The next Railfuture East Anglia branch meeting will be at the County Library in Ipswich on 12th June at 2pm.
Peter Meades of 'one' Railway will be the guest speaker. The remaining 2004 meetings are confirmed as Norwich
on 18th September and Cambridge on 4th December (not as stated in Snippets 134).
Network Rail will be holding an opening day at March Whitemoor Distribution Centre on 23rd May 2004. It
is open from 1pm to 5pm.
Cambridge to Colchester Railway Development Company (CRDC) and CSRRA will be holding a public presentation
of the feasibility study (stage 1 market research) by consultants Wilson Lee and Partners of the Haverhill to
Cambridge railway, on Saturday 8th May at 2pm in Haverhill Town Hall Arts Centre in the High Street. The
presentation ends at 3.15pm.
RAIL FRANCHISES
National Express commences Greater Anglia franchise - branded as "one"
The Greater Anglia franchise, run by National Express launched on 1st April with the laughable branding of 'one',
because there is "one operator, one terminus, one vision and one unified management team for one region".
Apparently it also stands for 'Operated by National Express". Rail users - though it seems not the marketing
gurus at NEx - immediately saw the potential for confusing announcements: "the 11:20 'one' service to ...".
Alistair Darling officially launched the new franchise at Liverpool Street on 1st April, and named a class
90 locomotive Readwald of East Anglia after one of the region's Saxon Kings. Also in attendance were Richard
Bowker, Phil White, chief executive of National Express, an assortment of local football mascots and some guys
dressed up in Saxon outfits complete with axes and swords. Many stakeholders, including Railfuture, were
present. They travelled on the 12.30 service to Norwich formed of refurbished Mk3 coaches in the new livery.
There were family days out on 3rd and 10th April, which allowed two adults and two children anywhere on the
'one' network (excluding King's Lynn) for £20. The web-site is http://www.onerailway.com
(and .co.uk), with web-sites for the constituent routes: http://www.oneanglia.com,
http://www.onewestanglia.com and
http://www.onegreateastern.com.
Two Class 90 engines a week will be introduced so that by mid-May all mainline services will be scheduled
to be hauled by them, replacing the Class 86s used since electrification of the route to Ipswich in 1985 and
Norwich in 1987.
The new franchise has already seen problems for passengers. On 1st April there were queues at Cambridge
station ticket offices and the only trains around were from WAGN whose staff are no longer allowed to sell
tickets at Cambridge station.
NatEx press release: http://www.nationalexpressgroup.com/nx/mc/releases/pr2004/2004-04-01/
SRA announcement: http://www.sra.gov.uk/news/2004/Folder.2004-03-29.7340788589/438_gaf.
ST.IVES LINE
Objections to the Guided Busway total 2729
In mid-April the Cambridge Evening News claimed that the DfT had received over 3,000 objections to Cambridgeshire
County Council's TWA order for a guided busway on the St.Ives railway line. CCC representatives claimed that
this was about the number the expected, although this is clearly not true. Fewer than 400 objections were
received against the Luton-Dunstable Translink scheme, and at one point CAST.IRON predicted only 1,000. In
fact 1,000 arrived in the last three days!
The secretary of state has confirmed that a public inquiry will take place. Given the large number of
objections, which CAST.IRON believes is a little over 2,729 (plus 4 letters of support and 3 other
representations), Cambs CC has decided against trying to persuade individuals to withdraw their objections.
Objectors had 14 days to state their wish to appear at public inquiry, and will have until 11th June to
submit their 'statement of case', which can be their original objection if they do not wish to add to it.
Swavesey Parish Council voted at their monthly meeting on Monday 22nd March to object to the guided bus. They
are one of many statutory objectors. CAST.IRON has also been asked by several residents living next to the
railway line to be their representatives at the public inquiry.
SaveTheLakes web-site: http://www.savethelakes.co.uk
RAGBUS web-site: http://www.ragbus.co.uk.
CAST.IRON produces analysis of guided busway showing massive amount of public subsidy required
Cambridgeshire County Council claims that it supports the guided busway because it would not require any
long-term subsidy, but a reopened railway would. However, CAST.IRON has produced a thoroughly researched
40-page analysis of the costs of operating a guided busway, and believes that an average of £873,000 subsidy
is required each year just to maintain the busway. After allowing for initial loss-making bus services, prior
to new houses being built, a total of £11.6m subsidy is predicted.
CAST.IRON chairman Tim Phillips presented a summary of this information in a 3-minute speech, followed by
questions, to Cambs CC members on 30th March, prior to their vote on continuing with the TWA order. Members
were not swayed by rail or conservation arguments (from Save our Lakes) and voted to continue (37 in favour).
