The RAGES Rag SPRING 2019, Issue 72

The newsletter of the Rail Action Group, East of Scotland, bringing members up-to-date with progress on improvements to local rail services.

left: Photograph of Reston village, showing the newRAGES campaign banner for the re- opening of Reston Station (see also article on the rediscovery of the original Reston station sign). (Photograph: Barrie Forrest)

RAGES 20th Anniversary

RAGES 20th ANNIVERSARY 1999. Prior to this formal trains into Dunbar. The Group's RAGES name was the brainchild of It is quite amazing that RAGES are constitution, had worked founder secretary Ralph 20 years down the line since they with the then East Coast Main Jordinson's wife, Barbara, and I were formally constituted at their Line Train Operating Company, am sure you will agree that it has Inaugural Meeting in the Royal GNER, since their inception as a served us well. Mackintosh Hotel on 13th January result of rail privatisation and had secured a number of additional

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. RAGES 20th Anniversary 2. CrossCountry Overcrowding and Franchise Renewal 3. TransportFocus Passenger Survey 2019 4. Sheila Sinclair Memorial Plaque Unveiling 5. Meeting With Local Councils and ScotRail 6. Berwick Regeneration Commission Meeting 7. RAGES Annual General Meeting 2018 8. ITV Borders Feature on Reston Station Campaign 9. Meeting With The Scottish Transport Minister 10. Dunbar Station Second Platform & Ticket Machines 11. Re-Discovery Of Reston Station Sign 12. Berwickshire Miscellany 13. Page 1 of 8

CrossCountry Overcrowding and Franchise Renewal

CROSSCOUNTRY Thank you for your letter of 2 from Aberdeen to Penzance and OVERCROWDING AND November to Chris Grayling on cuts across multiple parts of the FRANCHISE RENEWAL behalf of your constituent, Mr Tom railway, means that awarding this

Thorburn, Chairman of the Rail franchise in 2019 could impact on RAGES In November 2018, Chairman Action Group, East of Scotland, the review's conclusions. Services Tom Thorburn wrote to John Lamont about the rail review and will therefore continue to be MP, expressing concern about the CrossCountry services. l am replying operated by the current franchisee level of overcrowding on as the Minister responsible for rail. while options are considered. CrossCountry train services, and “I appreciate Mr Thorburn’s “Following cancellation of the asking when this would be concerns about the capacity of the franchise competition, the addressed, in the light of both the CrossCountry train fleet. While Department will now work with scheduled re-letting of the passenger numbers have increased CrossCountry to explore CrossCountry franchise in 2019, and on the Cross Country rail franchise, opportunities to address the the then recently-announced the size of the CrossCountry train crowding issues. This may be government rail review. fleet has stayed largely the same, and through additional rolling stock or nd On 2 November 2018, John the level of crowding is a core issue changes to train service patterns. Lamont wrote to Chris Grayling, the for many passengers. The Department remains Secretary of State for Transport, “The Cross Country franchise was committed to delivering seeking a response to Mr Thorburn’s due to be re-let in 2019. However, improvements to the franchise, concerns. following the Secretary of State's including addressing crowding st On 21 December 2018, John announcement of the rail review, it issues, Lamont received the reply below was decided that this competition Thank you again for your letter and from Andrew Jones, Under-Secretary would not proceed. This is because for raising Mr Thorburn’s of State for Rail, which he then the unique geographic nature of the concerns. forwarded to Tom for comment:- Cross Country franchise, which runs Andrew” “Dear John, TransportFocus Passenger Survey 2019

PASSENGER SURVEY “These are terrible figures” https://www.transportfocus.org.u k/research- REVEALS LOWEST LEVEL OF commented Tom Thorburn, Chair of publications/publications/nationa SATISFACTION IN ALMOST Rail Action Group East of Scotland FIVE YEARS l-rail-passenger-survey-nrps- “but only reflect what we are autumn-2018-main-report/ Recent statistics released by hearing from passengers day in and Since its publication, Scottish Transport Focus show that day out about the level of service Parliament Transport satisfaction with ScotRail has locally, especially on the Edinburgh- Secretary, Michael Matheson, dipped from a 90% satisfaction North Berwick line. Overcrowding, has ordered ScotRail to rate in Spring 2014 to its lowest shortage of coaches, termination at produce a remedial plan ever rate of 79% in Autumn 2018. Drem and cancellations are still within 3 months. This is in While leisure passengers overall commonplace and we look to fact the second such order; the seemed to have a reasonable ScotRail to urgently manage a return first was only made a month journey, commuters recorded only to normal service.” earlier as a result of the many a 66% satisfaction rate, also The information is taken from the train cancellations on recording new lows of 29% for most recent 6-monthly National Rail Edinburgh commuter services value for money, 24% for Passenger Survey, published at the during December and January satisfaction in how delays are beginning of February 2019. as a result of the late delivery dealt with, and 57% for Anyone wishing to read the full of the new trains. overcrowding. survey can visit this link:- Page 2 of 8

