Activists Briefing - Issue 2
22nd May 2005
IN THE NEWS
Sheffield University Students Radio Station telephoned Railfuture President, Peter Lawrence, on 26th April for comments on the proposed strikes on Midland Main Line. Peter’s view was that we ourselves could not become involved in the industrial dispute but would urge both sides i.e. Midland Main Line and the Unions to sit down and continue negotiations until the dispute can be resolved. It was unfortunate that strikes would take place over the May Bank holiday as it would mean prospective rail travellers will have to find alternative means of transport either by coach, bus or even using the motor car.
Also on 26th April Railfuture North Midlands Vice Chairman, Paul Clark, was phoned by Radio Trent re MML strike. Paul said that whilst possibly (stressed that word) the drivers could have case, MML was now running well and customer confidence was returning, it would be a pity if this was eroded by such action. Radio Trent said that they got Paul’s details from the North Midlands branch web site. http://www.rdsnm.btinternet.co.uk/. Looking at the website log Paul noted that they spent 3 minutes on it, looked at every page and rang as soon as they came off.
On Thursday 12th May an article in the Peterborough Evening Telegraph included comments from East Anglia branch secretary, Nick Dibben, talking about the Railfuture AGM and the possible closure of Whittlesea station as part of a route utilisation study. However, the SRA say that their report on Eastern Region capacity, due out in the summer, will not include closing the station. Peterborough Evening News article: http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=845&ArticleID=1024503
NEWS FROM THE RAILWAY DEVELOPMENT SOCIETY LTD AGM
The results of the postal ballot for Principal Officers and the Board of Directors results were:
Chairman - Mike Crowhurst 242 votes (elected), Jerry Alderson 228 (not elected)
Vice Chairman - Ray King 233 (elected), Ian McDonald 226 (not elected)
Treasurer – there were no nominations for the post so the current incumbent, Tony Sheward, has agreed to carry on in a reduced capacity while the Company seeks a suitable successor.
Membership Secretary - David Harby elected unopposed
Sales Officer - no nominations - post vacant pro-tem
Board of Directors (10 places);
Elected - Ms Clara Zilahi (356), Jerry Alderson (353), Andrew MacFarlane (333), Ian McDonald (305), David Redgewell (302), Philip Bisatt (300), Trevor Jones (298), Rowland Pittard (286), Trevor Garrod (280), Norman Bradbury (274)
Not elected - Richard Pout (270), Howard Thomas (268), Michael Harrison (230)
The meeting agreed that Annual Membership Subscription Rates should be as follows:
With effect from 1st January 2006:
a) Ordinary £20.00
b) Family £20.00 + £2 for each additional member
e) Concessionary £12.50
With effect from 1st January 2007:
a) Ordinary £21.00
b) Family £21.00 + £2 for each additional member
e) Concessionary £14.00
On renewal in 2006 members may subscribe for two years by paying in full for two years at the rate applying from 1st January 2006.
The meeting agreed that from 1st June 2005 members may subscribe for Life at the following rates:
a) Individual Life (Individual aged 18 or over) £235.00
b) Joint Life (Two individuals, both aged 18 or over, living at the same address, recorded under a single name and receiving one copy of material despatched) £255.00
c) Senior Individual Life (Individual member aged 60 or over) £115
d) Senior Joint Life (Two individuals, both aged 60 or over, living at the same address, recorded under a single name and receiving one copy of material despatched) £130
The meeting also endorsed the view of the Board of Directors that it is desirable that there should be a single Railfuture Branch covering broadly the counties of Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire and requested that the two existing branches take the necessary steps during 2005 to set up a combined branch which would come into effect on 1st January 2006.
The background to this is that it is expected that some transport funding will soon be channelled through Government Regional Offices with Regional Transport Boards as the likely vehicle. With this in mind the Board considers it to be desirable that there should be a single Railfuture branch for an area which falls within a single government region, is served principally by the same train operating companies and is geographically compact and focussed on the same city or cities. East and North Midlands branches had already voted at their respective AGM’s to co-operate with a view to a merger. Other minor adjustments to boundaries are envisaged with Bedfordshire (currently covered in part by East Midlands) coming wholly under London and South East Branch.
VACANCY – NATIONAL TREASURER
We are still searching for a National Treasurer. Tony Sheward has agreed to continue in a reduced capacity for the time being. This is not however an open ended commitment and there is a need to fill the post as a matter of urgency. If you are willing to consider taking on the role or have any suggestions of anyone suitable who could be approached please contact Mike Crowhurst. The Treasurer does not need to be an existing member of Railfuture.
VACANCY – SALES OFFICER
As will have been noted from the ballot results this post is also still vacant. Any volunteers please contact Mike Crowhurst. We have a quantity of obsolete sales stock that will have to be sold at a reduced price and ebay has been suggested as a possible sales route for this. If you have some experience of selling on ebay would you be prepared to consider selling some books for us? This could be done as a separate exercise – you would not have to take on the full role of Sales Officer.
REOPENINGS CONFERENCE
All members should have received a booking form with their copy of the RDS Ltd Annual Report. The conference is being sponsored by Cardiff International Airport, Angel Trains, Arriva Trains Wales, and First Group. The main theme of the conference will be the funding, development and benefits of the Vale of Glamorgan line with presentations from speakers who have been involved in the planning and execution of the scheme. A presentation on Integrated Transport is also planned. John Lee should receive all bookings no later than 24th June 2005. This is essential if you require a buffet lunch as we have to order these in advance. No lunches will be available on the day for anyone who has not booked one in advance.
