Activists Briefing - Issue 15

23rd June 2006

IN THE NEWS

Railfuture Chairman, Mike Crowhurst, has had 2 letters published recently. A letter in June (Issue 111) of Rail Professional comments on the Elsenham accident. Among other comments he suggests looking again at the penalty fares policy and investigating whether the DDA requirements for full ramped access is inflating costs and generating so much local opposition to large and ugly bridges that more lives are actually being put at risk by the DDA requirements. In June Modern Railways he comments on the possible phasing of Crossrail. “ The record of phasing such projects in this country is not encouraging.” “On Crossrail I am concerned this is but another small step towards the inevitable downgrading of this project to a single Heathrow – Docklands route.”

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture East Anglia Secretary, Nick Dibben, did an interview on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire on 9th June regarding the new ticket restrictions on FCC off-peak fares to London.

Railfuture South Wales Chairman, Guy Hardy, was interviewed on March 14th for the BBC Radio 4 programme ‘Costing The Earth’. The programme, broadcast on 12th May, compared a journey from Milford Haven to Lowestoft by train and a journey from Glasgow to Dover on the road.

Guy Hardy was also on BBC Wales on 6th June expressing dissatisfaction with the new Greater Western fare structure. The abolition of SuperSavers means that the cheapest walk on ticket from Swansea to London is now a Saver which costs 15.7% more. GW declined to appear. There was also an item in the Western Mail on 6th June quoting Guy. See http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0200wales/tm_objectid=17181357%26method=full%26siteid=50082-name_page.html#story_continue

There was a lengthy quote from Railfuture North East chairman, Martin Murphy, in a BBC News Business News article about the Grand Central Open Access service. See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4751984.stm

Thanks to the Railfuture Thames Valley branch newsletter for the information that BRB (Residuary) Ltd is willing to sell a number of sites for possible transport use and which are thought to be suitable for rail freight purposes. BRB has published a marketing brochure, which is available on the Rail Freight Group website www.rfg.org.uk/news/

UPDATED RAILFUTURE MEMBERSHIP LEAFLET NOW AVAILABLE

The Railfuture membership leaflet has been revised and updated. David Harby will have supplies with him at the Stoke conference or they can be ordered from membership at railfuture.org.uk

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

The 2007 RDS Ltd AGM will be in Preston on 12th May 2007.

It is hoped that the 2007 Reopenings Conference will be held in Scotland in early July.

Offers and suggestions are invited for the autumn 2007 Rail Users’ Conference.

RAILFUTURE MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION AND FUNDRAISING GROUP

We are looking for volunteers to serve on a Membership Promotion and Fundraising Group. The Group would take a long-term view of membership promotion putting forward ideas for attracting new members and helping implement them. We would like to put together a PowerPoint presentation (and possible slide presentation) about Railfuture which branches and individuals could use to give talks about Railfuture and our aims and activities. They may possibly lead a campaign to attract more corporate, business and local authority members and investigate what extra services we could offer them for their higher subscription fee. They would also look at ways of attracting sponsorship.

The Membership Secretary will serve on the group but as he already devotes around three evenings a week to membership administration, writes this briefing, is active in his local Railfuture branch, has other outside commitments and has to find time for his own business administration he does not have any time left to lead the group.

Offers to lead and/or serve on the group to david.harby at ntlworld.com.

RAILFUTURE PUBLICATIONS

We have not produced as many publications of late as we were doing a few years ago. Does anyone have any ideas for possible publications and/or would anyone like to volunteer to co-ordinate the commissioning and production of publications?

RAILFUTURE CAMPAIGNERS’ CONFERENCE 1ST JULY 2006

There are now 10 confirmed speakers. The timetable is as follows:
10.00-11:00 Doors open to attendees – Registration – Coffee and Tea will be served at 10.15
11.00-11:10 Conference will be opened by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Councillor Jean Edwards, who will be accompanied by her husband Harry.
11:10-11:20 Railfuture vice chairman and conference organiser, Jerry Alderson, will list the schedule for the daytime and evening sessions and explain plans for evening meal, accommodation, trip to Churnet Valley Railway on Sunday etc.
11:20-12:00 New Technology: George Watson from MyTestTrack.com, which has over 2350 customers and has recently won a London Underground contract.
12:00-12:45 Train Services: Ian Yeowart, Managing Director of Grand Central.
12:45-13:45 Lunch: Opportunity to chat to morning and afternoon speakers informally.
13:45-14.30 Suburban Railways - Technology for Revitalising and Reopening: Caspar Lucas of JPM Parry Associates and Carl Henderson inventor of BladeRunner.
14:30-15:00 What rail workers want from the railway – Interactive session with Manuel Cortes, Assistant General Secretary of TSSA.
15:00-15:25 Campaigning against Cuts - Save Our Sleeper – Andrew Roden and Stuart Walker.
15:25-15:40 Afternoon break.
15:40-16:25 Reviving Rural Railways – Stuart Walker (Cornish lines), Ruth Annison (Wensleydale Railway)
16:25-16:55 High-Speed Railways – Graham Nalty.
16:55-17:00 Railfuture chairman’s closing speech - for main session of the conference.
17:00-17:45 Interval – Chance to check-into accommodation, have refreshments before evening session.
17:45-18:10 Campaigning Round-up by Railfuture branches, committees and rail user groups.
18:10-18:45 Attracting people to the railways – Jerry Alderson (Railfuture Vice-Chairman) on National Railcard and other fare structures; Ruth Annison on Marketing the Wensleydale Railway.
18:45-19:10 Campaigning for sensible schemes – Andrew Roden
19:10-20:10 Question Time – chance for attendees to ask the panel questions (incl. Mike Crowhurst, Andrew Roden, Ruth Annison, and subject to confirmation local MPs). Chaired by Michael Willmot
Chair, North Staffs Rail Promotion Group and the North Staffordshire Community Rail Partnership.
20:10-20:15 Railfuture chairman’s closing speech – Retire to Victoria on the Square restaurant.

Anyone wishing to have 5 minutes to talk about their local campaigning in the 17:45-18:10 slot should speak to conference organiser Jerry Alderson on the day.

Question forms for the "Question Time" session can be collected from the registration desk at any time and need to be submitted by 18:45.

Anyone arriving on Friday evening can meet us at 8.45pm at the North Stafford Hotel immediately opposite Stoke-on-Trent railway station. A three-course meal including an all-you-can-eat buffet is available for £11.

On Saturday evening we will be dining at the Victoria on the Square restaurant. Anyone who has paid £12 for the conference dinner will have his or her money refunded. On Sunday we will be arriving at the Churnet Valley Railway by 11am, and leaving around 2pm to return to the station.

We still have spare places. If anyone has not registered yet it would be preferred if they register in advance. Jerry Alderson, 32 The Oaks, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 6ZG or telephone 01223 527180. £10 fee plus £7.50 for lunch. Please do not post letters after Monday 26th. Anyone registering on the day may only be able to obtain lunch if other people do not turn up.

The venue is the Ashley Building in the Staffordshire University campus off Leek Road. Turn right when leaving the station, walking along the road and turn left into Leek road, the campus is on the right hand side. The conference is in the octagonal building at the far end.

Details on: http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Summer+Conference

Jerry offers his apologies to the person who registered for the Stoke conference and received a confirmation letter without a stamp on it. This was an administrative error and only affected one person but we do not know whom. Railfuture will gladly refund the postage cost if the unfortunate person brings the envelope with them.

BARGAIN BOOKS AT THE STOKE CONFERENCE

David Harby will be running a sales stand at the conference with a selection of railway books at bargain prices as well as packs of the recently published envelope re-use labels. Bring plenty of money with you – he doesn’t want to take any books back home with him!


DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT NEWS

East Midlands, West Midlands and Cross Country Franchise Consultations were published by DfT on 8 June. They have been extensively reviewed in the transport media so I will just give the link to the full documents on the DfT website.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/homepage/dft_home_page.hcsp

The DfT has published a new Progress Report on the West Coast Upgrade project. The report is available on the DfT's website as a 3 Mb download http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/contentservertemplate/dft_index.hcst?n=16557&l=2. A printed version should be available early in June from the DfT's new Publications department in Wetherby. Tel 0870 122 6236 Product Code "67 Rail 02632"

The document invites comments so is in effect a chance to have some final input into the proposed West Midlands franchise and 2008/09 West Coast timetable.
Source DfT Press release 23 May 2006 http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=203307&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

3RD ANNUAL TRANSPORT CONFERENCE ON 28 SEPTEMBER 2006

The 3rd Annual Transport Conference organised by GovNet Events will be held at QE11 Conference Centre, London on 28th September. Title is “Transport for an Expanding Economy” and speakers include

Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport
Michael Roberts, Director, Business Environment, CBI
Hugh Sumner, Project Director, Olympic Delivery Authority Transport
Andy Trotter, Deputy Chief Constable, British Transport Police
Richard Willson, Programme Director, Highways Agency
John Grimshaw, Chief Executive and Founder, Sustrans
Phil T Blythe, Professor of Intelligent Transport Systems, Director, Transport Operations Research Group, University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Andy Trotter, Deputy Chief Constable, British Transport Police
Lord Berkley, Chairman, Rail Freight Group

Places for Voluntary Sector delegates are £110 + vat. For further details or to register contact Hetal Vyas Tel: 020 7484 5245 or 0800 542 9585, Email: hetal.vyas at govnet.co.uk or visit www.govnet.co.uk/transport

APPLICATION SUBMITTED FOR WILLINGTON ROWING LAKE

The Notice of Application for permission to build the rowing lake at Willington, East of Bedford has been published. Objections to the construction, which will destroy the former Bedford-Cambridge Railway trackbed, must be submitted by 30th June 2006. Further details and a model letter of objection can be found on the BRTA website at http://www.brta.org.uk/html/news_item_52.html

SNIPPETTS

The Railway Forum have just launched a new paper by Dr. Rana Roy analysing why many major infrastructure projects fail to move forward. “Investing in the new century: toward an undistorted appraisal process” is online at http://www.railwayforum.com/publications.php. Source Railway Forum Press release

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) have approved the Bill to allow the restoration of a rail link between Edinburgh and Tweedbank in the Borders. Find the BBC report here: http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/1/hi/scotland/south_of_scotland/5077960.stm

Grand Central Railway has issued a press release welcoming the DfT recognition that operating trains in multiple makes best use of limited track capacity. The DfT’s Base Case Specification for the new East Midlands Franchise proposes to join and split services at Leicester. GCR have suggested this working method as a solution to capacity problems on ECML. They would like to attach/detach at Doncaster a Bradford/Halifax portion to their Sunderland – Kings Cross service. Source GCR press release http://www.grandcentralrail.com/news.html?id=news030

CENTRAL TRAINS OFFER CHEAP TRAVEL FOR THE OVER 50’S

Central Trains are repeating their offer of £5 and £10 tickets to selected destinations from Birmingham, Cambridge, Leicester, Lincoln, Liverpool, Manchester, Norwich, Nottingham, Peterborough and Sheffield. The offer is valid from 15 June until 7 September 2006 and vouchers are valid for up to two people each paying the offer price. Travel is after 9am Monday to Friday and anytime at weekends. To qualify you must be aged 50 or over and have a voucher that has been printed in some local papers or it can be downloaded from the CT website. http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/

GREATER BRISTOL TRANSPORT STUDY ISSUED BY ATKINS

The final recommendations to emerge from consultants carrying out the Greater Bristol Strategic Transport Study have been handed over to the Government Office for the South West, Department for Transport, the Highways Agency, the South West Regional Development Agency and the four local authorities of Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol City, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire Councils.

The recommendations are the results of a two-year study carried out by transport consultants Atkins on behalf of the Government Office for the South West, the Local Authorities mentioned above along with national and regional partners. The study looks at strategic transport improvement needs in the Bristol, South Gloucestershire, Bath and Weston-super-Mare areas until 2031.

Learn more from www.gos.gov.uk/gosw/transport/regtransstrat/gbsts/

Activists Briefing - Issue 14

21st May 2006

IN THE NEWS

On Wednesday 12 April 2006 Railfuture President, Peter Lawrence, was asked to lead on a workshop for a National Railcard at the Passenger Focus conference "Un-fare? the future of fares and ticketing in Great Britain". Peter’s opposite number opposing such an idea was David Mapp Commercial Director from ATOC.

On April 27th Peter gave a presentation about Railfuture to the Great Eastern Railway Society. Copies of the presentation in Word format can be obtained from david.harby at ntlworld.com.

On 12 May the Rail Safety and Standards Board (RSSB) published the report of the rail industry inquiry into the accident at Elsenham on 3 December 2005, which claimed the lives of two teenage girls. Peter Lawrence was interviewed on the BBC Radio Essex Drivetime Programme at teatime on that day. He was given such a brief interview he only had time to give a few comments. The RSSB report can be read at http://www.rssb.co.uk/getArticle.asp?DocRef=957

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture Scotland Secretary, Mike Harrison, suffered a serious accident in Cardiff whilst he was cycling back from a Cyclist Touring Club dinner on the evening of Saturday 22 April. He was unconscious until sometime on the following Wednesday and is expected to remain in hospital for some time. He has now had a successful operation and is sitting up in bed. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Mike a speedy recovery.

In the meantime Railfuture Scotland Chairman, Don MacPhee, has taken over as branch contact. Donald MacPhee 87 Chatelherault Crescent, Hamilton, Lanarkshire ML3 7PR Tel: (01698) 424671email donaldmacphee at blueyonder.co.uk

DIRECTORS ETC WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR LIAISON WITH BRANCHES

As some Directors with responsibility for liaison with branches stood down at the AGM the Board has appointed the following for 2006/7:

Devon and Cornwall - David Redgewell; East Anglia - Peter Lawrence; East Midlands - David Harby; Lincolnshire - David Harby; London and South East - Ian McDonald; West Midlands - Philip Bisatt; North East - Mike Crowhurst; North West - Andrew MacFarlane; Severnside - David Redgewell; Thames Valley – Trevor Jones; Wessex - Trevor Jones; Yorkshire - Mike Crowhurst; Scotland - Mike Crowhurst; Cambrian Lines - Rowland Pittard; North Wales - Rowland Pittard; South Wales - Rowland Pittard.

RAILFUTURE CAMPAIGNERS’ CONFERENCE 1ST JULY 2006

Sponsorship for the conference at Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent has been secured from Fraser Eagle and Grand Central. Confirmed speakers are now:

 Ian Yeowart, Managing Director of Grand Central Railway
 Andrew Roden, co-chairman of ‘Save Our Sleeper’
 Ruth Annison, chairman of the Wensleydale Railway
 Stuart Walker, outgoing secretary of Railfuture Devon and Cornwall branch for 13 years
 Casper Lucas Meng Ceng MIMechE, Technical Services Director of JPM Parry and Associates Ltd (Parry People Mover)
 Carl Henderson, inventor of the innovative BladeRunner road-rail concept

Other potential speakers have been contacted and it is anticipated that more speakers will accept our invitation. In addition to the usual daytime sessions an optional Saturday evening session is planned and there will be an opportunity to visit the Churnet Valley Railway on Sunday. This railway could provide a very useful public service, taking hundreds of cars off the roads, by extending their route to Alton Towers, provided that the route can be protected.

