News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, Edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 306 - 30/09/2018
- STATIONS [all issues]
- Longer platforms planned for Manea and Whittlesea stations
- Network Rail submits planning application for new access point to Littleport station once longer platform in use
- Friends of March Station raise money for renovation of community rooms
- Ipswich station wins the 'Large Station of the Year' award
- Relocation of Waterbeach station one mile north approved by District Council despite opposition of Parish Council
- Footbridge to car park required at Marks Tey station to support daytime trains to and from Colchester
- TRAIN OPERATORS [all issues]
- ROLLING STOCK [all issues]
- RAIL ROUTES [all issues]
- Government considers using ETCS train control system across all phases of East West Rail
- East West Rail Consortium thanks everyone who has written to support Network Rail's TWA application for the Western Section
- GUIDED BUSWAY [all issues]
The PowerPoint presentation about raising Dementia Awareness on the railway which was given by Liz Withington at the Railfuture meeting in Norwich on Saturday 29th September 2018 can be viewed at: https://www.railfuture.org.uk/east/external-docs/Railfuture-East-Anglia-Meeting-2018-09-29-Norwich-Dementia-Awareness.pdf.
Railfuture East Anglia has achieved a small but important passenger-focused success. We met Great Northern management and asked for the King's Cross station departure screens to also show Peterborough/Cambridge-bound trains from St Pancras as well. It's only a short walk over the road, and may be better to catch a train there than wait for one at King's Cross. Screens now show trains.
On Wednesday 26th September 2018 Peter Wakefield went to Wisbech to film a news item with ITV at the proposed location of the station but it had not been broadcast by the end of September.
Railfuture understands that about a week before the East West Rail Western Section Phase 2 TWA Order Application consultation ended on 7th September 2018, there were 138 responses supporting the application and 101 objections (50 about a crossing at Woburn Sands and some others about footpaths). Crucially there were no objections from any local authorities. By the deadline the Consortium revealed that it has been copied in on 162 letters of support.
According to its accounts filed on 27 September 2018, Abellio East Anglia Limited, which trades as Greater Anglia (GA), posted a loss of £2.5m (after taxation, and £1.1m before) for the full year ended March 2018, despite revenue for the full year growing by 5.3% to £650.3m. The loss, which GA partly puts down to a revenue risk-sharing mechanism with the government, compares to a profit of £15.5m for the partial year of October 2016 to March 2017, covering the start of its long franchise. GA borrowed £30m in January 2018 and a further £50m in August 2018 from its parents (Abellio 60% and Mitsui 40% i.e. £48m and £32m respectively).
By late September 2018, Greater Anglia claimed that its passengers have refilled the equivalent of more than 35,000 plastic bottles by using the train operator's water refill points ("water fountains"), which were installed at Cambridge (18,000 bottles refilled so far), Ipswich (12,600) and at Chelmsford (6,700) in summer 2018. It is essential for more people to refill rather than buying a single use plastic bottle. A million plastic bottles are bought around the world every minute. Greater Anglia's initiative has been now nominated for Idea UK's 'Idea of the Year' award and the winner will be announced in November 2018.
A video of Greater Anglia's new Stadler-manufactured trains being tested in the Czech Republic can be viewed at: https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/new-trains-on-test-for-greater-anglia/. The First Stadler train is expected to come through Channel Tunnel on 25th October 2018 to go to the Crown Point depot in Norwich so that the staff, who have been transferred to Stadler, can familiarise themselves with the new trains.
The government confirmed that it has pulled the plug on the CrossCountry franchise competition as a result of its rail review, which was announcement in September. It said that the franchise's "unique geographic nature," running from Aberdeen to Penzance, including an hourly service to Stansted Airport, meant that awarding the next contract in 2019 could impact on the conclusions of the rail review, which is being chaired by former British Airways boss Keith Williams. The DfT said that Cross Country services will continue to be operated by the existing franchisee — owned by Arriva — with options beyond this "to be considered in due course." All other franchise competitions and live rail projects will continue as planned.
