Dft Consultation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Dft Consultation Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership Response to Department for Transport/Rail North Consultation: TransPennine Express Rail Franchise and Northern Rail Franchise 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Cumbria County Council and the Cumbria LEP welcome the opportunity to respond to the stakeholder consultation for the replacement of the TransPennine Express and Northern Rail franchise. 1.2 This response sets out our shared view on the critical role that rail plays in connecting people, places and business within and beyond the county and our “asks” of government. It also responds to the detailed questions posed in the consultation document. 1.3 We are clear that the right rail infrastructure will help us drive forward economic growth within Cumbria - as well as enabling Cumbria to deliver on the government’s own nuclear and growth agenda. 1.4 Our aspirations for job creation and growth in the advanced manufacturing sector, achieving nuclear and energy excellence, maximising our vibrant rural and visitor economy and supporting the strategic connectivity of the M6 corridor will not be achieved if the rail offer in the county is not strong enough. 1.5 Cumbria needs a first class rail network that is fit for purpose and comparable with networks across the country. Key to this is the need for investment led franchises, rather than the ‘steady state’ nature which the previous Northern franchise was let. 1.6 Cumbria County Council and the LEP are not satisfied with the current level of service provision or of the quality of Northern rolling stock. These are totally inadequate in a modern economy and are no longer acceptable for the people, economy and reputation of Cumbria. 1.7 The County Council and LEP are strongly supportive of expanded service levels and investment in higher quality and greater capacity of rolling stock as a means of driving growth, reducing overall costs and reducing reliance on the car. 1.8 Through this response we ask that government ensures: a) Franchises are future proofed so they can accommodate future growth and are flexible; b) The necessary investment is made to ensure high quality rolling stock to incentivise rail travel; c) Increased connectivity for Cumbria through the electrification of key lines; and 1 d) More frequency and capacity of passenger services on the Cumbrian Coast Line. 1.9 Our specific asks are: a) A full line length Sunday service on the Cumbrian Coast Line; b) Increased frequency and capacity of passenger services on the Cumbrian Coast Line which will ensure that rail is a viable commuter option that supports the movement of large numbers of Sellafield staff and for those being relocated off site to local town centre locations; and has the potential to support the 8 year construction of a new nuclear power station in West Cumbria and future on site employment (21,000 jobs during the 8 year construction between 2018 and 2026 with a peak on-site employment of around 6,000); c) Investment in the Furness and Lakes Line including the maintenance and enhancement of direct services to Manchester International Airport (MIA), the provision of high quality rolling stock, journey time improvements and electrification of the lines; d) Maintenance and enhancement of direct services to MIA on the Anglo-Scottish route; e) An increase in line speeds on the West Coast Main Line through Cumbria to enhance the connectivity of the county and complement HS2 developments; f) Investment in rolling stock that would support the growth in tourism and travel to work markets; g) Investment in station facilities and access arrangements including the need to upgrade key interchange stations at Carlisle, Barrow, Oxenholme and Lancaster; and h) Commitment to longer term financial and operational support for the CRPs and Development Companies. 1.10 A reduction in services, fewer calls at low use stations, reduced staffing levels or station facilities would not be acceptable to the County Council and LEP in this climate of growing demand. 1.11 The county needs more investment in rail, not less, to ensure we have the right infrastructure in place as an equal partner of the north given the broad range of benefits that rail can offer in securing better outcomes for individuals, communities and business in Cumbria and beyond. Responses to consultation questions 2.0 TO1: What are your views on increasing below-average fares over time to levels typical on the rest of the network in order to improve the frequency, capacity and quality of local services? Do you have any evidence to support your views? 2.1 Whilst it is appreciated that alterations to fares are an integral part of the new franchise system, the rationale for any increases must be to incentivise train travel and encourage travel to work alongside supporting wider strategic policy objectives - primarily the imperative need for Cumbrian economic growth. 