Bed and breakfast accommodation at the University is available on Friday and Saturday nights at £25 for the first night and £45 for two nights. B&B numbers are limited so to secure a B&B place you must book and pay ASAP and certainly before 15th June. A booking form and conference flyer can be downloaded from the Railfuture website at http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Summer%20Conference

RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LTD AGM 2006

In the morning session Chris Irwin, Chairman TravelWatch South West, gave an entertaining and informative talk on developments in the SouthWest. He reminded us that the introduction of Regional Funding Allocations means that many decisions on transport spending are now being taken at a Regional level. It is however still civil servants who are making most of the decisions and they have the same culture as the Civil Service has had since the days of the Empire. They have long memories and are always looking for opportunities to resurrect plans where they had been frustrated years ago. Reports such as that from Serpell in 1982 (suggesting Beeching style closures) are not dead – they are just in hibernation.

Chris highlighted the good work that the Passenger Transport User’s Forums (now renamed Travelwatch) are doing and urged all Railfuture branches to do all they can to get a PTUF operating in their area if there is not one already.

Glenda Lamont, Commercial Director from First Great Western, then gave a presentation on the new Greater Western Franchise.

After lunch at the formal AGM Peter Lawrence gave the President’s Address followed by Mike Crowhurst with the Chairman’s Address. If anyone would like a copy of Peter’s speech David Harby has copies available in Word format. (david.harby@ntlworld.com)

The Board of Director’s for 2006/7 is:
Chairman – Mike Crowhurst; Vice Chairman – Jerry Alderson; Treasurer – Bob Imrie; Membership Secretary – David Harby and other Directors – Philip Bisatt; Trevor Garrod; Trevor Jones; Andrew MacFarlane; Ian McDonald; Rowland Pittard; David Redgewell; Clara Zilahi and Mike Harrison.

Mike Crowhurst told the meeting about Mike Harrison’s unfortunate accident and asked Don MacPhee, who was to visit Mike after the meeting, to pass on the good wishes of those present.

The existing President and Vice Presidents were re-elected with the addition of Lew Adams and Rt. Hon Ann Cryer MP as Vice Presidents.

Members discussed a consultative Motion suggesting changes to the Board structure. This followed a Motion to the Newcastle AGM in 2004 which asked the Board to consider some changes. The proposal was that the Board should be reduced to Chairman and 11 other Directors. The Chair would be elected annually and 9 other Directors would serve for 3-year periods with 3 being elected each year. The Board would also have the discretion to co-opt up to 2 Directors.

The Vice Chair would be elected from within the Board and the Board would appoint Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Sales Officer. They would not be Directors unless they were also one of the 9 elected Directors or were co-opted.

Key reasons for the proposals were:
Continuity – with only 3 Directors plus Chairman retiring each year there is more certainty about the direction the organisation is taking without the possibility of wide oscillations from year to year.
Financial security – at present it is possible for someone who is financially incompetent to be elected as Treasurer if they are the only nominee.
Cost savings – savings have already been made in 2006 following a review of travel expenses and a reduction in the number of meetings. Fewer Directors would mean a further reduction in travel and administration costs.
The ability to co-opt if someone of outstanding ability becomes available or ensure input from under-represented groups or geographical areas.
A large majority approved the changes as set out above so a formal motion to effect the change will be put to the 2007 AGM.

FIGHTING FUND APPLICATION FORMS

Members will have read in the Annual Report and Financial Statements 2005 that the scope of the Rail Defence Fund has been widened and the fund renamed the Fighting Fund. Proceeds from last year’s Campaigns Appeal and profits from the annual draw and monthly lottery have been allocated to the fund. The fund can now be used to support campaigns for building new lines and stations, reopening closed lines and stations and preserving closed lines for future use. It can also be used to support campaigns against major reductions in services or railway closures. The fund is administered jointly by Railfuture Passenger and Network Development Committees. Railfuture branches and Rail User Group members are eligible to apply for grants.

In previous years all profits from the annual draw have usually been distributed soon afterwards. However this has meant that any more meritorious campaign arising later in the year has missed out. A longer-term view is now being taken with grants being made whenever the relevant committee deems appropriate.

Application forms for grants from the fund can be obtained from the appropriate committee – Passenger (closures etc), Chairman Howard Thomas and Network Development (reopenings etc), Chairman Jerry Alderson.
ADMIN ARRANGEMENTS

Following Bob Imrie’s appointment as Treasurer he will be taking over the payment of expenses etc as soon as our bank have completed their money laundering checks and he is authorised to sign cheques. As many readers have probably experienced this process always takes a few weeks so in the meantime expense claims etc should continue to be sent to David Harby for payment.

IS YOUR EMAIL ATTACHMENT REALLY NECCESSARY?

Further to my note in the last Briefing about unsolicited emails I have been asked by a member who is still on dial-up Internet to issue a reminder that not everyone is on Broadband. If you are not sure whether the recipient is on Broadband please ask them before sending a large file attachment. File sizes can be reduced considerably by sending Word files in .rtf rather than .doc format, or as .txt files, and not including any graphics, images or logos. Converting to .csv format can reduce Excel file sizes.

ALISTAIR DARLING REPLACED

Douglas Alexander has been appointed as the new Secretary of State for Transport replacing Alistair Darling. Mr Alexander, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire South, co-ordinated Labour's General Election campaign in 2001 and was previously Minister for Europe. He has also had experience as Minister for e-Commerce but does not seem to have shown any previous special interest in transport issues. He does not even list transport issues as areas of political interest on his own website, mentioning instead international debt, the economy and public services.

A profile of Douglas Alexander can be found on the DfT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_611625.hcsp

TRANSPORT COMMITTEE REPORTS PUBLISHED

The parliamentary Transport Committee's Fifth and Sixth Reports of Session 2005-06 have been published. The Fifth Report is on the Future of the British Transport Police and the Sixth Report on How fair are the fares? Train fares and ticketing.

This link will take you to copies of the Reports. http://www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees/transport_committee.cfm

PRICING IN PROPORTION

From 21st August 2006 the way postage is priced is going to change. Royal Mail are introducing Pricing in Proportion where postage costs will take into account the size of the item you’re sending, as well as the weight. For example under the new regime a letter size C5 or under, weighing up to 100g and less than 5mm thick will cost 32p 1st Class and 23p 2nd Class. At present items from 61g up to 100g are priced at 49p and 37p respectively. However the minimum charge for foolscap (A4) letters will be 44p 1st class and 37p 2nd Class. Prices will also depend on the thickness of the package.

More details can be found on the Royal Mail website at www.royalmail.com/pip. You can also order a free PiP Size Guide from the website. This guide includes a sheet of cardboard with slots cut in it that allows you to check size and thickness.

GOOD AND BAD NEWS FOR KESWICK TO PENRITH REOPENING

The Chairman of the North West Regional Development Agency has advised Cedric Martindale, the Managing Director of CKP Railways that the Agency now supports the Keswick to Penrith Railway project in principle. CKP understands that this move recognises the many benefits the Railway will bring - not just to the Keswick area but much further across Cumbria and the North West region.

On an even more positive note, the Agency is chairing a small group of Cumbrian people to explore the commercial case. Meetings in late April 2006 set out the framework for the study and development of the commercial case, drawing on work already done by CKP and Corus Rail Infrastructure Services, the North West Rail Campaign and many other local organisations to identify all possible benefits from the Railway project. The NWDA has appointed a Project Manager and secured funding for this work.

On a less positive note CKP are fighting yet another planning application that would breach the trackbed at Flusco. Details are on the CKP website http://www.ckp-railways.co.uk/

CKP Railways plc Bonds, in multiples of £100, pay interest at 4% per annum gross are still available. These funds are used only for the Railway reconstruction project. Over £330,000 has been raised and invested so far in design and development.
Source: Keswick Railway Update 33 - Spring 2006

BARKING-GOSPEL OAK LINE USER GROUP OBJECTING TO DEMOLITION AT CROUCH HILL STATION

Barking-Gospel Oak Line User Group have drawn our attention to a planning application to demolish the former booking office and station house at Crouch Hill and replace them with flats and a shop. The deadline for objections/comments is June 1st. On the face of it, this proposal would not only threaten two of the last original structures on the line, but it would also remove a potentially useful railway building just at the time when restaffing North London stations is high on Transport for London's agenda. Graham Larkbey, Secretary BGO User Group will be recommending to the BGO Executive Committee that they submit an objection; other local groups and individuals may also wish to do so too.
Go to the following council link http://www.islington.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/Applications/default.asp then click though to online planning services on the right of the screen, you can view the planning application. The number of the application is: P060805. Deadline for comments & objections is June 1st.

PARLIAMENTARY SEMINAR - "THE SUSTAINABLE CASE FOR RAIL" 12TH JUNE 2006

Transport 2000 and the RMT are holding a Parliamentary Seminar with the above title on Monday 12th June 2006 at the House of Commons from 2 - 5pm. The seminar will discuss how the railways can contribute to the Government's environmental objectives. The Conference is free of charge but advanced registration is required by no later than Monday 5th June. You may wish to forward details to your MP and encourage him or her to attend. Further details and a Registration Form from david.harby at ntlworld.com.

UPDATES FROM OFFICE OF RAIL REGULATION

Recent additions to the ORR website include:

 National Rail Trends Review document - http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/nrtrev.pdf
 ORR’s procedures for reviewing closure references – an explanation of how ORR intend to carry out the ratification role which has been given to them under the network modification provisions of the Railways Act 2005 (“the Act”), and the procedures they intend to follow. - http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/closure-procs.pdf
 HM Railway Inspectorate quarterly reports on signals passed at danger (SPADs) Quarter 1 of 2006 - http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/spad-2006-q1.pdf
Source: ORR newsletter

Activists Briefing - Issue 13

20th April 2006

IN THE NEWS

On 22 March 2006 Railfuture President, Peter Lawrence, was interviewed by BBC East TV on over-crowding of trains from London to Cambridge and Norwich. Also on the same day Peter was re elected as Chairman of the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership at the AGM of the partnership.

Following on from Alistair Darling's speech at the National Rail Conference on 15 March 2006 Railfuture issued a press release. We are quoted in the Transport Times Friday, 24 March 2006 as follows:

"Rail Future president Peter Lawrence welcomed the commitment to examine the feasibility of high speed rail, but said that further electrification on inter-city routes should be examined in the development of the HST replacement".

On 31st March, following some speculation in a couple of newspapers, Peter received enquiries from Eastern Evening News (Norwich) and The Journal (Newcastle) regarding possible increases in peak hour fares for commuters and reductions in off peak fares. Peter’s view was we would oppose increases in peak hour fares and support any reductions in off peak fares if by doing so extra passengers are attracted.

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Following Stuart Walker’s decision to retire as Secretary of Railfuture Devon and Cornwall Branch, Peter Mulley has been elected Secretary. Thanks are due to Stuart for his efforts during 13 years service as Branch Secretary.

At the Severnside Branch AGM Nigel Bray was elected as Branch Secretary.

At Branch AGM’s there have been changes of personnel in a number of branches. To bring everyone up to date a Who’s Who for 2006/2007 listing all branch contacts will be circulated with the next Railwatch.

RAILFUTURE CAMPAIGNERS’ CONFERENCE

Additional speakers at the Campaigners' Conference in Stoke-on-Trent on 1st July include Carl Henderson, the inventor of the BladeRunner road-rail vehicle concept and Caspar Lucas MEng CEng MIMechE, Technical Services Director, JPM Parry & Associates Ltd. They will be taking part in a session entitled "Lightweight Suburban Railways - Technology for Revitalising and Reopening".

Ian Yeowart, chairman of Grand Central Trains, was announced as a speaker in a previous Briefing.

More speakers are being lined up and will be announced in the next Activists Briefing.

A 'Conference Update' will be sent in May to everyone who has registered. An accompanying letter will ask for the outstanding payment if accommodation has been requested. Organiser Jerry Alderson apologises for not responding earlier but he has been working in Germany for six weeks.

More than 30 people have registered so far. We hope than many more campaigners will attend. Staffordshire University still have rooms available. B&B is £25 for one night, with a second night at £20. It is also possible to stay on Thursday and Sunday. Please include this amount in your cheque if booking, as this will save Jerry asking for a second cheque.

Jerry requests that each branch secretary or chairman please contact him with an update of their campaigning activities by mid-June, and indicate whether they would like 5-10 minutes at the conference to talk about their campaigns. User groups are welcome to speak as well.

The evening session (5.30pm-8.30pm) will include sessions on the National Railcard and Guided Busways. If anyone would like to suggest a topic, please contact Jerry.

More information can be obtained from Jerry on jerry.alderson at virgin.net or 01223 527180 (from 2nd May).

RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LTD AGM 2006

A reminder that if you wish to partake of the buffet lunch at the AGM you must book in advance. Bookings must be received by 28th April at the very latest. If you have lost your booking form it can be downloaded from the Railfuture website http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Annual%20General%20Meeting. Motions for debate are to be sent to Mike Crowhurst by 22nd April.

2007 AGM

A date and venue for the 2007 AGM will soon need to be arranged. If your branch would like to offer to host the event then please contact Mike Crowhurst.

RAILFUTURE PASSENGER COMMITTEE MEETING DATES FOR 2006/7

The Railfuture Passenger Committee has fixed its calendar for the next year or so as follows:
3 June 2006 - Birmingham, Carrs Lane Church Centre
30 September 2006 - London, Calthorpe Arms
2 December 2006 - Birmingham, venue to be arranged
24 March 2007 - London, venue to be arranged
30 June 2007 - Birmingham, venue to be arranged.

For the future, the Committee hopes to establish a pattern of meeting on the last Saturday of the 3rd, 6th and 9th month, and the first Saturday of the 12th month. When the last Saturday in March is in Easter weekend, the meeting will be held on the previous Saturday.

MEMBERSHIP OF SPECIALIST COMMITTEES AFTER MAY 2006

A reminder that in accordance with usual practice the Board will review the membership of specialist committees at their May meeting. Committee Chairmen will be asking existing members if they wish to remain on the committee. If anyone else feels they have something to contribute to the work of any committee and would like to join it please advise Mike Crowhurst before the AGM.

RAILFUTURE ASPIRATIONS FOR THE NEW CROSS COUNTRY FRANCHISE

Railfuture Passenger Committee has produced a briefing note setting out Railfuture aspirations for the new Cross-Country franchise. Emailed copies can be obtained from david.harby at ntlworld.com.

BRANCH DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES

Development strategies have been produced for some areas, such as the excellent Welsh publication, but we do not have strategies for all branches. Mike Crowhurst has suggested that it might be a good idea to fill in the gaps so that we have a countrywide strategy. Strategies would probably be based broadly on Government Office Regions so, in some cases, there would need to be co-operation between neighbouring branches. Each Regional Strategy could probably be issued as an A3 leaflet, with map, with all of them also being bought together into a national publication to complement the new issue of the A-Z of Rail Reopenings. How do branches feel about this idea?

IS YOUR EMAIL REALLY NECCESSARY?

Electronic communication has many benefits but a major downside is when one’s Inbox fills up with unwanted emails. I have received reports of complaints by members who are suffering from this problem and have found that unnecessary emails from other Railfuture members are contributing to the SPAM.

There is always a temptation to copy emails to multiple recipients just in case they might be interested in the contents. Before members do this can they please think twice and only include recipients who are actively involved in the issue under discussion. Sending copy emails to all and sundry can be counterproductive. If the recipient has got used to regularly deleting emails from the sender as unwanted SPAM the sender may well find that when an important email is sent this is also automatically deleted.

