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East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issue 161 - 13/01/2007

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News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, Edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.

Railfuture News Snippets 161 - 13/01/2007



The Railfuture East Anglia branch AGM will be on Saturday 24th February 2007 at the Library, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1TZ, starting 14:00. Those who were unable to attend may be interested to know that the speaker at the Cambridge meeting on 2nd December was Larry Heyman from First Capital Connect.

Dominic Booth left 'one' at the end of December 2006 to take up the role of Managing Director of Ned Railways UK Ltd, the overseas arm of the Dutch national railway company. He has been succeeded by Andrew Chivers, an engineer by background, who has worked at Thames Trains, Chiltern Railways and most recently Londonlines.

Between 09:00 and 11:00 on Friday 26th January, First Capital Connect will be hosting an online forum, in which the public can put their questions to management including Managing Director Elaine Holt. To take part, simply log onto http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk. This third forum provides an opportunity for passengers who were unable to take part in the "Meet the Manager" session at King's Cross in December.

On Saturday 24th February ESTA will hold its spring meeting in the Council Chamber at Southwold Town Hall. One of the speakers will be Tony Debney of First Eastern Counties. The other speaker is still to be confirmed. In order to fit in with bus arrival times from Halesworth and Lowestoft, the meeting will start at 13:30.

Rod Eddington's report into the long-term links between transport and the UK's economic productivity, growth and stability, which was published in December, can be found online at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/independent_reviews/eddington_transport_study/eddington_index.cfm.

Network Rail is expected to publish its Route Utilisation Study for the East Anglia region in the first quarter of 2007. According to a recent ESTA newsletter, it is likely to identify the Beccles loop (which a recent consultant's report costed at £2.4 million) as an option to be considered.

Since 2nd January all cycle charges have been abolished on 'one's train services, although restrictions still apply at certain times and reservations are still advised.


STATIONS
Consultation on relocation of Lowestoft Station further away from seafront

Keywords: [LowestoftStation]

As stated previously in Snippets, 1st East, the government-sponsored regeneration company, has proposed moving Lowestoft station from its current ideal position - adjacent to the shopping centre and within easy walk of the beach - 350 metres westward towards Oulton Broad to make way for more development. The company has now issued a consultation document, under the name of the local authority, Waveney District Council, setting out how it proposes to redevelop Lowestoft town centre.

East Suffolk Travellers' Association (ESTA) is campaigning against these plans and is asking for scheme opponents, including reader so Snippets, to write to the Planning Office, Waveney District Council, Town Hall, High Street, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1HS before 19th February making their views known. It is also possible to complete an online questionnaire on the 1st East website http://www.1steast.co.uk.

Railfuture President Peter Lawrence (who also chairs The Wherry Lines CRP) wishes to hear from any Railfuture member on their views on anything else 1st East's Preferred Option and Draft Sustainability Appraisal for Great Yarmouth and Lowestoft Local Development.

PlusBus finally comes to Cambridge

The PlusBus train/bus ticket schemes has now been launched in Cambridge, at the same time as Liverpool and Fareham thereby completing its rollout to all 'major areas' of Britain making it available to more than half the population, according to organisers Journey Solutions. Giles Fearnley, who headed Prism Rail, the former owners of WAGN, is the Chairman of PlusBus.

Unfortunately it appears that PlusBus gives a discount of just 10p compared to the Stagecoach Dayrider, covering the same area, although it also covers Whippet buses.

Barriers introduced at more stations

In December First Capital Connect introduced automatic ticket gates at Stevenage. This is part of a programme that will see barriers at other key stations served by FCC including Cambridge, where they recently reached agreement with station operator 'one'. Meanwhile 'one' is to install similar gates on platforms 8-10 at Liverpool Street, bringing the number of barriers at the station up to 65 for 50. Investment at Liverpool Street by Network Rail in 2007 will see replacement of the old Solari Flap rolling board style main departures board, which dates from the station rebuilding, with a modern electronic version.

'one' attempts to poach First Capital Connect passengers with 'Whittlesford Parkway' free car parking

Keywords: [FirstCapitalConnect]

Whittlesford railway station has been renamed Whittlesford Parkway by 'one', who are trying to encourage passengers to switch from rival FCC's station at Royston by offering free car parking for a year for the first 100 applicants who swap their Royston annual season ticket for a 'one' season ticket from Whittlesford Parkway.


EAST WEST RAIL LINK
Marston Vale line gets further upgrade to increase line speed

Keywords: [EastWestRail]

The Bedford to Bletchley "Marston Vale" line, which forms a crucial part of the East West Rail Link, will close for a week-long blockade after the last train runs on 10th February so that Network Rail can remove a number of speed restrictions ? some as low as 20mph. The line will be closed again between 28th May and 1st June for further work to be done, ultimately allowing line speeds to be raised to 60mph in both directions on much of the route.

