The sign is seen commonly at both underground and overground stations, but its purpose and role on the railway network appears to have left many travellers baffled

The purpose of a small sign that appears prominently beside London Underground and overground railway tracks has seemingly left many puzzled for years. Each one displays a series of numbers and letters alongside a slider, which prompted one person to seek answers online.

“What’s this for?” they asked in the London Underground community on Reddit alongside a snap taken of one of the signs at a Tube station. The question received responses from several knowledgeable individuals, with one explaining: “Its a Datum Plate, believe they are used for measuring height and track alignment, so it can be checked during engineering works and safety inspections.”

A second person agreed: “This is right on the money. This is the same as the ones on the National Rail network.”

While a third provided additional detail: “Trackmen use it to ensure the track is at the right level to the platform. My understanding is the track and the slider need to be set to level and everything is okay.

“If it’s way off the would be concern the train could collide with platform. My father fitted these many years ago, I remember having a kitchen full of them one upon a time.”

Then a fourth Reddit user highlighted: “Track datum plate some have red sliders, some are green sliders.

“Red is the current installed position. Green is absolute so basically the designed position.”

On YouTube, railway enthusiast Railway Mayhem suggests datum plates hold the “secret” to keeping the railways running smoothly.

“The coloured block is the key – if they have a red block, it shows where the track was when the plate was first installed, ensuring the train stays at the correct distance from the platform edge,” they explained.

“But if it is a newer green block, that indicates that the ideal track position according to new modern standards.

“Taking into account the speed limit and the slope and incline of the track, engineers use the information from the plates along with precise surveying tools to make adjustments ensuring the track is perfectly aligned for safe and smooth train travel.”

Elsewhere, the Railway Shop, which sells such plates that are no longer in use, states on its website: “Datum plates are fixed to structures (bridges, platforms and overhead line masts, etc.) that are located near the track.

“The details on the plate specify the relative position of the track from said structure, which can then be monitored for movement.”

Ryanair is closing its seven-aircraft base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, cutting over two million seats a year

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Ryanair is poised to reduce flights from several UK airports following confirmation it will close a significant base in Germany.

The airline has revealed it will shut its seven-aircraft operating base at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) from October 24, 2026. As part of this decision, Ryanair confirmed it will slash its flight capacity to and from the German capital by 50% during its winter timetable, reports the Express.

This means routes between Berlin and UK cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh are anticipated to be impacted. Ryanair presently operates direct flights from those airports to Berlin multiple times weekly, with journeys lasting approximately two hours.

While the airline has not specified which particular UK routes will be axed, it stated its Berlin passenger numbers will drop from 4.5 million to 2.2 million in 2027. The carrier added that over two million Ryanair seats annually will be lost as a consequence of the closure.

Ryanair confirmed it will maintain services to Berlin, but using aircraft stationed outside Germany. All seven Berlin-based aircraft will be relocated to lower-cost airports in other EU nations, including Sweden, Slovakia, Albania and Italy.

The airline attributed escalating airport charges and aviation taxes in Germany for the move.

Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson said: “We regret to announce this planned closure of our seven aircraft Berlin base from 24 Oct 2026, but we have no alternative following the Airport’s latest 10% fee increase to its already high airport fees.

“This comes on top of the 50% increase in Berlin’s airport fees since 2019. Despite Berlin Airport losing 30% of its pre-Covid traffic thanks to its excessive airport charges, and Germany’s stupid aviation tax regime, they have now decided to increase charges by a further 10%, which will result in the loss of more than 2m Ryanair seats p.a. and seven based aircraft.

“Ryanair will still serve Berlin but on a/c based outside Germany and our Berlin traffic will fall by 50% from 4.5m to 2.2m pax in 2027.”

He added: “German aviation is broken. The Govt. admits that it is uncompetitive, yet there is no strategy to cut aviation taxes or high airport fees – despite Ryanair warning that Germany would lose traffic, connectivity, jobs and trade.”

Mr Wilson also warned that additional reductions in Germany were “now inevitable” without significant cost reform.

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He went on to say: “Efficient operations and competitive airport fees are the foundation which enable Ryanair to deliver long-term traffic growth and increased connectivity for airports and regions.

“This is impossible at Berlin following the German Govt’s failure to abolish its harmful aviation tax and Berlin Airport’s decision to again increase its already high airport fees.”

Ryanair confirmed that pilots and cabin crew based in Berlin have been informed of the planned base closure. Consultations with staff are set to commence imminently, with those affected being offered the opportunity to apply for alternative positions within the airline’s wider European network.

