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East Anglia Branch News - Snippets Issue 289 - 30/04/2017

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

Railfuture News Snippets 289 - 30/04/2017



In April 2017 Greater Anglia (GA) finally got around to telling the public about the opening of Cambridge North station, scheduled for Sunday 21st May. A press release was produced by GA, and it was put on its website. Other than this, it is hard to find other promotion of the station. Displays only appeared at Cambridge station towards the end of April. Staff were unable to provide any information about the new station, not even the fare. Some people had been interested in the getting an Annual Season (a Gold Card, which gives significant benefits) between the two stations if the price was right, but the cost has still not been revealed. Generally there seems to be a lack of planning for the opening.

In late April the hoardings in front of Cambridge station were removed. Makes access a lot easier for pedestrians and the new square will be more attractive.

Greater Anglia has confirmed that its new Stadler trains will be designated as Class 720. The '7nn' series has been used so far for the Govia Thameslink Railway and South West Trains delivered by Siemens.


STATIONS
Railfuture stresses the importance of staff at stations but they must be used efficiently and appropriately

More than 200 objections have been received by Transport Focus to Greater Anglia's proposal to close or downgrade six station booking offices in North East Essex. One of these objections came from the East Anglia Branch of Railfuture. We stressed the importance of having a human presence at stations, which include Walton-on-the-Naze, Harwich International, Dovercourt, Alresford, Great Bentley and Thorpe-le-Soken. Changes to travel habits and ticketing technology mean that it may not always be necessary to have a ticket office open all day; but equally, the job description of the traditional ticket clerk may change. For example, they may need to help Persons of Reduced Mobility; and there is a security aspect to be taken into account. These points were also made clearly by some of the people who attended Greater Anglia's Community Rail conference in Ipswich on 7th April 2017.


RAIL ROUTES
DfT told by Councils across London and the south east that Crossrail 2 is a crucial scheme

Keywords: [ThameslinkProgramme]

Councils across London and the south east have come together to written to the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond (a former transport secretary) to urge the government to fully support Crossrail 2. The councils include Cambridge and those stretching south from it to Portsmouth as well as representatives from London's 32 Borough Councils. In the letter, the councils stated that Crossrail 2 is needed because the current overcrowded rail network threatened to stunt economic growth. Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has also previously warned that without it, 17 Underground stations were at risk of "buckling under crowding pressures".


PRESERVED RAILWAYS
Mid-Norfolk Railway runs first works trains north of Worthing level crossing towards its North Elmham terminus

Keywords: [MidNorfolkRailway]

The Mid-Norfolk Railway continues its progress to reopen the northern section to North Elmham. Having been working on the track north of Worthing Level Crossing, on Sunday 30th April 2017 the MNR operated its first works train over bridge 1704 just south of North Elmham. This was 28 years after British Rail's last train. However, despite the closeness to its goal, a vast number of sleepers will need to be replaced on the remaining stretch. Meanwhile, in late May the MNR was scheduled to run its first driver experience in the northern section as far as Worthing LC.

Although pleased to own Country School station it is somewhat of a millstone around the neck of the MNR. Maintenance of the station costs a substantial sum yet it generates little revenue, not least because the MNR has insufficient volunteers to operate the tea room regularly. One innovation in 2017 has been to offer pump trolley experiences at County School for a £3 donation. Children had to be accompanied by an adult - it is a good solution for raising money as children are not allowed to operate powered traction.


Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 289 - 30/04/2017

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