Apologies for the long time since the last edition of Snippets, 151, which was in early November. Some of the news in this edition will have been mentioned at the branch meeting in December 2005.

Next branch meeting, the AGM, will be in Felixstowe on Saturday 4th March. Jonathan Denby of 'one' has been confirmed as speaker. Branch meeting dates for the remainder of 2006 are:
* Sat 24/06/2006 - Bury St Edmunds
* Sat 09/09/2006 - Rf EA Branch meeting - Norwich (new venue)
* Sat 02/12/2006 - Rf EA Branch meeting - Cambridge (Little St. Mary's Church Hall).

There will be no national Railfuture election process this year as the returning officer has confirmed that there have been insufficient nominations to require a ballot. Mike Harrison from Scotland will be replacing Norman Bradbury, who has stepped down. Jerry Alderson will take over as vice-chairman with Ray King remaining a director. No other changes.

The Campaigners' Conference in Stoke-on-Trent on 1st July will include a 5 to 10-minute statement from each of the 16 Railfuture branches on their current and recent campaigns, how successful they have been and what lessons have been learned. Anyone wishing to guarantee accommodation (incl. breakfast) at the venue for £25 on either Friday or Saturday and £45 for both nights, needs to send their booking for to Jerry Alderson at 32 The Oaks, Milton, Cambridge, CB4 6ZG by end the end of February. Rooms may be available after that date but we cannot guarantee them. If anyone intends to turn up on the day without pre-booking (this is discouraged!) they should note that the building is not the one on the booking form sent with Railwatch in December 2005.

The 2006 Rail Users' conference is likely to be held in Reading on either Saturday 4th or 11th November 2006. Date will be announced soon.

The Bramley Line has its AGM on Wednesday 22nd February 2006, and the Committee Members will be standing for re-election. The meeting will be held at a different venue – The Trumpet Hall, Rose and Crown Hotel, Market Place, Wisbech. (Normal meetings are at St. Peter's Church Hall, next to St Peter's Church in Wisbech.)

On Thursday 30th March 2006 the Bedford to Bletchley Rail Users' Association Annual General Meeting and Special Public Meeting will be held at The Pavilion, Rushmere Road, Bow Brickhill. The meeting will focus on the possible formation of a Community Rail Partnership for the Marston Vale Line. All members and friends are welcome and encouraged to travel to and from Bow Brickhill by train.

ESTA Felixstowe's AGM will be on Tuesday 9th May at 7.30pm in St. Andrew's Hall, Felixstowe.

The DfT has recently published a consultation on its procedures for railway closures and service reductions. The 83-page guide can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_611064.pdf. Responses have to be in by April.

The 2005 edition of the DfT's Transport Trends has been published. It is 128 pages and can be found at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_transstats/documents/page/dft_transstats_026281.hcsp.

FRANCHISES

First Group takes over from WAGN on 1st April 2006

On Tuesday 13th December the DfT announced that First Group had won the combined Thameslink/Great Northern (4+2+3 year) franchise, and also retained the expanded Great Western route with a 10-year franchise. Both franchises will make premium payments to the government. If the TL/GN franchise runs to nine years it should return £808m at net present value. This includes a £50m premium in 2008, £105m in 2011, £150m in 2013 and £210m in 2015. With £1,131m for GWR, First would pay a total of £1,900m from both franchises. It expects to raise £1,000m from fares each year.

First has given no contractual commitment to tackle overcrowding. Only £52 has been earmarked for improvements to the TL/GN franchise, mainly to to improve trains and stations including installation of automatic ticket barriers including at King's Cross. However, in Transit 278 Keith Ludeman of Govia questioned the value of the barriers and suggested that First's bid is excessive as they have overestimated the level of fare evasion.

It is understood that the bids for the franchise were very close (unlike the Great Western where First bid £500m more than their rivals), with DSB coming second. Before the franchise awards were announced, Stagecoach admitted that it had not won either. Its chief executive Brian Souter said the franchise bidding process had become "frenzied" with bidders offering a "toppy" (unrealistic/unachievable price adding "If there are too many hungry pigs in the trough, let them eat first."