CAST.IRON's busway costs analysis is the first ever analysis not performed or funded by its backers.
Although independent in that sense, Cambs CC busway supporters immediately seized upon the term "independent"
used once by CAST.IRON - despite being written by one of its executives, Dr Stephen Ades - and issued a press
release accusing CAST.IRON of misleading the public. Dr Ades said: "the word independent was not a well
thought-out choice, but CCC's press release has caused a significant number of people to go and look at the
analysis [on the CAST.IRON web-site] - thanks pals!"
CAST.IRON's 40-page busway analysis: http://www.castiron.org.uk/analysis.
Save Our Station campaign set-up to prevent Histon Station being demolished
S.O.S - Save Our Station [http://www.saveourstation.org.uk] has
been formed to save Histon Station from demolition, which Cambridgeshire County Council have applied to do,
to build a car park for the Guided Busway. It is encouraging volunteers to help tidy up the station, and
return it to bloom by summer 2004. Volunteers meet at the station on Saturdays from 10am.
On 24th April 12 volunteers turned up to help - twice that of the previous week. Vegetation has been almost
totally cleared from the area around the station platforms, and now the buildings are receiving a coat of paint.
The volunteers plan to replace the rotten fence at the front of the station.
The group, which is independent of CAST.IRON, has already obtained media coverage. The BBC filmed at the
station on Thursday 22nd April, and BBC Radio Cambridgeshire interviewed organisers Phill Diver and Henry Tribe
at the station on Friday 23rd April. An online petition can be signed at
http://www.saveourstation.org.uk/petition.php.
At the other end of Histon, a lack of joined-up thinking has resulted in the resurfacing of Park Lane road
covering over the groove in the railway track at the level crossing.
STATIONS
Felixstowe Beach 'derelict' station demolished on Easter Sunday
Despite local District and Town Councils and rails groups, such as ESTA, calling for it to be listed, on
Easter Sunday (11th April) the SRA carried out its threatened demolition of the old station building on the
former Felixstowe Beach station site. It claimed the wooden structure was unsafe. Some campaigners had hoped
that the possible development of Felixstowe's South Seafront that may have justified its reopening.
Cambridge City Council decides not to retain land for Addenbrooke's Station
On 27th April Cambridge City Council's Environment Scrutiny Committee took a decision not to reserve land for
a railway station near Addenbrooke's Hospital. Among the arguments cited are environmental (encroachment onto
"green finger"), competing with rival bus services, train operators don't want a station there and a city of
100,000 people can't support a multiplicity of stations. The latter argument wouldn't wash at Exeter, which is
slightly smaller but has seven stations, including some opened/reopened in recent decades.
Objectors may argue against the council's policy at the Local Plan Inquiry.
Planning application submitted for additional public car parking spaces at Ely station
A planning application has been submitted to build a new access road, bus stop and improve car and cycle
parking (with CCTV) at Ely station. The car park will have 260 properly marked spaces instead of 220 at the
moment. However, the space has been obtained by taking 50 informal parking spaces used solely by staff.
A planning decision on the £600,000 scheme (half of which will be paid by TOCs) is expected on 14th June.
RAIL DEPOTS
Network Rail opens depot at Whitemoor, March
The new £30 million rail maintenance depot at March has been in use since April, after four months work, and
will eventually create more than 200 jobs. It will become an engineering supply depot serving the whole of
East Anglia. Jenny Sacre of Network Rail said: "There are currently 40 jobs already filled in the first phase
and it is expected that another 170 jobs will be created on the final opening, most of which will be recruited
locally." More than 250 people from the surrounding area applied for the first round of 40 jobs.
The official opening is in May, and there will be a community event on 23rd May, which will include the
re-naming of locomotive 66701 to Whitemoor. Live entertainment, stalls and a raffle are planned with all
proceeds going from entrance fees to a local charity. Any organisations that would like to run stalls from
the marquee or get involved with any of the events can call Jenny Sacre on (020) 7904 4043.
CEN article: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/search/dispstory.asp?id=51879&db=1.
RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE
Network Rail announces budget for maintenance and renewals in East Anglia
At the end of March Network Rail published is new national business plan, following agreement by government to
fund it. The £26,000m three-year national business plan includes £1,000m in East Anglia. Much of this goes to
the Great Eastern main line. However, significant work will take place south of Cambridge at Foxton, on the Wherry
Line at Brundall, on the East Suffolk Line at Saxmundham and Darsham and also at Brandon. Around £145m each
year will be for maintenance, £110m for track and structure renewals and £50m for signalling and OHLE renewals.