2.2 Cumbria County Council and the Cumbria LEP oppose any consideration of fares increases until there is a clear demonstration of a service level improvement. 2.3 Our ask of government therefore is that any increased fares levels are phased in and must be balanced by a clear programme of service quality, capacity and timetabling 2 improvements in Cumbria. These improvements need to reflect the needs of the community, of business and of the economy. The timings of increases must be carefully considered and a programme of engagement and marketing implemented. 2.4 This is evidenced through recent stakeholder engagement where there was recognition by stakeholders of the importance of revenue yield but also strong lobbying for accompanying service quality, capacity and connectivity improvements. 2.5 There is learning from the role that advanced purchase tickets and railcards, such as the Dales Card, can play as an effective means of increasing rail use and keeping fares reasonable for frequent users. 2.6 It is also crucial that the franchisee address other factors including: a) measures that enhance revenue collection; b) measures to reduce high levels of fare evasion as noted in the Northern prospectus; and c) recognising the unique characteristics of community need along the railway and the impact fare increases may have. 3.0 TO2: What are your views on giving priority to improving the quality of the Northern rolling stock at the expense of some reduction in lightly used services (e.g. fewer calls at low-use stations)? Do you have any evidence to support your views? 3.1 Cumbria County Council and the LEP are not accepting of the poor quality of Northern rolling stock which neither satisfies current customer expectation nor incentivises an increase in demand. This view was endorsed at a recent community stakeholder engagement event. 3.2 The average age of Northern rolling stock in 2012/13 was 24 years old; an increase of 5 years from 2007/8. This has contributed to the poor National Passenger Survey scores experienced across the Northern network. 3.3 Our ask is that the introduction of new electric rolling stock and the upgrading of cascaded rolling stock is a priority for the new franchisees as a means of driving footfall. The current TPE franchise reflects the growth which can be achieved under an investment led agreement, and the County Council and LEP expects this minimum quality standard to be replicated across the network. 3.4 A reduction in stopping patterns in Cumbria would be highly detrimental due to local social and community demands. Rather than a reduction in service, we want to see closer partnership working between the franchisees, the LEP, the County Council, the CRPs and local groups to drive passenger growth, and therefore fare box revenue, which will warrant the investment in higher quality rolling stock. 3.5 The reason for this view is due to the importance of the railway in supporting economic wellbeing and social cohesion across the county. Remote areas may have low footfall counts, but rail is an essential lifeline for those populations. The issue of poor access to key services in remote areas is well documented (British Medical Association, Healthy Transport = Healthy Lives, 2012) and rail can help to provide the access needed. 3.6 The county has greater levels of deprivation in terms of geographical barriers to services compared to many other areas (Indices of Multiple Deprivation 2010) with 3 one area in the county (Eden) being the most deprived in England in terms of geographical barriers to access. 4.0 TO3: What are your views on allowing some reduction in the hours ticket offices are open and staffed if this is accompanied by the ability for passengers to have widespread access to ticket buying opportunities (e.g. through new and improved approaches such as smart ticketing, increased advance purchase ticketing or via mobile phones), adequate measures to ensure vulnerable passengers are not disadvantaged and more effective customer service by both station and on-train staff? Do you have any evidence to support your views? 4.1 There are already less than 10 staffed ticket offices across the Northern and TPE network within Cumbria. These stations are essential gateways to our communities and act as vital community hubs. Recent stakeholder engagement recognised the importance of staffed ticket offices and of the need to maintain and expand the customer offering. 4.2 The County Council and LEP are therefore of the view that there is a critical need to retain staffed ticket offices to provide a quality service experience and resilience for the whole of the travelling public, whilst supporting revenue protection initiatives. The lack of customer information screens across Cumbria further underpins the important role of these few staffed stations. 4.3 The County Council and LEP propose that staffed ticket offices be developed as community hubs to provide an enhanced range of local services.