First will bear little risk if it fails to grow the business as expected. Under the "cap and collar" arrangement, First must pay the full premium if revenue is up to 2% of target; then it pays just 50% if it is 2%-6% below target, and only 20% if more than 6% below. The "collar" safety net only applies after the end of year four. However, above expected revenue - the "cap" - will provide a share to the DfT immediately, as is standard for all franchises.

First has decided to dump the name Thameslink. Instead services will be branded as First Capital Connect and has appointed Elaine Holt as managing director. A new web-site was launched immediately: http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk.

These franchise wins, largely at the expense of National Express, means that First Group has become Britain's largest rail operator, carrying more than 260m passengers per year. However, National Express is still in expansionist mood having completed its acquisition of the Spanish coach group Alsa on 1st December 2005.

WAGN's route director James Adeshiyan has already moved to National Express sister company 'one' to run their 'Metro' inner suburban services and is based at Shenfield Station. Tom Joyner has come over from Silverlink, where he will return after his time as Acting Route Director for Great Northern.

Selection of web-site links including First Group's press release: http://www.firstgroup.com/corpfirst/press/pressreleasestory.php?id=213
http://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=845&ArticleID=1284900
http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_railways/documents/page/dft_railways_610697.hcsp
http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/business/news/2005/12/13/ce0d27ca-db51-4587-9217-6aa0b3c2052e.lpf.

'one' ends 2005 in chaos

Between June and September 2005 'one's punctuality drop since the previous year was bigger than any other TOCs. Performance on the Norwich–London route fell over 6 points to 81.2%, compared to 87% nationally.

Following significant complaints about its operation, particularly on the Great Eastern main line, and during a drivers' dispute with ASLEF, Managing Director Tim Clarke was suspended by National Express and replaced temporarily by Dominic Booth (deputy chief executive of NatEx’s trains division). 'one' has since settled its dispute with ASLEF. Drivers will receive a 4.5% increase with a review of the number of drivers employed to avoid rest-day working.

Tim Clarke, who remains on gardening leave, was appointed to the post last in April 2004 when 'one' began operating the Greater Anglia franchise, having held the same position with Anglia Railways since April 1998.

Route director Mark Evans has recently been moved to concentrate on getting the timetable working and has been replaced by Perry Ramsay.

RAIL PATRONAGE

Year-on-year increase in passenger numbers continues

ATOC announced that in 2005 around 1,070 million passenger journeys were made. This is 30 million (2.5%) more than 2004, and the highest number of journeys since 1958. The number of passenger kilometres remains the highest since 1946. The breakdown amongst journey types was:
* 5% on long distance services
* 5% on regional services
* 1% on London and South East services.

A small amount of this increase was due to the eight new stations opened in 2004 which include Gartcosh, Rhoose Cardiff International Airport, Llantwit Major, Kelvindale, Chatelherault, Merryton and Larkhall). None were opened in the branch area.

ATOC News Release: http://www.atoc-comms.org/atocstory.asp?abstractorder=&toc=&category=&File_reference=976978
Larkhall video of first train: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2005/12/09094150.

RAIL FARES

Above average fare increases from 2nd January

From 2nd January regulated fares rose on average by inflation rate plus one per cent (3.9%), continuing the process started in 2004. Unregulated fares, which include cheap day returns and advance-purchase fares, rose by an average of 3.5% on 'one' services and 5.2% on 'WAGN'. However, some of the highest rises in the country are on GNER's unregulated fares: up 8.8%.

According to George Muir of ATOC, the revenue will "pay for the big improvements being made to the railways." However, Rail Passengers Council's Anthony Smith said: "These inflation-busting price hikes are a disappointing early Christmas present."

RAIL CAPACITY

Essex Rail Users Federation demand action as Essex Rail Network approaches saturation

On 26th January the Essex Rail Users Federation, which represents rail users from Alresford, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Colchester, Frinton, Harwich, Ingatestone, Kelvedon, Manningtree, Marks Tey, Thorpe-le-Soken and Walton-on-the-Naze, issued a press release calling for immediate targeted investment on the cross-country freight route via Bury St. Edmunds to relieve pressure on the Great Eastern Mainline.