NETWORK RAIL BUSINESS PLAN 2006

Network Rail has published their Business Plan 2006. This has a detailed Area by Area description of current services and anticipated future requirements together with planned infrastructure investments. The appendices give a lot of useful information such as Route Classification and Availability, Freight Loading Gauges, speed limits, type of signalling, signalling headway’s and number of tracks for every route on the network. Plans for each Area can be downloaded individually from http://www.networkrail.co.uk/companyinformation/BusinessPlans/BusinessPlan2006.htm

INFORMATION FOR THE NEW A-Z OF RAIL REOPENINGS

On behalf of Railfuture Network Development Committee, Nick Dibben has asked all Railfuture branches to give him an updated list of proposed new stations and routes ready for the new A-Z of Rail Reopenings. The stations will be grouped into three categories:

 Nearly there – under construction or where detailed design work is underway and funding is being sought.
 High priority – schemes which are supported in Regional and Local Transport Strategies and where some development works may have been carried out. These are likely to happen in the next 5 – 10 years. Also included will be a limited number of other schemes which Railfuture thinks are important or where active local campaigns exist.
 Other suggested schemes, which could happen in the longer term, especially if funding rules, are changes.

Following the publication of Network Rail’s Business Plan, mentioned above, Nick requests that all branches check the Plan for stations in their area, as these will be considered High Priority.

DISTRIBUTION OF COMMITTEE MINUTES

There have been requests from branches to see copies of the Agenda’s and Minutes of Committees (Passenger, Freight, Network Development, PLC and International). The Board would like to accede to this request but are reluctant to put additional tasks on to Committee secretaries. If a volunteer can be found we would therefore like to set up an arrangement where all Agenda’s and Minutes are sent to one individual who then ensures they reach each branch. It is envisaged that this will be done by email.

Are there any volunteers? Offers of help to david.harby at ntlworld.com.

ENVELOPE RE-USE LABELS NOW BACK IN STOCK

We now have a supply of envelope re-use labels with the slogan “Join the campaign for a modern railway”. Until the Royal Mail pricing structure changes in August 2006 they are priced at £2.50 each (inclusive of postage) and can be ordered from David Harby, 6 Carral Close, Lincoln LN5 9BD. Cheques payable to ‘Railfuture’

RAILWAYS FOR ALL

The first ever accessibility strategy for UK railways, The Railways for All Strategy, was published by DfT on 23 March. Last year the Government announced £370 million of expenditure to improve access for disabled people and improve information. This expenditure is ring fenced and is a total expenditure to 2015. The funding is split into 2 parts with £35 million per year improving access to and within the busiest stations which are currently not step-free and up to £7 million per year for small schemes targeted at less busy or smaller stations. The DfT has invited bids from TOCs, local authorities and other parties prepared to sponsor these small schemes.

The Scottish Executive has an allocation, which it will be able to specify how this money will be spent in Scotland.

Source: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_mobility/documents/page/dft_mobility_611416.hcsp

NORTHERN RAIL REVIEW

There has already been plenty of media comment on the Northern Rail Review, released on 21ST March, so I will not comment further. However the announcement by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Derek Twigg) can be read at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611381.hcsp and the Review can be downloaded from http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611382.pdf

NATIONAL RAIL TRENDS OCT – DEC 2005

National Rail Trends 2005–06 quarter 3 (October-December 2005) was published by ORR on 24 March 2006. The headline figure was an increase of 1% in the Public Performance Measure (PPM) on the same quarter of the previous year. This average figure does hide some wide variations between operators. Increases by Virgin West Coast (14.6%), South West Trains (7%), Silverlink (5.2%) and Southern (5.2%) contrast sharply with decreases by First Great Western (8.1% ) and ONE Intercity (5.4%).

The growth in passenger kilometres and passenger journeys continues. Long distance operators experienced a 7.8% growth in both passenger kilometres and passenger journeys. For regional operators, passenger kilometres increased by 4.6% and passenger journeys by 7.2%. In the London and South East sector, passenger kilometres and passenger journeys increased by 2.5% and 7.6% respectively.

Total freight moved increased by 8.4% with a notable increase of 24% in the amount of coal moved (measured in tonne-kilometres). Total freight lifted, measured in tonnes, increased by 6.3%.

This edition of NRT has a more detailed breakdown of Government support to the rail industry.

The detailed report can be accessed from the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.129
Source: ORR press release

EAST WEST RAIL GETS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT

The East West Rail Consortium are claiming that trains could be running between Oxford, Aylesbury, Milton Keynes and Bedford within five years following the publication of a study that encourages further development of the East West Rail scheme. The study looking at options for improving transport between Milton Keynes, Aylesbury and Bedford, as well as Oxford, was published by the ODPM on 11th April. The report can be found on the re-launched East West Rail Consortium website, at www.eastwestrail.org.uk

A further package of work is now to be carried out by Steer Davies Gleave. The original business case is to be updated. A half-hourly service will be looked at. A method of capturing increased land values as a result of the re-opening and using that to pay for the scheme will be investigated. The work will be complete in July and should enable the Government to make a decision on getting the project delivered in time to match the new housing planned for the area.

Also announced by the ODPM on 11th April were eight new transport schemes to be funded from an additional £51 million of investment as part of the Community Infrastructure Fund. As might be expected most of these schemes are for road ‘improvements’ but also included is £8.17 million towards a new parkway station, to be known as Aylesbury North, and upgrading 3 miles of track. The station will serve Berryfields and Weedon Hill developments north of Aylesbury.
.
Sources: DfT press release http://www.gnn.gov.uk/Content/Detail.asp?ReleaseID=195785&NewsAreaID=2 and East West Rail Consortium press release http://www.eastwestrail.org.uk/downloads/PRESS%20RELEASE%20-%20EWR%20110406.pdf

BUS AND LIGHT RAIL STATISTICS GB: OCTOBER TO DECEMBER 2005 PUBLISHED ON 23 MARCH 2006

Http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fulldetail.asp?releaseid=192320&newsareaid=2&navigatedfromdepartment=false

NORTH EAST REGIONAL PLANNING ASSESSMENT FOR THE RAILWAYS PUBLISHED

On 30th March the Department for Transport published the North East Regional Planning Assessment for the railways (RPA), the second in a series of eleven RPAs covering England and Wales. The North East RPA covers the North East of England region and a small part of North Yorkshire where the railway services are closely linked to the North East network. Source and link to the full RPA: DfT website http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611453.hcsp

REGIONAL CONTACTS ON SCHOOL TRAVEL PLANS

If you are part of a Rail User Group or other local organisation trying to bolster support for a vulnerable train or bus service, you might wish to pass ideas to a local School Travel Plan officer. Sometimes minor timetable changes can meet the needs of a specific secondary school or college with both economic and safety benefits accruing over the long term.

The Department for Transport has recently issued a list of staff in Regional Offices of central government who could confirm who - in a particular county or unitary authority - promotes the concept of School Travel Planning. The list, together with telephone and email suggestions, can be found here:

www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/page/dft_foi_611511.pdf

Activists Briefing - Issue 12

18th March 2006

IN THE NEWS

On Saturday, 25 February 2006 our President Peter Lawrence was guest speaker at the annual dinner of the Cambridge University Railway Club. Peter gave a history of the Railfuture organisation together with some Railfuture views on the current local rail scene around the Cambridge and surrounding areas.

On 11th March Peter was the guest speaker at Railfuture East Midlands AGM.

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture Yorkshire’s ‘Yorkshire Rail Review 2005’ featured prominently in the Yorkshire Post on 10th March. A feature on p.2, brief reference on p.1 and Editorial. Focus was on the threat of closures.

Following the serious reduction in branch line services in the draft Greater Western December 2006 timetable, Railfuture Devon and Cornwall have campaigned to ensure that objections were sent in before the deadline of 8th March.

The efforts of Railfuture Wessex in helping with The Rail Ale Trail have been recognised in the Heart of Wessex Rail Partnership Annual Progress Report December 2005. At the recent Wessex AGM Alan Shotter was elected Chairman, replacing David Stevenson who had stood down. Mike Perkins was elected Secretary.

After being Chairman for 19 years Brain Hastings did not seek re-election at the Railfuture Lincs AGM. Alan Waddington was elected unopposed to replace Brian.

RAILFUTURE WEBSITE

There are various new items on the Railfuture website including:
 Railfuture's contribution to Sir Rod Eddington's study into the future of transport:
http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Future+of+Transport
 Transport activists' position paper on road pricing: http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Road+pricing

RAILFUTURE 2006 CONFERENCES

Bookings for the Campaigners' Conference in Stoke-on-Trent on 1st July are going well. There are still a few places available for anyone wishing to book accommodation (incl. breakfast) at the venue for £25 on either Friday or Saturday and £45 for both nights. For more info, or to book accommodation, contact Jerry Alderson at 32 The Oaks, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 6ZG (email: jerry.alderson at virgin.net).

The 2006 Rail Users' conference will be held in Reading on Saturday 4th November 2006 and NOT on 11th November as mentioned in Railwatch 107.

RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LTD AGM

A reminder that if you wish to partake of the buffet lunch at the AGM you must book in advance. Motions for debate are to be sent to Mike Crowhurst by 22nd April.

MEMBERSHIP OF SPECIALIST COMMITTEES AFTER MAY 2006

In accordance with usual practice the Board will review the membership of specialist committees at their May meeting. Committee Chairmen will be asking existing members if they wish to remain on the committee. If anyone else feels they have something to contribute to the work of any committee and would like to join it please advise Mike Crowhurst before the AGM.

JOHN LEE

As many readers will already be aware John Lee will be leaving the employment of Railfuture at the end of March. I am sure that everyone who has had contact with John over the past 7 years will agree that we owe him our sincere thanks for his diligent and conscientious work on behalf of Railfuture.

ADMINISTRATIVE ARRANGEMENTS FROM 31ST MARCH 2006

Pending the finalising of new administrative arrangements all expenses claims and invoices will be paid by our acting treasurer, David Harby, to whom all claims etc should be sent. If all goes well we anticipate having a new treasurer in place shortly and details of new payment arrangements will be then be announced.

RECENT DFT PUBLICATIONS

Below is a round up of some publications recently made available on the DfT website:

 FREIGHT USER BENEFITS STUDY - a two volume report on Freight Benefits that was prepared by Booz Allen and Hamilton for the SRA in June-August 2003. The report is in two volumes.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611116.pdf
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611117.pdf

 TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH PROGRAMME (final report - Jan 06)
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_roads/documents/pdf/dft_roads_pdf_611173.pdf

 CONGESTION ON THE STRATEGIC ROAD NETWORK: 2004/05 TARGET BASELINE FIGURE AND METHODOLOGY
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/downloadable/dft_transstats_611157.pdf

 APPRAISAL GUIDANCE FOR NETWORK RAIL DISCRETIONARY FUND SCHEMES
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/pdf/dft_railways_pdf_611192.pdf

 EASTERN REGIONAL PLANNING ASSESSMENT FOR THE RAILWAY: (COVERING NORTH & EAST LONDON AND THE EAST OF ENGLAND).
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/downloadable/dft_railways_611208.pdf

 CROSSRAIL EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT : PROJECT & POLICY ASSESSMENT REPORT
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/divisionhomepage/611016.hcsp

 TRANSPORT INNOVATION FUND : GUIDANCE, JANUARY 2006.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_611056.hcsp

 FELIXSTOWE SOUTH TERMINAL : INSPECTOR`S REPORT.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_shipping/documents/pdf/dft_shipping_pdf_611103.pdf

 MEDIA ANALYSIS REPORT: REVIEW OF UK TRANSPORT COVERAGE IN THE NATIONAL PRESS / prepared by Simon Hughes.
These monthly reports are worth a look to see a round up of how the press cover transport stories.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/divisionhomepage/610943.hcsp

SPEECH BY ALISTAIR DARLING TO THE NATIONAL RAIL CONFERENCE

Readers will no doubt have heard about Alistair Darling’s speech on 15th March 2006. There was not a lot new in the speech except that alongside the High Level Output Specification next year a long-term strategy will be published.

In the London area he is predicting significant growth, “perhaps 30% or more over the next 20 years,” but in a different part of the speech he only predicts 1.3 billion passengers within 20 years. This is actually only a growth of around 1.3% per annum so there seems to be another lack of joined up thinking somewhere. Given that recent new franchises need higher growth rates than 1.3% to meet the premium payments is he expecting a big loss of passengers in other areas due to line closures? Or are we going back to solving overcrowding by pricing people off those trains?

The comment that “we cannot be in the business of carting fresh air around the country” is repeated again so we must expect some service reductions. These are justified by saying, “it frees up trains and resources for where they are needed to meet the real demands of a growing network.”

There are hints as to how they will plan and respond to the growth demands. Double decker trains are mentioned but probably of more significance is a comment that the response “includes how we intend to work with changing structures of local governance, such as the proposed city regions.” “Decisions on road, rail, bus and tram need to be looked at together by the same people, so that sensible choices can be made and priorities decided on. The present structures don’t help to do that in many places.”

Learning from and building on the experience of Transport for London and Scotland is mentioned so do we read this as another reorganisation of transport responsibilities within local government?

Whilst the national media picked up on the old story of new HST’s I have not seen any of them mention his emphasis on the need for HST2 to meet tighter environmental specifications. Alistair Darling points out that European rolling stock has been getting heavier. Every seat in a Pendolino, for example, is equivalent to half a Landrover Discovery. Apart from the energy needed to run such heavy trains they cause a lot of track wear. It is pointed out that Japanese trains are down to under 500kg per passenger and falling. Is this a strong hint to European suppliers that they will have to offer something exceptional or we will be seeing HST2 built by Hitachi?

Finally he is only going to examine the merits of High Speed Lines, which is something that has already been done repeatedly in one form or another ever since the railways were first constructed. He then mentions the Eddington study on transport in the long term so we are likely to get no decision on a High Speed Line until after Eddington has reported.

The full text of the speech is on the DfT website at: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/pdf/dft_railways_pdf_611336.pdf

SENSITIVE LORRY MILES

From what we gather, it seems likely that DfT will begin a review of Sensitive Lorry Miles (SLMs) in the not-too-distant future. At the Freight Committee meeting on 11 March, it was agreed that Philip Bisatt would write to DfT on this issue. He will also be preparing an article for 'Railwatch'.

Railfuture needs to lobby for more of the motorway network to be classified as 'high congestion' where higher rates of Freight Facilities Grant would be available (that is, when freight grants are actually being paid out - in England the scheme is currently suspended, but will resume in April 2007.) The SLM scheme also needs to include an explicit allowance for reductions in CO2 emissions where goods are transferred from road to rail. The absence of congestion has been used as a reason for offering a low rate of grant, but lorries emit CO2 whether the motorway is congested or not!

If you have any views as to where changes might be justified, please let Philip know philip@brackenedge.wanadoo.co.uk so that he can quote examples as necessary. As an example, a crawler lane for lorries is currently being added to part of the M5 between Clevedon and Avonmouth, yet on the SLM motorway map congestion is classified as being 'low'!

The SLM map is available on the DfT site http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/divisionhomepage/039740.hcsp

LIB-DEM RESHUFFLE

The new Lib-Dem leader, Sir Menzies Campbell CBE QC MP, has appointed Orkney and Shetland MP, Alistair Carmichael, as the Party's shadow secretary for Transport. Details at http://www.libdems.org.uk/party/people/mr-alistair-carmichael.html

DATES FOR 2006-7 RDS BOARD MEETINGS

RDS Ltd Board meetings have been arranged for 20 May 2006 (Birmingham), 2nd September 2006 (Peterborough), 9th December 2006 (Birmingham and 3rd March 2007 (Leicester). 15th July 2006 is being kept free for an extra meeting in London if needed.