Sheila Sinclair Memorial Plaque Unveiling

SHEILA SINCLAIR (left:Sheila’s sister Norma MEMORIAL PLAQUE reads a dedication during the UNVEILING ceremony to unveil the memorial plaque on North th RAGES On 30 October 2018, Berwick station. The memorial Secretary Allison Cosgrove plaque (shown below) has been attended a ceremony at North placed on the side of a planter Berwick station to unveil a at the entrance to the station’s memorial plaque to local platform.The plaque and planter resident Sheila Sinclair, who were provided by East Lothian passed away after losing her Community Rail Partnership, battle with cancer in August which Sheila had been an active 2017. member of. Photograph: Allison Cosgrove) Sheila had moved to North Berwick in 1990, and had long been active in a number of local organizations. She was a former Chairwoman of North Berwick unveiling of the memorial plaque. Community Council, and of North Berwick in Bloom, as well The ceremonial tape was cut by as being actively involved in the Sheila’s sister Norma, shown in one East Lothian Community Rail of the accompanying photographs. Partnership, who provided the plaque and planter. Harry (right:The memorial plaque to Barker, the Chairman of East Sheila Sinclair. The inscription Lothian Community Rail reads: “Sheila Sinclair 1938- Partnership, and Allison, 2017. Sheila was actively represented the latter at the involved as a volunteer in North ceremony. Berwick for many years with North Berwick in Bloom, North The extent of her loss to the Berwick Community Council and community was reflected in the East Lothian Community Rail fact that 34 people attended the Partnership” Photograph: Allison Cosgrove)

Meeting With Local Councils and ScotRail

MEETING WITH LOCAL RAGES were encouraged by the the East Coast Main Line. COUNCILS AND SCOTRAIL latter’s assurances regarding the plans to re-open East Linton and - Commitment to the delivery of th Reston stations at the earliest both Reston and East Linton On Friday 18 January, RAGES stations as early as practicable Vice-Chairman Barrie Forrest opportunity. The main points made by Gordon were:- within CP6 is unwavering by the BEM and Secretary Allison Scottish Government. Cosgrove attended a meeting in - The stations will be delivered in Haddington with local Council Control Period 6 (2019-24) as part - Transport Scotland has provided a representatives and ScotRail’s of a larger, longer term package of remit for Reston and East Linton Special Projects Manager, Gordon work currently being developed to stations and Network Rail is Macleod. enhance connectivity capacity on currently working on detailed designs and delivery timescale. Page 3 of 8

Berwick Regeneration Commission Meeting

BERWICK REGENERATION Panel members gave a brief outline of In November 2018, TPE issued COMMISSION MEETING progress in rail services with particular an invitation to consultation on reference to Berwick. Tom and Allison the proposed new services from st On Thursday 31 January, made reference to gains made by RAGES Newcastle to Edinburgh to be RAGES Chairman Tom Thorburn to local services. introduced from December 2018. and Secretary Allison Cosgrove Allison, on behalf of RAGES, took part in a panel session of The new route run by TransPennine responded with the request that Berwick Town Council’s Express (TPE) from Newcastle to these services should stop at Berwick Regeneration Edinburgh was of interest to the intermediate stations. However, Commission, along with audience, and whether there was any the only such station currently Councillor Mark Rowley of prospect of extra stops at Berwick. A served is Morpeth. Scottish Borders Council and meeting with TPE would be held representatives from shortly in Edinburgh and this was one A meeting with TPE had been Northumberland County topic to be raised with them. scheduled for February 7th 2019, Council, Northern Rail and but was cancelled at short notice South East Northumberland Rail (Post-Meeting Note: due to ill-health of the TPE Users Group ( SENRUG). representative. At time of writing, NEW TPE SERVICES a new meeting is awaiting scheduling) RAGES Annual General Meeting 2018

RAGES ANNUAL GENERAL After some quite heated debate, it rather than later. MEETING 2018 was the view of those present that RAGES would like to thank all at th RAGES The 19 Annual General Meeting of and other interested parties Reston Village Hall for hosting RAGES took place at Reston Village would continue to press for the the meeting and providing Hall on 19th September 2018. Despite stations to be built early in CP6 refreshments. very adverse weather, which (below: Paul Wheelhouse MSP discusses timescale for the re- prevented the attendance of the two opening of East Linton and Reston stations with Tom Thorburn, main guest speakers, Jonathan Pugh RAGES chairman. Photograph: Glenn Moulding) (Network Rail) and Gordon McLeod (Transport Scotland), around 30 people attended, which, as confirmed by the ensuing debate, reflected the strength of local feeling about the apparent slow progress towards the re-opening of East Linton and (particularly) Reston stations.