Felixstowe Travel Watch will hold its next meeting on Tuesday 16th October 2018 at 14:30 at the Salvation Army Church, Cobbold Road in Felixstowe. The guest speaker will be David Jordan, Marketing Manager of First Eastern Counties.
STATIONS
Longer platforms planned for Manea and Whittlesea stations
Keywords: [ManeaStation] [WhittleseaStation]
With Greater Anglia (GA) introducing new bi-mode trains that will be either three or four cars long, many station platforms across East Anglia will be shorter than the train lengths. All the trains will have selective door opening so there is no safety risk in having short platforms (unless there are too many people on the platform) but it could result in longer dwell times. Therefore GA has been discussing extending platforms with Network Rail since it started its new franchise in October 2016. In the case of Manea and Whittlesea, platform lengthening had already been studied back in 2015.
Following an in-depth feasibility study, which recommended lengthening the platforms at both Manea and Whittlesea stations and provide a footbridge between the two platforms at Whittlesea, detailed work has commenced to progress the 'single option development' stage (stage 4) of Network Rail's GRIP (Governance for Railway Investment Projects) process. This will determine the technical requirements, cost and operational effects on the rail infrastructure. Network Rail was commissioned to carry out the study by Fenland District Council on behalf of the Hereward Community Rail Partnership with funding from the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, as part of £11 million in funding over the next three to four years to improve Whittlesea, Manea and March railway stations. The earlier studies can be seen at http://www.fenland.gov.uk/maneaandwhittleseastation.
At Manea both platforms will be extended at the northern end (towards the March/Peterborough direction). A new pedestrian access ramp with improved gradient will be provided at the southern end of each platform (closest to Station Road and the level crossing).
At Whittlesea platform 1 (for trains to Peterborough) will be extended eastward (towards March/Ely) and platform 2 (for trains to March/Ely) will be extended westward (towards Peterborough). A new pedestrian access ramp will be provided for each platform. A new footbridge, which will include stairs and an access ramp, will be provided to allow pedestrian access between platforms.
News: https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/full-steam-ahead-for-railway-improvements/.
Network Rail submits planning application for new access point to Littleport station once longer platform in use
Keywords: [LittleportStation]
Network Rail has made a planning application to East Cambs District Council to create a new access ramp (for disabled compliance) and stairs to the Cambridge-bound platform 1 at Littleport station, which will be necessary when it extends King's Lynn-bound platform 2 by 82 metres to allow eight-car trains between King's Lynn and Cambridge. The reason is that permission is needed is because the barrow crossing to the north of the two four-carriage platforms, over which people using platform 1 cross, will close. Network Rail has chosen not to create a new barrow crossing north of the extended platform (with a path to it on the 'up' side), primarily because it wishes to phase out such crossings for safety reasons. So, although Network Rail doesn't need council permission to close the barrow crossing or extend the platform, it needs it to create a new access point to platform 1 and for its proposal to close the underpass to cars, dedicating it to pedestrians and cyclists instead. Passengers will have a slightly longer walk to the station car park, if the plans are approved, but a safer one. The station layout can be viewed at http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations-and-destinations/stations-made-easy/littleport-station-plan.
This eight-car Class 287 trains will use selective door-opening at both of Watlington station's platforms, and the Cambridge platform at Littleport. In an ideal world all of these would be extended, resulting in greater convenience for passengers and shorter dwell times at the station, but Network Rail cannot justify the extra expenditure. It is only extending those platforms where the rear of the train would be blocking the road.
Friends of March Station raise money for renovation of community rooms
Keywords: [MarchStation]
On Saturday 8th September 2018 the Friends of March Station held an open day at the station during which more than £300 was raised for further renovation work there. Over 200 people donated after being given the chance to visit areas of the station not normally open to the public and see the progress of the work to renovate the disused (northern) side of the station. The event, which was held during Heritage Open Days weekend, included a model railway exhibition including the Friends' own model railway, which will be permanently housed at the station in a room they specially renovated for this purpose. The volunteers who served tea, coffee and cakes all day. This was the third event the group organised this year to showcase its work as station adopters.
