BOROUGH COUNCIL OF WELLINGBOROUGH AGENDA ITEM 5 Development Committee 11 September 2017
Report of the Director
Response to East Midlands Rail Franchise public consultation
1 Purpose of report
To seek approval to send a council response to the public consultation on proposed changes to the East Midlands Rail Franchise.
2 Executive summary
2.1 This public consultation is on proposed changes to the rail service from Wellingborough. This will involve fewer trains stopping at Wellingborough during peak hours in order to speed up train journey times on InterCity services (those services from Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby to London).
2.2 To counter this reduction in peak time services Wellingborough will be on a commuter line from Corby to London that will be serviced by longer trains in order to try and reduce the resultant overcrowding due to cutting InterCity services. This would also mean fewer direct trains northwards to Leicester in peak times.
3 Appendices
Appendix 1 – Borough Council of Wellingborough response to the East Midlands Rail Franchise Public Consultation. Appendix 2 – East Midlands Rail Franchise Public Consultation document.
4 Proposed action:
The Committee is invited to RESOLVE to submit the response in Appendix 1 to the East Midlands Rail Franchise public consultation.
5 Background
5.1 This document proposes changes to the East Midlands rail service currently operated by East Midlands Trains (EMT) through a public consultation process. The overall aim of these changes will be to improve the experience of passengers by providing more space and comfort, better and more frequent customer communication with the rail operator, improving the reliability and value for money of the service.
The consultation document outlines ten top priorities for improving the East Midlands Franchise, these are: Price and value for money All passengers able to get a seat Trains sufficiently frequent Free Wifi available Train companies to keep passengers informed about delays More trains on time Less frequent disruption Accurate and timely information at stations Well maintained toilet facilities Trains clean and maintained.
5.2 The proposed changes to the rail service from Wellingborough are in response to issues of long journey times and overcrowding on peak time services.
5.3 The document proposes a solution that involves dividing the East Midlands mainline into two distinct markets, an InterCity service that will no longer serve Wellingborough during peak hours and a commuter service from Corby to London which would go via Wellingborough. It is suggested that by doing this it will lower journey times on InterCity services and due to longer trains will reduce overcrowding on the commuter line.
5.4 There are other proposals within the document such as the aim to improve East to West connectivity and the potential for the extension of Thameslink services as well as increasing evening and weekend services.
5.5 The consultation document asks specific questions that consultees can answer within their response. The proposed response in Appendix 1 does not use these questions, as it is considered that the issues highlighted are more fundamental than the suggested questions and therefore it is more appropriate to comment on the document as a whole.
5.6 The Deadline for comments on the consultation document is the 11th October 2017.
6 Discussion
6.1 The draft response in Appendix 1 objects to the proposed changes to the rail service from Wellingborough in particular the reduction in services stopping at Wellingborough during peak times.
6.2 There is no evidence that implementing this proposal would result in a reduction in overcrowding particularly given the additional development at Stanton Cross and Rushden Lakes.
6.3 Considering the consultation document the draft response in Appendix 1 identifies that these proposals: Would have a detrimental effect on the passenger experience from Wellingborough and as a result are contrary to the overall aims and objectives of the franchise document. Would result in additional stops during peak hours for commuter trains from Wellingborough resulting in increased numbers of potential passengers and an increase in journey times. Imply that Wellingborough (as well as Kettering and Corby) are entirely commuter towns into London. This ignores the amount of commuters heading north to Leicester and other locations who will now have to change in order to reach their place of work rather than a direct service. Could result in the train becoming a less attractive mode of travel from Wellingborough to both the north and south and may result in an increase in the number of commutes by car, meaning additional road congestion and a negative effect on the environment through increased car usage.
6.4 The reference within the document to a proposal to extend the Thameslink line north from Bedford is supported, as is the reference to improving East- West connectivity and improving and extending evening and weekend services.
7 Legal powers
Part 1 of the Local Government Act 2000 provides power for the council to promote the economic, social and environmental well-being of the area. Section 1(1) of the Localism Act 2011 provides the local authority with the power to do anything that individuals generally may do.
8 Financial and value for money implications
8.1 A good quality rail service for the borough has many economic benefits and can contribute towards jobs, investment and infrastructure projects that are critical for the success of other council policies and projects.
8.2 The frequency and quality of the rail service, particularly into London is a major attraction for the town and attracts many commuters to move here. This is particularly the case with the forthcoming Stanton Cross development where it is anticipated that commuters will be attracted to live due to its location near the railway station. Failure to keep the standard and level of service on the railway at current levels could result in the town and the new developments in the town becoming less attractive to people looking for an easy commute into London.
Risk analysis
Nature of risk Consequences Likelihood of Control if realised occurrence measures Loss of Rail Less frequent High Respond to the services as and fast consultation to try proposed. connections to and make the rail destinations for franchise consider commuters into alternative London and solutions. north to Leicester. Loss of Rail A reduction in Medium Respond to the services as what is a major consultation to try proposed. attractor to the and make the rail town for people, franchise consider jobs and alternative services. solutions. Loss of Rail Possible Medium Respond to the services as increased consultation to try proposed. overcrowding as and make the rail a result of franchise consider growth in alternative Wellingborough solutions. and loss of services.
9 Implications for resources
There would be no direct impacts on council resources as a result of this response.
10 Implications for stronger and safer communities
A frequent, fast and quality rail service can help to create stronger communities by attracting new people to the area as well as attracting businesses and services and by significantly increasing the connections Wellingborough has with other towns and cities.
11 Implications for equalities
There would be no direct impacts on equalities as a result of this response.
12 Author and contact officer
Thomas Shaw, Planning Policy Officer
13 Consultees
Liz Elliott, Managing Director Julie Thomas, Director Bridget Gamble, Director Victoria Phillipson, Principal Planning Policy and Regeneration Manager Sue Bateman, Senior Planning Policy Officer Simon James, Policy Manager, NNJPDU
14 Background papers
None
Appendix 1
Borough Council of Wellingborough response to East Midlands Rail Franchise public consultation
Introduction
1.0 This document proposes changes to the East Midlands rail service currently operated by East Midlands Trains (EMT) through a public consultation process. The overall aim of these changes will be to improve the experience of passengers by providing more space and comfort, better and more frequent customer communication with the rail operator, improving the reliability and value for money of the service.
1.1 The consultation document outlines ten top priorities for improving the East Midlands Franchise, these are:
Price and value for money All passengers able to get a seat Trains sufficiently frequent Free Wifi available Train companies to keep passengers informed about delays More trains on time Less frequent disruption Accurate and timely information at stations Well maintained toilet facilities Trains clean and maintained.
1.2 Whilst the above priorities are fully supported by the Borough Council of Wellingborough it is suggested that two important priorities that are of great importance to passengers have been omitted. That journey times between destinations should not increase and that the need to change trains should be kept to a minimum. The borough council has significant concerns that the proposed changes are likely to result in passengers travelling to or from Wellingborough experiencing increased journey times and would result in passengers needing to change trains when travelling on lines north of Kettering. The borough council is concerned that stated priorities are not being met by the proposed changes in this consultation document, particularly in respect of the service that would be provided from Wellingborough.
