New trains have been introduced on the rail route connecting Northampton, Milton Keynes and London.
Operator London Northwestern Railway (LNWR) has launched a fleet of 36 new trains. The class 730/2 rolling stock is comprised of 5 carriages, which the operator says brings an overall 20% increase in capacity over existing Class 350 trains on routes to and from Euston.
The trains also feature open gangways, charging point at all seats, tables, underfloor heating, luggage racks and a new air-conditioning system.
Designed and bult in the UK by Alstom at its Derby factory, the fleet will initially be rolled out between Northampton and London Euston, calling at busy stations including Milton Keynes Central, Tring and Watford Junction.
Later in 2025, the trains will also enter service on the Trent Valley line between Crewe and Euston, calling at stations including Lichfield Trent Valley, Nuneaton and Rugby.
The first Class 730/2 in passenger service was run yesterday (09/06), with two 730 units forming up an afternoon service from London Euston to Northampton. The fleet’s entry into service follows a grand launch event at Euston on Friday 6 June.
Ian McConnell, LNR managing director, said, “Our fantastic Class 730/2 fleet is the cornerstone of our £1billion investment into the railway. These trains will make a real difference, bringing more capacity and modern features to the millions of commuters and leisure travellers who use our services to and from London each year.
“We are excited to bring these new electric trains onto our network from today, with the whole fleet expected to be rolled out by the end of 2026. I am certain they will prove a hit with our customers.”
Dominic Booth, chief executive officer of LNR’s parent company Transport UK, added, “We’re proud that as part of our £1billion transformation investment, London Northwestern Railway is introducing a whole new fleet of British-made Class 730 trains.
“These state-of-the-art electric trains will enhance our customers’ experience and significantly increase overall capacity, allowing us to serve more passengers across the West Coast Main Line and at London Euston.”
Rob Whyte, Alstom’s UK and Ireland managing director, also commented, “We are all incredibly proud to see the Class 730/2 fleet – designed and built right here in the UK at our Derby facility – enter service. These state-of-the-art trains represent a major step forward in sustainable, high-capacity rail travel and are a testament to the dedication and expertise of our teams.
“This milestone reinforces Alstom’s commitment to delivering innovation that transforms the passenger experience and supports the future of British rail.”
The trains will primarily be maintained at LNR’s traction maintenance depot in Bletchley, which has undergone £80million in upgrade work to accommodate them.
Northampton Town have announced the signing of goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons, who joins from National League North play-off winners Scunthorpe United.
The 31-year-old goalkeeper has signed a one year contract at Sixfields and becomes the Cobblers’ fourth new signing ahead of the 2025/26 season.
Fitzsimons had spent two years at Scunthorpe, with the goalkeeper being named in the National League North’s Team of the Season after helping Scunthorpe achieve promotion via the play-offs.
He played 48 times in all competitions for the Iron, who had offered him a contract to stay in Lincolnshire before his decision to return to the EFL with the Cobblers.
In his career, Fitzsimons has previously been contracted to the likes of Crystal Palace, Bolton, Chelmsford, Notts County, Boston, Stockport, Weymouth and Chesterfield, as well as playing European football for Gibraltar side St Joseph’s.
The move is intended to see Fitzsimons join as competition for Lee Burge and James Dadge, with Nik Tzanev having been let go by the Cobblers at the end of the 2024/25 season.
Fitzsimons also reunites with Northampton manager Kevin Nolan, having played for Notts County during Nolan’s spell as manager at Meadow Lane.
Nolan told the official Northampton website that he was excited to be working with a familiar face next season.
He said, “Ross is a goalkeeper I know all about. He did really well for me at Notts County and I know how he works, what makes him tick and how to get the best out of him.
“His performances last season were fantastic, he broke all sorts of records and picked up the Goalkeeper of the Year Award at the National Game Awards which says all you need to know about how well he did and he deserves this opportunity.
“He is here to challenge, support and work with Lee Burge and James Dadge and to be part of a strong goalkeeping unit and he is another good character to add to the dressing room which is important.”
The Milton Keynes-born football star Leah Williamson is in the squad for England at the upcoming European Championships.
England captain Williamson is part of the 23-player squad selected by Sarina Wiegman as the European champions prepare to defend their crown won in 2022.
The 28-year-old is back in a squad for a major tournament, having had to miss the World Cup in 2023 through injury.
Williamson referred to her call-up as “the greatest honour” in a post on Instagram.
England face a tough group at the upcoming Euros in Switzerland, with matches against France, the Netherlands and Wales waiting for them at the tournament.
