat as they were beaten 4-2 by League Two leaders Walsall
The visitors had taken the lead against the runaway division leaders when Scott Hogan gave MK Dons a first half lead.
But Walsall equalised through David Okagbue before Liam Gordon put Walsall in front within the opening minute of the second half.
Further strikes by Harry Williams and Albert Adomah put the home side out of reach, and although substitute Kane Thompson-Sommers scored a consolation, defeat means MK Dons remain stuck in midtable.
The Dons sit 12th in the League Two table, with the team now 8 points off the play-offs, having won just one of their last seven outings.
Scott Lindsey’s side had debuts for Dan Crowley and Jay Williams after their recent moves to Milton Keynes, with further arrival Tommi O’Reilly starting among the bench.
The game represented a test for the Dons, with Walsall having won 8 straight games to set up a double digit lead at the top of the table. The Saddlers had received a setback in the lead-up, however, with top scorer Nathan Lowe recalled from his loan at the team by parent club Stoke City.
MK Dons had made a solid enough start and took the lead after 14 minutes. A long pass by Aaron Nemane released Hogan, who was deemed onside, and the former Aston Villa & Birmingham striker was able to charge to the penalty area before sliding an effort beyond Walsall keeper Tommy Simkin.
Jamie Jellis saw a chance at a corner denied by Tom McGill as the home side had moments without finding a way through.
But just after the half hour mark, Walsall did get back on level terms. McGill was unable to control a corner into the box, and Okagbue ultimately got the touch that bundled the ball over the line to bring the Saddlers back on level terms.
The Dons did prevent Walsall from building on this in the first half, with Liam Kelly nearly putting them back in front with a strike just before the break that flew just wide.
But Walsall flew out of the blocks in the second half, with the home side taking the lead less than a minute into the second half.
Connor Barrett’s cross bounced off Aaron Nemane and ended up falling for Gordon, who drilled a shot home and put the leaders ahead in their goal for a ninth straight win.
The home side had plenty of opportunities for a third after that, with Jellis having a strike cleared off the line by Luke Offord and McGill having to deny Gordon.
A third would fall the home side’s way with 25 minutes of the 90 to go, as the Dons never dealt with a long throw and the ball ricocheted for Williams to rifle past McGill.
MK Dons would end up contributing to Walsall’s fourth, as a rushed clearance by McGill was intercepted before Thompson-Sommers could control the ball, allowing Walsall to work the ball through for veteran attacker Admoah to score.
Thompson-Sommers would grab a late second for the Dons, with the midfielder receiving Nemane’s deflected cross and planting home a first-time strike.
But that was the end of the scoring, with the Dons slumping to a fifth defeat in seven. The team’s next match will see them have their rescheduled trip to Fleetwood on Tuesday, before next weekend’s big clash with AFC Wimbledon.
Police have released an E-fit image of a man we wish to trace in relation to a robbery in Bletchley.
The incident happened at approximately 11.17am on Tuesday 17 December at the bus station in Bletchley.
During the incident, the offender has attempted to steal the victim’s bag and jacket.
The offender is described by Thames Valley Police in their incident report as a white man, aged between fifty and sixty, with grey unkempt hair and a grey medium length beard.
In addition, the report stated that the offender was seen to be wearing a big green coat, black trousers and black shoes and was seen to be carrying a black bag on his shoulders.
Investigating officer Detective Constable Kateryna Shamshuryna-Acland said, “We are releasing an E-fit depicting a man we are looking to trace in connection with this incident.
“We would particularly like to speak to two individuals who spoke to the victim following the incident.
“We would ask anyone who recognises this man to please come forward and contact us on 101 quoting reference 43240609911.
“If you do not wish to speak the police you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Northampton slipped to a home reverse as Lincoln City won 1-0 at Sixfields.
One goal decided the contest in the Cobblers’ favour as Tendayi Darikwa bundled in a winner for the visitors, who picked up their first win in five games.
Defeat saw Northampton slip to 20th position in League One, although they do maintain a five point advantage on the division’s bottom 4 that occupy the relegation zone directly below them.
Having seen a home match with Barnsley last week postponed due to a frozen pitch, Kevin Nolan’s side returned to Sixfields to seek back-to-back league wins for the first time under their recently appointed boss and indeed first time this season.
Northampton had started reasonably brightly without making big chances, with their closest chance seeing Freddie Draper nearly head into his own net.
Lincoln made a few half chances as the first half progressed without threatening, but with 38 minutes gone, it would be the visitors that struck first. Ben House’s initial strike hit the post with Nik Tzanev beaten, but Darikwa charged on to meet the loose ball first and he duly drilled in the rebound.
The visitors nearly doubled their lead when Draper was denied by Tzanev a few moments later.
Northampton did make a bright enough start to the second half, with TJ Eyoma’s header just going wide before Lincoln goalkeeper Zach Jeacock thwarted Tom Eaves’ header.
Eaves nearly equalised in a spectacular manner later on, with the striker’s 25-yard half-volley having to be tipped over by Jeacock.
But the home side ultimately ran out of time for an equaliser, with the result also seeing Northampton fail to score at home for their third game in a row at Sixfields.
The Cobblers now face back-to-back away games, starting with a tricky-looking trip next weekend to face second place Wycombe.