The unfortunate absence of the guest speakers meant that Paul Wheelhouse MSP was left to put the Scottish Government’s case for the delays in the plans for the two stations, which at one point had been expected in December 2016.

Page 4 of 8

ITV Borders Feature on Reston Station Campaign

ITV BORDERS FEATURE ON the station re-opening campaign RESTON STATION carrying the new RAGES banner. CAMPAIGN RAGES chairman Tom Thorburn

The photograph (right) shows and Vice-Chairman Barrie Forrest supporters of the campaign to BEM, together with two members of the public and an ex-Councillor re-open Reston station in Reston on the morning of Monday 28th spoke during the filming giving January for the filming by ITV their reasons why the station Borders which was shown as the should re-open. main news story on Borders As can be seen in the photograph, News and Lookaround at 6pm the good public attendance at the (above: Campaigners at filming of that evening. filming reflects the support the Borders News & Lookaround feature. The picture shows supporters for campaign has in the Borders. Photograph Courtesy of: ITV Borders)

Meeting With The Scottish Transport Minister

MEETING WITH THE service. The Minister noted this and As is usual for these meetings, we SCOTTISH TRANSPORT apologised for these circumstances appealed to the Minister to have MINISTER but explained that to date only 35 out these Stations opened for use by of the 60 new Hitachi units had been 2020 to relieve the hardship for Iain Gray MSP and the RAGES delivered to ScotRail. As was students and potential students in our Committee requested a disclosed at the Haddington Rail area along with access to jobs and meeting with Transport meeting on the Friday 18th January, tourists to our area. The Minister Minister, Michael Matheson Transport Scotland have handed over would not commit to a date but did MSP. The meeting took place the Scope for the design of East say it would be early in Control on 24th January at Holyrood. Linton and Reston Stations to Period 6 (2019 to 2024). The Attendees were: - Michael Network Rail. TS officials informed Minister added that we should also Matheson, MSP; Iain Gray ourselves that Network Rail's Line be encouraged in that Scottish MSP; Barry Black (Iain's Capacity Study was still ongoing and Borders Council has been requested assistant); Gordon MacLeod, was due to complete in the summer to look into connectivity for Reston Transport Scotland; Sarah but this study would not hold up the Station. Copper, Transport Scotland; design of the stations - welcome Paul Wheelhouse MSP (who news indeed. In addition we were In summary, this was a good meeting joined us from his office next told that East Linton would have six where we feel more confident that door); Barrie Forrest BEM, car length platforms, served by our Stations and Train Services are Vice Chairman; Tom ScotRail, whereas Reston would moving in a positive direction and Thorburn, Chairman. have ten car length platforms with a representation on behalf of North northbound loop and would be Berwick Service passengers was Once the introductions were served by a mixture of ScotRail and brought again to the Ministers over, Iain opened the meeting a Cross Border train operator. As we Office. Finally a thank you to Iain by informing the Minister of are aware, Cross Border services do Gray MSP for his assistance in all the complaints he has not run early or late enough to serve securing this meeting with the received regarding Reston or indeed Berwick. We were Minister. overcrowded and cancelled assured by TS that ScotRail would trains on the North Berwick provide these early and late services.

Page 5 of 8

Dunbar Station Second Platform & Ticket Machines

DUNBAR STATION SECOND Although not directly connected It was noted at a RAGES PLATFORM with RAGES aims of introducing a committee meeting that the two regular local service between ticket machines at Dunbar are RAGES It was reported in Rag Issue Edinburgh and Berwick-on- both inside the station building. 69 (Summer 2017), that Network Tweed, and the associated re- Passengers have pointed out that Rail plan to build a second platform opening of East Linton and Reston this is a problem when the at Dunbar station, with a connecting stations, the new platform will give station is closed; in particular on footbridge and lift from the existing greater flexibility of working on Sunday mornings. Platform 1; there were no the line, and RAGES welcomes the In December, RAGES Chairman immediate plans to provide access news of this work going ahead. to the station from the south side of Tom Thorburn wrote to the the railway, though it is understood More up-to-date information on Head of Customer Operations, this is under consideration by East this project can be found at:- ScotRail, to ask whether one of Lothian Council. the ticket machines could be https://www.networkrail.co.uk/run relocated outside the main Network Rail have now confirmed ning-the-railway/our- station building, so as to enable that work on the new platform will routes/scotland/dunbar-station- passengers to purchase tickets commence in Spring 2019, with new-platform/ when the latter is closed. completion expected by Spring So far, Tom has received no 2020. The main contractor will be DUNBAR STATION TICKET reply to request. Amco. MACHINES