FORTHCOMING EVENTS

Saturday 25th March
Railfuture Scottish Branch AGM Royal Overseas League, 100 Princes Street, Edinburgh 14.00 - 17:00. Guest Speaker will be James King (Scottish Member of the Rail Passenger Council).
Railfuture Severnside branch AGM, staff Club, Bristol Temple Meads Station
Railfuture Passenger Committee, London
Railfuture International Committee
Railfuture North East branch, Brunswick Methodist Church, Central Newcastle 2pm Chris Leech (Northern Train) Youth Crime - A TOC's Perspective

Saturday 8th April
Railfuture South West AGM

Thursday 20th April
Railfuture London & South East AGM, London Welsh Centre, 157 Grays Inn Rd, London (opposite Calthorpe Arms) 19:00hrs

Saturday 22nd April
BRTA Conference “Community Railways”, Best Western Moore Place Hotel, Aspley Guise, MK17 8DW. Details from BRTA http://www.brta.org.uk/index.html Tel: 01243 300815.

Saturday 6th May
RDS Ltd AGM Swindon

Tuesday 17th May 2006
Railfuture North East branch, County Hall, Durham, 7pm. Alan James (UK Ultraspeed) 500 km/h ground transport for Britain. A look at a travel system of the future

Saturday 20th May
Railfuture Board Meeting Birmingham

Saturday 3rd June
Railfuture Passenger Committee, Birmingham

Saturday 10th June
Railfuture Network Development committee

Saturday 24th June
Railfuture Policy, Lobby & Campaigns committee

Saturday 1st July
Railfuture summer conference on theme of Campaigns. Stoke-on-Trent

Saturday 4th November
Rail Users’ conference, Reading

Activists Briefing Issue 11

18th February 2006

IN THE NEWS

Railfuture President and media spokesman, Peter Lawrence, has been in demand in 2006. Media enquiries have included:
Eastern Daily Press - Following reports of local passengers being left behind at Norwich Station due to lack of train capacity on 153 Class units. In depth article discussing the reasons.
BBC Radio Coventry - Interview on recent fares increases
Guardian and Eastern Daily Press - Railfuture views on recent fares increase.
Talk Radio - Interview on recent fares increases.
Eastern Daily Press - 23 January 2006 concerns on increased possession of track at weekends for maintenance are passengers being inconvenienced?

A meeting was due to take place at Suffolk County Council to discuss possible new stations and reopening of some old stations and Radio Suffolk called Peter for a Railfuture opinion. Local issues are possible reopening of Leiston and Felixstowe Beach and new stations at Moreton Heath (Bury St Edmunds), Blakenham and Great Conard.

Peter comments that “The lions share of the interview time was taken up by Councillor McGregor and I was just given a brief time for a couple of comments. My main reply was to say that only one station was opened in 2005 and any station reopenings would be in the mid-term or longer term if at all. One opinion that I shared with Mr McGregor was that Leiston should be examined for reopening with the view to a Leiston to Ipswich through services. Leiston would then become a railhead for the Aldeburgh and Leiston area. Much development has taken place in this area since the line from Saxmundham to Aldeburgh closed in 1966. I was able to make the point that Railfuture considered the top priority scheme for Suffolk should be a loop between Halesworth and Lowestoft in order to run hourly trains which would help to boost the economy of Lowestoft.

Railfuture Media spokesman and Vice President, Michael Caton, has been interviewed by TalkSport about the fare increases and, on 16 January, by Three Counties Bucks Radio who wanted the Railfuture view on a speculative article in the Sunday Times about a high-speed London to Scotland line using jet-propelled trains. (See http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2090-1986436,00.html) Michael advocated an electrically hauled high-speed railway integrated with the UK rail network and the mainland Europe high-speed lines via the Channel Tunnel.

On 27 January the Yorkshire Post telephoned Railfuture Chairman, Mike Crowhurst, and asked to comment on the announcement that no extra paths would be made available in 2006 for services from West Yorkshire. Mike letters printed in Transport Times (same as Rail) and Local Transport Today (cross subsidy)

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture Lincolnshire Chairman, Brian Hastings, was interviewed by the Lincolnshire Echo about the Central Trains announcement of their Adopt a Station Scheme. Brian welcomed the scheme as it encourages community involvement in stations. Following the publication of the Public Accounts Committee report “Maintaining and improving Britain's railway stations” Brian was contacted by a local journalist who wanted to find a poorly maintained station in Lincolnshire. After some discussion with the journalist involved it became clear his paper were planning a ‘knock the railways’ article so Brian declined to assist.

RAILFUTURE 2006 CONFERENCES

The Campaigners' Conference in Stoke-on-Trent on 1st July will include a 5 to 10-minute statement from each of the 16 Railfuture branches on their current and recent campaigns, how successful they have been and what lessons have been learned. Anyone wishing to guarantee accommodation (incl. breakfast) at the venue for £25 on either Friday or Saturday and £45 for both nights, needs to send their booking for to Jerry Alderson at 32 The Oaks, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 6ZG by end the end of February. Rooms may be available after that date but we cannot guarantee them. If anyone intends to turn up on the day without pre-booking (this is discouraged!) they should note that the building is not the one on the booking form sent with Railwatch in December 2005.

The 2006 Rail Users' conference will be held in Reading on Saturday 4th November 2006.

RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LTD AGM

Members will shortly be receiving Railwatch 107. Enclosed with it will be a flyer giving details of the AGM and a booking form. Ballot papers to elect Directors will not be included, as there have been insufficient nominations to require an election. The RDS Ltd Annual Report and Accounts will be sent to members in a separate mailing.

MEMBERSHIP OF SPECIALIST COMMITTEES AFTER MAY 2006

In accordance with usual practice the Board will review the membership of specialist committees at their May meeting. Committee Chairmen will be asking existing members if they wish to remain on the committee. If anyone else feels they have something to contribute to the work of any committee and would like to join it please advise Mike Crowhurst before the AGM.

RAILFUTURE EAST MIDLANDS BRANCH HAS NEW WEB-SITE

The new East Midlands Railfuture branch, which recently merged with North Midlands, has a new web-site: http://www.blackrhodium.co.uk/RailfutureEastMidlands.

REQUESTS FROM NETWORK DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE

The committee would like to remind branches to keep a watching brief on all Local Authority Structure Plans and similar documents to ensure that closed routes with potential for reopening are protected and not zoned for development.

A new A – Z of Rail Reopenings is being prepared and the committee would like some photographs of stations that have opened or reopened in the last 15 years. Preferably these will show platforms with plenty of passengers on them. If anyone can supply suitable photos please send them to Jerry Alderson.

MEMBERSHIP PROMOTION AND FUNDRAISING GROUP

The Membership Secretary, David Harby, has been having informal discussions with various Railfuture members to see if there is anything we can do to assist branches, committees and individuals in recruiting members and raising sponsorship. Ideas that have been suggested include putting together slide show(s) and PowerPoint presentations that can be shown to potential members and sponsors and interested groups. We could even produce a short DVD such as this one produced by Great Central Railway to promote their scheme to bridge the MML at Loughborough http://www.bridgingthegap.org.uk/video.html.

We are trying to put together a Membership Promotion and Fundraising Group to take this idea forward. If you have any skills that could help us, have any other ideas or would like to help in any other way please get in touch with David Harby (details below).

_-ANOTHER THREAT TO THE CKP TRACKBED AT FLUSCO __

Eden District Council has received a planning application (number 06/0001) for a fuel storage depot on the North Lakes Industrial Park at Flusco. The application form and site plans can be viewed on Eden District Council's website and can be found using the following link: http://eforms.eden.gov.uk/fastweb/detail.asp?AltRef=06/0001

The site proposed clearly straddles the trackbed of the Keswick to Penrith Railway and would be much more damaging than the access road for which permission was recently granted (application 03/0378). Eden District Council, Regional and National Government have policies that should protect Railway trackbeds for reopening.

CKP Railways plc is preparing a detailed objection, but would also encourage as many interested people as possible to make individual objections to this proposal which would damage and obstruct the Railway trackbed. There were nearly 170 objections to the roads application, which gave the subject extremely good publicity. Petitions are not a good idea as a petition is recorded as one single representation, regardless of the number of people who sign it

More details can be found in the ‘Latest News’ section of the CKP website at http://www.ckp-railways.co.uk/ All objections must be received by Eden District Council by 22nd February 2006.

EUROPEAN PASSENGERS’ FEDERATION AGM

The 4th AGM and Conference of the EPF will held on March 18th 2006 at Kumulus – Centrum voor de Kunsten, Maastricht. The theme of the conference is “What can Europe do for passengers?” Further details of the conference, an optional excursion through the Euregio on Sunday March 19th and links to tourist and hotel information can be found on the EPF website at http://www.epf-eu.be/. Registration costs 40€ (including lunch) but UK delegates have the option of sending a cheque for £25 per head to EPF Chairman, Trevor Garrod, at 15 Clapham Road South, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR32 1RQ. The cheque should be payable to ‘RDS Group Travel’ and must be received by Trevor no later than 25th February.

RAIL PASSENGERS COUNCIL FINALLY ANNOUNCES ITS’ NEW IDENTIFY AND LAUNCHES NEW WEB-SITE

Passenger Focus is the new name for the Rail Passengers Council. Interestingly there is nothing in the name mentioning rail, which has led some people to speculate that it may evolve into a public transport passenger body especially if widespread replacement of train services with buses occurs in the future. The new web-site is http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk.

ECML ROUTE UTILISATION STUDY

Martin Murphy of Railfuture North East will be co-ordinating the Railfuture input to the ECML RUS. Will all branches with an interest in the RUS please liase with Martin so as to avoid conflicting versions of the Railfuture view coming from different ends of the route.

LINCOLN UNIVERSITY MEDIA STUDIES COURSE STUDENTS SEEK US OUT

Twice in a month, students on the media studies course have telephoned Railfuture Lincolnshire chairman, Brian Hastings, for interviews having found us via the Railfuture website. The first enquirer wanted our views on train reliability and punctuality relative to Lincolnshire and the second was following up a story on the roll out of a new station adoption scheme by Central Trains.

It was an ideal opportunity to put over the raison d’être and campaigning activity of Railfuture and one which was seized. Both female enquirers used a recording studio to tape the interviews, which are then analysed and reviewed by course tutors. Whilst the results do not give us immediate publicity, it enables us to profile ourselves to a student age group who are the media journalists of tomorrow. After finishing their courses many of these students will move on to being junior journalists and researchers in television, radio and the printed media. If they have a rail story to cover Railfuture will be the organisation they will contact for the passengers’ view.

Maybe other universities with media studies courses will discover our existence or perhaps it is worthwhile branches making their existence known. Doing these sort of training interviews works two ways as it can also give hesitant branch media spokesperson experience.

BRTA CONFERENCE

Bedfordshire Railway and Transport Association are holding a conference on "Community Railways" on 22 Apr. 2006 (10.15 am 'til 4.45 pm). The conference is receiving modest sponsorship from Railfuture. Speakers Include: Richard Pill – BRTA, John Parry, M.B.E. - Parry People Movers (Confirmed), Trevor Garrod, M.A. - European Passengers’ Federation & Railfuture Board Member, John Watts - Chairman of Oxford-Bicester Rail Action Group (OBRAG), Steve Deane - Wensleydale Railway Company and Steve Sharp - Capita Symonds on Bedford-Northampton Rail Link re-opening.

The venue, Best Western Moore Place Hotel, The Square, Aspley Guise, Beds, MK17 8DW, is accessible via the Aspley Guise Halt on the Bedford-Bletchley Branch. See the BRTA website for more details http://www.brta.org.uk/html/events___diary.html#Conference2006

PLAN UNVEILED FOR RAIL AND ROAD FREIGHT INTERCHANGE

A MULTI-MILLION pound road and rail freight interchange could be built in the North East, near the East Coast Main Line and the A1(M). A planning application for the facility, which would be part of an office and industrial development on 464 acres of land at Tursdale, near Bowburn, south of Durham City, could be lodged by developers in the next few weeks.
Source: http://archive.thisisthenortheast.co.uk/2006/1/26/217040.html

TRANSPORT TRENDS: 2005 EDITION

The Department for Transport has just published the eighth edition of "Transport Trends". This National Statistics publication provides readers with an introduction to the major trends in transport and travel in Great Britain. Through the inclusion of many charts it presents an overview of key trends over the past 25 years, and highlights some of the key issues. It is intended as a companion volume to Transport Statistics Great Britain, which contains reference tables containing more detailed figures and some longer time trends.

Transport Trends 2005 follows the structure of the previous edition, with the inclusion where possible of more up to date data. There are sections covering the following topics:

• Roads, vehicles and congestion
• Personal travel by mode
• Public transport
• Variation in personal travel and access to services
• Freight and logistics
• Ports and airports
• Safety
• Health and the environment

The complete publication, including a brief summary and all the data underlying the graphics, can be found on the Department's website. www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_026281.hcsp

Transport Trends 2005 is available free of charge from DfT (telephone 020 7944 4846, or e-mail publicationgeneral.enq at dft.gsi.gov.uk).

Source: Department for Transport press release

FREIGHT USER BENEFIT STUDY PUBLISHED

Four stages of a freight user benefit study commissioned by the SRA have been published, although the DfT is keen to point out that their findings are not in operational use at the moment. Read these reports at

www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/divisionhomepage/611115.hcsp

DFT CONSULTATION ON STATION CLOSURE CRITERIA

The DfT have issued a Consultation Document about the criteria that will apply when a closure proposal is made. Railfuture Passenger Committee will be co-ordinating the Railfuture response and all comments should be sent to the committee secretary, Nick Lewis, 36 Common Road, Stotfold, HITCHIN, Herts. SG5 4DB, in time for their committee meeting on 25th March.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611064.pdf

MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING BRITAIN'S RAILWAY STATIONS

The House of Commons Public Accounts Committee report on “Maintaining and improving Britain's railway stations” which was given considerable publicity in the media in early February can be found using this link http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm/cmpubacc.htm

Activists Briefing - Issue 10

16th January 2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE CHAIRMAN

Mike Crowhurst would like to thank all those members who kindly sent him Christmas cards, which he failed to reciprocate. Excuses include pressure of work (!) and being poorly for much of December.

IN THE NEWS

On Thursday 22 December Anglia TV telephoned Railfuture President, Peter Lawrence, about the proposed strikes over the Christmas and New year holiday period by 'one' railway and Central Trains. Train crews on both TOCs were unhappy about holiday arrangements and Peter did an interview on Norwich station that day. Peter said that the combatants should sort out their differences without inconveniencing passengers. Later that day both TOCs settled their differences with unions concerned and strikes were called off.

On Friday 23 December Eastern Evening News telephoned Peter for Railfuture views on the complex rail fares structure particularly on the Norwich to London route. Peter’s view was that we need a much more simplistic fares system throughout the UK. Passengers get confused by the number of different fares on offer.

The lead reader’s letter in Rail 531 is from our chairman, Mike Crowhurst. It calls for ATOC to look again at a National Railcard and stresses Railfuture’s support for the RPC in their fight to retain Saver Tickets.

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

In early December 2005 Coastway division of Railfuture London & S.E. issued a press release on the 'new' Ashford - Brighton venture by Southern. The new timetable, which started on December 11th, saw a new direct service from Brighton to Ashford replace the current ‘semi-fast’ Brighton to Hastings service and the only hourly service East of Hastings. The new service means drastic reductions for small stations east of Hastings, with only one very early and one late train a day each way stopping between Ore and Rye. Cuts on this scale could be seen as the forerunner of complete station closures, which Railfuture would strongly oppose.

Railfuture spokesman, Ivor Heuting, was interviewed on Southern Counties radio in between a broadcast from Brighton station - and an interview with Mr Horton, the Southern chief exec, who also had to answer two of the questions posed by our press release. The BBC covered the first train - the second actually, the first was cancelled because of 'signalling problems'. The second, with four town mayors and dignitaries was late. Our views were also highlighted in the BBC South East local TV programme the same night, helped by another Coastway member who rode the train and talked to reporters.

