News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, Edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 140 - 15/09/2004
- RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues]
- RAIL MEETINGS [all issues]
- RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues]
- ST.IVES LINE [all issues]
- Richard Bowker confirms that SRA did not assess Cambridgeshire Guided Busway before offering support
- Hunts Post newspaper announces its alternative to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway
- Guided busway supporter admits that buses will not be enough to tackle Cambridge congestion
- CAST.IRON launches more merchandise to help fund fight against the guided busway
- STATIONS [all issues]
- RAIL SERVICES [all issues]
- Harwich branch to see through trains to London
- Televisions to be installed on trains
- Catering trolleys on Cambridge-Norwich service trains are withdrawn
- 'one' Anglia InterCity phase out Class 86s
- STATIONS [all issues]
- RAIL PROMOTIONS [all issues]
- RAIL ROUTES [all issues]
- PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues]
- WEBSITES [all issues]
The next Railfuture East Anglia branch meeting will be at the Assembly House in Norwich at 14:00 on Saturday 18th September 2004. Instead of having a speaker, it is intended to invite all rail groups to talk about their local issues and concerns. Each group will have five minutes to speak. If any representative of a group with a particular concern or issue wishes to have a 5-minute slot please can they contact Nick Dibben in advance. Groups who have confirmed are ESTA, March-Wisbech Bramley Line and CAST.IRON.
The Railfuture office has moved to yet another different room at The Colourworks. This time it's Room 205.
The Bedfordshire and Railway Transport Association, who successfully saved the Bedford-Northampton route around Olney, are holding a conference on Saturday 2nd October, 11:00-16:30, at the De Parys Hotel, Bedford. There are four guest speakers, including Allan Dare, Business Development Manager at Chiltern Railways and Steve Deane from the Wensleydale Railway Association, who will give an illustrated talk on the reopening success they are enjoying and how they came to achieve it, the problems they faced along the way. Conference costs £15, which includes lunch. Book now - BRTA, 24c St Michael's Road, Bedford, MK40 2LT.
ESTA will be having a stall at Ipswich Transport Museum on 3rd October.
Railfuture member Derek Langslow has been reappointed as chairman of Rail Passengers Committee for Eastern England for the next two years. He has been chairman for the past four years.
RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE
Ipswich tunnel reopens on time
Keywords: [IpswichTunnel]
Ipswich tunnel reopened on Sunday 5th September as planned. There were no problems handing back the line to 'one'. However, Network Rail scored an own goal by offering passengers free packets of mints as compensation. The well-intentioned "miserly" gesture was seen as insensitive especially by the national tabloid press.
RAIL MEETINGS
Rail Passengers Committee holds meeting in Cambridge
The Rail Passengers Committee for East England met on Tuesday 14th September at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in
Cambridge, CB2 3DT. Central Trains were quizzed about massive "unacceptable" fare increases, including
abolition of cheap day return fares. The positive news from Central was:
* CT has plans for a staff member at Cambridge to deal with issues and ensure passengers get their flights at Stansted
* CT hope to have five spare trains and crew on "hot standby" at key locations
* 10 Class 170 trains have been hired in from Midland Main Line to help capacity issues
* Additional toilet cleaning facilities to be installed
* Toilets on Class 158 units are to be replaced.
WAGN confirmed improved performance (over 90% punctuality) and route director James Adeshiyan commented that a year ago people were criticising the lateness of trains, but now it's faulty vending machines at the stations.
Network Rail hailed the Ipswich tunnel work as a success - RPC and passengers were happy at way the work
was handled. They are considering annual two-week blockades on the Great Eastern main line, and will seek
views. They also announced:
* Joint Network Rail and One control centre at Liverpool Street station by December 2004
* Colchester-Clacton resignalling due to start soon. It will be done on a like for like basis
* NR expect leaf fall season to be worse in 2004 compared to 2003 owing to heavy summer rain
* NR has no plans to sort our Ely North Curve as they can operate the timetable without it.
The meeting ended with a brief discussion about Cambridgeshire Guided Busway, with CAST.IRON giving a 10-minute talk about its plans. Cambridgeshire County Council was not invited to comment.
RAIL FRANCHISES
Stagecoach-Virgin re-enter race for ECML franchise
Keywords: [EastCoastFranchise]
On 1st September Stagecoach Group PLC and Virgin Rail Group announced that they would be rejoining the bidding for the East Coast Main Line franchise, which commences in 2005. They had withdrawn when Deutsche Bahn had pulled out. They are not deterred by the government's announcement performance of the current franchisee would be taken into account when awarding franchises, which was widely seen to help GNER's bid.