The Federation says that freight and passenger demand will soon exceed the capacity of the GEML caused by an increasing number of rail commuters on all main line stations plus booming container freight traffic at Felixstowe, leading to extra freight trains using the line between Ipswich and Stratford. They blame the government for encouraging house building along the corridor, particularly at Chelmsford, Witham and Colchester, without either providing local jobs or an improved railway.

The group is not happy that the December 2005 timetable change saw one passenger train an hour off-peak cancelled to provide an extra freight train path, and expresses anger that commuters are paying 1% above RPI each year for a deteriorating service.

The press release was sent to MPs Tim Yeo, Bernard Jenkin, Douglas Carswell and Bob Russell plus the Rail Passengers Council and the media. It resulted in a three-minute live interview on 27th January as the main item on BBC Essex news at lunch time. The EADT covered it on 28th July.

ORR minded to approve Grand Central's track access despite NR's claim that ECML lacks capacity

On 27th January the Office of Rail Regulation announced that it is minded to approve new track access rights to Grand Central, enabling it to launch new services from Sunderland/Hartlepool to King's Cross, but not the service to/from Bradford. This is a provisional decision and should be finalised in the week commencing 6th February after further public and industry consultation by ORR. Network Rail had claimed in December that there was no capacity on the EMCL for this service or even GNER's planned Leeds services. Grand Central hopes to commence services in 2007. Its managing director, Ian Yeowart, has been trying for almost a decade to get his service running, spending £1.5m.

At the same time the ORR said it was minded to approve continuation of a currently temporary access right for one Hull Trains service daily between London and Hull provided capacity is available.

The proposed decision would mean that the application from GNER for additional rights to serve Leeds would be turned down. However, ORR anticipates that when Network Rail has completed the Route Utilisation Strategy for the ECML, it should be possible to accommodate additional passenger services. In the meantime GNER is encouraging people to lobby ORR to ask it to reconsider. On its http://www.gner.co.uk/gner/_extra_services.htm web-page it enables a letter to be sent directly to the ORR. The basic letters says: "I strongly urge the ORR to reverse its provisional decision to reject GNER’s 12 additional services between Leeds and London...Leeds-London is the biggest and fastest growing long-distance rail market in the UK but this route has fewer trains to/from London than other major conurbations, such as Greater Manchester and Tyneside. Please think again."

ORR announcement: http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/272.pdf.

RAIL BARGAINS

Virgin Cross-Country launches £20 Sunday go-anywhere rail fare to overcome industrial action

Although Virgin does not - yet - operate in the branch area, members undertaking longer journeys may be interested in the Virgin Cross-Country Sundays-only walk-up £20 (£10 for children) single flat-fare for anywhere on its 1,500-mile network. The special offer has been introduced because of industrial action by the RMT which threatens services has prevented advanced reservations. The fares will operate until at least the end of February. Tickets are limited to Cross-Country trains and also connecting Virgin West Coast services that operate on the same route as Virgin Cross-Country trains. Railcard discounts are available.

RAIL STATIONS

Government finally agrees to fund new St. Pancras Thameslink station

On 8th February Alistair Darling announced funding for the new Thameslink station at St. Pancras, which should be open to passengers for the December 2007 timetable change. The "box" was completed in May 2005 during an eight-month blockade of the line. It will cost £50m (at 2003 prices) to prepare the station for passenger use. Work includes laying 4,600 square metres of flooring, fitting seven escalators and two lifts. A further £10-15m will be spent on signalling work and to transfer services from the current station at Pentonville Road.

Work will start in the early summer of 2006 and will take approximately 20 months. The link from the ECML to the Thameslink link is not part of the station project and an announcement on the Thameslink Programme is unlikely before September 2006.

Fully-accessible lifts for all services at Bury St. Edmunds station

In December the £400,000 scheme at Bury St. Edmunds railway station for two new fully-compliant passenger lifts (for both Cambridge and Ipswich-bound services) and improved interchange facilities was completed. The project was jointly funded by the Department for Transport (Rail Division), Suffolk County Council, St. Edmundsbury Borough Council and ‘one’, together with support from Network Rail.