1.3 This document is a response to challenges that the East Midlands franchise is facing. These include a lack of line capacity, meaning substantial investment in infrastructure is required if additional services were to be run. Long journey times, overcrowded trains, limited connectivity to other lines and routes and below average customer satisfaction results on the current franchise.
Comments
2.0 The document suggests that the long journey times on InterCity services (those services from Sheffield, Nottingham and Derby to London) is because of these trains stopping at Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford and Luton when they are already busy with passengers from further north. This creates overcrowded and slow inter city services.
2.1 The document attempts to solve this issue by dividing the service into two distinct markets, an InterCity market that offers fast travel from Sheffield/Derby/Nottingham and Leicester direct through to London whilst intermediate stops including Wellingborough will be served by a commuter route starting at Corby into London. This, according to the document, would create an additional 1000 seats in peak hours and solve the issue of long journey times for InterCity passengers.
2.2 The suggestion is that ‘commuter’ trains will be extended to up to 12 carriages to counter the loss of InterCity services. Wellingborough is currently served by four trains per hour during peak times, if all intercity services no longer stop; this will be reduced to just two per hour, a 50% decrease in peak time service. The borough council do not consider this to meet the objective that trains are sufficiently frequent.
2.3 Whilst the increase in the length of trains to up to 12 coaches may increase capacity slightly, as would the fact that the trains have no passengers from further north than Corby, would it be enough to counter the fact that half the trains no longer stop at Wellingborough and two train loads of Wellingborough and Kettering ‘commuters’ would be getting on one, extended, train? This is highly debatable. This would also be before any passengers get on at Bedford, Luton or Luton Airport Parkway, although it is recognised that access to alternative Thameslink services from these three stations may partially negate the impacts of these proposals in these locations.
2.4 Given two of the aims of the proposed new franchise are to reduce overcrowding and make trains sufficiently frequent, it is odd therefore to see services cut by 50% at stations including Wellingborough. Surely this is contrary to the overall aims of the document.
2.5 Even if the proposed 12 carriage trains were doubling the current length of the trains that serve Wellingborough (debatable given that InterCity trains are 8 coaches and often during peak times ‘Meridian’ trains are 8-10 coaches) the impacts on creating additional seats would be minimal given that 50% more people would be getting on one train that is 50% larger therefore creating a
minimal improvement if any at all. It is a struggle to see how these proposals will reduce overcrowding either at the stations or on the trains.
2.6 Currently most peak time services from Wellingborough to London only stop at one intermediate station, and two trains do not stop at all between Wellingborough and London (08:07 and 08:25). Whether the service stops once or nowhere the journey takes around 45 minutes. Firstly it is questionable how much quicker this journey could be done if the train did not stop at Wellingborough or Kettering. Secondly, it is assumed that in the case that these fast services would no longer serve Wellingborough the replacement commuter service would stop at Bedford and one of the Luton stations at least. Whilst the InterCity services may save a minimal amount of time by not stopping at Kettering or Wellingborough, trains from Wellingborough and Kettering would take longer due to the number of stops increasing.
2.7 The increase in the number of intermediate stops will also have effects on the number of passengers using the trains. It is acknowledged that starting the trains at Corby would decrease the crowdedness of the service when arriving at Kettering, however if two train lots of passengers get on at Kettering then the same at Wellingborough, then the service picks up more passengers at Bedford and Luton/Luton Airport, where normally it wouldn’t stop, it is obvious that the ‘commuter’ trains, by the time they get to London will be very busy and possibly overcrowded. As referred to above, currently the majority of peak time services stop at a maximum of one station between Wellingborough and London in peak times and whilst it is recognised that the trains are overcrowded from Wellingborough there are not a significant number of additional passengers getting on between there and London. Should these proposals mean at least two intermediate stops, then it is hard to suggest that the over crowdedness of the train will be reduced or that the journey time will be reduced. It is a struggle to see how this meets any of the aims or objectives of the franchise or how it solves any of the aforementioned challenges.
Wellingborough growth
2.8 Wellingborough is currently planning for significant growth, with a focus on two sustainable urban extensions (SUEs). One of these SUEs (WEAST/Stanton Cross) of 3650 houses and significant new employment is situated adjacent to Wellingborough station and is expected to attract commuters, particularly South East/London commuters. A key selling point of this SUE will be its location close to the station with easy, fast and frequent access into London. It is therefore critical for the success and attractiveness of
this SUE in particular and Wellingborough as a whole, that the train service remains as frequent and good as it can be, especially at peak times to serve the growing commuter market in the town. Overall, the North Northamptonshire Joint Core Strategy prescribes a housing requirement of 7000 additional houses in Wellingborough up to 2031. This additional growth will create and attract a significant number of potential passengers into Wellingborough and therefore any reduction of the service from Wellingborough will cause issues for its future development and the attractiveness of the borough as a place to live, as well as impacts on overcrowding at Wellingborough station and on the trains. Whilst these are not direct issues for the railway franchise to solve, it is considered that regard should be had to potential increases in demand of this scale in the near future.
2.9 Rates of housing delivery are primarily driven by demand and the current planned growth rates were set on the basis that the current level of rail service would continue to be provided. If there is a detrimental effect on the service, this will result in reduced demand and reduce the delivery rate of housing which is contrary to Government housing policy.
2.10 It is considered that these proposals outlined in this consultation could have a detrimental effect on the experience of Wellingborough travellers and commuters which is considered contrary to the overall aims and objectives of the document.
Off Peak services
2.11 There is little within the document regarding off peak services. It is therefore assumed that these will remain the same in terms of frequency, (2 trains an hour into London; one train per hour to Leicester and beyond; and one an hour to Corby). Clarification is sought on page 29 of the consultation document where reference is made to off peak services increasing to Kettering and Corby, there is no mention of Wellingborough in the sentence although it is hoped and assumed that any additional services to and from Kettering and Corby would also stop at and serve Wellingborough as well. This should be made explicitly clear within the document.
Commuter Towns
2.12 The proposal to create a commuter specific line from Corby to London implies that Corby, Kettering and Wellingborough are entirely commuter towns for London. Whilst there may be elements of truth in that description, particularly in the case of Wellingborough, it is important to recognise the significant number of passengers travel northwards to Leicester in particular but also Market Harborough and beyond for work, university or school. It appears that peak services for these passengers will now largely require a change at Kettering and an obvious increase in journey time, disruption and effort. If this
proposal were to take place it would be crucial that timings are such that connections from Kettering northwards to Leicester link closely to the arrival of Wellingborough to Kettering trains to limit the increase in journey times to Leicester and other places as much as possible. This proposal could potentially lead to a decrease in the attractiveness of commuting to Leicester by train and more people may look to cars as a more viable option and therefore promote an unsustainable modal shift towards the use of private cars rather than using the train.