They also had some coverage in the Eastbourne and Bexhill local papers – and would have had a good spot in the Brighton Argus had our contact, the assistant Editor, had not died the day before. (yes, really!)

The TWA Order application to upgrade the Felixstowe Branch and Ipswich Yard has been submitted by Hutchinson Ports. Details can be found on: http://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/fsr/branchline/plansfbl.htm
East Anglia branch are writing a letter of support. You may like to do a personal letter of support to:
Department of Transport, TWA Orders Unit, Zone 9/09, Southside, 105 Victoria Street, London. SW1E 6DT Letters have to be in by 3rd Feb.

RAILFUTURE MEET THE RAIL MINISTER AND RAIL PASSENGER COUNCIL.

In the week before Christmas Railfuture parties had meetings with both the Rail Minister, Derek Twigg and Rail Passengers’ Council. Notes of the meeting with Derek Twigg will soon be available on the Railfuture website.

Railfuture Chairman Mike Crowhurst, Rail Users Group Liaison Officer, Tony Smale, and two members of Railfuture’s Passenger Committee met with RPC Chairman Colin Foxall and Director Anthony Smith. Some points emerging from discussions were…
- Five Passenger Link Managers are now in post and have been out and about dealing with local issues.
- A further seven PLMs will be recruited shortly. PLMs will be the first points of contact for rail user groups.
- The RPC has a modest budget to sponsor new user groups and transport forums, and to help with specific projects.
- The RPC will liaise with activists, user groups and Railfuture on important issues.
- The first issue for analysis in 2006 will be Fares; a report is to be drafted and circulated.
- The most important task annually will be the National Passenger Survey involving 50,000 responses.
- Other work includes: Route Utilisation Strategies, new Franchises, the High Level Output Statement and HST replacement.
- The RPC is pleased with the way Network Rail is now conducting RUS consultations, but NR still needs to have a better customer focus.
- The RPC plans to keep in touch with user groups via regular newsletters, but probably only by email.
- On “Closures” we were assured that the RPC considers it has no fewer powers than before – arguably a better chance to make voice heard (hmmm…)
- Railfuture made its views known on issues such as the splitting of through services and the holding of connections.
- We explored the possibility of a new printed Directory of Rail User Groups as a joint RPC/Railfuture venture.
- After the time-consuming structural changes of 2005, the new RPC is now in fully operational.
- The RPC is to relaunch itself on 25 Jan 06 with a new name and new website. Launch packs will be available.

BUSTITUTION DURING ENGINEEERING WORK

During our meeting with the rail minister, Derek Twigg in Christmas week, this issue was raised, and we expressed the view that (possibly due to access charges etc) TOCs are rather too ready to reach for a fleet of buses during line closures, even when it would seem practicable to use diversionary routes. The minister asked us to give him specific details of instances when this has happened, and he promised to look into them. Could members therefore let Mike Crowhurst have any recent examples – with full details (date, route, arrangements made, and what you feel should have been done) to pass on to the minister, please? Alternatives must be realsitic – for instance when Manchester Piccadilly was closed in November, clearly not everything could get into either Oxford Road or Victoria!

ELECTIONS TO THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LIMITED BOARD.

Anyone who is intending to stand for election to the RDS Board is reminded that all nomination papers must reach the Railfuture Returning Officer, P.O.Box 7690, Hinckley, Leicester LE10 9WJ no later than 1st February 2006. Nomination papers may be obtained from the same address or downloaded from the Railfuture website.

ANNUAL DRAW 2006

It is intended to have the tickets for the 2006 Draw printed as soon as the date and venue of the autumn conference is known. It is anticipated that the conference will be on 11th November but the booking is yet to be confirmed. If any branch has an open meeting where they think they may be able to sell any draw tickets and would like some please contact the Draw Administrator, Chris Precey. All profits from the Annual Draw are put into the Railfuture Fighting Fund. This fund is available for both resisting cuts and closures, and campaigning for new or reopened routes or stations. Awards are made on the recommendation of the Passenger and Network Development Committees. None of the draw profit is used for general Railfuture running costs.

RAILFUTURE SUMMER CONFERENCE 1ST JULY 2006

At the Campaigners' Conference in Stoke-on-Trent on 1st July we would like to include a 5 to 10-minute statement from each of the 16 Railfuture branches on their current and recent campaigns, how successful they have been and what lessons have been learned. Hopefully each branch will be able to send a representative. If not, please could a statement to be read out be sent to the organiser, Jerry Alderson, at jerry.alderson at virgin.net by 25th May at the latest.

If anyone wishes to guarantee accommodation (incl. breakfast) at the venue for £25 on either Friday or Saturday and £45 for both nights, please send your booking for to Jerry Alderson at 32 The Oaks, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 6ZG by end the end of February. Rooms may be available after that date but we cannot guarantee them.

Lastly, please note: the building as noted on the booking form sent with Railwatch in December 2005 has changed. Anyone booking will be given new details. No-one should turn up on the day without confirming which building the conference will be held in.

RAILFUTURE SUBMISSION TO SIR ROD EDDINGTON STUDY

In the 2005 Budget the Secretary of State for Transport and the Chancellor announced that they had asked Sir Rod Eddington to work with the Department for Transport and HM Treasury to advise on the long-term impact of transport decisions on the UK's productivity, stability and growth. Railfuture Policy, Lobby and Campaigns Committee have submitted a paper to the DfT team assisting Sir Rod. A copy of the Railfuture submission will shortly be available on the Railfuture website.

CENTRAL TRAINS, CROSS COUNTRY AND MIDLAND MAIN LINE REMAPPING

Railfuture East Midlands, West Midlands and Lincolnshire branches have already started to liase with each other so that they avoid coming to opposite conclusions over the Central Trains/MML remapping. There are also implications for London & S.E. and North West branches and these will be included in the discussions. In addition to train services there are significant implications for the future management of stations along the routes.

The Cross Country changes affect almost every branch. Somebody will be appointed to co-ordinate the Railfuture response to these changes. In the meantime if any member has a contribution they wish to make to either of the new franchises would they please put their views to their branch secretary.

GREEN GROUPS CALL ON GOVERNMENT’S CLIMATE CHANGE WORK TO STOP IGNORING TRANSPORT ‘LIKE EMBARRASSING UNCLE AT CHRISTMAS’
A grand coalition of environmental groups, of which Railfuture is a member, issued a press release on 23 December 2005 challenging the Government to stop effectively ignoring transport in its work on climate change. They point out in particular that people in the UK are buying bigger new cars than before and that motoring has become cheaper while public transport fares have risen.

The groups point out that:
 Transport is the fastest growing source of greenhouse gas emissions and accounts for almost a quarter of UK emissions.
 The cost in real terms of motoring has decreased whereas the cost of public transport has increased.
 Despite engines becoming more efficient, emissions from new private cars are actually increasing on average in the UK due to a growing thirst for larger vehicles (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders April 2005) and European targets to cut car emissions are unlikely to be met.
 Under Government plans for airport expansion, emissions from aviation could account for a quarter of all UK emissions by 2030.
Despite the Government’s Climate Change Programme, which seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 levels by 20 per cent by 2010 and 60 per cent by 2050, current action by Government is unlikely to meet their targets. Currently UK greenhouse gas emissions are only 12.6 per cent below 1990 levels, and transport is one of the key reasons for this huge gap between policy and action. Between 1997 and 2004 motoring costs fell by 7 per cent whereas bus and coach fares increased by 11 per cent and rail fares increased by 4 per cent. (Transport Secretary Alistair Darling Parliamentary in written answer 11 October 2005)

The Ten-point Plan for action for Government is:
1. Tax reforms: Keep the costs of motoring constant rather than falling.
2. Air travel: Remove tax exemptions and withdraw airport expansion plans.
3. Incentives for changing travel patterns: Adequately fund programmes to influence travel patterns.
4. Roads and road-user charging: Set up a national charging scheme to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, raise money to pay for alternatives to car travel and review the roads programme.
5. Land-use planning: Promote higher density development on brownfield sites that enjoy public transport links, together with a wide range of local services to reduce the need to travel.
6. Speed management: Enforce and reduce motorway limits while reducing the single carriageway limit to 50mph to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
7. Freight: Promote regional sourcing for food and construction materials while increasing investment in rail and water freight transport.
8. Public transport: Develop the quality and quantity of public transport networks.
9. Walking and cycling: Promote walking and cycling, by ensuring better conditions and encouraging increased use of these activities as attractive and healthy alternatives to car travel.
10. Cleaner vehicles and fuels: Make legally binding EU agreements to improve fuel economy and promote carbon dioxide reductions.
A comprehensive version of the Ten-Point Plan is available at www.transport2000.org.uk

Source: Press release http://www.transport2000.org.uk/

JUST TO SHOW THE GOVERNMENT WILL FUND RAIL SCHEMES

The Community Infrastructure Fund (CIF), which has been established by the Department for Transport and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, will provide £24m of funding for improvements to Milton Keynes Central and Wolverton railway stations and £10m for regeneration and public transport enhancements at Dalston Junction station. Further infrastructure projects in housing growth areas will be announced early in 2006.
Source DfT press release http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=182400&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

ORR SETS OUT ITS FRAMEWORK FOR THE REGULATION OF THE RAILWAY IN SCOTLAND

On 21 December 2005 the ORR published out their conclusions on the regulatory framework they are putting in place following the transfer to Scottish Ministers of powers and responsibilities for funding railway services and for specifying high-level railway outputs

The ORR’s approach to regulation in Scotland: Conclusions document is available from the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/267.pdf. Source http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7621

NATIONAL RAIL TRENDS – JULY - SEPTEMBER 2005 (QUARTER 2)

The edition covering July - September (quarter 2) of the financial year 2005-2006 was published on 19th December 2005. Key findings in the report are:

Comparing July - September 2005 with July - September 2004, the national figure shows an improvement in performance of 3.7 percentage points. Sixteen train operating companies showed an improvement but seven operators showed a decrease in performance:
Complaints per 100,000 journeys for long distance operators between July - September 2005 decreased by 5.8% compared with the same period the previous year. In contrast the complaints rate for regional operators increased by 5%.
All sectors saw growth in total passenger revenue in July - September 2005, compared with the same quarter in 2004. Total passenger revenue, seasonally adjusted and at 2004-05 constant prices increased by 3.7% between July – September 2005 and the same period in 2004.
Between July - September 2005, and the same quarter in 2004 long distance operators experienced a growth in passenger kilometres of 0.6%, whilst passenger journeys increased by 4.4%. For regional operators, passenger kilometres increased by 5.7% and passenger journeys by 9.5%. Due to a change in methodology that occurred after 2004-05 quarter 3 it is not possible to make accurate quarterly comparisons for London and South East operators between July - September 2005, and the same quarter in 2004
Total freight moved increased by 4.5% in July - September 2005 compared with the same quarter in 2004. There was a significant increase of almost 24% in the amount of coal moved measured in tonne-kilometres over this period. However total freight lifted measured in tonnes decreased by 2.5% over this period.
Source: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7620

TRACK WASHED AWAY BY HURRICANE KATRINA REPLACED IN ONE WEEK

I am grateful to John Sita, Jr, the editor of the November-December, 2005 Newsletter for Louisiana Association of Railroad Passengers for this tit bit about the speed of track restoration following Hurricane Katrina. How long would this have taken in the UK? Would Health and Safety constraints even have permitted it to happen?

“The CN route into New Orleans only sustained minor damage, but the rails and roadbed on top of Norfolk Southern’s Lake Pontchartrain trestle were completely washed away by the storm surge. NS had its bridge rebuilt in one week by heroically picking up the track from the bottom of the lake and relaying it on the bridge (with new ballast).”

2006 BRANCH AGM’S

Some AGM dates are in Forthcoming Events but dates are still awaited from Devon and Cornwall, London and South East, Thames Valley, Scotland, and Severnside branches. Would the branch Chairmen or Secretaries please notify the dates to Mike Crowhurst or David Harby as soon as possible.

THE WRONG KIND OF PASSENGER?

When disabled passenger, Bert Massie, needed to visit Liverpool he followed all the correct procedures to obtain wheelchair assistance. He pre-booked help and arrived at Euston station twenty minutes early as usual. However all did not go according to plan.

When he arrived at Euston he approached a Network Rail worker for help at the underground taxi-rank but was told ‘You will have to phone the office. I'm too busy’.
Mr Massie called the number but says he was confronted with another unhelpful member of staff. “I couldn't believe it when the person who took my call said, 'It's just one of those things. If you miss the train, you miss the train’. He didn’t seem to understand that there are only three seats on every train that a wheelchair user can use. If they are pre-booked we have to wait for a train that does have space.
"His attitude was particularly unhelpful and dismissive and he didn’t appear to understand customer service. I travel a lot by public transport and generally receive a decent service but when they get it wrong the consequences for disabled people can be dire."
Though Mr Massie was unhappy at the attitude of the staff, he blames Network Rail management for understaffing the station and using untrained security staff to assist disabled people. Usually he receives a good service from Network Rail staff at Euston.
This is not however likely to be the last we hear of this incident. During the last thirty years Bert Massie has served on a number of government advisory committees concerned with transport and disability including the Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee. He is currently Chairman of the Disability Rights Commission.

Source: Disability Rights Commission website http://www.drc.org.uk/newsroom/newsdetails.asp?section=1&id=913

Activists Briefing - Issue 9

16th December 2005

IN THE NEWS

York Evening News telephoned Peter Lawrence for his comments on the replacement of Class 158 units on the Trans Pennine services. It appears this reporter was a guest in Germany recently to view the new Desiro units. Peter’s view was that the new units would help to attract increased business, give a more comfortable journey and encourage growth in rail travel for this area.

On Saturday 3rd December the Mail on Sunday telephoned Peter for his views on the Elsenham accident. On Monday 5th December he was interviewed live on BBC Radio Essex and BBC Radio Cambridge and was also interviewed by BBC East TV.

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture Devon and Cornwall has issued a press release welcoming the merger of the separate Great Western and Wessex Trains companies into one Greater Western franchise. However they have voiced concern over the lack of plans concerning branch line services in the region and the possible loss of links from Cornwall and Devon to Hampshire and the South Coast.

As well as continuing the Night Riviera Sleeper, First Group has promised to run two additional day time trains from Penzance and one extra service from Paignton to London. A daily service will run through to Newquay from London during the school Summer Holidays extending the current weekend only service.

Railfuture Devon and Cornwall Secretary, Stuart Walker said: “We are pleased that First Group appear to have taken the opposite view to the Department for Transport who were originally planning to cut services from Cornwall to London. In the longer term we would like to see an hourly service from Cornwall and Paignton to London, perhaps using multiple unit trains that can attach/detach portions to different destinations during the journey - a method of operation that has been in use in South East England for well over 50 years. We hope that with the merger of local and branch line services with Paddington trains, the lack of co-ordinated timetable planning and the utter confusion that takes place at times of disruption will now be behind us.”

Railfuture is concerned over the lack of information in the Franchise announcement concerning the future development of the branch lines. Of particular concern are the winter service levels on the Newquay Branch. At present only four trains a day operate to Newquay in the Winter, and the Department for Transport proposed reducing this to two trains a day, including one through service from London. The through service from London will not take place in the winter - perhaps because demand was unlikely to justify use of an 8 coach High Speed Train - but we do not know what will run instead. Will the Newquay branch end up with a token one train a day that no one will want to use?

Also not commented on in the Franchise announcement is any commitment to improve the train service frequency on the Falmouth Branch, even though the County Council has funding in place to install a passing loop if more trains could be run.