Press release: http://www.onerailway.com/latestinformation/news/newsdisplay.asp?id=849.

Expansion of King's Lynn station car park finally completed

Work has been completed on the desperately needed additional car park at King's Lynn station which has 96 parking spaces, bringing the total car parking spaces to 240. The extension was formally opened by the MP for King's Lynn, Henry Bellingham, on 3rd February, with a reception at the Green Quay afterwards. Costing £500,000 it is of the highest quality. Fares are £3 before 10am Monday-Friday and jsst £1 at all other times. Assuming that the recent passenger increases continue another car park will be required within a few years.

According to the FLUA newsletter, the car park at the nearby Watlington station is also full on most weekdays, and double yellow lines may need to be painted on nearby roads. FLUA is calling for CCTV in the car park.

At Wymondham the county council is to spend £250,000 on a 100-space pay-and-display car park on nearby Cemetery Lane. The current forecourt parking area will be designated for disabled drivers and customers of the Brief Encounter restaurant. Pedestrian facilities and street lighting will also be improved.

Huntingdon station building to reopen in March

Repairs to Huntingdon Station building on the 'up' platform following the fire in 2005 will soon be complete and it will be reopened by the end of March 2006.

Peterborough station changes as part of GNER's £32.5m enhancements

GNER recently announced completion of £32.5m financing for station improvements along its route and other investments. Peterborough station will have automatic ticket barriers by 2009 and passenger information screens at the Queensgate shopping centre.

Downham Market railway station wins CPRE award

Downham Market station has won an Architectural and Environmental award from the CPRE. In a ceremony held at County Hall, Norwich, on 9th November the CPRE judges said that the creation of a café, shop and post office had created a new social centre for the town's eastern fringe. A certificate and ceremonial plaque were presented to former commuter Andrew Archibald, the station tenant who was behind the scheme.

New island platform at Cambridge proposed by housing developer

Cambridge station's 22-carriage-long through platform, operated as two independent platforms has long been a bottleneck. The proposed solution is two more through platforms on an island.

Cambridge-based consortium RLW Estates, made up of the Royal London Group, Turnstone Estates and St John's College, Cambridge - has submitted proposals to built a large housing settlement at Waterbeach, which would have an additional station. Plans for a 15-minute shuttle dubbed Cam-Link, would require extra platform capacity at Cambridge. It is therefore proposing to build a new island platform in place of two existing goods lines. Much of the funding would need to come from government.

According to the Cambridge Evening News, Chris Goldsmith, of Turnstone Estates, said there was a need for a new platform in Cambridge even if the settlement did not go ahead because "Substantial increases in new housing in and around Cambridge are already in the offing, and that poses immense challenges for the existing transport infrastructure. We believe increasing the number of trains calling at Cambridge is a priority."

The two new platforms would cost £17.7 million would double capacity at the station allowing more than 30 trains an hour. It would be designed to allow an additional north facing bay platform in the future. Network Rail has been in discussion with the developers.

CEN article: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2005/11/11/0ca81f24-7e06-4153-a5dd-5b859cfcde56.lpf
Cam Link web-site: http://www.cam-link.org.uk/transport.

Plan to move long-distance coach stops to Cambridge railway station upsets operator

National Express are unhappy at joint proposals by Cambridge City and Cambridgeshire County Councils to shift Cambridge's long-distance coach stops away from the congested bus station, which is says is not in the interests of its customers. The stops will initially relocate temporarily to Parkside, a short walk away, prior to the redevelopment of Cambridge railway station, when it is planned that the coach stops will move there. NX has proposed improving Drummer Street bus station, including building on Christ's Pieces and digging up trees, to avoid relocating.

CEN item: http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2006/01/23/56e5a72a-858f-4e8f-96df-7b5b86fa3832.lpf.

RAIL ROUTES

Oxford-Cambridge Air Link shows need for an East West Rail Link

Plans by the Sky Commuter company to set-up an air link between Oxford and Cambridge to transport academics between the two universities have been condemned by Student environmental activists and local Green party councillors. The company, which operates small business aircraft, started a twice-daily 20-minute service with return fares of £99 between the University cities, which are 100 miles apart, on 1st February 2006.

