Agenda Item 7

Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council

Report to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport

27th August, 2009

Consultation on Region Rail Development Plan Published by the West Midlands Regional Rail Forum

1. Summary Statement

1.1 The West Midlands Regional Rail Forum has recently published the Rail Development Plan which will inform the region’s input to rail investment for the period 2014 - 2019.

1.2 Regional rail capacity, for both passengers and freight has been identified as one of the regional transport priorities. It currently encompasses 12 potential heavy rail projects for improving capacity, accessibility and journey times. These include – freight corridor in .

1.3 The Plan complements the rail industry’s own plans and links to appropriate national, regional and local strategies. It recognises the DaSTS goals for taking account of its wider impact on climate change, health, quality of life and the natural environment. An analysis of issues arising from applying DaStS leads to the identification of transport problems and the opportunities for rail to address these problems. These form the basis of the Plan Proposals.

1.4 The Key growth drivers include:

• Planned housing growth; • City Centre regeneration; • Rail industry investment in Birmingham Gateway and West Coast Mainline; • Franchise plan commitments by operators; • Expansion of ; • Provision of strategic park and ride at various sites; • Traffic congestion on key road corridors.

1.5 The proposal are identified for two rail investment Control Period and are summarised under the following four headings:-

1.6 Station Plan – In 2009 – 2014 it includes Birmingham Gateway project to rebuild Birmingham New Street Station, Moor Street station upgrade and additional bay platforms, Interchange, platform extensions and station upgrades across the and station access improvements across network including car park expansions, cycle and pedestrian access and bus interchange. In 2014-2019 proposals identified include High quality Moor Street – New Street station linkage to create a “one-station” concept, further platform extensions and station upgrade and further park and ride expansions. Other potential schemes include other additional local and strategic park and ride.

1.7 Infrastructure Plan – In 2009 – 2014 it includes resignalling on the Corridor, gauge and capacity enhancements on the strategic freight network and loading gauge enhancements between Southampton and the West Coast Main Line. The identified schemes for 2014 – 2019 include Stourbridge/Walsall freight line reinstatement, tram train technology on the Walsall Stourbridge corridor and additional depot and stabling facilities.

1.8 Service Plan – In 2009 – 2014 new diesel and electric trains, Pendolinos lengthened to 11 cars, train lengthening on Cross City and Snow Hill lines, improved early morning, evening, Saturday and Sunday services, improved timetable on Snow Hill Lines and faster Chiltern journey times to are identified. In 2014 – 2019 proposals include further train lengthening. Other potential future schemes are identified as reviewing service patterns in light of new high speed line potential releasing capacity for development of freight, local and regional services and optimising use of station capacity in Birmingham City Centre.

1.9 Freight Plan – In 2009 – 2014 includes loading gauge enhancements between Southampton and the West Coast Main Line and South Coast to West Coast Main Line container traffic growth. In 2014 – 2019 the schemes identified include Stourbridge – Walsall freight line reinstatement, including connectivity to Bescot Yard and new freight terminals in . The latter are identified as Midland Quarry Products at Smith Road and nearby recycling facilities, however detailed proposals and an economic case have yet to be developed. Other potential freight schemes identified include reopening of Walsall to line.

1.10 Proposals in detail relating to the lines through Sandwell are as follows: Birmingham/Wolverhampton Line has Port Station upgrade and park and ride extension, platform extension at and train strengthening from 6 to 8 cars. In 2009 – 2014 step-free access at Rolfe Street and tram/train interchange at Dudley Port are planned. Birmingham/Stourbridge Line has capability to terminate and start up trains at , increased parking provision at and Rowley Regis and improved canopies at Cradley Heath. Then in 20014 – 2019 the proposal in Sandwell is further park and ride expansion at Cradley Heath, Birmingham/Walsall Line has platform extensions at Bescot, Tame Bridge and Hamstead, improved canopies and increased park and ride at Tame Bridge in 2009 – 2014. Then in 2014 – 2019 proposals include improved facilities at Hamstead and step- free access at Bescot. Measures such as upgrading stations and interchanges, improving station access for other forms of transport and expanding park and ride will all help to increase rail use, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

1.11 The Plan presents a clear way forward for the West Midlands and should be supported. The analysis of problems has been extensive and the proposals identified are appropriate. Its importance is recognised in the national planning and funding context and it is noted that many scheme proposals in 2009 – 2014 already have funding secured.