Greater Anglia supported the open day and are looking for other groups to bring disused station buildings back into use at several East Anglian stations across Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire. Anyone who is interested should visit https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/about-us/community-space.
Ipswich station wins the 'Large Station of the Year' award
Keywords: [IpswichStation]
Congratulations to everyone at Ipswich station who worked hard to help it win the 'Large Station of the Year' award at the National Rail Awards 2018, which were announced on Thursday 13 September at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
The award follows the recent £2m transformation of the station, which saw redevelopment of the main customer facilities (include a complete refurbishment of the existing foyer and ticket hall adding more space, plus refurbished waiting rooms with plug points for charging phones, laptops and other electronic devices) and an upgraded forecourt. A recent addition was a water fountain so that people can refill their plastic water bottles for free.
Relocation of Waterbeach station one mile north approved by District Council despite opposition of Parish Council
Keywords: [WaterbeachStation]
South Cambs District Council has approved the planning application for a new Waterbeach station one mile north of the existing station despite the opposition of Waterbeach Parish Council. The new station (eight-car platforms with far superior facilities) would be built by developer RLW Estates, which hopes to build 6,500 new homes fairly close to it on the site of the former RAF Waterbeach barracks. The contentious matter is that the existing station would be closed, which will inconvenience those rail users living close to it. Because the new station will be more than 400 metres from the current one then the current station would have to go through a closure process, requiring approval from the Secretary of State for Transport.
News: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/new-station-waterbeach-opening-date-14348305.
Footbridge to car park required at Marks Tey station to support daytime trains to and from Colchester
Keywords: [MarksTeyStation]
When Greater Anglia's new bi-mode trains, which are longer than the existing trains, enter service it intends to extend the Sudbury to Marks Tey trains to Colchester, which it hopes will see an increase in patronage as a change of train at Marks Tey would not be required. At the end of the platform at Marks Tey there is a barrow crossing - across the branch connection to the Great Eastern mainline - to the car park. Since at present only one train uses it in the morning (from Colchester to the branch) and one in the evening (back to Colchester) this is low risk. However, Network Rail has objected to retaining the barrow crossing because of the large number of people who use it in daytime to get to/from car park. As a result there needs to be a footbridge to the car park, which will need to be funded. Railfuture East Anglia will be writing a report, which will be sent to Greater Anglia, giving reasons why the footbridge is needed.
TRAIN OPERATORS
Greater Anglia introduces 'Land Sheriffs' at stations and on trains to improve safety and security
Keywords: [GreaterAnglia]
Greater Anglia (GA) intends to improve safety and security for passengers at stations and on-board trains by bringing in 30 'Land Sheriffs', who will patrol trains and stations across its network to provide a reassuring presence and additional support to railway staff and the British Transport Police if needed. They will deal with anti-social behaviour, fare evaders and enforce the railway bylaws. However, they will also provide a friendly face and offer to help passengers during their journey, for example by carrying luggage and assisting those boarding with pushchairs. GA claims that since their introduction earlier in 2018 they have also helped prevent seven potential suicides.
A few days later an article on Rail Business Daily included some images of the Aventra train interiors, which showed a completely different style of customer information screen (CIS) for trains in Britain.
ROLLING STOCK
Reporter looks at first completed Greater Anglia Aventra train at Bombardier factory in Derby
Keywords: [GreaterAnglia]
The first of Greater Anglia's 111 new standard-class-only Aventra trains, which are being manufactured Derby-based Bombardier, is complete and has been seen by reporter Paul Grater of the East Anglia Daily Press. He said "The seats are firm but did not feel uncomfortable for journeys of about an hour - they are ergonomically designed. They are in a 2+3 configuration, like existing suburban trains. They might be a bit of a strain on the few services they run to Norwich.". Commenting on the power points for charging mobile phones or tablets, he said: "There are actually more charging points than there are seats for passengers."