Cambridge city airport director, David Buckley, said: "There is a very clear demand for regular flights between Oxford and Cambridge, because of the inadequacy of surface transport on this route."

Oxbridge air service: http://www.oxfordairport.co.uk/oxbridge.

Cambridge Sport Lake could remove threat at Willington to East West Rail Link

BRTA is encouraging its members and supporters to write letters of support for Cambridge Sport Lakes to South Cambs District Council in the hope that their proposed rowing lake will remove the need for the rival rowing lake at Willington that would sever the old Bedford-Sandy trackbed.

Willington Rowing Lake's backers still need to complete a traffic survey and environmental impact assessment before their scheme can be considered. It would be five miles away from the nearest railway station. By contrast Cambridge Rowing Lake would be only a 10-minute walk from Waterbeach station. BRTA. On 10th January 2006 its trustees submitted an application to create the 95.1 hectare multi-sport park with lakes and water storage, which is planning ref: S/0032/06/F. Letters of support can be sent to: Ms Melissa Reynolds, South Cambridgeshire District Council, Cambourne Business Park, Cambourne, Cambridge, CB3 6EA.

BRTA news item: http://www.brta.org.uk/html/news_item_43.html
Planning application: http://www.cambridgerowinglake.org.uk/planning.cfm.

RAIL ACCIDENTS

Leaf-fall treatment trains to be based at Stowmarket

Following the deaths on 3rd December of two teenage girls who ignored the closed barriers and warning lights to crossed in front of an oncoming non-stop Birmingham-Stansted train at Elsenham level crossing, Network Rail intends to hold a public meeting in the village in January 2006. Before that it would carry out a detailed risk assessment to see if additional safety features were required.

It has been suggested that the wicket gates be interlocked with the crossing gates and signals. However, that would contravene HSE regulations which stipulate that pedestrians must not be trapped on the level crossing. A footbridge would be prohibitively expensive.

Passengers cross the line more than would be necessary if the station were redesigned. The ticket office is on the opposite side of the line to the village so that passengers have to cross the line.

PASSENGER SURVEYS

'one' and WAGN far down the list in 'best year' for TOC satisfaction

According to Passenger Focus, the new passenger-oriented version of the RPC, which is now responsible for conducting passenger surveys, a record number of passengers are now satisfied with the train service. Gatwick Express led the chat at 93%, with WAGN at 81% and 'one' third from bottom with just 74%.

REVENUE PROTECTION

WAGN attempts to use ASBOs against repeated fare dodgers

In response to individuals who are repeatedly prosecuted for avoiding paying fares, Wagn is asking magistrates to impose ASBOs on the worst offenders. It is felt that is more likely to deter offenders since they would be at risk of immediate imprisonment for contempt of court. As a last resort train companies are able to ask the High Court for injunctions to bar serial fare-dodgers from trains.

RAIL FREIGHT

Hutchison submits TWA Order Application to double Felixstowe branch

On 13th December 2005 the Port of Felixstowe submitted a TWA application double a four-and-a-quarter mile section of Felixstowe-Ipswich rail line (between Trimley St Mary and Levington) and the construction of three additional 24-wagon sidings within the existing Ipswich marshalling yard. The cost is estimated at £40m and should be fully operational by the end of 2009. The line doubling will handle port's future rail volumes, without adversely affecting the passenger service.

In a recent public consultation, 64% of people were in favour of the scheme. The six-week-long TWA consultation period ended on 3rd February. CAST.IRON has already written a letter of support and received a reply from Hutchinson. Railfuture East Anglia branch also wrote supporting it.

The Government is currently considering the proposals at Felixstowe South whereby the area previously used by P&O North Sea Ferries would become a new deep-sea container terminal. Approval for this and the rail enhancements would take 500,000 lorries off the roads.

News item: http://www.railnews.co.uk/news.aspx?id=2352
Port press release: ttp://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/pressreleases/frmPress.aspx?pid=176
Plans: http://www.portoffelixstowe.co.uk/fsr/branchline/plansfbl.htm.