2.13 Commuters from Wellingborough to London typically spend around three hours a day on their door-to-door commute and are away from home for around 12 hours a day. This results in very little leisure time during a working day, taking into account the morning routine and evening meal. As a result, any increase in journey times will further reduce this small amount of leisure time.
2.14 Given the above, it is not surprising that commuters take every possible step to minimise their journey time. This is amply illustrated at Bedford where there is a choice of services between the InterCity and Thameslink trains. Even though the southbound Thameslink trains that start at Bedford guarantee a seat for passengers, few commuters choose them and instead choose the faster InterCity trains even though very few passengers will get a seat. Similarly when travelling from St Albans, passengers choose to cram onto fast Thameslink trains rather than the slower service that starts at St Albans.
2.15 There are a number of factors that affect the overall commute time such as; the speed that the trains travel, the number of stops the train makes and the time between trains. There is no reference to reducing commuting time in the consultation document.
Thameslink
2.16 Consultation is apparently ongoing with Thameslink to potentially include some of ‘East Midlands’ lines. It is assumed that this could potentially include Wellingborough. This could act as an alternative service to East Midlands trains and could dramatically reduce overcrowding. It would also potentially offer direct routes through London to Gatwick Airport and Brighton and a variety of other destinations.
2.17 The Thameslink service could be a vehicle to create cheaper options for people travelling into London. From Wellingborough-London a peak day travelcard is £68 with a railcard/£103 without a railcard. The exact same journey from Bedford (1 stop and between 12 and 15 minutes on the train) costs £48.30 without a railcard and £31.90 with a railcard, under half the cost from Wellingborough. The extension of Thameslink services up to Wellingborough could help to lower prices to more affordable rates during
peak times by increasing competition and the availability of cheaper tickets. This could create a better value for money service for passengers. However, this is not guaranteed nor is any specific timescale for this outlined.
East and West
2.18 The desire to increase East to West services involving the East Midlands route is supported. Currently there are few viable ways of transferring between the East Coast Mainline, the Midland mainline and the West coast Mainline. From Wellingborough it requires travelling to Leicester to then get a train to Nuneaton or Birmingham or the other direction to Peterborough/Stansted Airport, both of which are reasonably slow and mean a long journey time between Wellingborough and Peterborough and Birmingham for connections elsewhere on the West or East coast mainline. Often travelling into London and walking to either Kings Cross or Euston and then getting the train out of London again is quicker than reaching particularly Peterborough/Cambridge/Stanstead but also Birmingham on this route via Leicester. An increase in services and a lowering of journey times on these East to West routes would be welcomed and could reduce crowding on London bound trains.
Later trains
2.19 Reference to later trains on weekends and evenings is welcomed. Currently the latest train back to Wellingborough from London on a Saturday is at 22:25, it is 23:00 on a Sunday and 00:15 during the week including Friday evening. This Saturday timing is particularly problematic. It means people in Wellingborough cannot, without considerable effort, get the train home after watching an evening show in the West End, or a concert or sporting event or from a night out after this time. This should be one of the priorities of any changes to later evening services.
Conclusions
3.0 Whilst the borough council support the aims and objectives of the document we feel that the objective of maintaining or reducing overall journey times should be made an additional and high priority objective. A further objective should aim to minimise the changes needed to make journeys.
3.1 It is considered that the proposed changes will fail to meet the aims and objectives outlined in the consultation document in relation to Wellingborough. By cutting peak time services in half and moving to a more localised commuter service it will adversely affect the experience of passengers from the borough. Isolating Wellingborough on a commuter service into London ignores those passengers that commute north to Leicester and Market Harborough. It will also increase the over crowdedness of the stations
themselves with longer waiting times between trains and despite promises of longer trains, these will not be significantly longer than those already serving the station in peak times and so the impacts on overcrowded trains will be minimal at best and possibly worsened, particularly in light of the substantial new development in Wellingborough near the station that will add significantly to the numbers of passengers using Wellingborough station particularly for commuting to London, and the increasing number of stops between Wellingborough and London in peak hours.
3.1 Overall it is considered that this proposal would worsen the experience of passengers from Wellingborough, with minimal benefits. It is suggested that this proposal is at odds with the key aims outlined in the document and would not solve the identified challenges for the franchise.
3.2 Whilst not supportive of this element of the document there are some proposals that have the full support of the borough council, for example the idea of increasing connectivity East to West and introducing more late evening and weekend services. It is considered that a key target for these timetable changes should be a later train back north on Saturday evenings.
3.3 There is potential with the proposed electrification for the running of Thameslink services through to Wellingborough and Kettering and Corby. This would help to increase competition, increase seat availability and possibly lead to more reasonable pricing of tickets as seen at Bedford; it would also offer direct services to locations through London and to Gatwick Airport and Brighton. Any proposals to provide Thameslink services to Wellingborough would be supported.
3.4 Overall, the Borough Council of Wellingborough objects to this document and particularly to the cutting of InterCity services through Wellingborough, without any additional alternative provision during peak hours. The conclusion that this will increase the frequency and comfort of travel for passengers and lead to an increase in seat availability is highly optimistic particularly in light of the new development taking place in Wellingborough and the high demand that already exists from these stations into London. There is a danger that the end result will be InterCity trains running half empty and the ‘commuter’ trains being even more overcrowded than at present.
Scarborough
York Leeds
Manchester Doncaster Liverpool
Sheffield Barton-on -Humber
Chesterfield Worksop Lincoln Grimsby Crewe Matlock Cleethorpes Mansfield Skegness Sleaford Grantham Stoke-on-Trent Derby Nottingham East Midlands Parkway Loughborough Peterborough Norwich Leicester
Corby Ely Market Harborough Kettering
Bedford
Luton
St Pancras
East Midlands Rail Franchise Public Consultation
Driving Growth in the East Midlands – Connectivity as a Driver for Social and Economic Prosperity
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July 2017 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
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Contents
1. Introduction What is this document for? 3
2. Foreword Secretary of State’s foreword 5
3. The current service The current East Midlands service 9 4. Challenges Challenges facing the East Midlands franchise 18
5. Upgrades Planned improvements on the Midland Main Line 21
6. Our aims Our aims for the franchise 24
7. Improvement Options for improvement 27
8. Bringing it all together Our vision for the future 37
9. What will happen next 43
1 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
The Salt Cellar, Gritstone Tor, Derwent Edge
1 Introduction
2 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
1. What is this document for?
This document sets out proposals to improve the We also encourage you to attend one of our train services on the East Midlands rail network. consultation events. A full list of the events is Soon a new contract will be let for the right to run available on our website at bit.ly/east-midlands- the East Midlands services and as part of that we consultation. are running this consultation. Throughout this document the arrangement we have with the service operator is referred to as a franchise. In this document: This is a consultation document and we would like −− We explain why we are running a to hear your views on the service now, as well as competition to find the next operator your thoughts on how to improve it in the years to and the benefits this will bring. come. Please read this consultation document all −− We set out our aims for improving the way through and then, in the response form, your service. give us your answers to our questions. −− We seek your views on these aims and You can fill in the response form and post it to us, the options for improving your service. or you can respond online, or by email. Full details are shown at Section 9. We must receive your response by 11 October 2017.
