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April 2005 Devon and Email: [email protected] Write to: 149 Polwithen Drive Carbis Bay St Ives TR26 2SW THREE HORSE RACE FOR GREATER WESTERN FRANCHISE

The Strategic Rail Authority announced the shortlist of bidders for the Greater Western Franchise during April. Only three companies will be invited to tender:

Stagecoach—currently run the Paignton/ / to Waterloo service plus bus services in Exeter, East Devon Teignbridge and Torbay;

First Group—currently run First Great Western services from Cornwall and Devon to Paddington, plus bus networks in North Devon, South Hams, Plymouth and Cornwall.

National Express Group—currently run services plus most of the express coach service network in the region. Interestingly National Express Coaches sub-contract many of their Cornish and Devon services to First Group and Stagecoach. Forest Gone. A view not seen since the 1960s has been opened up following the The SRA also confirmed that none of the clearance of vegetation above the entrance of Highertown Tunnel . A couple of months ago all that could be seen here was an apparent forest — many walking past may bidders will be expected to offer options not have realised there was a railway there at all. Although some view this policy as to replace the HSTs, an ‘industry-wide’ controversial as it can involve the felling of long established trees, ’s policy of approach will be taken instead. clearing vegetation at leaf fall black spots should result in less delays to passengers and reduced rail maintenance costs.. As all three already have substantial bus or express coach operations in the region, it with successful franchises elsewhere in the have had discussions with Railfuture Devon may be that any one of the companies Country. Commentators in the railway and Cornwall on our aspirations. winning the franchise could find press have suggested that London and competition issues are considered by the Western’s exclusion is because their bid Until now, Stagecoach has kept a rather Office of Fair Trading. involved service expansion. low profile and we were not aware they However commercial confidentiality had expressed an interest until they were This is the second stage of the franchise prevents the SRA from giving the reasons shortlisted. Stagecoach told us they were process, the first having been request of why companies have been included or waiting clearance from the SRA to start ’expressions of interest’. It is not known excluded from the shortlist. This is also likely consultations. Once they have the how many companies had expressed to prevent any Freedom of Information clearance they will discuss their plans with interest. However Railfuture was aware Act request.. Railfuture. that Go– Ahead and the GNER/Chiltern Trains consortium London and Western Similar restrictions now prevent the three The formal invitation to tender is to be Railways had done so as well as the three shortlisted companies from giving details issued in June, with shortlisted bidders shortlsited. Surprisingly both these long of their plans at this stage. However both expected to respond during August. established and experienced operators First Group and National Express Group Evaluation of the responses takes place were not allowed to bid alongside the have widely publicised their intention to during Autumn and selection of the three chosen. Both GNER and Chiltern bid and together with unsuccessful bidders Preferred bidder is expected to be Trains are highly regarded train operators London and Western and Go Ahead, announced in the winter of this year. .

Railfuture Devon and Cornwall is the local branch of The Railway Development Society Limited. A Company Limited by Guarantee Registered in England and Wales No. 5011634. Registered Office 18a Grantham Road, Bracebridge Heath, Lincoln LN4 2LD ELECTION SPECIAL

The General and local elections are now well under way and transport generally let alone railways has been ignored by the media in their election reports. This is surprising given that everyone needs transport to access those more essential services of health and education. Railfuture knows only of BBC Radio Cornwall asking election candidates about transport—and then only whether they would save Airport from closure. In an attempt to get candidates thinking about rail, Railfuture Devon and Cornwall asked known political parties for a short statement on what they would do for our local train service. Those that replied are shown below. We also asked the Liberal Democrats and the UK Independence Party for a statement but they had failed to reply at the date of writing—24 April . Railfuture remains entirely independent of any political party and has no preferences but urges all parties to include our ideas and suggestions in their manifestos.