Bathside Bay container terminal at Harwich likely to get go-ahead

On 21st December the DfT announced that the Secretary of State was minded to approve the Bathside Bay, Harwich container terminal following a recommendation by the inspector from Inquiry held on 20th April 2004 to 21st October 2004. The £300 million container terminal scheme will make Harwich potentially the second largest container port in the UK, almost doubling the total quay length to 3,000 metres, and enabling the Port to handle up to four deep-sea container vessels simultaneously.

It is a condition of planning approval that 22.5% of traffic must go by rail. This is the equivalent of 462,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent) container boxes annually. Assuming each train carries the maximum 72 containers, this would equate to 25 trains per day if five working days a week.

Letter: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_shipping/documents/page/dft_shipping_610905.hcsp
Report: http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_shipping/documents/page/dft_shipping_610900.pdf.
District council overview: http://www.tendringdc.gov.uk/TendringDC/Business/Regeneration/BathsideBay.htm.

RAIL AWARDS

'one' receives customer service award for simple to understand compensation for late trains

On 15th November 'one' was commended at the National Customer Service Awards for innovation in customer service for its new Passenger's Charter and Delay Repay scheme, which was introduced in autumn 2004. The scheme enables passengers to claim compensation in rail vouchers up to 100% of the ticket for a journey that is delayed by an hour or more, and 50% for a journey delayed by 30 minutes or more.

Press Release: http://www.onerailway.com/latestinformation/news/newsdisplay.asp?id=833.

ST.IVES LINE

Cambridgeshire Guided Busway (CGB) given approval and now waiting for funding

On 9th December the DfT revealed that Dr Chris Gossop's report from the busway public inquiry wholeheartedly recommended converting the disused St.Ives railway line into guided busway and the Secretary of State for transport, Alistair Darling, gave approval with powers to construct the busway expiring in December 2010. However, he stressed that the decision did not prejudice the DfT's funding of the scheme. Three contracts have bid to build the busway. They are Balfour Beatty, who built the Edinburgh busway, Edmund Nuttall, who built the Crawley busway, and Birse who have never built a busway. Cambridgeshire County Council must now attempt to fill the funding gap, which stood at £21m but is now likely to be higher. If the DfT agrees to extra funding then construction could commence in December 2006, with the first buses operating no earlier than December 2008.

In autumn 2005 the £10m Edinburgh busway closed for a second time in its first year so that engineers could carry out urgent repairs to stop vehicles swaying from side to side. Cambridgeshire County Council claims that similar problems will not occur on CGB because it will be built to a different, more permanent, design.

CAST.IRON decided not to call for a judicial review as it was considered unwinnable. It has contacted the government to assure it that it will step in to reopen the railway if funding for the busway cannot be found.

CAST.IRON web-site (with link to DfT announcement): http://www.castiron.org.uk
Edinburgh busway problems: http://news.scotsman.com/scotland.cfm?id=2244672005.

RAIL ACCIDENTS

No public inquiry into 2002 Potters Bar train crash

On 8th December, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling said there would be an inquest but no public inquiry into the Potters Bar train derailment in May 2002, which killed seven people. He believed there were no "legal or general policy grounds that it is necessary or appropriate to hold an inquiry." However, Hertfordshire coroner, Edward Thomas, questioned whether the powers of a coroner were enough to fully investigate what happened. The inquest is likely to be held in 2006.

The Crown Prosecution Service has ruled that no criminal charges would be brought against any individual or firm for gross negligence manslaughter in relation to the Potters Bar crash.

PRESERVED RAILWAYS

North Norfolk Railway wins National Railway Heritage and three Tourism in Norfolk awards

In December 2005 the North Norfolk Railway received Ian Allan Publishing "Independent Railway of the Year Award". Out-going General Manager Geoff Gowing and Marketing Manager Colin Borg received the award from John Armitt, chief executive of Network Rail, and David Allan, chairman of Ian Allan, in London on 6th December.

The NNR also won the Tourism in Norfolk 'Community Award' sponsored by the East of England Development Agency as the organisation that contributes most to tourism in Norfolk. It is the first time that the railway has won this award, and follows a record number of visitors (approx. 150,000), which is about 10% up on 2004. By comparison most other North Norfolk attractions were down by 8–10%. The NNR was also the only organisation to make the short list in three Tourism in Norfolk categories, being a runner-up for Best Attraction and Outstanding Contribution to Tourism.