Recommended publications
  • Community Rail in the North COMMUNITY RAIL in the NORTH
    Community rail in the North COMMUNITY RAIL IN THE NORTH Community rail is a unique and growing movement comprising more than 70 community rail partnerships and 1,000 volunteer groups across Britain that help communities get the most from their railways. It is about engaging local people at grassroots level to promote social inclusion, sustainable and healthy travel, Community groups on the Northern wellbeing, economic development, and tourism. network have always been at the This involves working with train operators, local “ forefront of community engagement. authorities, and other partners to highlight local needs An increasing number of communities and opportunities, ensuring communities have a voice and individuals are benefitting from in rail and transport development. “ initiatives and projects that break down barriers, foster a more inclusive Community rail is evidenced to contribute high levels society, and build foundations for a of social, environmental, and economic value to local more sustainable future. areas, and countless stations have been transformed into hubs at the heart of the communities they serve. Carolyn Watson, Northern Evidence also shows community rail delivering life-changing benefits for individuals and families, helping people access new opportunities through sustainable travel by rail. The movement is currently looking to play a key role in the recovery of our communities post-COVID, helping them build back better and greener. The North in numbers: 20 Working along railway lines, with community industry partners, to engage local rail communities. Partnerships stretch partnerships from the Tyne Valley in Northumberland Each Year Giving (CRPs) down to Crewe in Cheshire. 0 140,000 0 Hours 350 Voluntary groups bringing stations into the heart of communities.
    [Show full text]
  • Trains Tyne Valley Line
    From 15th May to 2nd October 2016 Newcastle - Hexham - Carlisle Northern Mondays to Fridays Gc¶ Hp Mb Mb Mb Mb Gc¶ Mb Sunderland dep … … 0730 0755 0830 … 0930 … … 1030 1130 … 1230 … 1330 Newcastle dep 0625 0646 0753 0824 0854 0924 0954 1024 1054 1122 1154 1222 1254 1323 1354 Dunston 0758 0859 Metrocentre 0634 0654 0802 0832 0903 0932 1002 1033 1102 1132 1202 1232 1302 1333 1402 Blaydon 0639 | 0806 | 1006 | | 1206 | | 1406 Wylam 0645 0812 0840 0911 1012 1110 1212 1310 1412 Prudhoe 0649 0704 0817 0844 0915 0942 1017 1043 1114 1142 1217 1242 1314 1344 1417 Stocksfield 0654 | 0821 0849 0920 | 1021 | 1119 | 1221 | 1319 | 1421 Riding Mill 0658 | 0826 | 0924 | 1026 | 1123 | 1226 | 1323 | 1426 Corbridge 0702 0830 0928 1030 1127 1230 1327 1430 Hexham arr 0710 0717 0838 0858 0937 0955 1038 1055 1137 1155 1238 1255 1337 1356 1438 Hexham dep … 0717 … 0858 … 0955 … 1055 … 1155 … 1255 … 1357 … Haydon Bridge … 0726 … 0907 … | … 1104 … | … 1304 … | … Bardon Mill … 0733 … 0914 … … 1111 … … 1311 … … Haltwhistle … 0740 … 0921 … 1014 … 1118 … 1214 … 1318 … 1416 … Brampton … 0755 … 0936 … | … 1133 … | … 1333 … | … Wetheral … 0804 … 0946 … … 1142 … … 1342 … … Carlisle arr … 0815 … 0957 … 1046 … 1157 … 1247 … 1354 … 1448 … Mb Mb Wv Mb Gc¶ Mb Ct Mb Sunderland dep … 1430 … 1531 … 1630 … … 1730 … 1843 1929 2039 2211 Newcastle dep 1424 1454 1524 1554 1622 1654 1716 1724 1754 1824 1925 2016 2118 2235 Dunston 1829 Metrocentre 1432 1502 1532 1602 1632 1702 1724 1732 1802 1833 1934 2024 2126 2243 Blaydon | | 1606
    [Show full text]
  • The Friends of the Settle
    Quarterly Magazine February 2013 No 131 JOURNAL Price £2.50 Destination Settle-Carlisle? The Friends of the Settle - Carlisle Line FRIENDS OF THE SETTLE – CARLISLE LINE Settle Railway Station, Station Road, Settle, North Yorkshire BD24 9AA President: The Hon. Sir William McAlpine Bt. Vice Presidents: Lord Inglewood DL; The Bishop of Carlisle; Edward Album; Ron Cotton; Ann Cryer ; David Curry; Philip Johnston; Eric Martlew; Pete Shaw; Ken Shingleton; Brian Sutcliffe MBE; Gary Waller; David Ward. Chairman: Richard Morris - richard.morris @settle-carlisle.com Committee: Douglas Hodgins (Vice-chairman & Stations Co-ordinator) [email protected] Mark Rand (Immediate Past Chairman and Media Relations Officer) [email protected] Stephen Way (Treasurer) [email protected] Paul Kampen (Secretary & Editor) [email protected] Peter Davies (Membership Secretary) [email protected] Ruth Evans (Volunteers