ST.IVES LINE
Richard Bowker confirms that SRA did not assess Cambridgeshire Guided Busway before offering support
In a letter to a CAST.IRON member on 8th September, Richard Bowker, chairman and chief executive of the SRA, confirmed in writing that the SRA did not consider CAST.IRON's proposals at all when giving support to the guided busway scheme.
Mr Bowker wrote: "The decision to support the guided busway scheme was taken after considering information contained in the Cambridge - Huntingdon multi-modal study, (CHUMMS), together with information supplied to the DfT and SRA by Cambridgeshire County Council which is in the public domain. The SRA's decision was made in April 2004 and CAST.IRON's documents were not reviewed as part of this process."
It is notable that the SRA, which regularly spends fortunes on consultants, chose not to independently consider the use of the St.Ives railway line, instead relying on the much criticised CHUMMS report and the applicant's (CCC) biased view of the guided busway.
Hunts Post newspaper announces its alternative to the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway
On 12th August the Hunts Post newspaper, which has been running an anti-busway "Boot out the [guided] bus" campaign
since 2001, published its ideas for an alternative transport solution. It consists of two parts:
* a beefed-up conventional bus service between Huntingdon, St Ives and Cambridge, with an express component between
Fenstanton and Girton Corner
* a light rail system between Longstanton [rather than St.Ives] and Cambridge, serving villages along the currently-disused
railway line and the Cambridge Science Park.
It would make use of the already-planned local road running alongside the widened A14 between Fen Drayton and Girton Corner and using the eastern part (Longstanton-Chesterton Junction) of the existing, but disused, St.Ives railway line.
The Hunts Post also suggests reinstating and electrifying the chord from the Science Park to the main Fen Line at Chesterton junction to allow through trains to London.
Guided busway supporter admits that buses will not be enough to tackle Cambridge congestion
According to a Cambridge Evening News article on 4th August, more than 42,000 extra journeys will be made in and out of Cambridge every day by 2011. Councillor Colin Shaw, Labour's transport spokesman, fears was quoted saying improved bus services (including the guided busway) and cycle lanes would not be enough to tackle the congestion. He said: "The problem in Cambridge is big and it is going to get bigger - we are the fastest growing area in the country". Surely a strong economic case for a reopened railway complimenting improved bus services? However, Mr Shaw is calling for a feasibility study to look into congestion charging, although Conservative cabinet member Shona Johnstone prefers physical demand management, such as rising bollards.
News item: http://w3.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/story.asp?StoryID=59119
Inquiry details: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/sub/eandt/planning/raptrans/inquiry.htm.
CAST.IRON launches more merchandise to help fund fight against the guided busway
Keywords: [CASTIRON]
CAST.IRON is confident it can raise funds to reopen the railway line. However, rather than asking members to renew memberships prior to seeing the busway defeated, CAST.IRON has some brand merchandise for sale: T-shirts with the 'No Mis-Guided Bus' logo on the front.
These can be purchased on-line for £15 (including postage and packing) using debit or credit card by visiting http://www.saveourstation.co.uk and clicking on "SOS SHOP". Although Save Our Station is not officially linked to CAST.IRON, as a licensed reseller for CAST.IRON merchandise, it has promised that profits from the sale of T-shirts or any other items on the website will be donated to CAST.IRON.
STATIONS
Beccles station area could become more welcoming
Keywords: [BecclesStation]
The run-down area around Beccles station was voted the town's worst eyesore in 2003. Plans to be submitted to Waveney District Council in September include a landscaped courtyard in front of the station; a new car park and bus bay; better pedestrian access to the station; and new homes nearby. The old maltings would be converted to homes or business premises. If approved, work could commence in early 2005.
RAIL SERVICES
Harwich branch to see through trains to London
Keywords: [HarwichBranch]
From December 2004 'one' intends to run direct trains from London to Harwich town, meaning that passengers will not need to change at Manningtree.
'one' has also confirmed that from 12th December the last train from London with a Southminster connection will be around 15-25 minutes later.
Televisions to be installed on trains
Central Trains has announced plans to install television screens on its trains, like Heathrow Express. However, these will initially only be on local trains in the West Midlands rather than the CityLink services that go to Norwich and Stansted Airport.
The 21-inch television screens, which some people consider to be an intrusion, would supply travel information, news, sports and entertainment. Central Trains claim an 80% approval of passengers in the Class 323 trains that piloted the service.