Throughout this document you will see a number of questions in boxes, looking like this. These questions relate to the response form that comes with this document. ?
3 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Old Market Square, Nottingham
2 Foreword
4 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
2. Secretary of State’s Foreword
The Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP Secretary of State for Transport
The prosperity of the Midlands is essential to provision of information to passengers, to offer our national economic success. The region tickets that serve flexible travel patterns and to is responsible for over a fifth of the UK’s total increase the frequency of services and the number manufacturing capability, with the service sector of seats. In short, I want the next East Midlands accounting for over four million jobs and worth franchise to deliver better and more comfortable around £158 billion a year. This is a dynamic region: journeys and better value for money, even as there are now 327,200 more people in employment passenger numbers continue to rise. Only by doing in the Midlands than there were in 2010 and the so will it serve the long term economic prosperity size of the Midlands economy has increased by £32.9 billion. of the region. Transport is at the heart of the East Midlands. So I am pleased to publish this consultation today. The region’s great manufacturers build trains, cars We are asking genuinely open, thought-provoking and jet engines. Its towns and cities are linked by questions in this consultation because I believe motorways and rail and its economy is growing. that some of your answers will stimulate innovative This means that more people are travelling too, ideas to find new and better ways of doing things, and in different ways. People want faster, long but I am clear that we will only do things that will distance rail services with more seats and simpler deliver for passengers and which have the support tickets. They also want better local services. of the public. As reflected in the government’s Midlands Engine Strategy1, transport and connectivity are essential to sustaining and building on this success. The award of a new East Midlands franchise gives us the opportunity to set the conditions for achieving this and for ensuring that the passenger remains firmly at the heart of decisions on services and investment. I want passengers to enjoy more space and comfort, more frequent and better communication with the operator and a reliable level of performance that delivers value for money. There are significant opportunities to achieve this across the East Midlands network, and this consultation document is an important part of that process. I will require the operator of the next franchise to bring forward exciting and innovative plans to improve customer service and the
1. www.gov.uk/government/publications/midlands-engine-strategy 5 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
The work to achieve this is already underway. On needs of passengers. I also want to see greater the Midland Main Line we are currently investing staff involvement in running the company for which in a significant upgrade across the whole route they work, including strategic decision-making at to reduce congestion and improve long distance the highest levels and, potentially, sharing in the journey times during the peak. As part of this success of the service. programme we have been exploring innovative Our plans for the East Midlands franchise fit with options for delivering improved journeys to intercity our strategy for rail across the country. The delivery passengers in a way that avoids the disruption of these plans will require the industry to break that electrification entails. Therefore, to ensure that free from traditional thinking and explore new and the enhancements deliver their full potential for all innovative ways of working. Train operators will passengers we will require the next operator to need to form new partnerships to deliver the service come forward with plans for modern, fast, efficient passengers expect, not just with Network Rail but and comfortable trains for the Midland Main Line, also with organisations that have a reputation for including a brand new fleet of bi-mode intercity innovation and excellence in customer service. trains able to run on both electrified and non- I will also seek to encourage additional private electrified lines. sector investment in infrastructure development, Delivering the best for passengers will also require which could deliver faster, more reliable journeys new ways of working. I recently set out my vision2 and new commercial, community and residential for the future of rail that brings together the different developments at stations. organisations who maintain the tracks and run I want to hear your views. In this document you the trains, so they can work collectively and to will read more about our plans, but I am always a common purpose. I want Network Rail and open to new ideas for delivering better services franchise operators to form a closer partnership to passengers. I encourage you to take this and work as one team with a shared focus: to opportunity to respond to the consultation and deliver a better railway for passengers. This ‘one I look forward to hearing from you. team’ approach will be brought to the new East Midlands franchise. Passengers’ expectations are increasing in today’s highly connected environment. Quite rightly they expect to be treated as individuals, to be rewarded for their loyalty and reimbursed quickly and efficiently when things go wrong. Staff need to be trained and equipped to respond effectively to the
2. www.gov.uk/government/speeches/an-innovative-modern-passenger-focused-railway-network 6 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Break free from traditional thinking and explore new and innovative ways of working East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
East Midlands Parkway Station
3 The current service
8 Shaping the Future | East Midlands Rail Franchise
3. The current East Midlands service
Introduction The East Midlands franchise serves the heart of England – linking cities and towns such as Sheffield, Nottingham, Leicester, Lincoln and Derby. From there a network of long distance and local trains travel to other parts of the country including Liverpool, Norwich and London. It is a much used and growing rail service. The franchise offers 470 services each weekday and provides 26 million passenger journeys each year The franchise is made up of four distinct passenger markets: intercity, London commuter, inter-urban, and local and regional.
Midland Main Line
Scarborough Leeds Intercity: Long distance travel along York the Midland Main Line between Sheffield, Derby, Nottingham, Leicester and Wakefield Westgate Doncaster London St Pancras.
London commuter: Commuters into London St Pancras on the Midland Sheffield Main Line, provided by trains stopping at Corby, Dronfield Kettering, Wellingborough, Chesterfield Lincoln Bedford, Luton and Luton Collingham Airport Parkway. Newark Castle Belper Alfreton The above markets are currently Langley Mill served by the same trains. Lowdham Derby
Nottingham Beeston
East Midlands Parkway Long Eaton Loughborough
Melton Oakham Mowbray
Leicester
Market Harborough Corby
Kettering
Wellingborough
Bedford
Limited service throughout the day Luton Regular service throughout the day Limited Intercity service Luton Airport Parkway Intercity services London commuter services London St Pancras International
9 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Inter-urban eet d Road tley dnes arrington Central Hazel Grove Edale Wi W Irlam Manchester Oxfor Manchester Piccadilly Stockport Chinley Hop e Hathersage Liverpool Lime Str Liverpool South Parkway Birchwood Bamford Hunts Cross Hough Green Grindleford Dore & To Sheffield
Dronfield
Chesterfield
n eto Alfr
Langley Mill ston Ilke m
Nottingham Grantha
NetherfielRadcliffed BinghamAslocktonElton & BottesfordOrston
East Midlands Parkway Loughborough
Peterborough Melton Oakham Stamford Whittlesea Mowbray March Ely Brandon Limited service throughout the day Thetford Regular service throughout the day Harling Road Eccles Road Limited Inter-urban service Attleborough Inter-urban service Wymondham Norwich
Inter-urban: Passengers using services across the country between Norwich and Liverpool via a number of major towns and cities including Peterborough, Grantham, Nottingham, Sheffield and Manchester.