1.12 The largest scheme in Sandwell is the reinstatement of the Walsall/Stourbridge Line and the tram train proposal. Supporting the reinstatement of the Walsall to Stourbridge line for freight is one the actions listed in Sandwell's Air Quality Action Plan. This reinstatement would have the potential to reduce the number of HGV movements on Sandwell's roads, potentially providing a significant improvement in air quality in certain areas of the borough.

1.13 Increasing passenger and freight traffic on the rail network might give rise to an increase in noise complaints from local residents. The potential impacts of such proposals on local communities need to be identified and action taken to minimise any adverse noise effects.

1.14 The document needs to recognise as a Strategic Centre.

1.15 Comments on the Plan are requested by 11th September 2009.

Further details are attached for your information.

2. Recommendations

2.1 That the West Midlands Region Rail Development Plan be welcomed and supported.

2.2 That the Director of Planning and Transportation be authorised to respond to West Midlands Regional Rail Forum on the West Midlands Region Rail Development Plan on the basis of the following:-

(a) that the Plan be amended so that West Bromwich is recognised as a Strategic Centre;

(b) that the implementation of schemes recognises the potential impacts of the proposals in terms of adverse noise effects and includes action to address any adverse noise effects;

(c) that the Council support for the reinstatement of the Walsall/Stourbridge line be restated,

(d) that the proposals for Dudley Port station be welcomed;

(e) that Centro be advised that the Council supports new park and ride facilities and extensions to existing facilities where local need is identified and proved.

In accordance with the authority delegated to the Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport, the following course of action has been agreed, which will be set out in the formal record of the decisions taken by the Member:

(1) The recommendation(s) above is/are approved.

(2) The recommendation(s) above is/are approved as now amended.

(3) The recommendations above are not approved.

______Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Transport

Date: 27th August, 2009

Robert Lee Director of Planning and Transportation

Contact Officer John McIlroy Transportation Planning 0121 569 4021

3. Strategic Resource Implications

3.1 Network Rail is responsible for taking forward infrastructure schemes and securing the necessary funding. Other schemes will be taken forward by Centro and the train operators.

3.2 The Council have already given a commitment to Centro to contribute Council-owned land to Centro for the implementation of the Metro/tram train proposals for Walsall/Stourbridge. Minute No 63/04 of Environment and Transport Cabinet Advisory Team refers.

4. Legal and Statutory Implications

4.1 The Rail Development Plan will be taken forward by the Regional Rail Forum and forms the background and feeds into the West Midlands and Chiltern Rail Utilisation Strategy which is also currently being developed.

5. Implications for the Council’s Corporate Priorities

5.1 The proposals have been developed using the DaSTs approach and therefore the benefits in addressing existing problems in Sandwell are identified. The proposals will improve the build environment, increase safety and security, promote modal shift, increase the potential for rail travel and improve health and wellbeing.

5.2 Supporting the reinstatement of the Walsall to Stourbridge line for freight is one the actions listed in Sandwell's Air Quality Action Plan.

6. Background Details

6.1 In December 2008 the Regional Transport Priorities Action Plan was published by Advantage West Midlands and the West Midlands Regional Assembly identifying the region’s strategic transport priorities. Regional rail capacity, both for passengers and freight, has been identified as one of the regional transport priorities. 6.2 Also at this time Centro have produced an Integrated Public Transport Prospectus that sets out the long term vision for the public transport system in the West Midlands conurbation. It is the subject of a separate report on this Agenda.

6.3 This West Midlands Regional Rail Forum has recently published the Rail Development Plan which will inform the region’s input to rail investment for the period 2014 - 2019.

6.4 Regional rail capacity, for both passengers and freight has been identified as one of the regional transport priorities. It currently encompasses 12 potential heavy rail projects for improving capacity, accessibility and journey times. These include Walsall – Stourbridge freight corridor in Sandwell.

6.5 The Region’s Rail Development Plan complements the rail industry’s own plans and links to appropriate national, regional and local strategies. It recognises the DaSTS goals for taking account of its wider impact on climate change, health, quality of life and the natural environment. An analysis of issues arising from applying DaStS leads to the identification of transport problems and the opportunities for rail to address these problems. These form the basis of the Plan Proposals.

