From Severn Tunnel Action Group :
Stakeholder Consultation
Arriva Trains Wales - Held meeting with Arriva Trains Wales at Newport Station (12th February) and gave presentation to Rachel Woodsford and Mike Vaughan (Hurley). Lee Hodges who will be covering Rachel's maternity leave was unable to attend, met him near the end of the meeting. Raised various local issues such as signage etc. Have asked Arriva to come back on the issues raised after they have had time to consider. Notes of meeting circulated to STAG members.
First Great Western - Have received from Anne-Marie Delrosa Marketing Manager First Great Western copies of two of the presentations from the Community Partnership Conference in Exeter. Copies sent to Stag members.
First Great Western - Further to suggestion from Katharine Fenn First Great Western Customer Panel have contacted (13th February) John Curley First Great Western Route Director (West) to ask if he will meet with STAG re our proposals for the Station Development and the Cardiff - Portsmouth service. Awaiting reply.
First Great Western - Booked to attend the official Stakeholder Consultation meeting in Bristol on Wednesday 5th March.
Arriva Cross-Country - Contacted Richard Gibson (3rd February) to ask when we would be able to meet Managers. Response Cross-Country is finalising their Stakeholder Relations Team and will contact again shortly. If there is anything important, to let him know in the interim.
DfT - Received consultation document on the NATA Refresh, copied to STAG members for comments to enable response in March. This document consults and seeks views on the key issues that need to be addressed within DfT’s New Approach to Appraisal (NATA) transport appraisal guidance. It is being published alongside the Transport Strategy document and forms part of the analytical work in response to the Eddington and Stern Reviews.
DfT - Have attended the seminar arranged by the DfT for Thursday 21st February at Great Minster House, DfT Central, London to focus discussion on Wider Economic Benefits in Transport Appraisal, associated with the 'New Approach To Appraisal (NATA) Refresh' document that has been circulated for consultation. Notes have been circulated to STAG members.
ORR - Obtained copy of proposed revision to the Land Disposal arrangements, copy circulated to STAG members for consideration. Formal response sent 21st February agreeing to proposals subject to being able to register with Network Rail. Also requested general list of consultees extended beyond Passenger Focus and Community Rail Partnerships to include Constituted User or Interest Groups that have expressed the wish to be consulted on Land Disposal Issues.
ORR - Request (26/10) to ORR for the Arriva Cross Country Franchise agreement advised it is still not yet in the public domain. Contacted Raj Chana (24th January) the Public Register Manager at DfT and he has advised their web page will be refreshed in April and they hope to add this onto the web-site at that stage.
ORR - Advised of latest Land disposals - nothing listed affecting Severn Tunnel Junction.
Passenger Focus - Received from Simon Pickering the proposed sale of land at Godfrey Road Newport to allow development of Newport station. The proposals will allow the finalisation of the new Platform 4 with Booking Office and new car park on the Godfrey Road side and Bus Station on the other side of the station. (Note Sale is not publicly listed at present by the ORR - have asked about this, awaiting response)
Network Rail - Will need to send request to register as a Stakeholder Group with regard to the new Land Disposal arrangements if they go ahead.
Welsh Assembly Government - Attended with Jim Jenkins the 'Consultation on Proposals for a Public Transport Users' Committee for Wales in Newtown on Friday 1st February. Backed option of retaining Bus users UK and Passenger Focus rather than the abolition and inclusion within the new Committee. Made contact with Barclay Davies for any Bus issues.
Welsh Assembly Government - Attended the Wales Spatial Plan Update Consultation in Cardiff (28th February). Notes to be circulated. Met Renée Martin, who works for WAG, she was involved in the development of the Welsh Assembly Government Transport Appraisal arrangements. I have copies of the various sections of the DfT 'WEB-Tag' transport appraisal guidelines, but none of the WAG equivalents. Advised the Welsh Assembly Government version 'WEL-Tag' is in Draft but is effectively being used. The WEL-Tag is not in the public domain yet but she has promised to send a copy of the draft. Receipt awaited.