Conservatives improved rail services with more From Charlotte Sabel, Office of the Rt Thank you for writing on this important freight on rail, and the increased Hon Michael Howard QC MP issue. transport of people and goods by sea. A Mebyon flexible and appropriate public transport First of all, I would assure you that Mr From Dick Cole system is a must, and more Howard believes that it is very important environmentally friendly methods of that Britain's railway network is properly Mebyon Kernow - the Party for Cornwall travel, such as walking, cycling and car modernised and that standards - both in is supportive of the rail network in sharing, must be encouraged. terms of passenger safety and time- Cornwall, believing that services should keeping - are raised. be safeguarded and enhanced. We "The improvement of certain roads is want a publicly accountable railway seen as necessary (surface Sadly, the way the Government dealt network. Our policy document states: improvement, widening or increased with Railtrack and Network Rail has visibility), but roads will only form part of worsened - rather than improved - the "We are opposed to the privatisation of the Cornish integrated transport current situation on the railways. The our community assets to wealthy private network. All improvements will be then Secretary of State for Transport, investors. We believe that energy, accompanied by measures to reduce Stephen Byers, forced Railtrack into water, rail and vital communications road transport. administration in October 2001, claiming must be publicly owned and publicly that it was insolvent. This came after he accountable. Green Party had promised a 'period of sat bility to From Tim Brenan, Green Party enable all the parties in the railway MK's policy on transport issues is as Candidate for Exeter. network to concentrate on providing a follows:- I am a member of Railfuture and I do not safe and reliable system'. According to own a car. Transport is one of my key the former Rail Regulator this decision "MK maintain that it is necessary to limit policy concerns. costs the taxpayer some £14 billion. the enormous social and environmental damage caused by road transport, The past 50 years have shown that The latest annual report of its successor through both freight and the personal continuing and growing reliance on body, Network Rail, says that its 'overall motor car. We acknowledge that the road transport is a failed experiment. performance did not meet the car is essential for much of rural Despite massive investment in the road challenging targets to deliver visible Cornwall, and do not intend to unfairly network, it cannot support the transport improvements for passengers' . penalise such people who are not yet needs of the UK. The results of our road served by adequate public transport, obsession is increased congestion, The House of Commons Transport Select but the scale of car use must be actively deaths and injuries from road transport Committee -chaired by a Labour MP - reduced. MK are committed to investing and a major source of atmospheric has even said, 'responsibility for the in alternatives to the car, as a major pollutants linked both with increased railways rests ultimately with the priority. incidence of lung conditions like Asthma Government. It has had six years to and globally with climate chnage and construct a policy and structure for the "The development of a more global warming. railway that works well...it has failed to decentralised and self-sufficient do so' economy will reduce the need for goods Rail has the ability to provide transport to be transported over long distances by infrastructure with far fewer impacts and A future Conservative Government destructive heavy road vehicles. We should be encouraged to take a would seek to ensure that the also foresee a situation in which people significantly greater proportion of both performance of Britain's railway netwokr would tend to live closer to their places transport and freight traffic. I would like is radically improved, both in terms of of work than they do at present, and this to see Rail infrastructure improvements operating and capital costs as well as of would also limit the need to travel. including the quality of service that is provided to Moves to encourage people to work at passengers. We will bring much needed home must be supported. • increased capacity on Salisbury stability to the railways, avoiding Exeter line to enable an hourly damaging upheavals and letting the "There is plenty of scope for delivering an service to Waterloo and increased industry get on with improving environmentally sound, local services performance. integrated transport policy including ELECTION SPECIAL

• increased capacity on line to Labour strategic rail decisions. It will have clear Exmouth from Exeter enabling From Candy Atherton, Labour agreements with each part of the greater frequency to Topsham Candidate Falmouth and industry, setting levels of public expenditure and taking decisions about • provisdion of alternative route to what the money should buy. Network coastal main line from Exeter to We believe that a good transport Rail – the public interest company that Newton Abbot for service frequency network underpins our economy and has replaced the Tories’ Railtrack – is and resilience. This could be through supports our communities. As our taking overall responsibility for running re-establishing the link from economy continues to grow with the railway on a day-to-day basis. It will Okehampton to Plymouth or the Labour, people become better off and ensure that passengers get a more Teign valley line want to travel more for work and leisure. Our priority is to provide a reliable, safe reliable service, setting timetables and • Restoring Plymouth - Tavistock and inclusive transport network that taking charge when incidents on the services helps people move around in a way that network threaten delay. Track and train I am particularly keen to see an Exeter respects our environmental objectives. companies will work more closely Metro service utilising the Exmouth line, To improve transport, we need to do together. The confrontational system put the line to Salisbury and the link to three things. The first is long-term in place by the Tories is being replaced Alphington / Marsh Barton currently investment, year on year, decade after by one based on joint working. To assist unused for passenger services. This could decade. We are putting in the this, the number of franchises is being allow frequent and congestion busting equivalent of £260 million of public reduced and aligned more closely with services invigorating Pinhoe, St Thomas money every week to help improve our Network Rail’s regional structure. and other local stations in Exeter that transport system and start to set right have reduced services currently. New decades of under-investment. We are Safety will become the responsibility of (reopened) stations at Alphington, spending 60 per cent more in real terms the regulator and continue to be Exminster, and Whipton should be on transport than the Tories were in 1997 enforced independently of both the looked at. This could link into improved and, unlike the Tories’ promise of cuts, industry and government. servies to Torbay, and we are committed to continue Hontiton / Axminster. With increased increasing this investment year on year. This new structure for the railway is built capacity stations for rapidly devloping on the principle of public-private communities such as Cullompton could Demand for rail travel has increased in partnership. It recognises rail’s status as a be looked at. recent years as our economy has grown. public service, specified by government