6.6 The Key growth drivers include:

• Planned housing growth • Birmingham City Centre regeneration • Rail industry investment in Birmingham Gateway and West Coast Mainline • Franchise plan commitments by operators • Expansion of Birmingham Airport • Provision of strategic park and ride at various sites • Traffic congestion on key road corridors

6.7 The proposal are identified for two rail investment Control Period and are summarised under the following four headings:

6.8 Station Plan – In 2009 – 2014 it includes Birmingham Gateway project to rebuild Birmingham New Street Station, Moor Street station upgrade and additional bay platforms, Wolverhampton Interchange, platform extensions and station upgrades across the network and station access improvements across network including car park expansions, cycle and pedestrian access and bus interchange. In 2014-2019 proposals identified include High quality Moor Street – New Street station linkage to create a “one-station” concept, further platform extensions and station upgrade and further park and ride expansions. Other potential schemes include other additional local and strategic park and ride. Measures such as upgrading stations and interchanges, improving station access for other forms of transport and expanding park and ride will all help to increase rail use, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality.

6.9 Infrastructure Plan – In 2009 – 2014 it includes resignalling on the Kidderminster Corridor, gauge and capacity enhancements on the strategic freight network and loading gauge enhancements between Southampton and the West Coast Main Line. The identified schemes for 2014 – 2019 include Stourbridge/Walsall freight line reinstatement, tram train technology on the Walsall Stourbridge corridor and additional depot and stabling facilities.

6.10 Service Plan – In 2009 – 2014 new diesel and electric trains, Pendolinos lengthened to 11 cars, train lengthening on Cross City and Snow Hill lines, improved early morning, evening, Saturday and Sunday services, improved timetable on Snow Hill Lines and faster Chiltern journey times to London are identified. In 2014 – 2019 proposals include further train lengthening. Other potential future schemes are identified as reviewing service patterns in light of new high speed line potential releasing capacity for development of freight, local and regional services and optimising use of station capacity in Birmingham City Centre.

6.11 Freight Plan – In 2009 – 2014 includes loading gauge enhancements between Southampton and the West Coast Main Line and South Coast to West Coast Main Line container traffic growth. In 2014 – 2019 the schemes identified include Stourbridge – Walsall freight line reinstatement, including connectivity to Bescot Yard and new freight terminals in Wednesbury. The latter are identified as Midland Quarry Products at Smith Road and nearby recycling facilities, however detailed proposals and an economic case have yet to be developed. Other potential freight schemes identified include reopening of Walsall to Lichfield line. Supporting the reinstatement of the Walsall to Stourbridge line for freight is one the actions listed in Sandwell's Air Quality Action Plan. This reinstatement would have the potential to reduce the number of HGV movements on Sandwell's roads, potentially providing a significant improvement in air quality in certain areas of the borough.

6.12 Proposals in detail relating to the lines through Sandwell are as follows: Birmingham/Wolverhampton Line has Dudley Port Station upgrade and park and ride extension, platform extension at Tipton and train strengthening from 6 to 8 cars. In 2009 – 2014 step-free access at Smethwick Rolfe Street and tram/train interchange at Dudley port are planned. Birmingham/Stourbridge Line has capability to terminate and start up trains at Rowley Regis, increased parking provision at Cradley Heath and Rowley Regis and improved canopies at Cradley Heath. Then in 20014 – 2019 the proposal in Sandwell is further park and ride expansion at Cradley Heath, Birmingham/Walsall Line has platform extensions at Bescot, Tame Bridge and Hamstead, improved canopies and increased park and ride at Tame Bridge in 2009 – 2014. Then in 2014 – 2019 proposals include improved facilities at Hamstead and step- free access at Bescot.

6.13 The Plan presents a clear way forward for the West Midlands and should be supported. The analysis of problems has been extensive and the proposals identified are appropriate. Its importance is recognised in the national planning and funding context and it is noted that many scheme proposals in 2009 – 2014 already have funding secured. The largest scheme in Sandwell is the reinstatement of the Walsall/Stourbridge Line and the tram train proposal.

6.14 The Plan does not mention West Bromwich as a Strategic Centre and this omission should be corrected both on Page 3 in the Summary and elsewhere in the document as appropriate.

6.15 Increasing passenger and freight traffic on the rail network might give rise to an increase in noise complaints from local residents. The potential impacts of such proposals on local communities need to be identified and action taken to minimise any adverse noise effects.

6.16 Comments on the Plan are requested and need to be sent to Centro by 11th September 2009.

Source Documents West Midlands Regional Rail Forum Region Rail Development Plan. June 2009.