10 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Local and regional
er n
Doncaster ow Have Barton-on-HumBarr b New Holland GrimsbyGrimsby Dock Gr Cleethorp Goxhill eat Coates nton Abbey New Clee Healing Thor To wn e Stallingborough s s Gainsborough Ulceby Lea Road
Habrough
Barnetby Crewe Matlock Saxilby Worksop Alsager Matlock Bath Market Rasen Whitwell Kidsgrove Cromford Creswell Hykeham Lincoln Skegness Whatstandwell Langwith-Whaley Thorns Swinderby Longport Shirebrook Collingham Havenhouse Mansfield Woodhouse Newark Castle Stoke-on-Trent Ambergate Rolleston Mansfield Metheringham Wainfleet Fiskerton Longton Belper Sutton Parkway Newark North Gate Thorpe Culvert Kirkby-in-Ashfield Bleasby Blythe Bridge Duffield Newstead Thurgarton Ruskington Hucknall Lowdham Grantham Boston Uttoxeter Peartree Ancast Rauceby Bulwell Derby Burton Joyce Tutbury & Hatton Carlton er Hubberts Bridge Nottingham Spondon NetherfieldRadclif BinghamAslocktonElton & OrstonBottesfor Sleafor He Swineshead Beeston ck Attenborough ingto fe d d n East Midlands Parkway Spalding Loughborough Long Eaton Sileby Barrow-upon-Soar
Peterborough
Syston Limited service throughout the day Regular service throughout the day Leicester Limited local and regional service
Local and regional service
Barton-on-Humber line (to be transferred from Northern)
Local and regional: Centred on Nottingham, Derby and Lincoln providing connections to a range of regionally important destinations, as well as a large number of smaller rural locations.
11 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
East Midlands franchise These different types of services come together to form the whole East Midlands franchise.
Scarborough Leeds
York
er n
Wakefield Doncaster ow Have Westgate Barton-on-HumBarr b New Holland Grimsby Dock Gr Grimsby
Road Goxhill eat Coates
eet New Clee Healing Thornton Abbey To wn Stallingborough s tley Gainsborough Ulceby Cleethorpes Lea Road rrington Centra l
idnes field Hazel Grov e Edale Liverpool Lime Str Liverpool South Parkway W Wa Irla m Manchester Oxfo rd Manchester Piccadilly Stockpor t Chinley Hope Hathersage Hunts Cross Hough Green Birchwood Grindleford Bamfor d Dore & To Shef Habrough Langwith-Whaley Thor Barnetby W Crewe Matlock orksop Saxilby Whitwell Dr onfield Cr Market Rasen Alsager Matlock Bath esw ell Cromford Kidsgrove Chesterfield ns Lincoln Skegness Whatstandwell Sutto Hykeha Longport Kirkby-in-AshfieldMansfield Swinderby Havenhouse n Shirebrook Par Collingham m Stoke-on-Trent Ambergate Mansfield kway Woodhouse N Metheringham ewark Castle Wainfleet Newstead Rollesto Fiskerton Longton Belper Alfreton Newark North Gate Hucknall n Thorpe Culvert Blythe Bridge Duffield Bleasby Langley Mill Bulwell Ruskington Thurgarton Boston Uttoxeter R Peartree Lowdham Ancaster a uce Derby Ilkeston Burton Joyce by Tutbury & Hatton Carlton Sleaford Hubberts Bridge Nottingham Spondon He Swineshead Netherfield BinghamAslocktoEltonn &Bottesfor Orston Beeston Radcliff Grantha ck Attenborough ingto e m d n Spalding
Long Eaton Melton ough Mowbray Oakham Sileby Stamford Peterborough Loughbor Whittlesea East Midlands Parkway March Barrow-upon-Soar Syston Ely Brandon Thetford Leicester Harling Road Eccles Road Midland Main Line Attleborough Market Harborough Corby Limited Intercity service Wymondham Norwich Intercity services London commuter services
Kettering Inter-urban service Limited Inter-urban service Wellingborough Inter-urban service Bedford Local and regional service Luton Limited local and regional service
Local and regional service Luton Airport Parkway
Barton-on-Humber line (to be transferred from Northern) London St Pancras International
Limited service throughout the day Regular service throughout the day
12 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Overview The franchise services have been delivered by East Midlands Trains since 2007. This is due to continue until 4 March 2018 with an option to extend it for a further year. The Secretary of State has decided to use the full extension period, taking the franchise to 3 March 2019, and intends to make further interim agreement with East Midlands Trains, which will end in August 2019. In this document when we mention the ‘next’ or the ‘new’ franchise this refers to the one scheduled to start in August 2019. Some of the key characteristics of the franchise are set out below. In Section 4 we share a number of the challenges that have been affecting the performance of the franchise and which we expect the next operator to address.
Performance of the franchise
Punctuality and reliability of train services is assessed Passenger satisfaction against a performance measure that shows the percentage of trains that arrive at their destination 90% within five minutes of the timetabled arrival (or 88% within ten minutes for long distance services). The 86% performance of East Midlands services as a whole, 84% at the end of March each year, is shown in the chart 82% below, noting that it has been consistently above the 80% average for long distance operators. 78% 76% Train punctuality 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
East Midlands Trains Long Distance Operators 96% Source: Transport Focus 94%
92%
90% 88% Stations 86%
84% The East Midlands franchise serves 134 stations 82% 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 201420152016 2017 and operates 90. The stations that they operate comprise a mix of small and large stations from East Midlands Trains Long Distance Operators Source: ORR rural locations such as Matlock Bath and Fiskerton to city centres such as Derby, Nottingham, Sheffield Transport Focus, the independent passenger and Leicester. It also operates a small number of watchdog, carries out network-wide passenger stations where the sole train service provider is satisfaction surveys twice a year to produce the CrossCountry. Many of the smaller stations are on National Rail Passenger Survey. The chart above community rail lines, which give the local population and right, based on the autumn survey each year, a greater opportunity to support the station and indicates the proportion of passengers expressing integrate it with community activities. satisfaction with their train journeys on the East Midlands franchise, noting that it has performed broadly as well as the average of all long distance operators. 13 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Community Rail
Community engagement is an increasingly The route between Barton-on-Humber and important feature of rail franchises. The East Cleethorpes, which will transfer from the Northern Midlands network has a number of local and franchise to the new East Midlands franchise, rural routes that have been designated by the is also a designated community rail service, Department for Transport as community rail managed by the Barton to Cleethorpes Community lines and/or community rail services. These are Rail Partnership. There are a number of other supported by community rail partnerships, which community rail partnerships on lines over which the are made up of representatives from the public East Midlands franchise operates but these have and business sectors and volunteers. These their primary relationship with other operators. partnerships are funded by contributions from the train operator, local transport authorities and the Department for Transport. Heritage Rail The aim of community rail partnerships is to benefit their local community and railway through There are also a number of heritage railways connecting people with and engaging them in the around the East Midlands region, which are railway. The train operator plays an important role operating preserved lines and providing important in community rail by supporting partnerships both leisure and tourism links; in some cases these join financially and by facilitating events and activities at the community rail lines and regional network, such stations, on trains and in the wider community. This as the Peak Rail line, which joins the Derwent Valley not only increases awareness and attractiveness Line at Matlock and the Ecclesbourne Valley of local rail services, but also improves links with Railway, which joins the Derwent Valley communities and the reputation of the railway line at Duffield. industry. Each community rail partnership is led by a community rail officer who is responsible for delivering an action programme agreed with the train operator. The community rail partnerships in the East Midlands franchise are: • North Staffordshire: the North Staffordshire Line, between Crewe and Derby. • Derwent Valley Line: the Derwent Valley Line, between Derby and Matlock. • Nottingham — Skegness: the Poacher Line, between Nottingham and Skegness.
