News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, Edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 96 - 05/07/2002
- TRAIN OPERATORS [all issues]
- RAIL FRANCHISES [all issues]
- National Express Group announces series of roadshows for Greater [East] Anglia franchise
- Manningtree Rail Users Association submits its list of requirements to the SRA
- RAIL SERVICES [all issues]
- TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS [all issues]
- STATIONS [all issues]
- RAIL ACCIDENTS [all issues]
- Alistair Darling hits out at rail infrastructure maintenance while Potters Bar survivors plan to sue
- Five accident-risk bridges in Essex found following Great Heck accident
- PRESERVED RAILWAYS [all issues]
- RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE [all issues]
Rail East gave the location of the branch meeting on Saturday 13th July as both County and Central Library in Ipswich. The correct place is County Library. A map showing the location is available on MultiMap: http://uk8.multimap.com/map/browse.cgi?GridE=616491&GridN=244734&SUBMIT=Find.
Railtrack have published their 2002 Network Management Statement. This will be reviewed in Snippets 97. See http://www.railtrack.co.uk/our_business/corp_doc/network_man_state2002.cfm to download sections. Total document is around 1,000 pages.
TRAIN OPERATORS
National Express Group announces 'variable' 6-monthly financial results for its TOCs
On 2nd July, National Express Group (NEG) reported on trading for the six months to the end of 30 June 2002. It described the financial results of its TOCs as "variable", with Scotrail showing no improvement - owing to the recent strikes - but the south east operators doing rather better. It says has WAGN business has fully recovered after the Potters Bar accident.
National Express statement: http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/press_office/Pre%20Close%20Update%20020702.htm.
RAIL FRANCHISES
National Express Group announces series of roadshows for Greater [East] Anglia franchise
National Express is to host a series of roadshows prior to submitting its final bid to the SRA. According
to invitations sent out, these consultation meetings are "being held to seek the views of rail users,
communities and their representatives". The two hour presentations are as follows:
* Mon 22nd July at 10:30 : Hertford County Hall (Shire Hall), Market Place, Hertford
* Mon 22nd July at 14:30 : Old Town Hall conference Centre, The Broadway, Stratford, London
* Wed 24th July at 10:30 : Novotel, Greyfriars Road, Ipswich
* Wed 24th July at 14:30 : Waterfront Place, Wharf Road, Chelmsford
* Thu 25th July at 14:30 : Hotel Nelson, Price of Wales Road, Norwich
* Fri 26th July at 10:30 : University Arms Hotel, Regent Street, Cambridge.
You should register to attend. Email [greateranglia at natex.co.uk] or write to: Greater Anglia Franchise Team, Hertford House, 1 Cranwood Street, London EC1V 9QS. You can also write contact them for a brochure if you are not planning to attend.
Manningtree Rail Users Association submits its list of requirements to the SRA
Keywords: [ManningtreeRailUsers]
Included in the franchise wish list of Manningtree Rail Users Association are capacity increases between Colchester and Shenfield; a new rail link east of Stansted; direct trains from Manningtree to Norwich, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge and Lowestoft; and more through trains from Harwich.
At Manningtree itself, the group wish to see a second ticket office window, disabled access to the down platform, a down platform shelter, a car park extension and bus feeder service to the station. Patronage has grown from 75 passengers daily over 20 years ago to more than 500 now.
RAIL SERVICES
Anglia Railways' additional Cambridge-Norwich service roadshows
Keywords: [CambridgeNorwichService]
As well as the Anglia Railways roadshows announced in the towns and cities along the Cambridge-Norwich route, there are also roadshows at stations on other Anglia routes: Lowestoft (9th July), Great Yarmouth (10th July), Diss (11th July), Colchester (12th - 14th July). Anglia have now announced the timetable for the new service:
From Cambridge:
M-F : 07:39 09:00 09:57 10:38 11:59 12:55 13:58 14:59 15:42 16:48 18:30 19:22 20:12 21:15 22:55
Sat : 07:27 08:58 09:41 11:00 12:02 12:51 13:49 14:49 15:52 16:48 17:46 19:22 19:56 21:15 22:30
Sun : 10:55 12:55 hrly to 18:55 (but 15:57 not 15:55) 19:50 21:25
From Norwich:
M-F : 05:35 07:20 08:40 09:13 10:21 11:30 12:18 13:22 14:08 15:28 16:45 17:48 18:41 19:20 21:25
Sat : 05:40 07:25 07:55 09:11 10:24 11:22 12:21 13:27 14:26 15:28 16:23 17:48 18:30 19:30 20:55
Sun : 09:30 11:25 hrly to 14:25 15:35 16:33 17:33 18:25 19:50
Transport 2000's Simon Norton has analysed the timetable and expresses disappointment saying: "The early morning and evening trains don't fill in the gaps in the Cambridge-Peterborough service when combined with existing services between Ely and Peterborough."
TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS
Cambridge City Council stage transport exhibitions in Guildhall during July
Throughout July at the Guildhall, Cambridge City Council is hosting an exhibition put together by Cambridge Environmental Resources Centre, which has ideas and options for transport schemes. Exhibits include the London South Midlands Multi Modal Study proposals, Travel For Work's new car sharing scheme, new cycle ways, Cambridge City Council's new Cycling and Walkway Strategy, Cycle security, the national cycle network and council services for disabled people. Call (01223) 457046 or email: [sue.woodsford at cambridge.gov.uk] for more information.
STATIONS
Coffee kiosk removed from King's Cross platform 9 and new information display unveiled
The APT coffee kiosk on platform 9 at King's Cross disappeared in June to allow an arch to be knocked through to the other building. This is part of the construction work presently going on with LUL and CTRL.
There is a new temporary electronic departure display system in the main hall at King's Cross, which replaces the 26-year-old flap system. The intermediate destinations are shown scrolling slowly across the width of the display - it may only be a few seconds, but that can make the difference between catching and missing your train. A permament LED replacement is due to be installed in April 2003.
RAIL ACCIDENTS
Alistair Darling hits out at rail infrastructure maintenance while Potters Bar survivors plan to sue
Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has condemned the track at Potters Bar as "clearly appalling" following the publication of the HSE's second interim study into the accident, which concluded that up to 20% of nuts on nearby sets of points were not fully tightened at the time.
The HSE also said: "No evidence has yet been established to support speculation or theories that vandalism or deliberate unauthorised interference caused the derailment."
Solicitors representing survivors of the Potters Bar accident are now preparing to take Railtrack contractor Jarvis to court. "This report could support people's claim for negligence," said Richard Watts, a partner at Lincolnshire-based James Smith Solicitors.
BBC News Report: http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/newsid_2094000/2094316.stm.
HSE Report: http://www.hse.gov.uk/railway/pottersbar/progreport.htm.
Five accident-risk bridges in Essex found following Great Heck accident
A study was set-up following the Great Heck (Selby) accident into other bridges around the country which pose similar risks to the railway. According to a Ceefax report, five road bridges over railway lines have been identified in Essex: two in Harlow and one each in Colchester, Witham and Springfield.
PRESERVED RAILWAYS
Filming of drama takes place at North Norfolk Railway
Keywords: [NorthNorfolkRailway]
In June, a drama entitled "The Lost Prince", starring actress Gina McKee, was filmed at Weybourne with around 100 actors and technicians descending on the station.
The NNR has also made an application to the European Development Fund, Norfolk County Council and the East of England Development Agency for funding to improve Weybourne yard, replace the canopy on Weybourne station, make infrastructure changes at Holt including re-erecting the Thursford goods shed, or a replica.
RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE
Network Rail set to clear up the mess from Railtrack
Network Rail's managing director, Iain Coucher, has revealed that the new not for dividend company faces a backlog of 3,000 miles of track renewals. The usual rate of replacement ought to be 500 miles each year, but this had dropped to 230 miles under Railtrack's stewardship. Network Rail has drawn up 40 urgent initiatives needed to turn the network around.
Network Rail will take on the debts of Railtrack PLC (in administration) - and its liabilities. It is involved in no less than 20 material legal disputes. Few other companies can boast such a record!
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 96 - 05/07/2002
[Prev Issue (95)] [Snippets Issues] [Next Issue (97)] [Category List] [Keyword List] [People List] [Story List] [Branch Dashboard]