Co-ordinator and Events Organiser) [email protected] Alan Glover (On-train Guides Co-ordinator) [email protected] John Johnson (Armathwaite signalbox & Carlisle representative) [email protected] Paul Levet* (Business Development Co-ordinator) [email protected] Rod Metcalfe * (On-train Guide Planner and Technology Adviser) [email protected] Pat Rand (Customer Relations, Trading and Settle Shop Manager) [email protected] Pete Shaw (Heritage & Conservation Officer) Telephone 01274 590453 Craig Tomlinson* (Stations Representative) [email protected] Nigel Ward (Hon. Solicitor) [email protected] * Indicates that these members were co-opted after the 2012 Annual General Meeting in accordance with the FoSCL constitution. Postal Addresses: Chairman: Richard Morris – 10 Mill Brow, Armathwaite, Carlisle CA4 9PJ Secretarial Enquiries, Hard Copy for the Magazine and General Postal Enquiries: Paul Kampen - 74 Springfield Road, Baildon, Shipley, W.
    [Show full text]
  • Lancashire and Cumbria Route Utilisation Strategy August 2008
    Lancashire and Cumbria Route Utilisation Strategy August 2008 Foreword I am delighted to present Network Rail’s Route There are currently aspirations for a service Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for Lancashire and between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk. Cumbria, which considers issues affecting This is partly facilitated by work to enhance the railway in this part of the country over the track and signalling between Preston and next decade and gives a view on longer-term Ormskirk, which will allow a standard hourly issues in the years beyond. service pattern with improved journey times but without the need for more rolling stock. Getting to this stage has involved following a now well-established process. However, there Services into Sellafield during peak hours are two key differences with this strategy. suffer from overcrowding, though Northern The first is that no part of the area it covers Rail’s anticipated service from December is the responsibility of either a Passenger 2008 will address that to a degree. It is Transport Executive or a regional body with important services on this route firstly cater public transport responsibilities. Secondly, for peak traffic at Sellafield and Barrow, with the challenge usually faced when producing services outside the peak being on as close a RUS, that of insufficient capacity to meet to an hourly pattern as possible. current or future demand, is not a major A number of consultation responses were problem here. As a result, this strategy received regarding a direct service between focuses on how to make the best use of Manchester and Burnley, including a report what is already available.
    [Show full text]
  • Rural Railways
    House of Commons Transport Committee Rural Railways Fifth Report of Session 2004–05 Volume I HC 169-I House of Commons Transport Committee Rural Railways Fifth Report of Session 2004–05 Volume I Report, together with formal minutes Ordered by The House of Commons to be printed 9 March 2005 HC 169-I Published on 15 March 2004 by authority of the House of Commons London: The Stationery Office Limited £0.00 The Transport Committee The Transport Committee is appointed by the House of Commons to examine the expenditure, administration, and policy of the Department for Transport and its associated public bodies. Current membership Mrs Gwyneth Dunwoody MP (Labour, Crewe) (Chairman) Mr Jeffrey M Donaldson MP (Democratic Unionist, Lagan Valley) Mr Brian H. Donohoe MP (Labour, Cunninghame South) Clive Efford MP (Labour, Eltham) Mrs Louise Ellman MP (Labour/Co-operative, Liverpool Riverside) Ian Lucas MP (Labour, Wrexham) Miss Anne McIntosh MP (Conservative, Vale of York) Mr Paul Marsden MP (Liberal Democrat, Shrewsbury and Atcham) Mr John Randall MP (Conservative, Uxbridge) Mr George Stevenson MP (Labour, Stoke-on-Trent South) Mr Graham Stringer MP (Labour, Manchester Blackley) Powers The Committee is one of the departmental select committees, the powers of which are set out in House of Commons Standing Orders, principally in SO No 152. These are available on the Internet via www.parliament.uk. Publications The Reports and evidence of the Committee are published by The Stationery Office by Order of the House. All publications of the Committee (including press notices) are on the Internet at www.parliament.uk/transcom.