14 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Community Rail and Heritage Rail Lines
Scarborough Leeds
er n
Doncaster ow Have Barton-on-HumBarr b New Holland GrimsbyGrimsby Town Dock Gr Cleethorp Road Goxhill eat Coates eet nton Abbey New Clee Healing Thor e Stallingborough s s Ulceby Barton Line
Liverpool Lime Str Manchester Oxfo rd Sheffield
Darley Dale W Crewe Rowsley South Matlock orksop Peak Rail Alsager Matlock Bath
Kidsgrove Cromford Lincoln Skegness Whatstandwell Longport Havenhouse alley Line Stoke-on-Trent Ambergate Butterley Midland Railway Wainfleet
Longton Belper Newark North Gate North Staffordshire Line Idridgehay Thorpe Culvert Derwent V
Blythe Bridge Wirksworth Duffield Poacher Line Ecclesbourne Valley Boston Uttoxeter R Peartree Ancaster a Derby uce Langley Mill by Sleaford Tutbury & Hatton Hubberts Bridge Nottingham NetherfieldRadclifBinghaAslocktonm Elton &Bottesfor OrstonGrantham Heck Swineshead
ingto fe d n
Great Central Railway Loughborough East Ruddington Leake
Rothley Peterborough
Greenacres
Leicester
Norwich
Community Rail Line
Heritage Rail Line
London St Pancras International
15 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Recent improvements to the service
East Midlands Trains first began operating the franchise in 2007, delivering a range of improvements to the service, including: • Introducing a new train service between London • Investing in new automatic gate lines at Derby, and Corby. St. Pancras and Nottingham stations. • Introducing a direct service between London • Installing 65 additional ticket vending machines and Lincoln. across the network. • Adding a second train service per hour between • Installing over 68 additional security cameras London and Sheffield. at stations. • Rolling stock improvements, including • Adding 750 station car parking spaces additional seats on local services. across the franchise, including 100 at Market Harborough and 130 at Chesterfield.
Since 2015, as part of the current franchise, East Midlands Trains has delivered a variety of further improvements, including: New services and connections Accessibility • 24 extra weekday services, and 22 extra • £1 million invested in improving accessibility Saturday services between Nottingham and at stations, along with 29 new accessible help Newark Castle. This adds to the timetable points at unstaffed stations, linked to a 24-hour improvements introduced in 2015 that mean customer contact centre. faster journeys and more services between • Reduced booking time for travel assistance Nottingham and Lincoln on Saturdays. to 12 hours prior to the journey. • From May 2017, earlier and more frequent Sunday services are running between Lincoln Customer service and Nottingham and between Nottingham • On-train Wi-fi has been upgraded to 4G on and Matlock. the London services. Information and ticketing • Food and drink services extended to 13 trains per weekday on services between Nottingham • Additional automatic ticket machines installed and Peterborough. across the network. • Improved cleanliness of all trains. • Better customer information, with a new mobile app that allows ticket purchases. Community development • More information screens installed at stations, • Links with the community have been expanded, including London St Pancras, Leicester, Derby which includes running a schools education and Sheffield. programme and a work experience initiative.
16 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
The Old John Tower, Bradgate Park, Leicestershire
4 Challenges
17 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
4. Challenges facing the East Midlands franchise
Introduction There are a number of challenges facing the train service on the East Midlands network. Many of these are faced by other operators across the UK rail network, however some are unique to this franchise.
Infrastructure Crowded trains
• The East Midlands franchise shares parts of its • Intercity London peak services are more network with many other passenger operators crowded on this franchise than comparable and freight services. intercity services on other routes. This means some passengers are standing for some or all • The Midland Main Line between Cricklewood of their journeys. and Leicester has been designated by Network Rail as ‘congested infrastructure’, meaning • Regional services are also overcrowded, there is no capacity on existing infrastructure for particularly between Crewe and Derby, additional passenger or freight services. Newark and Grimsby, on some services formed of single-vehicles and seasonal journeys to • Network Rail requires regular access to maintain holiday destinations, such as Skegness. and enhance the network which may affect passenger services.
Long journey times Limited connectivity
• Intercity services from Nottingham, Sheffield • The current configuration of services delivers and Derby call at a number of stations to pick poor connectivity from the regional stations up commuters into London during peak times. to central transport hubs and other lines, This means that many peak services journey in particular the East Coast Main Line. times are up to 30 minutes longer than for • Stakeholders have expressed a desire for off-peak services. journey times to be improved on routes where • Intercity style trains are used to make commuter a connection is required by reducing the wait stops. These trains were not designed to be for connecting trains. used for commuter services and the increased • Infrequent services at off-peak times, combined time it takes for passengers to alight and board with limited connections, has led to a rail service at each stop leads to a longer scheduled that does not meet regional customers’ needs. journey time. • Some inter-urban and regional journeys are unpopular because they have long journey times. This may be because they also cater for local markets and are often timetabled around other services.
18 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise Albert Square, Manchester
Poor customer satisfaction
• Although punctuality on this franchise is above average when compared across the national network, it has below average passenger satisfaction amongst the long distance operators. We recognise that this is an issue which needs to be addressed. • The provision of facilities and services at stations needs to support growing passenger numbers and expectations, including better information, accessibility needs, greater safety and security, onward journey options, Wi-Fi connectivity. • All services on the East Midlands franchise currently use diesel-powered trains. Many of these trains, including some of those operating on the Midland Main Line, are older than average and don’t necessarily fit with modern expectations in facilities and comfort. Introducing modern trains will deliver benefits to passengers. East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Rutland Water
5 Upgrades
20 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
5. Planned improvements on the Midland Main Line
Introduction Upgrading the service for passengers will be a continuous focus for the operator of the next rail franchise. A significant upgrade of the Midland Main Line will be delivered within the next three years, allowing the operator to address the needs of its growing customer base and deliver a truly modern service. The new franchise operator has a key role to play in facilitating the delivery of new infrastructure and delivering the benefits the investment is funding, including the benefits delivered to passengers through a modern fleet of bi-mode trains. Bi-modes will deliver passenger benefits sooner than electrification would without the disruption from putting up wires and masts along the whole route. Mitigating the impact of construction work will need to be done in close co-operation with all parts of the wider transport system but particularly Network Rail with whom the new operator will be expected to develop a closer working relationship and set joint targets with a single, shared focus on serving the needs of passengers. In particular, the next operator of the East Midlands franchise will have to work with Network Rail to consider how to plan, consult and communicate with passengers throughout construction work, to ensure they are given the information they need to make informed and timely travel choices. Passengers should feel that their money and patronage is never taken for granted while this upgrade work is being delivered.