Community Railway Schemes
Copies of the Network Rail and also the Department for Transport information on Community Rail obtained and passed to STAG members.
Received advice from Mark Youngman (Transport Policy Officer Mon CC) that Community Rail Partnerships need not be located on community rail designated lines. Community Rail Partnerships are good at doing the local and wider promotion of the railway, that for whatever reason TOCs cant do. He will pursue to see what enthusiasm there is in official circles. Awaiting further advice.
Colin James is taking on the role of lead committee member for Marketing, Schools and Community Partnership.
Have received a questionnaire from First Great Western regarding the next conference in June. It is being passed to Colin to reply. Response required by 4th March so will have to be sent in advance of next STAG meeting.
Meeting arranged with Claire Evans of the Forest of Dean Tourism Officer for Friday 28th March to develop proposals. Roni Maher (Deveras) Wye Valley & Forest of Dean Tourist Association contacted but will be unable to attend owing to clash with other commitment, has asked to be kept informed of progress etc.
Timetable Issues
Cardiff - Portsmouth -.
Letter sent by Mark Harper MP to First Great Western MD regarding loss of commuting services to Bath from Severn Tunnel Junction from Dec 2007, requesting re-instatement in line with STAG proposals for re-instating Portsmouth services. Reply received and is identical to reply received by David Davies MP that has previously been circulated to STAG members.
Letter sent 5th December by Mike German AM to Anthony Smith Chief Executive of Passenger Focus pointing out the "Mainline they Shouldn't Ignore" Rail Passenger Committee report recommended the service pattern that withdrew the Portsmouth services. Suggested the report overlooked some of the serious implications and suggested a review was needed. Response received from Passenger Focus.
Letter sent 6th December by Mike German AM to First Great Western MD regarding loss of commuting services to Bath from Severn Tunnel Junction, requesting re-instatement. Letter pointed out that it is/was the Portsmouth services that provide connections with the Gloucester line services at the Junction. Reply received and is identical to the reply to David Davies that has already been circulated to STAG members.
Have received confirmation that the 18:35 from Bath will once more call at Severn Tunnel Junction from the May timetable, but that First Great Western's request for the 08:30 from Cardiff to call has been rejected by Network Rail. Have asked First Great Western (13th February) if we can talk with their Timetable staff prior to approaching Network Rail to investigate what would be needed to enable this service to call. Have received offer from First Great Western to meet with their Head of Train Planning in Swindon on the afternoon of Thursday 13th March, Alan is negotiating to see if this can be made Friday 14th March.
Following the meeting with First Great Western, David Flint prepared a Press Release based on the meeting and advice of additional service to be provided in the May Timetable.
Following meeting with AMs at Welsh Assembly Government have sent (10th February) to Mohammad Asghar AM a copy of our Timetable Consultation response on the Service Level Commitment. He asked for a copy so he could raise the issues with Ieuan Wyn Jones Plaid Deputy First Minister responsible for transport.
Following meeting with AMs at Welsh Assembly Government, John Griffiths AM issued a Press Release on the items raised.
Since the start of January First Great Western have provided a coach to take the overflow of passengers who could not physically get on the 07:55 Bristol service while operating as only two car pending return of refurbished three car set. Took this option (30th January), coach arrived at Bristol Temple Meads at 09:12, fifty four minutes after the booked arrival time of 08:18 for the train it was covering. Demonstrates use and strength of rail service over road in the congested rush hour.
Press release that First Great Western are leasing five class 150 sets from Arriva Trains Wales to release 158 sets to be split and refurbished to provide 3 car sets for the Portsmouth service to relieve overcrowding throughout the service.
Other FGW Services - Have prepared a suggested Press Release outlining the improved service possibilities from Severn Tunnel Junction to London and Birmingham. With David Flint for consideration.