    [Show full text]
  • Tornado Railtours
    Tornado Railtours 2021 Terms and Conditions are available on request and can be read at any time at a1steam.com/railtours If you no longer wish to receive tour brochures, please email [email protected] Front cover photo: Peter Backhouse 2 Welcome 2020 has been a challenge to all of us, and if ever there was a time to have something to look forward to it is now. After a difficult year when many have experienced the disappointment of cancelled plans, we are proud to bring you our programme for 2021. We hope that you can join us on one of our tours and enjoy a great experience with Tornado. Liam Barnes Our first tours of the year fall on Valentine’s Due to popular demand, there are a number of weekend when Tornado will haul two circular trains trains which cross the Settle and Carlisle Railway. around Yorkshire and the North East. The perfect Its rolling landscape scattered with epic tunnels excuse for some steamy romance, these trains and soaring viaducts presents any locomotive a offer shorter days and are competitively priced. The challenging journey, and passengers continue to be evening train will see Tornado visit Harrogate and thrilled by the sound of Tornado hard at work on this Knaresborough for the first time. stunningly beautiful stretch of railway. There are more “firsts” for Tornado in 2021, including Heading into autumn, we are pleased to offer four our first tours from Hull and the East Riding, trains across the S&C with both Tornado and Flying Liverpool and Glasgow.
    [Show full text]
  • Lancashire and Cumbria Route Utilisation Strategy 2008
    Lancashire and Cumbria Route Utilisation Strategy August 2008 Foreword I am delighted to present Network Rail’s Route There are currently aspirations for a service Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for Lancashire and between Southport, Preston and Ormskirk. Cumbria, which considers issues affecting This is partly facilitated by work to enhance the railway in this part of the country over the track and signalling between Preston and next decade and gives a view on longer-term Ormskirk, which will allow a standard hourly issues in the years beyond. service pattern with improved journey times but without the need for more rolling stock. Getting to this stage has involved following a now well-established process. However, there Services into Sellafield during peak hours are two key differences with this strategy. suffer from overcrowding, though Northern The first is that no part of the area it covers Rail’s anticipated service from December is the responsibility of either a Passenger 2008 will address that to a degree. It is Transport Executive or a regional body with important services on this route firstly cater public transport responsibilities. Secondly, for peak traffic at Sellafield and Barrow, with the challenge usually faced when producing services outside the peak being on as close a RUS, that of insufficient capacity to meet to an hourly pattern as possible. current or future demand, is not a major A number of consultation responses were problem here. As a result, this strategy received regarding a direct service between focuses on how to make the best use of Manchester and Burnley, including a report what is already available.