21 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Infrastructure development Upgrading the Midland Main Line
he ield The electrification between Kettering and Corby
ine s eed hester ield and other infrastructure enhancements between i r e ents er he ield London and Sheffield are due to complete by
ttin ha December 2019, with the new East Midlands er er franchise delivering the passenger benefits as soon re dellin eest n and as practicable after this date. resi nallin East Midlands ar a
n Eat n h r h The proposed approach is to separate the intercity and commuter markets to improve the services for
ine s eed eicester both. We expect this to: i r e ents Mar et ar r h and eicester ar et ar orough • Reduce journey times on long distance services from Nottingham and Sheffield by up to Cor Electri icati n 20 minutes, by reducing the number of calls to t r
a acit r s pick up commuters, alongside the line speed ettering ed rd t r Electric trains Ena lin th improvements. sta lin Welling orough train ath er etterin h r t nd n and addisti nal • Relieve over-crowding on all East Midlands Bed ord rei ht aths services to and from London. This will be
t n delivered through an additional train service per hour and the introduction of higher capacity e electri icati n t n ir rt ar a electric trains on commuter services. ine alread electri ied • Deliver over 1000 additional seats in a peak lat orm lengthening at e stations old text nd n t ancras nternati nal hour, an increase of more than 50%.
Rolling stock
To ensure that the enhancements deliver their full potential for all passengers we will require the next operator to come forward with plans for modern, fast, efficient and comfortable trains for the Midland Main Line, including a brand new fleet of bi-mode intercity trains able to run on both electrified and non-electrified lines. We also anticipate proposals for modern, comfortable, high quality trains suitable for serving London commuter passengers.
22 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Sheffield Town Hall
6 Our aims East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
6. Our aims for the franchise
Introduction We know that passengers want services to improve and we want to find an operator with the insight and vision to bring the benefits of these investments to fruition and drive continuous improvement throughout the period of the next franchise.
Enhance the rail industry’s contribution Look after passengers to the East Midlands economy
All passengers should feel respected through We would like to see the operator contribute the service they receive. We know that some of to the growth of the East Midlands economy. the challenges facing the franchise cannot be The franchise spans a wide geography covering addressed quickly, but we want the new operator major cities and towns, as well as rural areas, with to improve the way passengers are treated. Key many varied economic sectors. Railways exist to elements of this will be improving communication connect people and businesses, and we want the and smarter ticketing options. new operator to be proactive in engaging with all of these.
Maintain and then improve performance Work closely with stakeholders
Performance has been good, most of the time on We want the operator to work closely with Network the franchise and the East Midlands rail services Rail and other stakeholders involved in delivering are popular with users. This performance must be rail services. We believe that passengers will benefit maintained. Nevertheless, the new franchise offers through the alignment of targets and incentives a chance to run an even more reliable and punctual between Network Rail and operators. service and this will be a key test for bidders.
Deliver benefits of upgrade programme Invest in people working in the franchise
The government, with Network Rail, is investing Staff in the East Midlands franchise do a very good in routes served by the franchise, to increase job. We want this quality to be preserved and the number of seats and reduce journey times. developed. We want to ensure that people working We want the operator to make the most of this on the franchise have the information, training and when the work is done and work closely with tools they need to communicate effectively with stakeholders to minimise disruption for passengers passengers, and to create an environment they are while it is happening. proud of and enthusiastic to work in. We expect a commitment from the new operator to develop its The introduction of new bi-mode intercity trains will workforce, including employing apprentices. build on the passenger benefits delivered by the upgrade programme.
24 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Be socially responsible How do you think closer co-operation between staff in Network Rail and the operator of We expect all aspects of the franchise to be safe, the next East Midlands franchise secure and sustainable for all passengers and can be achieved? for people working on the network, including 1 meeting its equality obligations. We also want the operator to demonstrate how they will use stations effectively, putting them at the heart of the community. How can the operator of the next East Midlands franchise engage with community rail partnerships or heritage railways to support the local economy to stimulate demand for rail services in the region? Be a part of the East Midlands community 2
Rail travel is important for connecting people, business and places and we can only achieve this by Do you think that the operator working with other people and organisations in the of the train service, stations and community. We want the operator to work with East support services should take the Midlands Councils, other local authorities community following into consideration when rail partnerships, heritage railways and other local they run the franchise? stakeholders to ensure the franchise meets the • The environment? needs of the communities in the East Midlands. • Equality? • Communities in the areas they operate? If so, how should they do this? 3
25 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Nottingham Council House
7 Improvement
Nottingham 26 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
7. Options for improvement
Introduction This is a good franchise, which is generally well run. We want to maintain the quality of service and performance it already achieves. We expect quality and performance to be at the heart of the next franchise. We want the new operator to make real improvements throughout the duration of the franchise, within the constraints that exist. In particular, we would like to see the operator focus on making improvements to customer service. Below we outline some of the changes we want to see achieved which will contribute to continuing improvements for passengers.
In preparing for the new franchise, we have • Trains sufficiently frequent at the times undertaken a number of activities: passengers wish to travel. • We have worked with Transport Focus to • Free Wi-Fi available on the train. understand the improvements that passengers • Train company keeps passengers informed want to see. about delays. • We have been working closely with Network • More trains arrive on time than happens now. Rail to identify the infrastructure improvements which will be most beneficial for the East • Less frequent major unplanned disruptions Midlands network. to passengers’ journey. • We have been working closely with the East • Accurate and timely information available Midlands Councils to understand their priorities at stations. and reflect these in our plans. • Well-maintained, clean toilet facilities on We have already outlined the main challenges on every train. the East Midlands network and we have been • Inside of train is maintained and cleaned to working to bring together the different components a high standard. to achieve a solution that will result in a better service for passengers. Research carried out for Taking account of these priorities, we have Transport Focus3 indicates that passengers’ top considered the improvements that the new ten priorities for improvement for the East Midlands operator could be asked to implement during the franchise are: course of the next franchise and we would like to hear your views on them. These are set out on the • Price of train tickets offers better value following pages. for money. • Passengers always able to get a seat on the train.