According to the Cambridge Evening news on 29th July, WAGN is also to install flat-screen TV's on its trains having signed a contract with TNCI UK (same supplier as Central) to install its TV systems on all its 98 trains and expects to start installing them before the end of 2004. Programmes will include ITN news and weather and will be funded through advertising. Passengers who were stuck on WAGN trains for up to four hours in August when a potential suicide occurred at Cambridge station would have welcomed a news service - WAGN didn't tell their passengers anything.
CEN article: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/search/dispstory.asp?id=58814&db=1.
Catering trolleys on Cambridge-Norwich service trains are withdrawn
Keywords: [CambridgeNorwichService]
It has been announced by 'one' that the loss-making on-train mobile trolley service on Norwich-Cambridge trains, which has operated on all bar the early and late trains since it commenced in September 2002, will be withdrawn from 6th September 2004. It has not been revealed whether 'one' considered utilising the trolley more efficiently e.g. by swapping trains at a half way point such as Thetford.
'one' Anglia InterCity phase out Class 86s
Keywords: [OneRailway]
On Saturday 30th October 'one' is to run a special farewell tour for the 100mph 1965/66-built Class 86 electric locomotives, which have hauled InterCity passenger train services between Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and London electrification in 1985 (to Ipswich, and 1987 to Norwich). The fares are £45.00 Standard and £70.00 First Class. Tickets can be booked only by calling 'one's special booking line on 01603 675102.
'one' press release: http://www.oneanglia.com/latest-information/news-detail.asp?id=599.
STATIONS
Derby Road station gets new footbridge
Keywords: [DerbyRoadStation]
Passengers at Derby Road station near Ipswich will have noticed temporary fencing and a temporary scaffolding-supported ramp from the road to one of the platforms, whilst the westbound platform building has been in pieces and fenced off.
A new pedestrian bridge, which also carries utilities across the track, has been installed. The regularly vandalised westbound platform building has been demolished. A bus shelter to replaces it.
Ware station gets enlarged car park
Ware station, which is just outside the East Anglia branch area, now has a better 100-space car park with CCTV, a help point and lighting. The old car park area will be used for new housing.
RAIL PROMOTIONS
Central Trains aims to get people back on trains for first time in years
Keywords: [CentralTrains]
Surveys show that many people in Great Britain haven't used the train in more than 20 years.
Central Trains has tried to get more people on trains by launching their biggest ever summer campaign called "Do more than just travel this summer". They aim promote awareness of Central Trains and its Citylink services. Central considers it a success having surveyed more than 1,000 of its passengers aged between 18-65 whilst on-aboard, with many saying they were surprised and impressed on how the trains had changed since their last trip, which for many was many years earlier. Central have followed up their promotion with billboard posters at roadsides and on buses advertising value fares. More than 600,000 homes in cities on Central Train's routes have received leaflets. The promotion has coincided with substantial fare rises (See RPCEE report above.)
RAIL ROUTES
East Suffolk line Community Rail Partnership formed
Keywords: [EastSuffolkLine]
The 'East Suffolk Community Rail Partnership' comprising 'one', Suffolk County Council, Suffolk Coastal District Council, Ipswich Borough Council and Waveney District Council has been formed to promote the Ipswich - Lowestoft 'East Suffolk' line. There will be a new dedicated line guide and the line will be promoted through links with local tourist attractions and other forms of public transport. The Community Rail Partnership has asked locals to design a logo for the line, which will be used on the partnership's official stationery and displayed on station signs, leaflets, timetables and other promotional material. The competition is over but the winner is still to be judged.
PRESERVED RAILWAYS
Mid-Norfolk Railway accredited as "Quality Assured Visitor Attraction"
Keywords: [MidNorfolkRailway]
The Mid-Norfolk Railway has recently been classified as a "Quality Assured Visitor Attraction" by the East of England Tourist Board for delivering a good overall standard of visitor experience. Volunteers were praised for their enthusiasm and friendly nature.
WEBSITES
Southminster branch has website
David Kirby has launched a website about the Southminster Branch that is operated by 'one' Railway. It is at http://www.southminster-branch-line.org.uk, and is not obvious how long it has been in operation, but appears to have been launched in July 2004.
Bluebell Railway website shows how quickly a railway line can be relaid
A section of the Bluebell Railway website http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/personal/jon-bowers/extension/ shows before and after photographs of their northern extension that will eventually link up with the national rail network at East Grinstead. This excellent interactive website shows just how quickly a wilderness can be transformed back into a railway. The images can also be seen on http://www.bluebell-railway.co.uk/bluebell/personal/jon-bowers/extension/pics1.html although this single-page may take some time to download (2MB).
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 140 - 15/09/2004
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