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East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issue 117 - 05/06/2003

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

Railfuture News Snippets 117 - 05/06/2003



The ten Railfuture members who were elected to the national executive were announced at the AGM on Saturday 31st May. They are: Andrew MacFarlane (526 votes), Mike Crowhurst (505), Ian MacDonald (465), David Redgewell (452), Richard Pout (442), David Harby (423), Peter Kenyon (412), Guy Hardy (396), Norman Bradbury (391) and Keith Dyall (356). The only East Anglian branch member who stood was Trevor Garrod, who came in 11th place with 346 votes. There were 682 ballot papers returned.

The Manningtree Rail Users Association [http://www.mrua.org] is looking for a new secretary. Contact Derek Monnery [derek at monnery.net] for more information. Annual membership is just £5.

A warm welcome to National Express London Lines, who have joined as a corporate member of Railfuture. Perhaps other TOCs can be persuaded to join!

Correction: It was feared in Snippets 114 that the SRA might be proposing to reduce Cambridge-Ipswich services to Cambridge-Bury St Edmunds, but an informed source has confirmed that there is definitely no truth in this. However, there are some worrying proposals, which will be discussed at the branch meeting in Ipswich on Saturday 7th June at 10:30.


EAST WEST RAIL LINK
East West Rail Link is "dead in the water" - only a West-West rail link - according to Bedford newspaper

Keywords: [EastWestRail]

According to a front-page new report in Bedfordshire on Sunday (1st June), the 9-mile "missing link" in the East West Rail Link between Bedford and Sandy will never be filled.

It claims that the Strategic Rail Authority will go ahead with the Bletchley to Oxford link, over the mothballed track between Newton Longville and Claydon Junction, and may consider running services between Oxford and Bedford, but no further east. An SRA spokesman said: "We want to reassure the people that live on that part of the proposed route [Bedford-Sandy] their homes will not be blighted. This part of the route is simply not going to be sensible in the short or medium term." Bedfordshire county councillor Richard Payne, who is responsible for the environment, confirmed this saying "I met with members of the SRA on Wednesday [28th May]. They are now talking of a road-rail link, using the A421." However, Bedford Mayor Frank Branston said: "This is the daftest thing I have heard. No-one is going to take a train for half the journey then catch a bus. Things could change and we must continue to fight for the east west rail link in its entirety".

Patrick Hall, MP for Bedford and Kempston, was vociferous in his criticism of the announcement, saying "Several million pounds [actually £38m] have been spent upgrading the Bedford-Bletchley line. The SRA has assured me in the recent past that the east-west rail link can be achieved in phases. But in projects like these, as there is always a limited pot of money, much depends upon the attitude of local councils in making the case. I warned Bedford Borough Council years ago that its negative attitude could see our town losing out. It is time for Bedford to wake up and help me get the SRA to listen."

The newspaper report did not confirm that the Oxford-Bletchley line would definitely open, and no date was even hinted at.

Anyone wishing to lobby Councillor Richard Payne to press for the whole route (especially for route protection between Bedford and Sandy) can write to him at: Bedfordshire County Council, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP. Letters of protest can also be send to Bedfordshire on Sunday, 22 Mill Street, Bedford, MK40 3HD or email them at [editor at localsundaynewspapers.com].

Although the SRA cannot find the £250m to fund East West Rail, the government has found £2.4 million towards early development costs for two more tram lines in Nottingham - the first of which (14km long with 23 stations) is due to open on 11th November 2003 - which together with line 1 could cost up to £1,000m.


RAIL SERVICES
Anglia Railways offers new integrated transport service - train then boat!

Keywords: [AngliaRailways]

Day trippers can now take an Anglia Railways train into Norwich and transfer to a boat for a tour of the Norfolk broads, which lie just a mile from the heart of the city. The "Broads BoaTrain" departs from Station Quay, opposite Norwich railway station near the Hotel Nelson, throughout the day, seven days a week for cruises through the city centre and on to the broads at Whitlingham, Surlingham, Rockland and Strumpshaw Fen, returning to Station Quay for the return train. All tickets cost £10.00 per adult and £6.00 per child and include a return rail ticket to any station on the Bittern and Wherry Lines. Tickets on the Cambridge-Norwich service cost from £10. The price from Liverpool Street is £32/£16. On Saturday there are "show boats" which have live music on board, and cost £15.00 for rail and boat.

