First Capital Connect has confirmed that it will provide a speaker at the next branch meeting to be held in Cambridge on Saturday 2nd December.

The Bramley Line is eager to attract more volunteers to control the vegetation on on the March-Wisbech line. They were very fortunate on Sunday 24th September to have the support of the probation service. There were 33 people working on track clearance. however, this was a one-off and more volunteers would be very welcome.

FRANCHISES

DfT announces companies that have qualified for Cross Country and East Midlands franchises

On 19th September 2006 the Department for Transport announced the list of companies that have qualified as Bidders for the two rail franchises affecting East Anglia: Cross Country, East Midlands and West Midlands franchises.

There are four bidders for the Cross Country franchise:
* Arriva Trains Cross Country Limited (Arriva Group)
* First Cross Country Limited (First Group)
* NXC Trains Limited (National Express Group)
* Virgin Voyager Trains Ltd (Virgin Rail Group).

There are four bidders for the East Midlands franchise:
* Arriva Trains East Midlands Limited (Arriva Group)
* First East Midlands Limited (First Group)
* NXE Trains Limited (National Express Group)
* Stagecoach Midland Rail Limited (Stagecoach Group).

Passenger Focus complains about GNER's car park charge increases

Passenger Focus has referred GNER to the Secretary of State for Transport for investigation under Section 76 (5) of the Railways Act 1993 following the increase in car parking charges by nearly 100% in GNER's station car parks, where there is no regulation to protect customers. Passenger Focus is concerned that:
* passengers do not have a practical alternative to parking in station car parks – it belives that car parking charges should be low to encourage people to use the railways; * the new prices are disproportionate to the cost of peak time train fares – it believes the increases are intended to get more money from commuters whose fares and season tickets are protected by regulation; * passengers may now drive to stations where charges are cheaper, nor not take the train at all, thus increasing road congestion; * the cost of parking can now be almost the same price or more than the off-peak train fare this discouraging people from taking the train.

Anthony Smith, Passenger Focus chief executive said: "In many cases passengers saw their car parking costs double over night, with the total cost of rail journeys soaring. We are concerned that other train operators will enforce similar car parking increases."

LEVEL CROSSINGS

Safety to be improved at Elsenham level crossing following double fatality

Network Rail has agreed to intorduce new safety features at Elsenham level crossing, where two teenagers died in December 2005 when they were hit by a train. A footbridge will be constructed and the wicket gates will be locked when trains are approaching. NR route director Jon Wiseman described the changes as "safe and practicable solutions."

The proposals did not include the provision of a ticket machine on the down platforms (to Cambridge), the absense of which causes people to cross twice and take risks if the train was almost due.

BBC News Article: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/essex/5385890.stm.

STATIONS

Trainseurope office opened at Cambridge station sells train tickerts throughout Europe

On 13th October Simon Calder, the respected travel journalist, officially opened the new Trainseurope agency on platform 4 at Cambridge station. Customers can purchase tickets for train travel throughout Europe and the world as well as hotel accommodation and car hire. It is expected to attract business from the large student market that resides in Cambridge.

Trainseurope is the latest addition to the retail portfolio at Cambridge station which already has a WH Smith, Marks and Spencer's, AMT Coffee, Upper Crust, Delice De France and Swiss Laundry dry cleaners.

'one' Press Release: http://www.onerailway.com/latestinformation/news/newsdisplay.asp?id=945.

RAIL SERVICES

Midget stations on Ely-Norwich line to become request stops

The tiny stations at Spooner Row, Lakenheath and Shippea Hill, all of which are on the Ely-Norwich line, already have a very sparse service. However, from 10th December, when the annual timetable change occurs, all three will become 'request-only' stops. The aim is to speed up trains.

RAIL INFRASTRUCTURE

Beccles loop could cost just £3 million to construct

According to RAIL magazine (issue 547) the cost of the Beccles loop is around £3mn and Suffold County Council is pressing Network Rail to construct it to boost the regeneration of the Waveney area. The council hopes to secure some of the money privately and wants the hourly service running by 2009.

1st East Urban Regeneration Company (URC), which is employed to regenerate Lowestoft, has pledged to lobby the government in a bid to raise the £3m needed.

Network Rail given powers for Thameslink Programme - funding is next hurdle to be overcome

On 18th October the government granted planning permission and legal powers to Network Rail to 're-build' the Thameslink route, which mainly applies to the core route through London Bridge, Blackfriars and Farringdon. The project will more than double passenger capacity, allowing up to 24 trains per hour, and will benefit East Anglia by providing direct services south of King's Cross. The number of stations on the route will increase from 51 to 172, with 12-car trains being possible for the first time.

The government has yet to confirm funding for the £3,500 million project (at net present value). This is expected in 2007.

RAIL SURVEYS

Railfuture passenger survey at Whittlesea finds that more people use it than official figures suggest

In early October members of Railfuture's East Anglia branch conducted a passenger survey at Whittlesea Station and have found that far more people are using the station than the Office of the Rail Regulation claims. Counting the number of passengers getting on and off each train Railfuture identified 89 passengers that day compared to the average of 50 users in the ORR's official figures, which include only ticket sales and not those people travelling on free passes. The difference is important as the official figures are increasingly used by Government not just to establish the level of train service, but also the amount of Government grant offered for station improvements, such as improving disabled access. The figures have been shared with Cambridgeshire County Council.