Nigel was diagnosed with a brain tumour after experiencing slurred speech that led to seizures

A Co Tyrone community are rallying around a father of four who is fighting against a terminal brain tumour.

Omagh resident Nigel Humphrey, 40, has been unable to carry out everyday tasks, work, or drive since receiving the diagnosis in March 2025.

Initially, it was thought that Nigel was dealing with a low-grade tumour. But on April 14, he received the devastating news that the tumour had progressed further and was now a grade four glioblastoma which has not responded to radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

The devoted father has been told there are no further treatment options available to him, and he has now been referred to the palliative care team. His family is now raising £110,000 to fund advanced overseas treatment including debulking surgery and personalised immunotherapy, as they fight to give him more time.

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Nigel’s sister Amanda told Belfast Live: “We as a family don’t accept that this is the end fo the road and we want to do everything we can to help Nigel. He wants to fight this for his kids. We started researching and looking into different avenues including going abroad for alternative therapies.

“We have had support to help him get his body prepared for these treatments. A specialist in London has started him on new medication, supplements and a specialist diet. He is on a hydration and oxygen inhalation machine which was purchased by a friend of the family.

“We are on a very limited timeframe and we need to get him over to Turkey to start this treatment to help prolong his life. There are travel, accommodation and medical expenses so we are trying to raise as much money as possible because we as a family aren’t capable of affording it all.

“The community has been great, his friends have stepped up and come together. There have been some great prizes put up for raffles by people and we appreciate all of their efforts. All proceeds are going towards Nigel’s treatment and we really appreciate people donating.”

Amanda said Nigel loved sport and passing his passion onto his children. He previously played for Beragh Swifts and also took pride in his car, which his sister said he spent hours detailing. Nigel has also completed several projects around his house that highlighted his independence.

He is the father of 14-year-old twins Emma and Thomas. Nigel also has two other sons, Scott who is 26, and William, 22. Nigel was working full-time as a welder F and H engineering in Omagh when he was diagnosed.

Amanda added: “Nigel is too good to just give up on, he is independent and tries to do things for himself. He is struggling a bit with his speech at the moment but is determined to keep fighting. Since we set up the GoFundMe campaign he has been so positive to everyone around him.”

To find out more or to donate to the fund, click here .

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A mixture of weather is forecasted by the Met Office for the week ahead

The Met Office has forecasted a mixed bag of weather for the region over the course of this week.

The “unsettled” pattern will see a dry start to the week with sunny spells predicted for early Monday before a risk of evening showers sets in around evening.

A spokesman from the Met office said Monday would be: “A dry day with good sunny spells and light winds. A few showers arriving from the northwest in the evening. The maximum temperatures will be 15C.”

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The mid-week outlook will see a mixture of sunshine and showers on Tuesday and Wednesday, with longer spells of rain possible on Thursday.

Rounding out the week, Friday and the weekend are expected to again be a mixture of weather, continuing the early week pattern anticipated.

Here’s what the Met Office’s Mark Sidaway had to say: “Bank holiday Monday will remain changeable, with lingering cloud and scattered showers across southern and central areas, but these should be lighter and fewer than over the weekend.”

“Farther north and northeast it will feel fresher and cooler, with a few scattered showers, some possibly wintry over higher ground in the far north east.

“Winds will be mostly light to moderate, though stronger at times in the far northeast, and while temperatures will be close to average for many, it will feel noticeably chillier in northern and north-eastern areas.”

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Anglian Water is set to upgrade old water pipes

A Cambridgeshire road will be closed for around two months to upgrade water pipes. Anglian Water will begin work on Gadd’s Lane in Wisbech from Tuesday, May 5, running until July.

During this time, the road will be closed. An Anglian Water spokesperson said: “We’re upgrading older water pipes on Gadd’s Lane from May 5 to reduce bursts, low pressure and interruptions, helping keep your water reliably.

“To do this work safely, Gadd’s Lane will be closed while we install the new pipe.” During the road closure, people who live along the road will still be able to access their properties.

The work will begin near Leverington Common, with access from the Barton Road end. As Anglian Water moves along, access will change to Leverington Common end.

The Anglian Water spokesperson added: “Your water will stay on as normal while we work, and if we ever need to turn it off for a short time, we’ll let you know in advance. We know we’ve been working in Wisbech recently and really appreciate your patience while we carry out this next phase of improvements.”

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