Their first match is against France in Zurich on 5th July, with the Lionesses having one final pre-tournament warm-up game against Jamaica at Leicester’s King Power Stadium on 29th June.
The Lionesses are reigning European champions, having won the tournament in 2022. An England team that included Williamson beat Germany 2-1 after extra-time in a final held at a packed Wembley Stadium.
Williamson is one of several stars of that team to return for the 2025 tournament, including final goalscorers Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly, along with the likes of Keira Walsh, Alessia Russo, Georgia Stanway and Lucy Bronze.
Nine players from the 2022 squad are not included, with five having retired. Among those who have retired include Mary Earps and Fran Kirby, who have both announced international retirements within the last month, while Millie Bright, who captained England in Williamson’s absence in 2023, made herself unavailable for selection.
Milton Keynes City Council hosted a special lunch and awards presentation this week for local people who volunteer in its Family Centres.
Alongside its dedicated centre staff, more than 50 local volunteers help out at these 10 popular centres.
The event was held to celebrate Volunteers Week, which is held between June 2nd and 8th.
MK City Council’s Family Centres welcome more than 3,000 residents each month and are open all year round. They offer a range of activities and courses for families with children plus support for adults who may not have children or whose children have grown up and left home.
Volunteers help in a variety of areas – from welcoming visitors and setting up group activities to tidying equipment away, answering the phones, and gardening.
The people honoured at the event were joined by the Mayor of Milton Keynes, Cllr James Lancaster.
Volunteers’ Week is held each year as an annual celebration of the contribution millions of people make across the UK through volunteering in their communities.
Lisa, a volunteer at Moorlands Family Centre, said, “I’ve volunteered at Moorlands Family Centre for a few years now – helping to run groups and events as well as creating displays for our visitors. They’ve personally helped me out and I think that giving back to the centres is brilliant. From my volunteering I’ve now gone on to do an apprenticeship with the council to work in the centres – it has been great for me, and I’ve very much enjoyed it.”
Lucy, a volunteer at Moorlands Family Centre, added, “I love being a part of something bigger than myself and contributing to a cause that truly matters. Whether it’s offering my time, skills or simply lending a hand. I find joy in connecting with people and giving back to my community. Volunteering has taught me empathy, strengthened my sense of gratitude and reminds me how small acts of kindness have a lasting impact.”
Councillor Joe Hearnshaw, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, added, “I want to say a huge thank you to all the volunteers who support our Family Centres. They are true community heroes and give so much of their energy and compassion to help others. Thanks to their efforts, alongside our dedicated centre teams, we’re able to run more sessions and expand the support we provide to local people.”
Former MK Dons boss Russell Martin will be the new Head Coach of Scottish side Rangers.
The 39-year-old has been appointed as a permanent successor to Phillippe Clement, who left the Glasgow-based club in February, and as a replacement for Barry Ferguson, who had been in caretaker charge since Clement’s departure.
Martin has signed a 3 year contract at Ibrox, returning to a club who he played for on loan in 2018. He will be joined at the club by Assistant Head Coach Matt Gill and Performance Coach Rhys Owen.
The move sees Martin return to management for the first time since leaving Southampton. Martin had won promotion with Southampton via the Championship play-offs in the 2023/24 season, but was sacked after winning one of the first 16 games in the Premier League in the just-concluded 2024/25 season.
Before his time with the Saints, Martin had stints at MK Dons and Swansea as a Head Coach.
At MK Dons, Martin was appointed in November 2019 as a successor to Paul Tisdale, with Martin able to keep MK Dons up in the covid-shortened 2019/20 campaign before managing a 13th place finish in the 2020/21 season. He left on the eve of the 2021/22 season to take the Swansea City job.
The move to appoint Martin is Rangers’ first following their takeover by a US-based consortium last week, with the Scottish club having been also linked with former Real Madrid assistant manager Davide Ancelotti, ex-boss Steven Gerrard and former Feyernoord boss Brian Priske before choosing Martin.
Martin told the official Rangers website of his delight to get the job with the Glasgow club, who have finished as runners up to Celtic in each of the last four seasons.
He said, “It is a privilege to be named Head Coach of Rangers Football Club at the beginning of this exciting new chapter.
“I know what this club demands. From my time here, I had a taste of how special this club is, the expectation, the passion and the history. Now, as I return, I’m determined to bring success back, for the supporters, the players, and everyone inside this club.
“There’s a lot to be done, but the goal is clear: win matches, win trophies, and give Rangers fans a team that they can be proud of. We want to play with bravery, to take the ball, to be aggressive, and to stand up in the big moments.”