The line, which is currently served by Silverlink prior to transferring to the West Midlands franchise in November 2007 has recently been given Community Rail status, along with the Gainsborough line between Marks Tey and Sudbury.

Public consultation on design of the new Aylesbury Vale Parkway station

Although not in the branch area, the new Aylesbury Vale Parkway station, due to openin 2009, is important for East Anglian rail users as it represents an important stage in the East West Rail Link, as the extension of the passenger network three miles north of Aylesbury is one step closer to reinstating the rail link from the west to Bletchley.

Funding for the station from the Community Infrastructure Fund was awarded by the DfT in early 2006 to support the new housing development at Berryfields. However, the station requires planning permission before it can be constructed and Buckinghamshire County Council is seeking the views of the public on the design of the scheme. Snippets readers are requested to visit http://www.buckscc.gov.uk/aylesburyvaleparkway and respond to the consultation. Feedback is needed by 9th February.


ROLLING STOCK
CCTV cameras fitted on 552 'one' train carriages in 2006

Keywords: [OneRailway]

CCTV cameras capable of recording high quality images have been fitted to 136 of 'one's trains on its class 315 (61 units) and Class 321 (all 77 units) fleets following completion of a £4m programme during 2006. The Class 321 units operate on the mainline routes between Ipswich, Harwich, Clacton, Walton, Colchester, Braintree, Chelmsford, Southend and London) whilst the Class 315 units operate on the Metro and West Anglia routes between Shenfield, Cheshunt, Enfield, Chingford and London). The improvements to the latter were funded in partnership with Transport for London.

In total, 552 carriages were modified in 2006 in addition to the 84 carriages already fitted (21 Class 360 units), making 636 carriages overall. Plans are in place to fit some of the Class 317 fleet with CCTV during 2007, as well as upgrade CCTV provision at stations.

Regenerative braking to be introduced on 'one's Desiro units

In order to maintain the railway's environmental credentials, and also to reduce costs, electric trains can be fitted with regenerative braking facilities along with the changes to the OHLE infrastructure. When the brakes on trains are applied electricity can be generated and passed back into the energy supply system, so that it is available to other trains on the network.

In December 'one' completed testing the regenerative braking facility on its Class 360 Desiro EMU fleet, which are used on the old 'Great Eastern' routes from Liverpool Street. Tests showed that a reduction of 16% in electricity usage was achievable. Whilst all new EMUs in the UK have this facility, Network Rail had only recently made the Great Eastern Mainline compatible. Nine EMUs had regenerative braking switched on before Christmas, with the remainder scheduled for switchover by the end of January.

First Capital Connect to improve interiors of trains on Great Northern route

Keywords: [FirstCapitalConnect]

First Capital Connect will be spending £2m to improvement the interiors on its Class 365, 313 and 317 trains that operate on the Great Northern route. This spending, primarily to improve seating and flooring, is in addition to the money promised by First when it won the franchise. Refurbishment of the units will commence in March 2007, with each taking about one week. Their work is due to be completed by the end of 2007.


RAIL OVERCROWDING
First Capital Connect holds stakeholder meeting to discuss overcrowding

Keywords: [FirstCapitalConnect]

On 11th December First Capital Connect held a meeting with stakeholders, which included Railfuture, to discuss overcrowding on both its Great Northern and Thameslink routes. Some of the information relating to the Great Northern rotue provided by FCC included:
* Report on overcrowding was being finalised and was due to go to DfT by early January
* FCC's proposal to ease overcrowding will be a mixture of revised timetable, more trains and longer trains
# * The plan to switch from 2+2 to 2+3 seating layout is not being taken forward
* Peterborough timetable proposed will be similar to existing but Cambridge line will be recast
* Some timetable changes are planned for December 2007
* FCC proposes Non-stop Cambridge to Kings Cross "Cruisers" with 12 car trains
* Cambridge platforms need extending for 12 car ? but worksite land no longer available as sold off for busway
* Existing Letchworth stopping trains cut back to Welwyn Garden City
* There will be new semi-fasts to Royston
* FCC needs an extra 5 x 4 car EMUs or equivalent with a power upgrade issue if there are more EMUs
* Hitchin to Cambridge upgrade of booster transformers is planned by early 2008
* Main line power limitations are not as bad as thought ? subject to more discussion with Network Rail
* Diesel options if EMUs are not possible include HST or Class 67, Mk IIIs, DVT, but Class 158s would be considered
* Biggleswade platform will need extending for HSTs and 67s
* Longer platforms at Letchworth/Royston are not essential for 12 car but would provide flexibility if extended
* Reported plan for through trains to Spalding were denied.


RAIL INVESTMENT
Local politician calls for aviation taxes to be used to invest in the railway network

Tim Yeo, Conservative MP for Suffolk South and Chair of the Environmental Audit Committee, who claims that he now uses the train to travel around Britain rather than fly, has suggested a cross-subsidy of railways from the taxing of domestic flights.