Pocket Timetable - Have asked First Great Western to include contact details for STAG in the back of their Pocket Timetables in the section on Rail User Groups. This has been accepted and should appear in the May Timetable.
Cross Country Commuting services - No change.
Arriva Trains Wales - Introduced as a trial for one week from the 4th February a through service departing Chepstow at 07:15 to Shrewsbury via the Heart of Wales. Travelled on service, usage -approx. 7 from Chepstow, 5 from Caldicot and 4 from Severn Tunnel Junction. Impression most were commuters to Newport / Cardiff that had arrived early for following service. Loading light from Cardiff, increasing to about one third from Llanelli. Loading increased along the line with only about three seats not taken by departure from Knighton.
Car Parking
Awaiting advice from Mon CC regarding their liaison with Arriva Trains Wales and NCP on getting an acceptable turning provision for busses at the station. Mark Youngman has advised that he was writing to Arriva on the subject. Have asked Rachel Woodsford to consider face to face meeting with Mon CC and NCP in order to thrash out a mutually acceptable solution, rather than just sending 'position' letters. Jessica Morden MP has now offered to bring the parties together to try and resolve the disagreements.
Station Development and Trackside Issues
Severn Tunnel Junction - Still awaiting formal outcome of Workshop on future of Severn Tunnel Junction vs. Magor. Community Council (Portskewett) and MP (David Davies) have asked to be advised as soon as any information made public. Have given interim response that Dave Harris Mon CC had asked that nothing is said about the outcome of the Workshop until ratified by Cabinet. Repeated Dave Harris, no response, contacted Bob Greenland advised that they do not have a Cabinet decision because of the need to consult more widely. The area committee and Community Councils need to be included before a Cabinet decision. David Davies MP has been asked if he can assist in finalising this issue.
Latest issue of the Network Rail Route Plan 13 - GW Main Line now includes item regarding Severn Tunnel Junction. Network Rail proposes to "upgrade Severn Tunnel Junction station by re-instating of the fourth platform and improving passenger facilities and car parking."
Received advice that Severn Tunnel Junction is one of forty stations included within the DfT £370m "Access for All" programme that funds the redevelopment of station infrastructure to provide step-free access from the station entrance to platforms. In addition a range of more accessible facilities, such as improved lighting, hearing induction loops and passenger information screens are included in the overall fund. Network Rail will undertake surveys over the next 18 months to identify actions to be taken.
Newport Platform 4 - Raised again with Rachel Woodsford (12th February) that during heavy rain water flows across the floor of the Waiting Shelter soaking any luggage etc. Also asked again (12th February) if the 2/5 train stop could be repositioned so that the Severn Tunnel Junction trains would stop under the protection of the awning rather than all but the last door being exposed to rain etc.
Have also e-mailed Colin Bray (8th February) on this topic, as he was involved in the signalling alterations associated with the development of platform 4. Colin has responded by forwarding (15th February) to Brian Baralos. Awaiting response.
Caldicot Platform - Extension of platform to accommodate 4 x 20 metre rolling stock almost complete. Network Rail is repositioning Signal N190 as part of Newport Resignalling during 2009.
Llanwern Station - No further information.
Ebbw Vale - Service started Wed 6th Feb except Cross Keys and Llanhilieth. First trains 6.40 from Ebbw Vale and from Cardiff. There are problems of overcrowding on the four car trains already.
Other liaison Issues
Following quick discussion at Exeter Community Rail Conference have sent e-mail to Charles Howeson the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors of First Great Western suggesting the need for a Key Performance Indicator to measure the effect of connections when timetable changes are made. Response received proposal is with the high level experts in the Performance Directorate and he will come back to us after they have considered it.
Offered Charles Howeson to come to our next committee meeting. Unable to attend but has asked that we 'please keep asking'.
Following Exeter Community Rail Conference have been contacted by Julie Boston of FOSBR regarding further information of the way we operate as a User Group, using presentations and argued cases for the items we are campaigning for.