    [Show full text]
  • Transpennine Express and Northern Rail Franchise Renewals Stakeholder Consultation
    APPENDIX 3 TransPennine Express and Northern Rail Franchise Renewals Stakeholder Consultation Response from the Furness Line Community Rail Partnership Contents 1. Summary of Key Points 2. Background 3. Existing Services 4. CRP Preparation for Consultation 5. The Consultation Principles and Proposals 6. Key Response Points from the Furness Line Community Rail Partnership 7. Answers to Consultation Questions Annex A Furness Line Study by The Railway Consultancy Annex B Fares comparison 1. Summary of Key Points 1.1 The current service on the Furness Line is unfit for purpose: o there is a strong case for the retention, and restoration of previous levels of service between Barrow-in-Furness and Manchester Airport; o local services on the line are failing to provide for key markets, particularly commuters wishing to travel west towards Barrow and Ulverston; o the timetable is uncoordinated and irregular and fails to provide adequate capacity at key times. 1.2 Remapping, with potential loss of through services to Manchester, will result in: o over-crowding of TransPennine Scottish services south of Lancaster; o uncertainty of connections at Preston/Lancaster, where poor historical reliability results in passengers having to wait an unacceptable hour or more for the next train. o uncertainty of through connectivity with interchanges on the Northern Hub and HS2 developments. 1.3 Maintaining and improving the quality of rolling stock serving the route, especially on longer distance services, is a strong necessity. 1.4 Franchise planning needs to provide for massive growth in the local economy: o up to ??? new jobs in Barrow and Ulverston alone in next few years; o up to £17 billion investment on Cumbrian coast by mid 2020s.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Rail Report
    Community Rail Report Author: Carolyn Watson Date: 31 March 2017 Table of Contents 1. Introduction 2 1.1 Foreword 2 1.2 Executive Summary 3 2. Community Rail Report 4 2.1 Introduction to the Report 4 2.1.1 Community Rail Partnerships 4 2.1.2 Funding for Community Rail Partnerships 4 2.1.3 Community Rail Partnership Funding Table 1 5 2.1.4 Community Rail Executive Group (ComREG) 6 2.1.5 Community Rail Conference 6 2.1.6 Seed Corn Fund – Kick-starting new ideas 6 2.1.7 Association of Community Rail Partnerships (ACoRP) - Partnership delivery 8 2.1.8 Community Rail Lancashire (CRL) - Developing Engagement Through Education 9 2.1.9 Station Adoption Scheme 10 2.1.10 Northern Franchise/Arriva Strategy - Working with Communities 12 2.1.11 The Community Rail Partnerships 13 3. Community Rail Partnership profiles 14 3.1 Settle - Carlisle Railway Development Company 14 3.2 Leeds - Morecambe Community Rail Partnership 16 3.3 Barton - Cleethorpes Community Rail Partnership 18 3.4 Yorkshire Coast Community Rail Partnership 19 3.5 Penistone Line Community Rail Partnership 20 3.6 Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership 22 3.7 Tyne Valley Community Rail Partnership 24 3.8 Esk Valley Railway Development Company 26 3.9 South Fylde Line Community Rail Partnership 28 3.10 West of Lancashire Community Rail Partnership 30 3.11 Cumbrian Coast Line Community Rail Partnership 32 3.12 Furness Line Community Rail Partnership 34 3.13 Lakes Line Community Rail Partnership 36 3.14 North Cheshire Rail Users Group 38 3.15 Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership 39 3.16 East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership 41 3.17 Clitheroe Line Community Rail Partnership 43 3.18 South East Manchester Community Rail Partnership 45 3.19 Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership 47 3.20 High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership 49 4.
    [Show full text]
  • LMS Stations: Furness Railway, North Staffordshire Railway and Other Lesser English Companies
    LMS Stations: Furness Railway, North Staffordshire Railway and other lesser English Companies LENS OF SUTTON ASSOCIATION List 18C (Issue 1 Dec 2017) Whitehaven, Bransty 1930s (13830) LMS Stations: Smaller English Companies The following list of station views from the Lens of Sutton collection includes a number of small pregrouping lines, notably the North Staffordshire Railway (NSR), a compact system around Stoke-on-Trent and the Potteries and the Furness (FR) and Maryport & Carlisle (M&CR) railways, which operated the present-day Cumbrian Coast Line between Carnforth and Carlisle. The Cleator & Workington (C&WJ) and Whitehaven Cleator & Egremont lines are also included, the WC&E being a joint Furness and London & North Western undertaking (FUR/LNWR). The list also includes the jointly-owned Cockermouth Keswick & Penrith route (CK&PR), the narrow gauge Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (R&ER). There are also a number of minor west coast railways included such as the Wirral Railway (WIRRAL), the Garstang and Knott End Railway (G&KE), the Liverpool Overhead Railway (LOR), the Mersey Railway (MERSEY). Finally this list also includes from the Stratford-upon-Avon & Midland Junction Railway (SMJ). Minor West Coast Railways 12990 C&WJ Keekle Halt General view, LMS period, by Professor Fordyce. 36071 C&WJ Moresby Parks View from bridge, circa 1930s, showing the up and down platforms and station buildings. 12987 C&WJ Workington Central Pregrouping view, circa 1912. 12992 C&WJ Workington Central General view, LMS period, by Professor Fordyce. 39614 G&KE Garstang General view, circa 1910, showing Hudswell Clarke 0-6-0ST Jubilee Queen alongside the platform. 39616 G&KE Garstang Detailed view, showing Manning Wardle 2-6-0T Blackpool (works No.1747).
