Quote from Page 8 of the Network Rail Route 11 link :
"Network Rail is starting its work on leading the
Yorkshire & Humber RUS on behalf of the industry
and wider stakeholders. The RUS will aim to make
effective and efficient use and development of the
route capacity available, consistent with the
funding that is, or is reasonably likely to become,
available during the 10 years covered by the RUS."
"DfT Rail is also expected to commence their
Regional Planning Assessment (RPA) for the two
Regions covered by this route and to complete
their review of the Northern Rail franchise. The
latter will from an input to the RUS."
"We will discuss future aspirations for the Penistone,
and Grantham to Skegness lines with the relevant
community rail partnerships."
The proposal contained in the link below will route freight trains carrying lorries directly onto the Penistone line.
http://www.looklocal.org.uk/news.php?id=1353Here are a couple of links that are relevant to Regional Planning Assessments.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=237.msg596#msg596http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=249.msg659#msg659Page 9 , Figure 10 of the Network Rail Route 11 link shows that there are 3 lines that are projected to achieve high-level growth to 2015.
1) Immingham Docks - Doncaster.
2) Sheffield - Rotherham.
3) Peak Forest Lines.
These are all important or potentially important freight routes.
In addition :
Page 10.
"The rail freight industry has recently provided to
Network Rail a set of 10 year traffic forecasts, and
we are presently assessing their implications. The
key route section within this route that has been
identified as a fragile route and has clearly defined
additional tonnage/train numbers projected by the
industry is Gainsborough – Brigg – Barnetby."
"Future capacity
We are currently working with partners on
development work for the upgrading of the
Wrawby Junction – Brigg – Gainsborough line to
enable the regular operation of freight services.
Much of the upgrade is associated with the
capability of the line in respect of significant
additional tonnages (structures and embankment
issues) and increased level crossing risk caused
by increased numbers of trains. This would allow
some coal traffic to have a shorter journey than
currently and also free up capacity on the other two
routes out of Immingham to allow an overall
increase in freight traffic."
Route 11 contains several freight arteries already. The projected increase in this freight traffic will lead to an increase in freight trains on the primary , secondary and some of the rural lines of Route 11. There is a real danger that this in turn will leave no room for the local passenger train services.
Withdrawal of the local passenger train services will be made easier by this link from the Future Of Transport White Paper.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_031274.hcsp"5.17 We intend to give Passenger Transport Authorities the ability to choose whether to channel subsidy towards rail or other forms of public transport. In some cases, buses might provide both a better service and better value for money."
"5.18 We recognise that Passenger Transport Authorities may not be willing to consider this unless they can be certain that bus routes, timings and fares will meet passenger needs and work well with the national timetable. We will amend the Transport Act 2000 to make it easier for Passenger Transport Authorities to introduce Quality Contracts as part of a strategy that includes modification of rail services."
(The official name for the DfT Closure Guidance is "Railways act 2005: Implementation of network modification provisions."
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/divisionhomepage/611062.hcsp)
"5.19 Passenger Transport Authorities will be able to decide whether to take greater control of their bus routes and associated budgets by deciding which rail routes are best value and which would be more efficiently replaced by bus services."
Quote from Page 3 of the Network Rail Route 11 link :
"The third market is for local journeys within South
Yorkshire, most of which are supported by South
Yorkshire PTE."
This is the area partly covered by the Stop The Train Campaign.
Here is another link from the Future Of Transport White Paper.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_about/documents/page/dft_about_031273.hcsp"There will be an increased role for the Scottish Executive, the Welsh Assembly Government and the London Mayor, and more local decision-making in England."
"Central government is not always best placed to take decisions on the transport needs of different communities. In future, the devolved administrations will take on increased responsibilities for passenger services and, where appropriate, infrastructure. In England, the Passenger Transport Authorities (which manage transport provision in some of the main metropolitan areas) will be able to buy additional services, and to transfer funding between rail and other transport modes. Transport for London will also have an increased role with regard to rail services in the capital. And the Government will promote the role of Community Rail Partnerships in improving the management of local branch lines. "
Here is a list of lines , with their services , which have been designated as Community Rail lines:
St Ives Bay Line - Cornwall
Looe Valley Line - Cornwall
Tamar Valley Line - Devon/Plymouth/Cornwall
Island Line - Isle of Wight
Abbey Line - Hertfordshire
Penistone Line - South and West Yorkshire
Esk Valley Line - Teeside and North Yorkshire
The first three on the list had service reductions proposed in the FGW Draft December 2006 Timetable. The Island Line is mentioned in the link below.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2246601,00.htmlQuotes from the above link :
"South West Trains pays more than £150,000 a year to rent 12 carriages built in 1938 and used on the Island Line on the Isle of Wight."
"The high leasing costs are one of the reasons why the eight-mile line is the most heavily subsidised in the country, costing the taxpayer 77p for each mile travelled by every passenger."
Here is a relevant link on this.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=210.msg509#msg509Back to the Future Of Transport White Paper.
"A better deal for freight will enable the industry and its customers to invest for the long term
Because of the high up-front investment costs for rail freight, businesses using these services need to be sure about their access to the network. But this has to be balanced with the fact that freight users only pay for the cost of operating their services and not for the costs of the underlying infrastructure. Freight operators will be given greater certainty about their rights on the national network, and a group of key routes will be identified on which freight will enjoy and pay for more assured rights of access."
" 4.25 While central Government will have overall control of our rail network, regional and local players need to have the means to influence services in their own areas. Rail may not always be the most cost-effective or appropriate transport solution. Rail should be considered alongside other forms of transport, including bus and light rail, to provide a coherent solution to local issues that delivers the best service for the lowest cost. We believe that decisions are often best taken at a local level, and will ensure that an effective system is put in place. We will give local players an incentive to invest or find savings. "
In addition , the increased amount of freight trains will effectively cut off some of the rural branch lines of Route 11. Lets take the Barton - On - Humber line as an example. Here is a link to the East Midland Franchise Consultation Document.
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611833.pdfPage 29 of the above link :
"Barton-on-Humber branch line.
"This service is currently run by Northern Rail; however operationally it may be easier for an
East Midland franchisee to serve the branch."
"DfT has initiated exploratory discussions with Northern Rail about this transfer. Negotiations
are still at an early phase, but it is hoped that this change could be implemented in
November 2007. If negotiations with Northern Rail do not conclude successfully the service
will remain with them."
"DfT is not proposing any changes to the service pattern on the branch as a result of this
transfer but is willing to consider ideas that may improve the value for money of the line."
Here is a relevant link on this.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=267.msg707#msg707Graham expands further on the potential dangers facing Melksham , the Midlands & other train services in the link below.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=260.msg685#msg685In my view , Route 11 highlights the key challenge that faces Government Ministers , Opposition Spokesmen , Union Leaders , Rail Operating & Infrastructure Companies and their staff , Rail Campaigners and others :
Unless we can find a way of accomodating the growing needs of both passengers & freight , then a choice will have to be made between the two.
Judging by the link below , that choice may already have been made.
http://www.savethetrain.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=265.msg702#msg702
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