CENTRAL TRAINS OFFER DISCOUNTS TO THE OVER 50’S
Central Trains are offering discounted off-peak travel for the over 50’s between selected stations from May 3rd to July 29th. If you are over 50 and are thinking of attending the Re-openings conference in Barry some substantial savings may be on offer. For example a Saver from Lincoln to Cardiff is reduced from £58.50 to £10. Details are on the Central Trains website at http://www.centraltrains.co.uk/.
ARRIVA TRAINS WALES CONSULT ON DRAFT DECEMBER 2005 TIMETABLE
Arriva Trains Wales are consulting on their proposed Standard Pattern Timetable, which is to be introduced in December 2005. The timetable is now on the Arriva Trains Wales website at http://www.arrivatrainswales.co.uk/en/news/news_releases2.php?categoryID=46&article=714&sub_subnavID=&subnavID=134. The final date for responses is 30th June 2005. Railfuture Wales are co-ordinating the Railfuture response and all comments from other branches should be referred to them before sending to ATW. Comments by email to Peter Clark or by post to Rowland Pittard, 61 Chantal Avenue, Penyfai, Bridgend, Glamorgan CF31 4NW to arrive by 15th June 2005.
NEWS FROM SRA
Have you ever wondered how busy your local station is? There is now a link on the SRA website to an Excel file listing the passenger figures for all stations for the financial year 2002/3. Go to http://www.sra.gov.uk/pubs2/statistics
COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN AND BRANCH LIAISON
At the RDS Board meeting on 21st May 2005 the following appointments were made:
Committee Chairmen
International and EU – Andrew MacFarlane
Network Development – to be confirmed
Freight Service and Development – Gary Tinsey
Passenger – Howard Thomas
Policy, Lobbying and Campaigns – Mike Crowhurst
Railwatch Editorial Board Joint Editors – Ray King and Robert Stevens
Internal Affairs – Mike Crowhurst
Branch Liaison
Devon and Cornwall – David Redgewell
East Anglia – Peter Lawrence
East Midlands – David Harby
North Midlands – David Harby
Lincolnshire – David Harby
London and South East – Ian McDonald
West Midlands – to be confirmed
North East – Mike Crowhurst
North West – Andrew MacFarlane
Severnside – David Redgewell
Thames Valley – Norman Bradbury
Wessex – Trevor Jones
Yorkshire – Mike Crowhurst
Scotland – Mike Crowhurst
South Wales – Roland Pittard
North Wales – Roland Pittard
Cambrian Lines – Roland Pittard
POST ELECTION RESHUFFLES
Alistair Darling has been left in post as Transport and Scotland Secretary. Minister of state is Dr Stephen Ladyman and
Parliamentary Secretary with responsibility for rail is Derek Twigg. The previous Railways Minister, Tony McNulty, is now a Minister of State at the Home Office.
The Conservative Shadow Transport Minister is now Alan Duncan. The previous incumbent, Tim Yeo, has resigned from the shadow cabinet.
The Liberal Democrat Shadow Transport Secretary is Tom Brake. Tom Brake has previously served on the Transport Select Committee. The previous incumbent, John Thurso, is now Shadow Scottish Secretary.
CAMBRIDGESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL'S COSTS FOR PROGRESSING GUIDED BUSWAY ARE DOUBLE ANTICIPATED AMOUNT
A Railfuture member used the Freedom of Information Act to obtain the costs incurred by Cambridgeshire County Council to progress the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway to the public inquiry stage. These show that £2.2m has been spent to date. The information was issued in a press release by CAST.IRON and generated an basic article in the Cambridge Evening News. The Hunts Post acted upon the press release and contacted Bob Menzies, project director, at the county council for a quote.
He revealed that the inquiry cost more than twice the amount it had budgeted for because nearly 2,750 people raised objections - significantly more than TWA Order applications. It spent £1.675 million on lawyers and consultants, compared with a budget of £800,000 for the year. The extra £875,000 has been funded from other parts of the integrated transport budget. This has delayed implementation of a real-time information system for bus passengers. The council is now trying to persuade the Government to increase its contribution to the £86.4 million busway part of the scheme beyond the £65 million promised when the cost was estimated at £73 million. It hopes that government will pay at least £78.4m (£13.4m more), so that it still only has to find £8m.
The CEN web-site held an online poll asking if too much money had been spent on the guided busway: 81% of respondents voted 'Yes'.
CEN Article: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/region_wide/2005/05/05/41851e42-8aa0-45ba-b76e-d7795a113618.lpf.
Source: Railfuture East Anglia branch Snippets 12 May 2005 http://homepage.ntlworld.com/martin.thorne1/RailfutureEA-Snippets
TRANSPORT (WALES) BILL
The Transport (Wales) Bill, which gives the Welsh Assembly new powers over transport issues, ran out of time in the last session of Parliament. In the Queen’s Speech 2005 the government announced that it will be reintroduced in this session. The SRA cannot be finally wound up until new arrangements for Wales are in place. It is expected that the Bill will include clauses that could affect services from Wales to the South West, North West and West Midlands.
EMAIL DISCUSSION GROUP FOR RAILFUTURE YORKSHIRE
Railfuture Yorkshire branch now have a discussion group for Yorkshire rail issues. To join go to Yahoo Groups at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/railyorks/