RAIL FRANCHISES
East Coast InterCity franchise up for grabs as GNER moved to onto temporary 'cost plus' arrangement

Keywords: [GNER]

As predicted in Snippets 159, Sea Containers and the DfT have agreed a new 'cost plus' management contract so that GNER can continue operating the East Coast franchise to April 2008 at the latest, prior to the franchise being re-let, with GNER having to pay the DfT's costs. Announced on 15th December along with invitations for replacement franchisees, the arrangement, which will ensure GNER's current services are maintained, took effect on 10th December. GNER will also operate 12 new services each weekday between London and Leeds from May, using the spare paths identified by Network Rail in 2006.

Virgin Group and Stagecoach have formed a company called InterCity-Railways Ltd to bid for the franchise. Unlike the other Virgin franchises that are owned 51:49 in favour of virgin, this is a 50:50 venture. National Express has publicly announced that it submitted its expression of interest by the Government's 15th January deadline, whilst FirstGroup was the first to announce its intention to join the race.

In the last year GNER has been very quiet about its plans to electrify the Leeds-Hambleton route, which was never a franchise commitment but merely an aspiration that was dependent on the project being promoted and funded by Network Rail. Clearly this will not be progressed until the refranchising has taken place, if ever.


ST.IVES LINE
Guided busway construction unstoppable as further tracklifting takes place

In December, after formally acquiring the Fen Drayton branch from Network Rail, Cambridgeshire County Council had the stretch of track from Chesterton Junction to Milton Road level crossing lifted and sold for scrap. Meanwhile its latest guided busway newsletter, dated December 2006, was circulated.


PRESERVED RAILWAYS
Steam tour from Dereham to London seen as a great coup by Mid-Norfolk Railway

Keywords: [MidNorfolkRailway]

On Saturday 5th May 2007 the MNR provides the first opportunity for mid-Norfolk residents to leave their local station steam hauled all the way to London and back for a nostalgic day out in London. The "East Anglian" is being organised by the Railway Touring Company, which is based in King's Lynn. Details of the trip are available on http://www.railwaytouring.co.uk/2007pages/7UK05_05eastanglian.htm.

Reminder of Mid-Norfolk Railway's fund raising activities

Keywords: [MidNorfolkRailway]

The Mid-Norfolk Railway is still participating in the empty print cartridge and mobile phone recycling to help their "Northern Extension Appeal". An envelope can be acquired from Dereham Station. Apparently four serviceable mobile phones raises enough money to purchase one new sleeper!

Much progress for Nene Valley Railway's new station and building at Yarwell

Keywords: [NeneValleyRailway]

The Nene Valley Railway has been awarded a grant of £20,000 towards the construction of the station building at Yarwell, which has been an aim for seven years. The grant has come from WREN who administer the Landfill Tax Credit Scheme. The first passenger services that stop at Yarwell Junction for people to alight will be at Easter on Saturday 7th April 2007. There will be a Grand Opening later in the summer when the station building has been constructed and Yarwell Junction is fully operational.

Wisbech-March Bramley Line announce aspirations for 2007

Keywords: [WisbechBranch]

At their final monthly members' meeting of 2006, the chairman of the Bramley Line listed the achievements in 2006:
* a steady increase in membership, now beyond 200, including local MP, Malcolm Moss
* the A47 crossing being reinstated in March 2006
* receipt of a draft copy of the lease from Network Rail
* a licence to go onto the track to carryout vegetation clearance work
* clearance of vegetation from the track since June 2006 by a small group working every Sunday with help from the probation service
* acquiring of an office in March
* inspection of the track by an engineer achieved just before Christmas 2006.

The group believes it can now apply for charitable status as it has an office with rent and rates to pay, and lists its 2007 aspirations as:
* securing the lease of the line from Network Rail
* completing vegetation clearance on the line
* start a limited operation on the line
* find a site for and to restore the signal box.

The official website is at http://www.bramleyline.org.uk.


WEBSITES
National Rail Timetable goes online in preparation for demise of printed version

Network Rail has introduced the National Rail Timetable on the web for the first time. It can be found at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/3828.aspx and contains rail services operated over the National Rail network together with rail and shipping connections with Ireland, the Isle of Man, the Isle of Wight and the Channel Islands. From December 2007, the timetable will only be available online as demand for hard copies has fallen sharply since 1994, when 134,000 were needed. Now just 12,000 or so are being sold, with about another 7,000 issued for railway offices and staff.

The initial online version is merely a copy of the printed one, with supplements. However, in future the actual timetable sections (each table being a separate download) will be amended and supplements will be abolished.

Anyone who knows the table they require can go directly to the PDF file, by substituting 'XXX' for the table number, at http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/timetables/timetables/TableXXX.pdf.

New website to promote Light Rail

The Light Rapid Transit Forum has launched a website http://www.lrtf.org.uk to promote awareness of the benefits of light rail.


Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 161 - 13/01/2007

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