29 June 2004
Much of the session duplicated discussions during the CORE transport activists roundtable on 24 June 2004. However, more details of the forthcoming Government rail review were revealed. Cause for concern was the £2bn overspend left by the Rail
Regulator.
The Department for Transport will become responsible for letting franchises, taking over this work from the Strategic Rail Authority. Local rail services are likely to be included in local transport plans.
There are signs that the Treasury is interested in more stand-alone branch lines being let on long leases to micro-franchise/community-run services similar to the Wensleydale Railway which has just installed a passing loop for £45,000, a fraction of the cost Network Rail would have charged.
The St Erth- St Ives branch is thought to be a likely example.
There is an emerging conflict between DfT objectives to reduce global warming and the Treasury's need for motor taxation.
A five-year plan for transport is being considered as is an “untargeted” programme for iprovements.
A DfT study suggests “soft” measures could cut local peak traffic by as much as 20%.
The Government has responded to the Way to Go campaign and acknowledged diverting investment from road building to public transport would benefit lower income groups and social inclusion in contrast to road spending which mainly benefits higher income groups.
Congestion costs have been accepted as the most important issue related to road user charging benefits but this is because the environmental benefits are more difficult to value accurately.
After 2006, under the new First Great Western franchise, HSTs will loose “grandfather” rights. Services on routes like Swindon-Cheltenham will have to be equipped with selective door opening to call at stations with short platforms.
Alix Stredwick, ex Railfuture campaigns director, gave a presentation on “Cycling for Women in London”.
This has been prompted by increasing numbers of women drivers and related health issues. Fear of traffic is a major obstacle and it is clear more segregated cycle ways are needed to encourage more cycle use. Cycle theft is another issue. Some 15,000 thefts were reported in London last year. This is due to about 70% of people in inner London living in flats where secure cycle storage is poor.
Anthony Rae, Yorks & Humber TAR, has approached the area Regional Assembly with a business plan and a request for a funding contribution and has been awarded £1000.
Laura Wren is conducting a research project into the role of consultation in public policy-making, transport and land use planning.
The Commission for Integrated Transport has indicated it could attend two meetings a year with the Core TAR group. A National TAR meeting was proposed with Advantage West Midlands in Birmingham
There was concern over how funding could be allocated to rail services by regional transport boards because identifying rail costs at such local levels is difficult.
Norman Bradbury
30/6/04
Much of the session duplicated discussions during the CORE transport activists roundtable on 24 June 2004. However, more details of the forthcoming Government rail review were revealed. Cause for concern was the £2bn overspend left by the Rail
Regulator.
The Department for Transport will become responsible for letting franchises, taking over this work from the Strategic Rail Authority. Local rail services are likely to be included in local transport plans.
There are signs that the Treasury is interested in more stand-alone branch lines being let on long leases to micro-franchise/community-run services similar to the Wensleydale Railway which has just installed a passing loop for £45,000, a fraction of the cost Network Rail would have charged.
The St Erth- St Ives branch is thought to be a likely example.
There is an emerging conflict between DfT objectives to reduce global warming and the Treasury's need for motor taxation.
A five-year plan for transport is being considered as is an “untargeted” programme for iprovements.
A DfT study suggests “soft” measures could cut local peak traffic by as much as 20%.
The Government has responded to the Way to Go campaign and acknowledged diverting investment from road building to public transport would benefit lower income groups and social inclusion in contrast to road spending which mainly benefits higher income groups.
Congestion costs have been accepted as the most important issue related to road user charging benefits but this is because the environmental benefits are more difficult to value accurately.
After 2006, under the new First Great Western franchise, HSTs will loose “grandfather” rights. Services on routes like Swindon-Cheltenham will have to be equipped with selective door opening to call at stations with short platforms.
Alix Stredwick, ex Railfuture campaigns director, gave a presentation on “Cycling for Women in London”.
This has been prompted by increasing numbers of women drivers and related health issues. Fear of traffic is a major obstacle and it is clear more segregated cycle ways are needed to encourage more cycle use. Cycle theft is another issue. Some 15,000 thefts were reported in London last year. This is due to about 70% of people in inner London living in flats where secure cycle storage is poor.
Anthony Rae, Yorks & Humber TAR, has approached the area Regional Assembly with a business plan and a request for a funding contribution and has been awarded £1000.
Laura Wren is conducting a research project into the role of consultation in public policy-making, transport and land use planning.
The Commission for Integrated Transport has indicated it could attend two meetings a year with the Core TAR group. A National TAR meeting was proposed with Advantage West Midlands in Birmingham
There was concern over how funding could be allocated to rail services by regional transport boards because identifying rail costs at such local levels is difficult.
Norman Bradbury
30/6/04