Railfuture has written to First Group seeking assurances that the Cornish and Devon Railcards will be retained along with the successful Rover and Ranger tickets in the two Counties. The new franchise is due to start in April 2006, with the first major timetable change expected in December of that year.

For more information on the Greater Western Franchise visit the DfT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_610696.hcsp

A statement from Alison Forster, Managing Director of First Great Western can be viewed by clicking on this link http://www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk/home/story.php?item=133&ref=home

Keith Dyall, Chairman Railfuture London & South East, has been given a meeting with Elaine Holt, Managing Director of First Capital Direct (The winners of the Thameslink/GN franchise) just after the new year. Any issues you would like raised should be sent to Keith at keith.dyall at tesco.net.

For the DfT press release on the franchise award go to http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/fullDetail.asp?ReleaseID=181549&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False

WHO’S IN CONTACT WITH WHOM? WHO TAKES THE LEAD ON WHAT?

A register has been compiled listing who within Railfuture is responsible for liaison with which outside body and who has lead responsibility for what function, task or policy. Copies will automatically be sent to all branch and committee contacts in early January 2006. If any member wants a copy please send a sae to Trevor Garrod, 15 Clapham Rd South, Lowestoft. NR32 1RQ

CAMBRIDGE (MIS) GUIDED BUSWAY

The Secretary of State for Transport, Alistair Darling, has written to all those who appeared at the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB) public inquiry to say that he has granted a Transport And Works Order for the Busway.

This does not necessarily mean that the Cambridge to St.Ives railway is dead. The possibility of restoring rail services will not be lost until concrete is laid on the trackbed, and that will not be before December 2006. As the councils that won orders to build the Leeds Supertram, MerseyTram and South Hampshire Light Rail know, it is one thing to get initial approval and another thing to build it.

There is a significant funding gap (the government offered £65m when it was estimated at £73m. It is now estimated at £86m+). Section 106 funding from developers will only partially fill that gap.

Crucially, since the busway would be built by a contractor on a fixed-price basis, they will be forced to inflate their bid price to take account of the high risk of an overspend, because they have to allow for further inflation, risk, cost escalation, faulty design etc.

The Edinburgh Guided Busway opened in December 2004 and has already been closed twice for urgent repairs. Both of these repairs have been done at the expense of the contractor. Given this bad experience, the CGB contractor will factor into their bid an allowance for such risks. The Edinburgh scheme was built by one of the three CGB bidders.

The Crawley busway, built by another of the CGB bidders, has seen a significant overspend. In this case, council tax payers have had to pick up the bill. Presumably this is the reason why CGB will be a fixed-price project.

The third CGB bidder has never built a guided busway before!

The Secretary of State’s letter (item 72) makes it clear that “his decision to make a TWA Order is entirely without prejudice to any subsequent funding decision, which would be subject to a separate appraisal process. It should therefore not be taken to imply any commitment to provide public funding for the scheme.”

This wording is ambiguous, and could be interpreted to mean not only filling the £21m+ funding gap but perhaps withdrawing the £65m funding conditionally offered in December 2003.

Further news will be posted on www.castiron.org.uk in the coming weeks.

This is a link to the Secretary of State's decision letter and the inspector's full report:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_610693.hcsp.

EDM 1248 PASSENGER RAIL SERVICES IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND

Denis Murphy, MP for Wansbeck, has tabled the following Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons:

EDM1248
That this house is deeply concerned at the threat to passenger services in the North East of England despite the enormous growth in rail patronage; requests that the House of Commons Transport select Committee re-open its inquiry into railways in the North of England; calls upon the Government to prevent any station closures or service reductions until that committee reports; and believes that the Government should promote the expansion of regional railways, an example of which would be the re-introduction of passenger services on the Ashington Blyth and Tyne line, which would reduce car use substantially and assist in the regeneration of a former mining area.

Whilst this EDM is drafted specifically for the North East, concern for the railway is widespread throughout the English regions. Hence, we would be grateful for your assistance in requesting members in your Branches and User Groups to request your MPs to sign this EDM. The study of the Northern Rail franchise provision is currently expected to be published early in the new year so the sooner we can demonstrate widespread support through this EDM the better.

TORIES APPOINT NEW SHADOW TRANSPORT TEAM

Chris Grayling (Con, Epsom and Ewell) has been appointed Shadow Transport Secretary. He was first elected in 2001 and for his first 18 months in Westminster served on the Transport Select Committee. The Shadow Ministers for Transport are Owen Paterson MP, Julian Brazier MP and Stephen Hammond MP

2006 BRANCH AGM’S

Some AGM dates are in Forthcoming Events but dates are still awaited from Cambrian, Devon and Cornwall, East Anglia, London and South East, Thames Valley, Scotland, Severnside, South Wales and Wessex branches. Would the branch Chairmen or Secretaries please notify the dates to Mike Crowhurst or David Harby as soon as possible.

NETWORK RAIL PERFORMANCE FIGURES SHOW CONTINUED IMPROVEMENT

The latest edition of the Network Rail Monitor, the quarterly report by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) on Network Rail's performance, was published on 25th November with a companion edition for Scotland. These cover the 2nd Quarter of 2005/06 (26 July – 17 September).

Bill Emery, Chief Executive of ORR, said:
"Network Rail's performance has continued to show steady improvement on a number of fronts. There are, however, some detailed aspects - including delays to trains in Scotland - which we are examining more closely."

Safety: The index of precursors to major train accidents is now at its lowest level for 3 years.

Train Performance: Overall, the Public Performance Measure (PPM) continue to improve, with punctuality reaching an annual average of 85.1% by the end of the Q2 of 2005-06, Network Rail is currently forecasting an annual total for 2005-06 of 10.5 million minutes compared with a regulatory target of 11.3 million minutes

Infrastructure Assets: There are reductions in most categories of asset failures. The exception is in track faults, which remain 11% higher than last year. ORR is investigating the reason.

Expenditure: Network Rail again spent below its budget with an underspend of 11% in the first half of 2005/06, mainly on renewals and enhancements.

The situation is not so good in Scotland where Train Performance is only the same as the end of Q2 2004-05. This contrasts with network-wide PPM improvement of 3.3% over the same period. Infrastructure failures are also showing no sign of improvement this year, in contrast to the network-wide trend. Network Rail in Scotland is however spending close to its budget.

Source: ORR Press release
The Network Rail Monitor (Great Britain) and a commentary are available on the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/nr_monitor-q2-gb.pdf. The Network Rail Monitor (Scotland) and a commentary are available on the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/nr_monitor-q2-scot.pdf.

WEST WALES DIRECT

This is the title of a new report published by Railfuture South Wales to advocate regular use of the Swansea District Line (Briton Ferry to Llanelli) by passenger trains. The branch believe that this would offer faster through services from west Wales to Cardiff and beyond, and also cater more effectively for the significant population in the northern part of Swansea than do the present services. Such measures are necessary, they believe, if rail is to compete more effectively with road for east - west journeys.

A three-phase approach is envisaged, with new stations and services at each stage. Infrastructure changes needed are also covered. Many services, including those on the Heart of Wales line and on all the routes in west Wales, would benefit from the developments which are proposed, but it is emphasised that there is no question of diverting any existing services away from the present Swansea station.

West Wales Direct is an A4 spiral-bound report with coloured illustrations and diagrammatic map. Members can obtain it at the cost price of £3, including p&p, from Railfuture South Wales (to whom cheques should be made payable), 84 North Street, Abergavenny NP7 7ED. Price to non-members is £5.

NEW RAIL FREIGHT GRANTS ARE ANNOUNCED

The Department of Transport has announced new rail freight grants that will be worth some £4.1m over the next two years, which will secure the major shift of goods from road onto rail. It is estimated that through these grants over 361 thousand lorry journeys will be removed from UK roads over the next two years, in doing so helping to reduce road congestion, pollution and carbon dioxide emissions. A list of the applications that have been approved can be found on the DfT website at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/page/dft_freight_610669.hcsp
Source: DfT website

BRIDGE STRIKES AND VEHICLE COLLISIONS WITH OTHER OVERHEAD OBJECTS

Some very interesting information about bridge strikes has appeared on the DfT website following an FOI request for correspondence, reports, data and notes of any dialogue with DfT and other parties relating to bridge strikes and vehicle collisions with other overhead objects created since 1990.

Included in the documents now available is a list of the top 100 bridges subject to bridge strikes and the minutes of the Bridge Strike Prevention Group. Grantham must have some of the worst HGV drivers in Britain with 3 bridges in the top 13.

For details go to http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_foi/documents/divisionhomepage/610617.hcsp

GOVERNMENT REFUSES REQUESTS TO TRIAL HEAVIER AND LONGER LORRIES

In a statement to the House of Commons on 7th December 2005 The Minister of State, Department for Transport (Dr Stephen Ladyman) announced that he had decided to refuse two applications to trial longer and heavier goods vehicles. Among the reasons given is that he “has not seen clear evidence that longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) would deliver economic benefit to the industry.” He believes “that more work needs to be done to look at axle loadings for various designs of LHVs and the consequent impact on pavements, bridges and other infrastructure; and to estimate the costs of any reinforcement or remedial works.” He finished by saying that “The freight and logistics industry is constantly changing so I have instructed officials at my Department to continue to monitor developments, and to carry out their studies in close liaison with the industry. “
The statement can be read at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmhansrd/cm051207/wmstext/51207m03.htm#51207m03.html_sbhd2

Activists Briefing - Issue 8

16th November 2005

IN THE NEWS

Railfuture Chairman, Mike Crowhurst, has been interviewed by BBC Radio Leeds about the complicated range of tickets that are available. Peter Davies, Chairman Railfuture Yorkshire, has been interviewed by BBC Radio 4 Westminster Hour about the same issue.

The Sunday Express contacted Railfuture President, Peter Lawrence, about Alastair Darling’s plans to launch a new security scanning process for rail passengers using Heathrow Express as a test bed. The reporter sought Peter’s views on possible plans to extend this idea nationwide to the UK rail system and was concerned how staff would deal with say two trains arriving at the same time at a station with 600 passengers each. Peter’s view was that any idea which would increase passenger safety should be examined but this idea would be hugely expensive if applied to the entire rail system. In any case how could this new scanning process be applied at unstaffed stations? A terrorist with a bomb could easily board a train at one. Stations with a large through put of passengers in peak hours would require large numbers of security staff to process passengers quickly.

The Evening Star (Ipswich) contacted Peter concerning the recent increase in freight from Felixstowe Docks, in particular extra traffic to Daventry. He said the Railfuture view would be to welcome this news and look forward to further expansion of rail container traffic from the port.

The Eastern Daily Press telephoned Peter to ask his opinion on the proposal by "one" to increase fare restrictions on travel from Liverpool Street during peak hours. His opinion was that any further restrictions on peak hour travel could deter people from travelling by rail.

Metro Radio (Newcastle) telephoned to ask how to contact Railfuture North East. It appears Grand Central Railways wish to run a London to Sunderland and Teeside service. Peter passed on contact details.

BBC Birmingham telephoned Peter to say that Grand Central Railways were proposing a new radical fares structure. Peter passed them on to the Railfuture Passenger Committee.

On 11 November Peter had a telephone call from Ben Webster at the Times asking for comments about the closure of the only test track in the UK (Asfordby, Leics). Neither Network rail nor the TOCs are interested in taking it over. Peter’s view was that this is a backward step meaning future testing of trains will have to be carried out on the continent and not under UK track conditions.

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture London and South East chairman, Keith Dyall, has had complaints about lack of seating on modern stock with complaints from people who say they have to stand regularly because the few seats provided have taken before the train starts it's journey. For example he has been told that trains starting from Sevenoaks have no free seats when they leave so even at the next station people have to stand for quite long journeys. There are proposals that Thameslink 2000 stock will have fewer seats and wider doors. Some T2000 journeys will be quite long and it is ridiculous to expect people to stand for up to an hour in some cases. The principle reason is that the SRA or DfT did not want to spend money on extra platforms at St Pancras or Blackfriars so loading and unloading times are increased and there are less seats. Keith wants to know how strong feeling is amongst people who use these trains as he is considering making a campaign over this. Comments please to Keith at keith.dyall at tesco.net.

MAINDEE LOOP

The RPC has now published its report on the proposed Maindee Loop Closure (withdrawal of passenger services) between Penzance and the north west of England operating over the Maindee Loop, outside Newport, South Wales. This would see withdrawal of through passenger services between Cornwall and Manchester by ATW. The report concludes that the withdrawal of these services will lead to passenger hardship.

Passenger counts carried out by the RPC's consultants in August were double those quoted by ATW for January. Many passengers were found to be choosing this service because it avoided a change of train. Sadly the RPC's analysis is weak on the key issue of alternative fare options (via Birmingham) when the service is withdrawn. It also appears that the RPC was not able to confirm that the paths would be available should either ATW or another operator wish to run an equivalent service next summer.

Source: RPC press release http://www.railpassengers.org.uk/site/News/RPCPressReleases/2005_102105_01 and comment from Railfuture West Midlands.

ARCHIVIST WANTED

We are looking for a volunteer to help set up an archive of Railfuture/RDS material. In the early stages it is envisaged that the main task will be scanning in old documents and transferring them to CD. Further details and offers of help to Jerry Alderson jerry.alderson at virgin.net. If anyone has old material, especially from the early days of RDS or even the earlier days of the Railway Invigoration Society and the Railway Development Association, then Jerry would like to hear from them.

RAILFUTURE SUMMER CONFERENCE 2006

The conference next summer will be based on a theme of “Campaigns”. It is to be held at Staffordshire University, Stoke on Saturday 1st July. There will be an optional evening session for activists with B&B accommodation at a reasonable rate also available. It is hoped to include a flyer giving more details with the December Railwatch.

2006 BRANCH AGM’S

Some Branch AGM’s are listed in Forthcoming Events. Could other branches please let me have details as soon as the dates have been fixed.

HIGH SPEED RAIL CONFERENCE

The Railway Forum and the Scottish Association for Passenger Transport will be hosting Fasttrack: High speed rail for Scotland - a seminar to make the case for a UK high speed railway on 9 December at the Teachers Building, St Enoch Square, Glasgow. There is no attendance fee. Speakers include Richard Brown Chief Executive Officer, Eurostar; Chris Green Chairman of the Railway Forum, Jim Steer Senior Partner at Steer Davies Gleave and formerly Director, Strategic Planning at the SRA; Alistair Watson Chair, Strathclyde Passenger Transport Authority. Details from The Railway Forum website http://www.railwayforum.com/events.php

SLEEPER CAMPAIGNERS LAUNCH SUPPORT GROUP AT EDEN PROJECT

Save Our Sleeper are organising a public meeting at the Eden Project at 14:30 on Sunday 27 November. Amongst those attending and speaking will be Christian Wolmar of Rail Magazine. Stuart Walker, Secretary Railfuture South West, has been promised a spot to talk about Cornwall's other rail services – the successes and threats. Although it is a Sunday (apparently the only time Eden can accommodate SOS) please try to attend if you can.

If you’d like to show your support, go down to Eden and make a day of it. Or why not travel to Cornwall on the sleeper and make a weekend of it – The Eden Project (http://www.edenproject.com/) is an excellent day out. If you can let the organisers know beforehand at andrew at saveoursleeper.com, or on 07973 155109 if you’re going, that’ll mean they can ensure there’s enough seats for everyone!

SOUTH WEST MAIN LINE ROUTE UTILISATION STUDY

On 3 November 2005 Network Rail unveiled a series of options for meeting the growing demand on the busy lines into London’s Waterloo station.

The draft Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) presents, for consultation, 27 options that could accommodate greater passenger and freight demand in this part of the country, which is forecast to see passenger kilometres increase by 20% and freight traffic increase by 15-20% over the next 10 years.