In 2003, rail carried more than a billion and delivered by the private sector. We Rail fare inflation has simply run out of passengers for the first time since the are currently spending £73 million every control and is being used to reduce 1960s. And in 2004, more passenger week to improve the railways and service demand. Fares must be set at a journeys were made by train than in any levering in a similar amount of fair and affordable rate (and should be year since 1959 when the network was investment in our railways each week collected by train companies). Bus and almost twice the current size. There has from the private sector. This investment is rail should be viewed as partners in been a 27 per cent increase in the paying dividends: Network Rail replaced providing public transport services rather amount of freight carried by rail since 850 miles of track in 2003-04, compared than competitors. Tickets should be valid 1997. with just 200 miles a year immediately for all operators (except booked seat after privatisation; and we are services) and should be valid for bus or Labour is committed to delivering the undertaking the biggest rolling stock rail services where there is a choice. safe, reliable and affordable rail service replacement programme ever seen in Joined up timetabling between all rail the public want. We’re investing an this country. operators and increased bus services unprecedented amount in the rail should be established. Exeter needs a network to address decades of under- The rail industry’s safety record is good rail bus interchange particularly given investment. In 2005-06, we’ll be investing and is improving. We have successfully the siting of St Davids away from the more than double the amount spent by introduced the Train Protection and centre. the Tories in their last year in office (1996- Warning System programme to improve

97), even after taking account of safety by ensuring that trains Rail freight must be given an even inflation. It’s essential that the structure approaching red signals and other playing field to compete with road with of the railways is right, to ensure the hazards apply their brakes. We are road transport starting to bear the true public gets best value for their money. replacing all of the slam-door rolling costs to the community and the When the Tories privatised British Rail they stock on the network with safer environment. sold it off at bargain basement prices, alternatives. We are improving station

broke it up into 100 pieces and failed to security so that now two-thirds of rail I want people to have the choice of ensure the system worked in the public journeys either begin or end at good affordable public transport. The interest. We’re putting this right, accredited Secure Stations. Green Party supports taking rail services reorganising the rail industry to improve into public control and ownership as performance, drive down costs and get We will also use the new Access for All franchises expire. better value from public spending. The Fund to make the railway more

Government is taking charge of key accessible for disabled people, Community Railways News ENGINEERING WORK This is the latest advice of engineering St Ives Timetable Improved available from local shops and from work received at time of publication. Following concerns expressed by platform machines on the St Ives Branch. However plans can change and you Railfuture and the Friends of St Ives should check the day before travel.

Branch Line, Wessex Trains has agreed to It is hoped that the Freedom of the Exeter St Davids—Taunton amend the Summer timetable from 13 South West Railrover will be extended from Romsey to Southampton, Sundays 8, 15, 22 May June by introducing services from St Erth Some First Great Western Paddington Bournemouth and Weymouth with the 8 at 1755 and 1855 with balancing return services will run from Exeter St Davids workings. This fills the one hour 20 minute in 15 day version increased from £61 to via Junction replacing South gap between 1811 and 1930 that was £95. The difference will be that there will West Trains Waterloo services and created by the March timetable be no restriction on use before 0900 calling at intermediate stations. change restoring the evening commuter which may make the ticket attractive to Passengers to Waterloo will need to change at Yeovil Junction. Other service. The service will then be the most long distance commuters as well as those holidaying in the region. It is also services including all , Arriva frequent it has ever been. Trains Wales and Wessex Trains services rumoured that a first class version may will be replaced by buses between Meanwhile, the Friends of St Ives Branch become available. With the cheapest Taunton and Exeter. Line have been planting out tubs turn up and go fare between attached to new benches at Carbis Bay and now costing £51, the £95 Reading and Slough Saturday 30 April until Monday 2 May. station and hope to do the same at St Rover giving 8 out 15 days travel offers Most Penzance/Plymouth to/from Ives station itself. excellent value for money. London services will run through to/