RAIL SERVICES
Rail Passengers Committee wins a late-night train to serve south Cambridgeshire villages
The RPC East of England Committee who have been calling for late night trains returning from Cambridge to serve
the villages of Foxton, Meldreth and Shepreth have succeeded in getting WAGN to provide an experimental service.
The last train departed Cambridge at 21:54pm on weekdays and Saturdays, but since 29th March the train
leaving Cambridge at 11.21pm on weekdays and at 11.11pm on Saturdays has been stopping there. WAGN has only
guaranteed to stop until 22nd May, saying: "This is an experimental service. If people don't use it then there
will be no point in continuing with it."
Train times during Ipswich tunnel block announced
With only ten weeks before the £5m 8-week-long Ipswich tunnel blockade begins on 11th July, the temporary peak
and off-peak direct Norwich-London trains via Cambridge have been announced:
* Weekdays: leave Norwich at 06.30/12.12 and London at 11.47/17.27
* Saturday: leave Norwich at 07.51/11.14 and London at 11.24(to Yarmouth)/15.24/18.15
* Sunday: leave Norwich at 08.45/14.37; from Liverpool Street at 18.27 only.
Around 50,000 copies of a temporary timetable (which includes information on car parking arrangements and the
replacement bus services) have been distributed at stations, tourist information centres and libraries.
WAGN takes over networkers from South Eastern Trains
Sixteen Class 365 "Networker" trains currently leased to South Eastern Trains are being transferred to WAGN as
a replacement for 14 of the Class 317 type being temporarily transferred to Thameslink during the construction
of a new Thameslink station under St.Pancras later this year, that will sever the route through London for
several months.
RAIL BARGAINS
Harwich-Hook of Holland 2 for 1 offer
Stena Line in conjunction with 'one' railway has a 2 for 1 offer between any former-Anglia Station and any
station in the Netherlands via the Stena HSS fast ferry between Harwich and the Hook of Holland of just £42.50
per person, a saving of £85.
The offer is valid from 3rd May-11th July inclusive and must be booked at least five days before departure
(last day for bookings is 30th June). Telephone 0870-4006-756 quoting reference no. V406, or see your local
travel agent. Terms and conditions apply.
Massive savings on steam trips through 'one'
Trips on the North Norfolk and Bure Valley railways are being promoted on the 'one' anglia web-site. Savings of
25% and 29% respectively on the preserved trains are available when booking through tickets from a 'one' station.
'one' web-site: http://www.oneanglia.com/special-products/special-products03.asp?id=483193&class=4
LIGHT RAIL
Light Railway scheme proposed for Great Yarmouth
Consultants have recommended a basic light rail system in Great Yarmouth linking the railway station to the
seafront. It would use Parry People Mover vehicles rather than trams. Each vehicle is capable of holding
around 50 people and would be powered by liquid petroleum gas (LPG) therefore not requiring overhead power
lines.
PRESERVED RAILWAYS
Mid-Norfolk Railway gets ready for reopening of Kimberley Park station
The MNR have erected a pre-fabricated shelter on the platform at Kimberley Park station eight people were
required to lift the shelter which was mounted on pre-cast retaining bolts in the platform. Earlier in April
the whole of the platform had been resurfaced. When the station reopens to the public it will also have
cycle racks.
MNR volunteers have been keeping the vegetation under control on the northern extension up to County School.
On 1st May they commenced with re-sleepering directly north of Dereham station, and run a 3-car works train
across Swanton Road as far as the sleepers were changed: at the 12 mile post. This was the first train across
it since 1989. The MNR had previously ran a train across Neatherd Road, which is the crossing before Swanton
Road.
An open day was held on Sunday 2nd May to celebrate the fifth year of service operation by the MNR.
WEB SITES
March-Wisbech "Bramley Line" group launches web-site
The March-Wisbech Bramley Line Club, formed to acquire the March-Wisbech line as a heritage railway, now have
a website at http://www.bramleyline.co.uk. The web-site has photos
of the line, minutes from each of its recent meetings, and news items from local newspapers, including one
stating that Norfolk Street Traders´ Association in Wisbech has offered a "substantial" donation, taking
the sum raised to over £1,000. This sum has been sent to Network Rail (NR) as a deposit to acquire the line.
The web-site has a printable membership application form (£10 for individuals) plus a diagram of March
station http://www.bramleyline.co.uk/html/track_plan.html
showing the working rail lines from platforms one and two and the proposed plan for the Wisbech line, which
would require use of the old platforms three and four.
The group holds a monthly meeting. Contact 'info[AT]bramleyline.co.uk' or phone chairman Peter Downs on
01945 467740.
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