In another example of integrated transport, passengers at Bittern Line stations can get discounts on hiring cycles. Participating businesses are: Broadland Cycle Hire and Huff & Puff at Hoveton, Bike Riders at North Walsham, the Suffield Arms at Gunton and Knight Riders at Cromer.

Central Trains DMU swap with ScotRail set to be completed by late summer

Keywords: [CentralTrains]

Following SRA approval, National Express Group are to transfer all 20 of Central Train's Class 156 multiple unit fleet to sister company ScotRail. In their place, the same number of ScotRail Class 158 multiple units will come south to replace them. The Class 158, with their higher top speed of 90 mph compared with 75mph for a Class 156, are considered more suitable for the higher speed routes in the area covered by Central Trains. Trains will be swapped at the rate of one or two a week with the process being complete by late Summer.

Operation Rio, which provides trains from London to Manchester via Leicester as an alternative to engineering work on the West Coast Main Line, requires Central Trains to use the displaced Midland Mainline Turbostars on Nottingham-Coventry trains. This has released eight vehicles, which have been used to form eight 3-car 158 units for one year on the core Liverpool-Norwich and Birmingham-Stansted Airport services.

Did you know how much faster train services are compared to buses?

The branch is alarmed at SRA suggestions that some off-peak train services could be replaced by buses. The following example routes show how much slower the bus is compared to train:
Cambridge to Bury St Edmunds - bus: 55mins, train: 41mins
Ely to Bury St Edmunds - bus: 80mins, train: 28mins
Norwich to Lowestoft - bus: 67mins, train: 43mins
Norwich to Great Yarmouth - bus: 35mins, train: 32mins
Norwich to Cromer - bus: 65mins, train: 44mins
Ipswich to Woodbridge - bus: 33mins, train: 19mins
Ipswich to Felixstowe - bus: 34mins, train: 25mins


STATIONS
Two privately funded railway stations planned for west London

Whilst the SRA is not digging into its pockets to fund new stations big business is. A £1.75m "Chelsea Harbour" station on the Clapham Junction to Willesden Junction line is to be fully financed and built by property developer St George. It is part of the new development at Imperial Wharf in Chelsea - a 13 hectare brownfield regeneration project - and may be open as early as 2005.

Another station White City in Shepherd's Bush is being proposed to serve a 40-acre brownfield site, which is being developed to provide residential, retail, leisure and business space. Initially services to the two new stations will operate during peak hours only. East Anglia's last privately funded new station was Braintree Freeport in 2000.

The next national rail station to open in Great Britain will be the £4.75m Edinburgh Park station on 10th October 2003.

First Great Eastern stations are repainted in corporate colours that will soon become obsolete

Keywords: [FirstGreatEastern]

All the stations along the Clacton/Colchester/Liverpool Street lines are currently being repainted in the same colours as First Great Eastern and those being used on the new Class 360 rolling stock. Will all the stations be repainted again when the new franchisee takes over? Perhaps ATOC should introduce 'national rail' colours which all stations have to conform to when next repainted. It would prevent wasteful repainting solely for corporate reasons.

Bury St Edmunds station sees long-awaited improvements to passenger lifts

Keywords: [BuryStEdmundsStation]

Bury St Edmunds station has been criticised in Rail Passenger Committee surveys, especially for passenger lifts. One of the lifts is now being upgraded by Network Rail at a cost of £165,000. It is being completely renovated with all of the mechanics and the structure being replaced. It will now meet all disability laws and recommendations. Work will take just over four months. Passengers who are unable to use the stairs will be taken by road transport between Bury and stations at Cambridge, Ely and Stowmarket if they have made prior arrangements with Anglia Railways.