Attended lecture in Westminster (11th February) by Richard Bowker of National Express. Latest coaches now have a lowest Carbon Footprint of only 29 g per passenger kilometre. (C.f. average 50 for rail, 160 for car and 250+ for air).
Have e-mailed (4th February) Alan Preest a councillor at Lydney in attempt to make contact with rail users there. Awaiting response.
Have contacted (14th February) Bob Turner who is interested in rail use at Lydney. Along with Jim Jenkins met with him in Chepstow on Tuesday 19th February. Notes of meeting circulated to STAG members.
Have registered to attend Dr John Walker's lecture in Cardiff on Tuesday 4th March on Road Pricing and Congestion Charging, will not now be able to attend as STAG meeting dates clash.
Next SEWTA meeting is 10:30 am, 14th March 2008, Ferrier Hall, City Hall, Cardiff. Colin has agreed to attend with me as if the First Great Western timetable meeting is arranged for the same afternoon in Swindon, will have to slip away early to get to it.
Received Firstline - First Great Western November - December 2007 Stakeholder Newsletter. Nothing of significant interest. Article on introduction of selective door opening.
Met Jez Hattosh-Nemeth a Senior lecturer at University of Wales and commuter on the 08:25 to Bristol. He intends to come to next meeting and is interested in getting more involved with STAG.
Attended (6th February) with David Flint, Jim Jenkins and Simon Pickering at the Welsh Assembly Government Cardiff. Gave presentation to AMs (John Griffiths {Labour}, Mohammed Asghar {Plaid}, Mike German {Liberal} & Nick Ramsey {Conservative} Part time only).
Agreed cross party letters will be sent to DfT and also call meeting with SEWTA. Have seen letter sent to First Great Western signed by six AMs - John Griffiths, Mike German, Mohammed Asghar, Nick Ramsey, William Graham, and Jocelyn Davies.
Following meeting with AMs need to send John Griffiths a list of questions regarding economic and housing development in the area. This information is needed to create case for improved rail services as suggested by Andrew Griffiths FGW.
Contacted by Jessica Morden MP to ask if STAG would like to meet Jim Fitzpatrick a government Transport Minister who was visiting Newport on Tuesday 12 February. She suggested we should give our presentation to him and follow with a site visit to the station. In event circumstances changed and meeting could not be arranged.
Meeting with Tim James on Tuesday 14th February in Cardiff has been postponed awaiting new date for meeting.
A meeting and presentation was held on Wednesday 27th February for a cross party discussion with Members of Parliament (Jessica Morden MP, David Davies MP and Mark Harper MP) at Portcullis House, Westminster, London. David Flint, Paul Tidmarsh, Jim Jenkins, Simon Pickering also attended. Meeting was to agree tactics for ensuring that the DfT are aware of the importance of connections, of Severn Tunnel Junction in planning timetable changes for next December, and any other future rail plans affecting South East Wales and the Forest of Dean.
A meeting has been arranged by Travel Watch South West in Taunton on Saturday 1st March. Alan and Alexander Vickers have registered to attend.
There is a talk by Andrew Mac Naughton of Network Rail on 'The 2030 Railway'. The meeting is open to visitors without pre-registration. Venue is Kings Hotel Newport at 17:30 for 18:00 start. Meeting is organised jointly by Permanent Way Institute and Institution of Railway Signal Engineers.
Infrarail exhibition at the NEC 11th March have registered to attend but will depend on domestic commitments.
Have registered and been accepted to attend a one day seminar on Transport Appraisal at Royal Institute of Architects in London on Thursday 27th March. This covers NATA and should help in forming official response to the NATA Refresh consultation that will need to be sent within a day or two of the seminar.
Asked by local Community Councillors about update on progress, suggest we should make arrangements to visit all the Community Councils we gave initial presentations to, Only needs to be a 'five minute' update without presentation.
Meeting with Ieuan Wyn Jones Plaid Deputy First Minister responsible for transport has not yet been arranged. Now considered unlikely will be able to arrange.