    [Show full text]
  • National Rail Route Diagram
    Thurso Georgemas Junction Wick Great Britain Far North Helmsdale Line Lairg Tain Invergordon Garve Dingwall Nairn Forres Elgin ISLE OF SKYE Achnasheen Inverness Keith Strathcarron national rail Huntly Plockton Stromeferry Kyle of Lochalsh Aviemore Inverurie route diagram Dyce Kingussie HIGHLAND December 2020 Spean Aberdeen Glenfinnan Bridge Mallaig Blair Atholl Fort William Stonehaven High speed route HS2 under construction / planned Rannoch Montrose West Pitlochry Principal routes Highland Regional routes Lines Arbroath Local routes Tyndrum Oban Limited service Dalmally Crianlarich Dundee Elizabeth Line and East West Rail under construction Perth Gleneagles Cupar Arrochar & Tarbet Dunblane Major cities with multiple stations Fife Markinch Stirling Circle Alloa Kirkcaldy All lines shown except in London area Garelochhead Dunfermline Inverkeithing Larbert Falkirk within grey line Balloch Grahamston Edinburgh Edinburgh Helensburgh Upper Gateway Waverley Helensburgh Central North Berwick Milngavie Lenzie Airport interchange Falkirk Linlithgow Haymarket Dunbar Dumbarton Central Maryhill High Railair coach link with Heathrow Airport Cumbernauld Westerton Springburn Bathgate Berwick-upon-Tweed Ferry interchange Queen Street Drumgelloch Partick Airdrie Coatbridge Port Paisley Galashiels Not all stations shown Glasgow Gilmour St Central Kirknewton Gourock Inverclyde Whifflet Shotts Tweedbank Chathill Wemyss Bay Line Paisley Newton Holytown Ayr Canal Cathcart EAST COAST Largs Line Stewarton Motherwell Carluke Ardrossan Kilwinning Neilston Alnmouth
    [Show full text]
  • The Rail User Express. We Continue with the Usual Roundup of News
    June 2019 Welcome to the Rail User Express. RUX is published around the middle of each month. It may be forwarded, or items reproduced in another newsletter (quoting sources). Anyone may request RUX as an email attachment, or opt to be notified when it is posted on the Railfuture (Rf) website. There is no charge for either service. Following GDPR, Railfuture Membership now maintains both lists. Please advise if you no longer wish to receive the newsletter or link, or if you know of anyone who would like to be added. For further details of any of the stories mentioned, please consult the relevant website, or ask the editor for the source material. Whisper it quietly, but the introduction of the May 2019 timetable seems to have gone quite well. There are still some anomalies touched on below, but the deafening silence from the media tells its own story. The few cancellations due to crew shortage are likely the result of intensive training programmes, as drivers convert to new stock coming into service. Well done! Roger Smith We continue with the usual roundup of news items from groups around the UK. Please keep your contributions coming: they are all gratefully received. Friends of the Far North Line The last few weeks have seen a very variable service on the Far North Line. Driver shortage is still an issue, but ScotRail is recruiting and intends to stop relying on Rest Day Working for staffing the normal rosters, so things should improve. It also seems difficult to retain catering staff; there have been many occasions when passengers have boarded a train for a four-hour journey only to discover there's no trolley service.
    [Show full text]