The first Aventra will be in public service from autumn 2019 although people will see being tested on the Greater Anglia network from early 2019.
News: http://www.eadt.co.uk/news/greater-anglia-aventras-unveiled-1-5694715.
RAIL ROUTES
Government considers using ETCS train control system across all phases of East West Rail
Keywords: [EastWestRail] [ETCS]
The government is considering whether to implement the modern digital European Train Control System (ETCS) across the whole of the East West Rail (EWR) route if analysis shows that it would provide significant benefits, primarily increasing the number of trains that could run. Phase 1 of the Western Section opened using conventional signalling, despite the opportunities of installing ETCS during the long closure of the line, and phase 2 will also use conventional signalling, even though construction will not begin until 2019, more than nine years after ETCS was successfully installed on the Cambrian Coast line in Wales. Responding to a parliamentary question, rail minister Jo Johnson has said that the "Central Section [Phase 3] is currently in its definition phase and its signalling system is yet to be confirmed. However, the possibility of using ETCS across East West Rail is being explored and could be implemented in the future, across all phases, should it provide significant additional benefits for the programme."
Railfuture is of the view that all new railways should be built using the latest proven technology, so that it is future proof, and argues that the most cost-effective time to do anything is before the line opens, rather than expensive possessions later on. In fact, documents from the EWR Alliance show that it proposed ETCS deployment starting in late 2014, but this was rejected by the Industry Plan Group, and the government then agreed a project scope based on conventional signalling to reduce cost, duration and risk. However, in March 2018, a report said that if "industry constraints preventing ETCS deployment could be unlocked, there could be a cost saving."
East West Rail Consortium thanks everyone who has written to support Network Rail's TWA application for the Western Section
Keywords: [EastWestRail]
Railfuture has been encouraging supporters of East West Rail to submit letters of support as part of the Transport & Works Act Order (TWAO) process for the Western Section phase 2 (Bicester to Bedford plus the Aylesbury link), which Network Rail is developing. The East West Rail Consortium has also encouraged supporters as well. It has now publicly thanked everyone for doing so. Its own submission is, unsurprisingly, strongly supportive of the overall strategic case underpinning the reinstated rail service, with Consortium chairman, Cllr Mark Shaw, telling the Secretary of State: "East West Rail provides an attractive, viable alternative to the car through the restoration of the mothballed section of the railway, enabling fast and frequent scheduled rail services which by improving connectivity, will support the delivery of planned growth." He continued: "It will encourage people to switch from car to rail which is consistent with the need to deliver growth with reduced environmental impact. Such an outcome underpinned the work of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC), for whom realising the economic potential of the corridor in ways that enable a 'net betterment' to the corridor as a whole was a key consideration."
News: https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/consortium-submits-twao-letter-of-support/.
GUIDED BUSWAY
Cyclist killed by bus on the southern section of the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway
On Thursday 13th September 2018 the second fatality in the seven-year history of the Cambridge Guided Busway occurred. The first was an elderly person crossing the busway in the dark. On this occasion it as a cyclist.
A major incident was declared by Stagecoach after a male cyclist was hit by a bus on guided busway just past the University Press entrance between Cambridge station and Addenbrooke's Hospital at around 16:45. Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue (two fire engines) attended the scene. A spokesman for Cambridgeshire police confirmed that the cyclist had died instantly. No one else was injured.
Following the incident but prior to the death being announced, Katie Thornburrow, city councillor for Trumpington expressed her concern about the safety of the guided busway on twitter: "Shocked to hear of another accident on the guided busway only three months after the last, and in the same area." According to the Cambridge News, there were several other similar comments expressed on Twitter, e.g.: "[It is] so sad. Lots of accidents happen on the bus way. 60mph along that stretch is way too fast as it is too close to the pavement without barriers."
News: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/live-updates-guided-busway-crash-15149207.
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 306 - 30/09/2018
[Prev Issue (305)] [Snippets Issues] [Next Issue (307)] [Category List] [Keyword List] [People List] [Story List] [Branch Dashboard]