Re-Discovery Of Reston Station Sign

REDISCOVERY OF and it became clear that it was closed in May 1964. RESTON STATION SIGN the original Reston Station sign, which had apparently lain Clearly, its condition is poor, and Whilst on one of his regular neglected since the station was restoration for use on a rebuilt Reston walks close to the original station seems unlikely! site of Reston station last year, RAGES Vice Chairman (below: (left) Photograph of the Reston Station sign taken in situ Barrie Forrest noticed the during the 1960s (right) The recovered sign. corner of a rusty metal sign Photograph: Barrie Forrest)

protruding from land close to

the line.

On closer inspection, he concluded that it appeared to be an old railway sign, and arranged for it to be recovered.

As can be seen from the photograph, Barrie’s suspicions proved correct,

Page 6 of 8

Berwickshire Miscellany

BERWICK-ON-TWEED EAST COAST MAINLINE NEW BOOK ON THE STATION RESTORATION SIGN RESTORATION EYEMOUTH BRANCH

A ceremony was held at Earlier in 2018, Network Rail Anyone interested in the history of Berwick-on-Tweed station on and The Rail Heritage Trust had railways in North-East England and Friday 14th December 2018 to also collaborated on the South-East Scotland should unveil a new plaque restoration of two historic signs investigate a new book written by commemorating completion of on the East Coast Mainline north Roger Jermy and published by The restoration work on the station. of Berwick-on-Tweed, which Oakwood Press at £17.95. The book had been badly neglected and is titled ‘The Eyemouth Branch’. The work had been carried out were in danger of collapse. by LNER in association with Roger is P.R. and Press Officer for The Rail Heritage Trust, and The work was carried out by the Aln Valley Railway and lives in featured, among other volunteers Russell Kimber and Alnwick. This is his 6th book about restorative work, relocation of James Howie from Network Rail, local railways, and covers the the ticket office to its original who were subsequently awarded history of the Eyemouth branch location and a new The Stagecoach Volunteers from its opening in 1891 until its Costa/Traveline outlet in the Award by The National Railway final closure in 1962. main concourse, plus new Heritage Awards. heritage displays and the restoration of an original LNER drinking fountain.

The plaque was unveiled by Berwick-on-Tweed’s Mayor, Brian Douglas (pictured), along with a civic party and Andy Savage, Chief Executive of The Rail Heritage Trust.

(Clockwise from the top:

Berwick-on-Tweed Mayor, Councillor Brian Douglas, with Berwick station restoration commemorative plaque. Photograph: Barrie Forrest

East Coast Main Line sign restoration. Photograph Courtesy of: Transform Scotland

Front cover of ‘The Eyemouth Branch’ by Roger Jermy. Photograph Courtesy of: The Oakwood Press)

Page 7 of 8

RAGES works to

 Improve the rail service between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed.  Have East Linton and Reston stations re-opened for active use.  Improve the level of service to North Berwick.  Consider the implications with regard to car parking and bicycle storage at stations between Waverley and Berwick-upon-Tweed.  Keep under scrutiny the standards of passenger facilities at stations between Waverley and Berwick upon Tweed, including North Berwick, and to draw the attention of the relevant bodies to shortcomings which arise.  Re-open the branch line from Longniddry to Haddington.  The group, being environmentally minded, will actively strive to encourage rail travel within its geographical area.

RAGES needs your support RAGES (Rail Action Group, East of Scotland) is the rail users campaign group for the area between Edinburgh and Berwick-upon-Tweed, including the North Berwick service. Our aim is to persuade the Government, both at national and local level, train operators and Network Rail to improve the level of service to stations in our area and to seriously consider re-opening key stations such as East Linton, Reston and Haddington. Please join us to lend your support. Membership will give you a say in how we influence the rail companies to improve local train services. Additionally you will get up-to-date information on significant changes in rail matters, and a regular newsletter. The annual subscription is £4 for individual membership or £10 for corporate membership, such as community councils and organisations, and is renewable on 1st April each year. Please send your completed form with your remittance (made payable to Rail Action Group, East of Scotland) to: Tom Dickson Membership Secretary (RAGES) 44 Kirk Park Dunbar EH42 1BJ I enclose my first RAGES membership fee of £4 / £10*. (* Delete as applicable)

Title ...... Surname ...... Forename(s) ......

Company ......

Address ......

......

Post Code ...... Telephone ......

Email ......

Page 8 of 8