The consultation identifies the present day pinch-points and invites stakeholders to consider a variety of potential solutions. Some suggestions are:
 Additional services – for example, a significant increase in capacity could be delivered by increasing services arriving at Waterloo between 7am and 8am from the present 46 (but passengers would need to be incentivised to travel at this time and additional rolling stock would be required)
 Longer trains and platforms – conversion of some suburban services (e.g. Waterloo-Reading) from 8 to 10 carriages would deliver 25% increase in capacity
 ‘Peak management’ – incentivising travel during the hours either side of the morning peak hour (between 8am and 9am)
 Redevelopment of Waterloo
o Short-term – relocate retail units on the concourse to free up space
o Medium-term – use the international station for domestic services post 2007
o Long-term – complete redevelopment including a new, larger concourse with extra facilities, longer platforms and a new track layout
 Remodel platforms 7 & 8 at Clapham Junction including lengthening platforms to take 12 carriages
 A flyover or underpass at Woking would relieve this key pinch-point enabling more stopping and non-stopping services through this bottleneck
 Encourage more freight off road onto rail by enhancing the rail infrastructure on the Southampton-Reading line to enable ‘big-box’ containers (9’6”) to operate (W10 gauge enhancement)

The consultation includes the usual caveat that further rigorous analysis and appraisal will be done on the options to ensure that only those passing strict value for money and affordability tests are included in the final strategy.

Responses must be submitted by 6th January 2006

Source: Network Rail press release http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Documents/News%20release%20-%2003.11.05%20-%20SWML%20RUS%20launch.doc

Railfuture Devon and Cornwall point out:

 Whilst they welcome RUS recognition that there is a need for more double track sections west of Salisbury they criticise DfT for stating in the SWT Franchise consultation documents that this must be funded by a 'third party' unlike major road improvement schemes being undertaken by the Highways Agency in the region.
 The SWT Franchise Consultation proposes loss of services Waterloo to Paignton and Plymouth. Withdraws all but the one (GW) through train from Paignton to London, and together with Greater Western franchise will leave Ivybridge with only three trains per day in each direction - none towards Plymouth after 1600.

TRANSPORT-WATCH UK ADVERTS

Readers will no doubt recall we mentioned in Railway Cuttings issue 82 (18 January 2005) a series of advertisements from Transport-Watch UK that had appeared in Private Eye and New Statesman. Railfuture, the Railway Forum and members of the public lodged objections to these adverts with the Advertising Standards Authority. We are pleased to announce that, after a prolonged series of ‘discussions’, the ASA announced on 2nd November that they had upheld our objections. The ASA adjudication can be found on the ASA website at http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/adjudications/non_broadcast/Adjudication+Details.htm?Adjudication_id=40464

ACORP COMMUNITY RAIL FEST 2006

After a successful Community Rail Fest in Norwich in late September 2005 ACoRP have announced they are planning an event centred on Darlington over the period 21st – 24th September 2006. Railfuture East Anglia had a stand at the 2005 event which succeeded in recruiting some new members. We hope to have a presence at the 2006 event building on our 2005 experience.

THE SHEILA MCKECHNIE AWARDS

Before her death from cancer in January 2004, at the young age of 55, Sheila McKechnie had a well-earned reputation as an effective campaigner. She worked as Director of Shelter and then of the Consumers’ Association. In memory of the immense contribution she made to campaigning in the UK The Sheila McKechnie Foundation was set up this year.

The Foundation has launched the Sheila McKechnie Awards to offer training fellowships to emerging campaigners through identifying people with outstanding vision and potential. They believe they can help individuals to achieve greater impact by awarding a 10-day package of bespoke training and advice. One of the award categories is transport. Details can be obtained from their website at http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/

WILL THERE BE ENOUGH AVIATION FUEL FOR THE PLANNED AIR EXPANSION?

John Busby has written a thought provoking paper on the future of air transport against an ongoing trend towards heavier and sourer supplies of crude oil as refinery feedstock. He concludes that it's unlikely that sufficient high quality aviation fuel can be provided in future to power such expansion. The paper is located here (select Chapter 9): http://www.after-oil.co.uk/ . Chapter 7 (Rail Transport). and much of the rest of Busby's paper may also interest you. Yet more evidence that we need to substantially reduce and, later phase out, domestic and short haul flights and replace same by a combination of rail and reduced needs for travel.

Activists Briefing - Issue 7

19th October 2005

IN THE NEWS

The Nottingham Evening Post telephoned Railfuture President, Peter Lawrence, on 4th October to say that recently a train sped through Beeston station instead of stopping and asked if there would be any safety issues as a result. Peter’s reply was that he could not see any safety problems as the train would of course be controlled by signals but it was bad luck for the passengers planning to get on and off at he station. It was up to them to claim compensation from the Train Operating Company for the inconvenience.

The press release, issued by Peter on behalf of Railfuture, at the time of the announcement of the proposal to close Walsall to Wolverhampton and his comments to the effect that the SRA may be hiding bad news on the back of the 7 July terrorist attacks was published in full in the September 2005 edition of "Conservative Transport News". It also included Peter’s points on 'closure for closures sake' and the need for someone to be appointed to expand the UK rail network - not for closures. Our comments on the ever-growing dependence on road vehicles, road congestion, global warming, noise levels and air pollution were also included.

MATV Channel 6 interviewed Railfuture East Midlands Chairman, Roger Skilton, on 19 September. This followed our press release on the fuel price protests. Roger thinks the interview went quite well, bur the interviewer didn't have much appreciation of the situation.

In an article on guided busways in the Times on 7th October Jerry Alderson, Railfuture Network Development Committee Chairman, is quoted pointing out the disadvantages of the schemes.
Source: Times 7/10/05 http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1814255,00.html

Mercury FM Radio (Watford) interviewed both Peter Lawrence and London & S.E. Chairman, Keith Dyall on the anniversary of the Hatfield Rail Crash (14th October 2005). They asked questions about safety issues at the time of the crash, views on Railtrack and whether conditions had improved since Network Rail has been created.

Following the announcement of the replacement franchise for Central Trains et al Peter Lawrence had telephone calls from The Eastern Daily Press, BBC Radio Norfolk and Yorkshire Post

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Contrary to information given in the previous Activists Briefing Rhodri Clark has NOT taken over as Railfuture North Wales branch contact. The position is currently vacant.

Railfuture Lottery Organiser, Elisabeth Jordan, has changed her email address to elisabeth at leisure-learning.wanadoo.co.uk

Railfuture Northeast have produced a detailed analysis of the rail services under threat in the NorthEast. The paper is also written to provide background support for those many people and organisations that wish to oppose the cuts proposed. An electronic copy of the paper is available by email on request to david.harby at ntlworld.com.

An electronic copy of issue 90 of the London and South East branch newsletter Railondon is also available by email on request to david.harby at ntlworld.com

Under new redevelopment plans announced on 12th October, Snetterton, Norfolk, Racing Circuit wish to build a rail station to serve the race track. Details of this new development plan can be found on the following web site: www.snetterton.co.uk. Peter Lawrence, pandwlawrence at waitrose.com, would welcome any comments you have.

COLIN FOXALL APPOINTED AS RPC CHAIRMAN

Colin Foxall CBE has been appointed Chairman of the new Rail Passengers’ Council to replace Stewart Francis, who resigned in May due to ill health. His appointment commenced on 23rd September and is for a period of 4 years. Colin Foxall has been Acting Chair of the RPC and was Chairman of the Regional Rail Passengers Committee for Wales from 2004 to 2005.

All appointments are made on merit and political activity plays no part in the selection process. However, in accordance with the original Nolan recommendations, there is a requirement for appointees' political activity (if any declared) to be made public. Colin Foxall did not declare any political activity.

Source: DfT news release 2005/0095, dated 27 September 2005.
www.dft.gov.uk/pns/displaypn.cgi?pn_id=2005_0095

NEWS FROM ORR

On 6th October 2005 the ORR published its draft health and safety enforcement policy statement. ORR is seeking the rail industry's views on the proposed policy, which sets out the general principles and approach to enforcement; its staff will follow when it takes over responsibility for health and safety regulation. The policy is based on the policy developed by the Health and Safety Commission (HSC), that currently guides the work of Her Majesty's Railway Inspectorate.

ORR's responsibility for health and safety regulation in the railway industry will take effect after regulations transferring enforcement responsibility from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to ORR have been made by the Secretary of State for Transport and laid before Parliament. The transfer is expected to take place early in 2006.

The health and safety enforcement policy statement is available from the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/254.pdf, together with the letter from ORR to consultees at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/let-254.pdf. Source: ORR press release

The Office of Rail Regulation has published its second annual assessment of the performance of Network Rail in 2004-05. ORR has also issued a notice on Network Rail's forthcoming 2006 business plan.

The annual assessment of Network Rail is available from the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/252.pdf. The Network Rail 2006 business plan notice and covering letter can be found at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/notice_format_bp2006.pdf.

National Rail Trends - April to June 2005 (Quarter 1) were published on 30th September 2005. The quarterly public performance measure (PPM) figure for quarter 1 is 87.5%, an increase of almost 3 percentage points from the same period the previous year, and the highest quarterly performance for five years. The national moving annual average for PPM at the end of June 2005 was 84.3%, 0.7% up on the year to March 2005.

Comparing April - June 2005 with the same period in 2004:
 16 out of 24 Toc’s showed an improvement in performance. At the sector level London and SE operators showed the biggest improvement in performance figures, up by 5.1 percentage points to 87.1 percentage points during the peak hours, and up 4.6 percentage points over the whole day to 89.1%. Long-distance and regional operators' performances both increased by 1.1 percentage points to 81.6% and 86.1% respectively.
 Complaints overall decreased by 27%. Complaints for London and SE operators decreased by almost 40% and for long-distance operators by 25% but those for regional operators increased by 23%.
 All sectors saw growth in total passenger kilometres, total passenger journeys, and total passenger revenue between April - June 2005. For long distance operators, passenger kilometres increased by 8.2%, whilst passenger journeys increased by 11.8%. For regional operators, passenger kilometres increased by 3.6% and passenger journeys by 2.3%. Total passenger revenue, seasonally adjusted and at 2004-05 constant prices increased by 4.2%.
 Total freight moved, measured by tonne kilometres, increased by 10.2%. There was a significant increase of almost 30% in the amount of coal moved over this period.

This edition of National Rail Trends covers the period 1 April 2005 to 30 June 2005, and is available from the ORR website at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/253.pdf. It provides trend data on a range of industry-wide indicators including key figures on rail usage and freight. National Rail Trends includes data that is provisional and subject to revision in the light of new information.
Source: ORR press release

The ORR has published its policy framework to facilitate investment in the rail infrastructure. This framework covers what Network Rail to do to facilitate and deliver investment, terms (including principles for risk allocation) for carrying out investments, and specific proposals in relation to investments sponsored by third parties (i.e. bodies other than Government and Network Rail, such as regional and local authorities, train operators and private developers).

The range of infrastructure investments which will be covered by the framework on the railway network includes connections to private freight facilities, construction of new maintenance depots, small and large-scale station improvements (ranging from new facilities at minor stations to the proposed Kings Cross redevelopment), and infrastructure improvements and upgrades. The investment policy framework set out in this document follows a consultation earlier in the year, and extensive work with Network Rail, Department for Transport (DfT), train operators, and other industry stakeholders.

The policy framework for investments: conclusions is available at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/255.pdf. Policy framework for investments: an initial consultation was published in February 2005 and is available at http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/223.pdf.

Source: ORR press release 7/10/05 http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/ConWebDoc.7461

RAIL USERS’ CONFERENCE 5TH NOVEMBER 2005

A booking form for the conference is included with Railwatch, which is currently being despatched. Please return, with your payment, as soon as possible so that lunches etc can be ordered. The final date for the receipt of luncheon bookings is 31st October 2005.

2006 BRANCH AGM’S

If they have not already done so Branches will shortly be setting a date for their 2006 AGM. Wherever possible Mike Crowhurst would like to ensure that an RDS Board member is present at all AGM’s to answer questions that may arise about national affairs. Would branches therefore please tell Mike their AGM date as soon as it is arranged? Dates already known are West Midlands 25 Feb, Yorks 11 March, and Lincs 18 March.

CENTRAL TRAINS FRANCHISE REMAPPING

On 18th October the DfT announced the long awaited new structure of Rail Franchises following the abolition of the Central Trains franchise. The DfT press release and media briefing can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pns/displaypn.cgi?pn_id=2005_0102.

RAIL USER EXPRESS DERAILED

Soon after Tony Smale sent his last RUEx email bulletin, to RUG contacts, in mid August, his home PC suffered catastrophic failure. Internal parts including the hard drive blew up with the result that he has to rebuild his address book from scratch. If you had been receiving RUEx bulletins or would like to, please send Tony a blank message with "Subscribe RUEx" in the subject line. His email address is unchanged (note that there's an underscore between tony & smale): tony_smale at lineone.net. Tony assures us that the PC and modem were plugged in via a surge protector - so be warned!

EUROPEAN PASSENGERS’ FEDERATION AGM 2006

The next EPF AGM and Conference has been arranged for Saturday 18th March 2006 in Maastricht, Netherlands. Further details are available from EPF Chairman, Trevor Garrod, 15 Clapham Road South, Lowestoft NR32 1RQ.

LTUC WELCOMES WATERLOO DECISION

The London Transport Users' Committee has warmly welcomed the Government's report recommending that Waterloo International be retained for rail use after Eurostar has moved to St Pancras in 2007.

Brian Cooke, Chair, LTUC said: "We are delighted that the report recommends Waterloo International remains in rail use. This is a vital rail asset, and depriving passengers of this would be a backward step. We support this recommendation wholeheartedly and look forward to working with the industry to determine how this new capacity for domestic trains should be used."

The report prepared by Ove Arup last summer for the Department of Transport can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_609903.pdf

MORE EUROSTAR TRAINS ON TIME – MORE FLIGHTS ARE LATE

Eurostar trains on the London - Paris route are now significantly more punctual than competing airlines. 88% of Eurostar trains arrive on time compared to only 68% of flights by British carriers. In the past year Eurostar punctuality has increased by 5% from 83%, airlines punctuality has declined by 5% from 73%.

Source: http://news.independent.co.uk/uk/transport/article317808.ece

CFIT LAUNCHES NEW GUIDANCE TO FAST-TRACK DESERVING LOCAL TRANSPORT SCHEMES

With several tram schemes escalating in cost and Government placing increasing importance on the cost/benefits of schemes, CfIT has produced new guidance to support local authorities in considering their best options for a new mass transit system (light rail, guided bus or bus) in their area.

The guidance focuses on the need to rigorously examine strategic choices at the outset so that local authorities can work up which option is the most realistic and most suitable for their urban area, considering the costs and benefits of each before deciding upon a particular scheme. This minimises the danger of an ill-suited ‘vanity’ scheme gaining too much of a head of steam.

The CfIT guidance also advocates constant review, especially if costs or passenger forecasts change since this enables alternative options to be reconsidered.

Peter Hendy, Chair of CfIT, said:
"The guidance undoubtedly means a bit more work to start with, but the outcome will be a clearer understanding of why one mass transit option is more appropriate than others for the local area. As a result, this should enable the Department for Transport to reach their decisions more rapidly. This should mean a better deal for the travelling public and greater satisfaction for local authorities."