Colne Valley Railway's future secured following lottery grant

The Heritage Lottery Fund has given nearly £1 million to prevent the closure of the Colne Valley Railway, which is based at Castle Hedingham in Essex, when founders Dick and Jane Hymas retire.

The award ensures that the Colne Valley and Halstead Railway Trust, formed by supporters and the 120 volunteers, can now be run as a sustainable operation.

The railway receives more than 40,000 visitors a year. The trust hopes to extend the mile-long running line to greatly enhance the venue's appeal. It was closed in the 1960s and before being bought for preservation in 1972. Unfortunately the railway is not near to the railway network and has no potential for linking up.

March-Wisbech Bramley Line focuses on raising funds in order to secure line from Network Rail

At the Bramley Line's public meeting on 25th January the chairman explained that Network Rail's legal fees will be £5,000 - £10,000 to transfer the line. The group needs to pay its own legal fees, but this will not be known until Network Rail announces whether it will sell or lease the line. Public liability insurance of £2m and employee liability of £10m will cost £2,000 per year for basic cover. The estimated initial outlay prior to passenger trains commencing in 2009 is around £200,000.

The committee hopes to appoint a Promotions Officer soon. They will seek financing. Once idea is to produce a brochure of key people, giving their CV’s, photos, experience, qualifications etc. to help convince backers that they are capable of reopening the railway. The Chairman requested anybody with skills to drop into the shop at 91 Norfolk Street, Wisbech, or email him on peterdowns@bramleyline.org.uk, or send details to PO Box 132, Wisbech PE13 2WZ.

WEB-SITES

Rail Passengers Council finally announces its new identify and launches new web-site

Passenger Focus is the new name for the Rail Passengers Council. Interestingly there is nothing in the name mentioning rail, which has led some people to speculate that it may evolve into a public transport passenger body especially if widespread replacement of train services with buses occurs in the future. The new web-site is http://www.passengerfocus.org.uk.

Railfuture East Midlands branch has new web-site

The new East Midlands Railfuture branch, which recently merged with North Midlands, has a new web-site: http://www.blackrhodium.co.uk/RailfutureEastMidlands.

Bramley Line web-site finally up and running

Some months after closing its previous web-site the March-Wisbech Bramley Line group have a new official site at http://www.bramleyline.org.uk. In the meantime, during the long delay, a "Friends of the Bramley Line" web-site was also set-up by one of the committee members: http://www.bramleyline.com.

The web-site includes some information about the meeting in October when Jerry Swift of Network Rail spoke to the members. Apparently Network Rail have relented on charging maintenance of the points at Whitemoor Junction so that the line will remain connected to the line. EWS will therefore withdraw their objection to closure of the line. NR suggested keeping the freight connection at the March end by use of a ground frame and end-on connection. The two dismantled level crossings would be replaced at Network Rail's expense - although only to the current standard required.

Membership form: http://bramleyline.org.uk/images/PDFs/bramleylinemembershipapp.pdf.

Railway Forum launches web-site to promote a high-speed network in Great Britain

The Railway Forum has launched a new website to promote the concept of a national high-speed network in Britain. http://www.highspeedbritain.com provides information about high-speed rail and includes an online petition.

North Norfolk revamps its web-site

The North Norfolk Railway has revamped its http://www.nnrailway.co.uk web-site, which now looks very professional.

Web-site set-up to save the "TransWilts" trains from cuts under new Great Western franchise

Following on the success of Save Our Sleeper, which successfully campaigned for the retention of the Night Riviera sleeper, the http://www.savethetrain.org.uk web-site has been set-up to save the "TransWilts" service for Swindon, Chippenham, Melksham, Trowbridge, Westbury, Dilton Marsh, Warminster, Salisbury. It is likely to be reduced to two trains per day from April 2006. The web-site encourages people to lobby the two key people in reviewing and decision making are Lesley Coleman with First in Swindon and Peter West at the Department for Transport in London.