Temporary platform at Shelford station considered unsafe by passengers

Keywords: [ShelfordStation]

Rail users at Shelford station have complained about the rotten temporary wood platform extension which they claim will give way. The extension was added several years ago as a temporary measure to support eight-coach trains. Network Rail has placed boards over parts of the platform, which are breaking off, and has written the word 'danger' over it in spray paint. Commenting to the Cambridge Evening News, a spokeswoman said: "Network Rail is aware of the work needed on the platform extension. Contractors assessed the extension immediately after we were notified. It is safe for use but we will be working on the extension and will replace the surface." There are no plans to replace the wooden extension with a permanent concrete platform.

Room available to hire at Cambridge station

Keywords: [CambridgeStation]

A meeting room for up to ten people can now be hired at Cambridge Station. Hourly, half-day and whole-day rates available. Refreshments can be provided on request. Contact WAGN on (01223) 453716 for more details.


GUIDED BUSWAY
LibDems move from tacit support to opposition for guided busway in Luton-Dunstable corridor

Keywords: [LutonDunstableBusway]

The proposal for a guided busway on the mothballed Cambridge-St.Ives line has gradually found increased political support simply because it is "the only show in town...nothing else is on the table". This was the attitude of the Liberal Democrats in Houghton Regis near to the Translink guided bus corridor on the mothballed Luton-Dunstable line. However, at the recent local elections they changed to outright opposition. Furthermore the balance of power in Luton Borough Council has shifted away from pro-busway Labour (who lost 11 seats and hold just 23) to busway-sceptic LibDems and Conservatives. Like the Cambridge-Huntingdon busway proposal, the government has still not approved funding, and lack of local political support will not help its chances."


TRANSPORT CONSULTATIONS
Cambridge City starts consultations on local plan just as Cambs County finishes its one

The deadline for responses to the Cambridgeshire County Council LTP is Saturday 7th June. No sooner does the County's one end than the City Council starts consulting on the Local Plan for Cambridge. There is an exhibition at the Guildhall on Mondays to Fridays until 14th July, though it is staffed only on Mondays. A travelling exhibition is also being displayed at a number of locations around Cambridge between now and the end of June. Send comments to [planning.policyresearch at cambridge.gov.uk]. Deadline is 14th July.


RAILFUTURE NATIONAL AGM
A long way to travel to Cardiff from East Anglia for this year's AGM

This year's Railfuture AGM was held at the Holiday Inn in Cardiff, situated close to the Millennium Stadium and the Cardiff Arms Park Rugby ground. Owing to a Wales v Barbarians "friendly" Rugby match taking place at the latter the AGM had to be shortened to enable the 50 members who attended to get to their train before the fans!

The Deputy Leader of Cardiff City and County Council, Councillor Lynda Thorne welcomed members to Cardiff. The two speakers were Bob Crossfield of First Great Western, who is their Integration & Partnership Manager and spoke about the companies high level of bus/rail integration; and Paul Harley, chairman of the Rail Passengers Committee for Wales, who gave a presentation on current issues affecting railways in South Wales, such as the reopening the Barry-Bridgend Vale of Glamorgan route to passenger and the Cardiff/Newport to Ebbw Vale line.

The afternoon featured society business. Both Chairman Peter Lawrence, and President Dr.Caton, have indicated their wish to step down from their respective roles following next year's AGM. It is hoped that the next Railfuture Chairman will not be from East Anglia, who have provided three in a row including the present incumbent! From early 2004, Railfuture should become a company limited by guarantee. The necessary wheels have been set in motion to enable this to take place.

No-one will yet be appointed to replace Kate Tudor-Pole as Marketing and Campaigns Director until the question of a new office for Railfuture is settled. At present, the Railfuture office at The Colourworks in London are shared with a disabled rights group, who have indicated their wish to expand, which will mean the loss of this valuable resource.


WEBSITES
WAGN and EWS revamp their websites

Keywords: [WAGN]

WAGN have given their website a makeover. The http://www.wagn.co.uk website, which was last revamped in late-2001, has a few new features, including a scrolling bar at top with travel updates.

Britain's largest railfreight operator, EWS, has also revised the front page of their http://www.ews-railway.co.uk website.

Not to be outdone, RosCo Porterbrook Leasing also has a new website; http://www.porterbrook.co.uk/english/frame.html.


Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 117 - 05/06/2003

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