Issue 1398

Sparking action
She was dropped by her label so she took to releasing music herself. She was mistreated by managers so she’s set up a group to change the music industry. And when Netflix put paid to her big acting gig, Kate Nash went and made her own documentary and videos. By Antonia Charlesworth. Photos and cover: Yoshitaka Kono.

On track for a comeback
Old railway lines may be brought back into use to take traffic off roads, cut pollution and reconnect communities. Roger Ratcliffe finds campaigners are building up a head of steam to restore long-abandoned tracks for modern electrified train services. Photos: Howard Barlow.

Plus
Big Issue North launches new app Street News, the Huddersfield school set to close against parents’ wishes, tennis star Andy Murray’s letter to his younger self, columnist Saskia Murphy on the cold realities behind the warm words of the UK’s welcome to Afghan refugees – and much more.