A correction to the last Snippets. Renewals of membership should not be sent to Elisabeth Jordan (the Membership Secretary), but directly to Edgar Locke who is the Subscription Renewals Officer. His address is:
3 Langton Court, Langton Road, Worthing, BN14 7BZ.

There's been very little news in the last two weeks. All contributions for future Snippets are welcome.

The relaunched RDS web-site is still being worked on, but a sneak preview of "Railfuture - the UK's leading independent voice for rail users" can currently be found on http://www.therailcampaign.org.uk.  RDS members will eventually be sent an access code able to use a members-only area containing exclusive news and information.

GUIDED BUSWAY PROPOSALS FOR TRUMPINGTON TO CAMBRIDGE

Public Exhibitions
As mentioned in Snippets 51, Cambridge Rapid Transit System Ltd are seeking permission to build a guided busway along the dismantled Cambridge to Bedford line from the new £4 million Park and Ride site at Trumpington - construction is expected to start this summer - to Cambridge Station with a junction off to Addenbrooke's Hospital.

The six days of public exhibitions ended on Wednesday 15th March, with a display near platform 1 at Cambridge station. Representatives of CRTS were present to answer questions and a glossy 12-page public consultation document (dated March 2001) was available to take away. The booklet showed a busway with two bus lanes with a service strip to the side and a segregated area for cyclists and pedestrians on the other side. No mention was made of how to prevent other road vehicles from entering the busway or how many new bus drivers would be required.

There was a questionnaire to complete. It had a large number of questions worded so that they could only elicit a positive reaction, but nothing about alternative quality solutions such as a tram or a train. It includes the question: "Do you think that this rapid transit line should be part of a larger network?" which could be used to justify public support for a busway on the St.Ives line.

Copies of this can document and the questionnaire be obtained from:
CRTS, Wellington House, East Road, Cambridge, CB1 1BH.
Details also available on Rapid Transit International PLC web-site: http://www.rtiplc.co.uk

Television news reports
A promotional film the proposed busway was shown on many editions of BBC East news programmes during Thursday 8th March, the first day of the exhibition. This featured a computer simulation of a bendy-bus on a normal tarmac road and on the former rail route with a guide/slot in the road. This is similar to the former conduit system used by London County Council Electric Tramways in London.

ANGLIA RAILWAYS

Spring-cleaning programme for trains
Anglia Railways has announced a series of initiatives to improve on-board service standards, including a major spring-clean programme for all its trains (125 mainline coaches, 25 local service coaches and 24 class 170 turbostar coaches) to improve cleanliness inside and out. Additional cleaners have been recruited and there are 15-20 additional on-train customer service staff to look after passengers and provide a more consistent catering service.

Additional staff are also being recruited at Norwich and Ipswich to improve customer service presence at those stations.
Press release: http://www.angliarailways.co.uk/corporate/news/news.asp?story=52

Tom Winsor's visit to Anglia Railways
Regulator Tom Winsor was scheduled to visit Anglia Railways in early March to discuss the further development of rail services in East Anglia and other key issues with senior management at the company. This press release was quickly removed form Anglia's web-site suggesting that the visit may have been cancelled or postponed.

RAIL FREIGHT

Unfair competition from unlicensed lorries
A campaign to crackdown on the regions unlicensed lorries began on 8th March. There are estimated to be around 570 untaxed lorries in Northants, Beds and Herts and this costs over £1m in lost revenue, as well as unfairly undercutting rail freight.

As part of the scheme lorries in these three counties will be checked for valid tax discs when they come in for their annual HGV tests. The DVLA says the aim of the scheme is to "encourage licensing and to bring to book those who flout the law".

WATERBEACH CAR PARK FLOODING

Free car parking following floods
The two-foot deep water in the 40-space car park has long gone, but owing to electrical problems the parking meter is still not operating, therefore offering travellers free parking at the moment.

BBC LOOK EAST WEB-SITE COMPETITION

Railway web-site featured in best web-site competition
As part of a week-long competition for the best web-sites in the region, BBC Look East filmed the creator of a web-site dedicated to rail in East Anglia who sells copies of his photographs of stations, lines and trains on CD-Rom. The winner is announced on Tuesday 27th March.
Competitor's Web-site: http://www.pictures-in-time.co.uk

NORTH NORFOLK RAILWAY

Study into linking NNR to Railtrack's network
Arup, the consulting engineers carrying out the engineering feasibility study, have produced around 8 different track layouts for reinstating the link to the rail network via a barrier-style level crossing. The new platform for Anglia Railways' trains needs to be 4-coaches long to allow for two 2-car units to be coupled together if Anglia are unable to supply a 3-car class 170. The proposals include extending platforms 2 and 3, which would allow 8 coaches plus an engine, which is ideal for visiting rail tours.
Details: http://www.aejl14.care4free.net/levelx.html

NNR open day
The NNR is holding an Open Day on Saturday 24th March. There will be a "behind the scenes" look at various aspects of railway operation, with talks and guided tours to the loco shed and signal boxes. A steam and diesel service will also be operating along the line.
Details: http://www.nnrail.co.uk/volunteers_day.htm

SHARE ISSUES IN UK PRIVATE RAILWAYS

Several of the "heritage" or private railways have share issues running at the moment, although none are in the RDS eastern branch area. All UK residents aged over 18 are eligible to buy shares in these public companies. Note: the inclusion of these details does not constitute financial advice.

Share prospectus contact details
The current bonds offer for the Keswick to Penrith line reinstatement (supported by Railfuture) cannot remain open after 28th April 2001. Bonds are offered in multiples of £100, with no maximum, and will pay interest on the 30th of June each year at a rate of 4% per annum (gross). The Prospectus containing full details and an application form is available from:
CKP Railways plc, 1 Solway Park, CARLISLE, CA2 6TH. Website: www.ckp-railways.co.uk

Copies of the Churnet Valley Railway (1992) PLC share prospectus for the Froghall Extension can be obtained from:
Churnet Valley Railway (1992) plc, Cheddleton Station, Station Road, Cheddleton, Staffordshire, ST13 7EE or phone 01538 360522. Website: http://www.churnet-valley-railway.co.uk

Copies of the Wensleydale Railway PLC share prospectus to reopen this line can be obtained by e-mailing prospectus@wensleydalerailway.com or by writing to Wensleydale Railway PLC, 35 High Street, Northallerton. DL7 8EE. Website: http://www.wensleydalerailway.com

The South Devon Railway PLC is a new company specifically created to takeover the preservation the former Great Western Railway Ashburton Branch in South Devon, running from Totnes to Buckfastleigh. - phone 0845 345 1420 during office hours. Website: http://www.southdevonrailway.org/Company-Shares.html

A booklet from the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway PLC called "Invitation to purchase shares in the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway Plc" to support their ambitious plan to re-open the former Cheltenham-Stratford-upon-Avon main line can be obtained by writing to:
GWSR Share Registrar, The Railway Station, Toddington, Gloucestershire GL54 5DT. Web-site: http://www.gwsr.plc.uk