The new guidance can be found on the CfIT website at www.cfit.gov.uk/reports/amt/index.htm
Source: CfIT press release http://www.cfit.gov.uk/pn/051007/index.htm

NETWORK RAIL CLAIM £156,930 FROM CAR DRIVER AFTER LEVEL CROSSING COLLISION

Network Rail are claiming compensation of £156,960 from a car driver who delayed trains by 202 minutes when she ignored warning lights, swerved round barriers and was hit by a GNER train. The driver was banned for 2 years and fined £200 after admitting driving carelessly. The claim is for losses suffered by Network Rail as a result of the collision.

Source: http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/tm_objectid=16225938&method=full&siteid=64736&headline=heidi81-sued-forpound-150-000-after-she-delays-3-trains--name_page.html

PASSENGERS TO BENEFIT FROM STATION INVESTMENT BILLIONS

Network Rail has announced plans to launch a ten-year modernisation scheme for its stations. The company has identified the need for up to £4bn of additional private-partner investment in stations to enhance capacity at stations, improve facilities and provide opportunities for commercial development.

These are to be joint venture schemes and Network Rail is now looking for partners with the expertise to help take forward the first wave of stations to be redeveloped.

Plans have already been announced for King’s Cross and Paddington. Network Rail are now looking for proposals for Euston and Victoria by the end of this year, shortly followed by Waterloo. These are prime development sites – Euston has a comparable area to Canary Wharf – and Network Rail say there is huge scope for development opportunities, whether retail, offices or even residential.

Up to 50 larger regional stations have been recognised as needing upgrades, to increase capacity and / or improve facilities. At smaller stations instead of previous piecemeal upgrades, Network Rail plans to bundle sites together into clusters and offer them as packages to single developers. They say this will enable a wider range of facilities to be introduced along a whole line of route ensuring that stations of any size across the network will better cater to passengers’ needs.

Source: Network Rail press release http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Documents/News%20release%20-%2010.10.05%20-%20Passengers%20to%20benefit%20from%20station%20investment%20billions.doc

EWS SAYS CROSSRAIL PLAN WOULD ERODE RAIL FREIGHT CAPACITY

The English Welsh and Scottish Railway (EWS) has submitted objections to the planned £13 billion Crossrail link beneath central London. EWS is urging Government to amend the Crossrail Bill to ensure that the whole rail industry can expand and that regular freight customers are not forced to rely on lorries.

EWS appreciates the aims of Crossrail, but it has deep concerns about the impact of Crossrail on the movement of freight by rail into London and the South East. Graham Smith, the company's Planning Director, thinks the scheme to help passengers and relieve congested Tube lines offers many benefits but should not be accepted "at the expense of freight by rail. The Crossrail proposals could destroy the movement of freight along the Great Western Main Line between Reading and London, and seriously affect the movement of essential freight from the east coast ports into and through London via the Great Eastern Line".

Over 200 daily freight trains moving 150,000 tonnes of goods a day could at worst be pushed onto the roads, creating thousands of additional road journeys. The idea looks particularly inappropriate along the M4 corridor because air pollution is already so intense north of Heathrow that toll charges are being contemplated by the Department for Transport.

EWS's key objections to the Crossrail Bill are:

 Crossrail trains consuming capacity for existing freight trains on the rail network.
 The consequent blight on rail freight property, which will push existing rail traffic onto the roads and prevent new business being drawn to rail.
 The undermining of the independence of the Office of Rail Regulation. This independence is considered essential if private investment is to be attracted into the rail industry.
 Conflicts between the Crossrail Bill, the Olympics Bill and other proposed legislation.

A copy of EWS's submission to the Committee is available on its website http://www.ews-railway.co.uk/news/downloads/EWSpetition-Crossrail.pdf

SLIGHT FALL IN ROAD CASULTIES IN 2004

The "Road Casualties Great Britain 2004 Annual Report" contains detailed information on the number of people killed and injured on the roads in Great Britain in 2004, based on information about accidents reported to the police. A slight fall in fatalities is reported this year. www.dft.gov.uk/pns/DisplayPN.cgi?pn_id=2005_0096

Activists Briefing - Issue 6

17th September 2005

FUEL TAX PROTESTS

Railfuture issued the following press release to around 500 media contacts on 13th September.

Railfuture will be writing to the Prime Minister (copied to the Chancellor and Transport Secretary) urging the Government to disregard the pleadings of the small but noisy minority seeking a reduction in fuel tax.

These people, many of whom enjoy access to cheap "red diesel", must come to terms with the increasing scarcity of fossil fuels, and learn to pay the true costs of road transport.

In real terms, motoring costs have fallen since 1997 in spite of fuel cost increases, while rail fares continue to increase above inflation.

We support Jonathan Porritt of the Sustainable Development Commission in his call for a longer term strategy to reduce dependence on polluting technologies.

We endorse the call by Transport 2000 to address rising carbon emissions from transport, which are contributing heavily to climate change.

If as a result of current world market conditions, the Chancellor enjoys a tax windfall, he should consider spending some of it on public transport, or on measures to reduce our dependence on oil. Simply increasing oil production is not the answer. ENDS

In response to the press release Peter Lawrence was interviewed by BBC Radio Plymouth at lunchtime on 14th September. He also gave permission to the Editor of Rail Manager On line to publish our press release as a letter to the Editor in the next edition. MET Television of Leicester are due to interview Roger Skilton, Chairman Railfuture East Midlands, on Monday 19th September.

IN THE NEWS

On 7th September Railfuture President and media spokesman, Peter Lawrence, had a long telephone conversation with Ben Webster from “The Times". He was concerned about the proposals for the Busway (St.Ives to Cambridge), East-West Rail link and new railways for the UK.

NEWS FROM RAILFUTURE BRANCHES

Railfuture North Midlands chairman and branch contact, Graham Nalty, has new daytime phone and fax numbers - Phone 01332 342233 Fax 01332 342373

A Railfuture North East branch meeting will take place at 7pm on Wednesday 20th September. Speaker is Wayne Kyte, Operations Manager North for GNER. Wayne is responsible for Newcastle, Durham, Darlington & York Stations Venue is the GNER training room between platforms 3 & 4 at Newcastle Central station. Access is gained from the overbridge. Both members & non members are welcome to attend.

A joint East and North Midlands branch meeting is planned for Derby on Saturday 12th November. It is hoped to have a speaker from Midland Main Line. This meeting will give members the opportunity to discuss arrangements for the East and North Midlands branch merger which will take effect on 1st January 2006.

Railfuture East Anglia will be delighted to welcome all Railfuture members to their stand at the Community Rail Fest at Great Yarmouth Station on 24 and 25th September

Railfuture Lincolnshire branch AGM has been organised for Saturday 18th March 2006 at the Grantham Railway Club.

TRAVEL EXPENSES REVIEW

The Board has appointed a sub committee to conduct a review of travel expenses and suggest revisions to the current policy. The aim of the review is to identify ways of reducing travel costs by looking at both travel needs and what expenses can be claimed.

Issues to be looked at include the number and location of meetings; the size of committees; alternatives to meetings (i.e. email forums). When looking at what can be claimed they are considering issues such as; should all travel expenses be reimbursed or should there be a deduction per meeting or per month/quarter; should car parking fees be reimbursed; what rate should be paid for personal car use (if any). This is not an exhaustive list – all aspects of travel needs and related expense claims are being looked at.

Jerry Alderson is leading the sub committee and would welcome submissions from members, especially those who are not on any committee and therefore have no pecuniary interest in the outcome of the review. Comments should be sent to Jerry at 32 The Oaks, Milton, Cambridge CBV4 6ZG email jerry.alderson at virgin.net to arrive by 30th September 2005.

WHO’S WHO 2005-2006

A copy of Railfuture Who’s Who 2005-2006 is due to be despatched with each copy of Railwatch 105. It is also now available in pdf format from the Contact Railfuture page of our website. We have incorporated all the changes to secretary, email address and/or phone/fax numbers etc that we are aware of but could all branch contacts please check the pdf version to ensure that your branch details are correct. Jerry Alderson or David Harby should be advised of any inaccuracies as soon as possible so changes can be made before printing.

POSSIBLE CUTS IN LOCAL RAIL PASSENGER SERVICES

Members will be aware that there have been articles in the press about cuts to local rail services. This article from the Guardian on 29th August is typical. http://search.guardian.co.uk/search97cgi/s97networkr_cgi?QueryText=%28+%28rail%29+AND+%28VdkPublicationDate+%3D+29%2D8%2D2005%29%29&ResultColSize=&ResultTemplate=Archive%5FArtifact%2Ehts&Collection=&SortSpec=score+Desc&Query=rail&ResultStart=1&ResultCount=10&ResultMaxDocs=1000&Dtv=&remote_address=193%2E122%2E208%2E99&Action=FilterSearch&Filter=FltArchive%2Ehts

The Railfuture Passenger Committee meets on 24th September and will be considering the reports of cuts. The committee will need to build up a picture of what is happening throughout the country. To help it in this work the committee chairman, Howard Thomas, is asking branch contacts and individual members to let him know of any possible cuts or closures being proposed in their area and of the reasons promulgated for these cuts. Comments please to Howard Thomas, 24 South Primrose Hill, Chelmsford CM1 2RG.

Members are also urged to write to their MP’s seeking ministerial answers to specific questions about reported cuts in their area. If you ask them MP’s are bound to seek answers to questions. Now that rail has passed back to the DfT the department can no longer respond to questions by saying it is not their responsibility as decisions are made by the SRA not themselves. If you are a Labour Party member then why not contact your constituency chairman telling him you are concerned about the cuts and asking him to pass on your concerns to Labour Party HQ. Please let Howard know the replies to your questions.

CALCULATING THE BENEFITS OF MODAL SHIFT FOR FREIGHT

The notion of Sensitive Lorry Miles has been used over many years in the UK to support the payment of public funds towards projects that seem likely to shift freight loads regularly from congested roads onto railway or waterway-dominated alternative routes.

Estimated monetary values are used as a means of quantifying the benefit of shifting freight from road to rail or water. These values are used in the calculations of Freight Facilities Grant (FFG) and Track Access Grant (TAG) and Company Neutral Revenue Support (CNRS).

The website www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_freight/documents/divisionhomepage/039740.hcsp points to documents that will assist anyone striving to estimate the benefits of rail reopening schemes largely destined to enable freight rather than passenger flows.
Source: Railfuture Yahoo Group

NEWS FROM DFT RAIL

The DfT website now includes more detail on rail issues. Among these is the feasibility study by Atkins for the Strategic Rail Authority into whether there is a transport and business case for a new high speed rail line (HSL) in the UK. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_control/documents/contentservertemplate/dft_index.hcst?n=6193&l=1

The following link will take you to a letter from Director General, Rail Group at DfT, Mike Mitchell, on how they propose to take on new responsibilities as the new DfT Rail Group. This letter has details of phone numbers and email addresses for the senior managers in the Rail Division. http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_038368.hcsp

NEWS FROM ORR

On 7th September 2005 the ORR published draft conclusions on Network Rail signalling expenditure

These refer to proposals for increased signalling expenditure in the current price control period running to March 2009. The ORR proposes to accept the need for additional signalling renewal work compared with that allowed for in the 2003 access charges review. However they consider that efficient delivery of this will involve expenditure of only £175 million on signalling renewal in the control period, in addition to the £1,723 million allowed for in the 2003 review. This compares with Network Rail's proposed addition of £296 million.

The consultation document sets out the reasons for these conclusions. Announcing these proposals, Chris Bolt, ORR Chairman, said: "Network Rail has made a case for additional expenditure on signalling renewals over the next three years, but needs to increase its efficiency in delivering those schemes. And while we are confident that the signalling supply industry has the capacity to deliver the volume of signalling renewals contained in Network Rail's programme, we have some concerns about Network Rail's ability to deliver. So we have sought further information from Network Rail about its ability to deliver this programme and will monitor delivery of it closely."

In its proposals, ORR has also set out how Network Rail will be penalised if it does not deliver the enhanced programme, or fails to achieve the additional efficiency reflected in the draft conclusions.
Source: ORR press release

A summary of the SRA thinking on the East Coast Main Line can now be viewed at, and downloaded from, the ORR website by using this link http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/ECML_Review.PDF. This document is not a strategy. It is a review of the work carried out to June 2005 by the SRA and provided at the time of hand over of its strategic Planning functions. The document is detailed and runs to 102 pages.

RAIL USERS’ CONFERENCE 5TH NOVEMBER 2005

Confirmed speakers include Brendan O'Friel, Chairman of the North West Public Transport Users' Forum and formerly Chairman of RPC (NW); Brian Simpson, until June 2004 a Euro MP and now Director of the North West Rail Campaign; John Mooney, RPC Passenger Link Director based in Manchester; Tony Young, formerly of Greater Manchester PTE, now an internationally-known light rail consultant and Trevor Garrod, Chairman European Passengers’ Federation.

For the first time at a Railfuture conference there is an opportunity for members to meet up on the night before the conference (Friday 4 November) at about 8pm. We will choose a pub near to the venue and possibly go for a meal as well. If you are interested in meeting up please contact Jerry Alderson (email: jerry.alderson at virgin.net).

It's excellent value at £10 for Railfuture members and the first two representatives of affiliated user groups; £15 for others. This includes tea/coffee in the morning and afternoon. A buffet lunch is available for an extra £5.

The venue for the conference is the Mechanics Centre, 103 Princess St, Manchester M1 6DD. A 10-minute walk from Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Oxford Road railway stations. Please don't wait for Railwatch to arrive with a booking form - book now! APEX train tickets now available for 5th November. A booking form/conference flyer can be downloaded from our website http://www.railfuture.org.uk/tiki-index.php?page=Rail%20users%20conference

If a branch has a meeting before Railwatch arrives can they please arrange to have some conference flyers available for members who do not have facilities to download one themselves.

EOC SUGGESTS BUS AND RAIL SCHEDULES DISREGARD WOMEN'S TRAVEL NEEDS

The Equal Opportunities Commission has published new research showing that Britain's transport systems are failing to address the needs of women. The research shows that this failure wastes public money, denies access to vital services, impedes job prospects, fails to ensure that people can travel safely and excludes the vulnerable.

The research points to persistent and costly problems caused by a transport system that prioritises men and perpetuates the social disadvantages faced by women. These include:

 Inadequate access for women to schools, shopping facilities and health care because of (a) transport routes designed for traditional commuters (i.e. which run from suburbs to town centres) and (b) prioritisation of services at peak-time commuter periods over daytime travel
 Difficulties for women taking up employment and training opportunities because of inappropriately timed and routed transport provision - women on low incomes are the worst affected
 Women's difficulties in accessing health care contribute to the significant costs to the NHS from missed appointments - the overall figure is between £250 and £400 million annually
 Negative impact on family health, as poor access to shops restricts access to healthy food
 Wasted investment of public money as core services are not properly accessible
 Reluctance on the part of women to travel at night due to safety concerns
 Vehicle design which hinders those with children or shopping

The report "Promoting Gender Equality in Transport", by Kerry Hamilton, Linda Jenkins, Frances Hodgson and Jeff Turner was produced by Transport Studies at the University of East London in collaboration with Jeff Turner Transport and Social Development Consultancy Ltd and the Institute of Transport Studies, University of Leeds.

The Equality Bill will require public services providers to conduct an assessment of men and women's different service needs and deliver action plans in response.

 Changes said to be needed in the transport sector include:
 Policy-makers specifically addressing the different transport needs of women and men.
 Employers tackling the under-representation of women as workers in the transport sector, particularly in management positions.
 Greater involvement of women users in the design of our transport system.
 Greater promotion by central government of the need for gender equality in the country's transport network.

This report is a reminder to Railfuture that there are many potential rail users’ who are not catered for by current services and that we need to take this into account when we are discussing service provision.

Source: www.eoc.org.uk/Default.aspx?page=17577&lang=en