from Waterloo instead of Paddington. Unique Bus Replacements Join Friends of the Valley Some trains may start or terminate at During Looe and Exmouth A Friends of the has Reading with First Great Western Link been formed. As well as staffing the services operating from there to Engineering Work. summer ticket kiosk at Looe, they hope Paddington except on Saturday when passengers will be directed to the South The recent bus replacements of trains to provide a refreshment kiosk as well. West Trains Reading - Waterloo service. during engineering work at Looe and Looking further ahead the Friends would

Exmouth included a new arrangement like to landscape the overgrown area Tuesday 3 May and Saturday 7 May with bus operators Western Greyhound between the track and the river at Looe services will depart from Paddington up and Stagecoach Devon. Drivers of the station in partnership with Looe in Bloom. to 15 minutes earlier and arrive up to 15 buses charged fares and issued bus minutes later. tickets for passengers boarding without Anyone who wishes to join can contact Bristol Parkway to Cheltenham Spa a rail ticket. Passengers making main line the group at Trencreek, Looe. PL13 2JR connections could then use the bus Sunday 29 May services from South or Email [email protected] West to the Midlands and North will be ticket as part payment towards their rail diverted vi Newport. ticket at /Exeter. This is an Community Rail Day Saturday 14 arrangement Railfuture wished to May St Erth to St Ives encourage for normal bus feeder Buses replace trains on Mondays to services, but so far operators seem It is hoped that there will be attractions Fridays 2 to 6 May and 9 to 13 May reluctant to work together on this. on all Cornwall and Devon’s branch lines 2005 (trains run normally on Saturdays) on 14 May to celebrate this national Truro to Falmouth Stagecoach ran a special rail event. A sculpture will be unveiled at St Ives station that day and the Friends Buses replace trains on Mondays to replacement service to Exmouth but also Fridays 16 to 20 May and 23 to 27 May hope to offer a musical event either at allowed their normal service buses to 2005 (trains run normally on Saturdays accept rail tickets. Western the station or on the train possibly with and Sundays) Greyhound’s existing service was used to free pasties. Wessex Trains intend replace the Looe trains, with extra buses offering a 50% discount in ticket prices North Devon Line News in the evening. The only downside with on the day, although full details The North Devon Line Rail Users Group the Looe arrangement was that main including any conditions were not reports that long welded rail with steel line connections were not as good as available at the time or writing. sleepers has been installed around the train timetable. . Morchard Road, Umberleigh and Other events planned include: Chapelton during the recent blockade. Rover Tickets Revamp The Pill Girder bridge between Truro— Falmouth Railfuture understands that Wessex Trains Chapelton and Barnstaple has also Friends of Penmere Platform ‘at home’ been refurbished. are replacing their existing rail rovers with Guided rail ale walk (will the pace get a new set of tickets from 12 June. slower as more are visited?) One small advantage of the new The Separate Devon and Cornwall Liskeard—Looe Barnstaple western bypass is that buses Rovers will be merged into a single Rail Guided walks to Appledore, Westward Ho1 and

Rover with 3 in 7 and 8 in 15 day versions Bideford could be diverted past Plymouth— extending as far east as Taunton. There Barnstaple station entrance on a new launch of bus link from station bues only road link. However the large will also be a one day unlimited travel to Cotehele House ticket for Cornwall priced at around £14. roundabout to the north of the station Separate one day unlimited travel North Devon Line will make re-opening the Bideford line rangers are also planned for each of the Launch of new guide Truro- more expensive to achieve.. Cornish branch lines, which will also be Falmouth - guided Rail Ale walk