3. www.transportfocus.org.uk/research-publications/publications/rail-passengers-priorities-simulator-2014/ 27 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
To reduce long We want to reduce journey times on intercity services, which are distance journey longer during the peak hours compared with off-peak. We also times on the want to give everyone a seat. Do you agree with our proposed Midland Main Line approach, which could reduce At the moment all passengers on the Midland Main Line travel on journey times on long distance the same intercity trains. This means that passengers travelling to services and increase the London from South Yorkshire and the East Midlands have much likelihood of getting a seat? longer journey times during the peak because intercity trains also serve stations closer to London to pick up commuters. 4 Commuters travelling to London from Kettering currently receive a frequent peak service, with up to five trains an hour. However, because the trains are carrying passengers from further north some people do not get a seat. On northbound peak journeys, passengers are often unable to get a seat until after the commuters travelling shorter distances have disembarked. We recognise that there are distinct intercity and London commuter markets on the Midland Main Line and want to improve the overall service offered to both. We are investing in building new track in order to increase the number of services on this route and enable a better service for passengers. An option we are considering to improve intercity journey times between Sheffield (via Derby), Nottingham and London St Pancras is to not stop as often at stations used by commuters, such as Luton, Bedford, Wellingborough and Kettering. Passengers at these stations would instead be served by dedicated high quality commuter trains operating on the Corby – London route. In sum our proposals will enable the next franchise to: • Reduce journey times on the peak-time intercity long distance services by up to 20 minutes. • Relieve over-crowding on all East Midlands services to and from London. • Introduce higher capacity trains, up to 12 carriages long, on dedicated commuter services. • Deliver over 1000 additional seats an hour in the peak into London, an increase of more than 50%.
28 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
Stopping patterns on the Midland Main Line Although we intend to deliver faster journeys and introduce more What are your suggestions seats, we recognise that the proposed changes have the potential about how to mitigate the to inconvenience some passengers. Whilst they may result in some potential loss of some direct stations having more train services an hour at peak times compared services between Oakham, to today other stations would have fewer services. However, Melton Mowbray and London? overall, the revised timetable and introduction of modern, longer trains would increase the number of available seats at peak hours, 5 reducing overcrowding and making journeys more comfortable. For example, at the moment a lot of southbound intercity trains call at Kettering but they are full by the time they get there. Our proposals mean that fewer peak time intercity trains would stop at Kettering – and none would call at Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton or Luton Airport Parkway – reducing the overcrowding on those intercity services. Instead, in the peak hour, Kettering, Wellingborough, Bedford, Luton and Luton Airport Parkway would be served by trains that started their journey in Corby. Although the service at peak time would be less frequent, far more seats would be available meaning more capacity and a better commuting experience for all passengers. Additionally, Kettering and Corby would get an increase in off-peak services. Another consequence of our proposals would be that (apart from intercity journeys starting or ending at St Pancras) journeys between destinations north and south of Kettering (e.g. Luton Airport to Nottingham or Leicester to Wellingborough) would no longer have direct through-trains. Passengers would instead potentially have to change at Kettering. Thameslink services consultation Separately, Govia Thameslink Railway is consulting on the possible implications of a new timetable for the Thameslink services using parts of the East Midlands network, which is due to start in May 2018. This consultation is available at www.transformingrail.com and will end on 27 July 2017. Oakham and Melton Mowbray A consequence of operating electric trains between London and Corby could be the loss of direct services between London and Oakham and Melton Mowbray as there are no plans to electrify beyond Corby on this route.
29 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
To increase the total We know that the number of people travelling on East Midlands number of seats for services will rise and some services are already very crowded, in passengers particular at peak times. For example, peak services to and from What are the particular services, St Pancras are more overcrowded than those of any other intercity routes and times of day when operator into London. In order to address this, options may include: you think additional seats for passengers are most needed? • Introducing intercity Midland Main Line trains with more seats. • Introducing high quality trains suitable for the long distance 6 London commuter market on the Corby and Kettering routes, with up to 12 carriages. • Using longer trains on the inter-urban and local routes, where the infrastructure allows. These options would increase the number of seats on key parts of the network. We will encourage bidders to develop solutions so that the network can carry more seated passengers than it does today.
To rearrange/ We know that the right interior layout of trains can have a positive redesign/adapt train effect on passenger’s journey experience. We will encourage Which on-board facilities, in order interiors bidders to introduce modern trains across the rail network to of preference (these are listed improve comfort and capacity. Some options that are being in the response form), are most considered are: important to you: • Providing modern, comfortable carriages suitable for the • On short distance journeys intercity market. (up to 60 minutes)? • Providing modern, comfortable, high quality carriages suitable • On long distance journeys for dedicated commuter services. (over 60 minutes)? • Changing the interior design on other routes to meet the needs of passengers. 7
What other on-board facilities should be: • Introduced? • Improved? 8
30 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
To offer journeys that We recognise that the current timetable could be changed to meet your needs improve connections across and beyond the East Midlands How could your local train network and also with other train services, such as East Coast services be changed to better Main Line. meet your current and future We understand the importance the railway also plays in connecting needs? (A number of options are people to jobs and business as well as shopping and leisure listed in the response form). destinations, to sports and entertainment events. We will encourage bidders to think about improvements that can 9 be made across the network to improve connections on the East Midlands network, with other train operators and with other forms of transport. What additional train services This could include: would you wish to see provided in the next franchise? • Better connections to the East Coast Main Line, for example from Lincoln and Nottingham. 10 • Better connections within regions, for example by introducing a connected timetable for both local journeys within Lincolnshire and regional journeys to/from neighbouring counties. Do you support the proposal • Changes to the stopping pattern of trains. to reopen the line between Shirebrook and Ollerton to • Additional trains in the early morning, late evening and passenger trains? If so, what on Sundays. sources of investment could be A proposal has been made by Nottinghamshire County Council identified to fund this proposal? to reopen a railway line from Shirebrook to Ollerton for use by passenger trains. This line is currently used only by freight traffic 11 and as a test track and connects to the existing passenger railway between Nottingham and Worksop. Reopening the branch line Do you think that the current to passenger traffic would require the renovation and reopening number of services on the Midland of two former railway stations, construction of a new station at Main Line to and from Luton Ollerton and reopening the relevant track for passenger use. Airport Parkway is adequate? 12 To improve airport Currently, East Midlands Trains provides one train an hour to and connectivity from London St Pancras that calls at Luton Airport Parkway. This is in addition to the six trains per hour provided by Thameslink. East Would you like additional fast Midlands services take 20 minutes to Luton Airport Parkway, while trains from London each hour to the fastest Thameslink service takes 33 minutes. call at Luton Airport Parkway if this meant that, as a trade-off: Providing additional East Midlands fast trains to Luton Airport Parkway might only be possible by reducing the number of stops • Some services are withdrawn elsewhere, such as at Luton itself. from other stations, such as Luton? The slower, Thameslink services are accessible from a greater • Journey times to other number of Central London stations compared to the East Midlands stations may increase? services, which start from and terminate St Pancras only. • Freight capacity and/or The East Midlands franchise provides access to a number of other frequency is reduced? regional airports including East Midlands, Liverpool John Lennon, 13 Manchester and Norwich. We understand that the connectivity and journey opportunities between the railway and the airports could be improved. For example, trains that serve some of these How could the train service be locations do not always have sufficient space for luggage. better at meeting the needs of passengers travelling to and from airports within the East Midlands franchise? 14
31 East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
To improve the We want to improve the service on the Liverpool – Norwich route service offering on to meet the needs of the different markets which it currently serves. the Liverpool This could include providing faster journeys for those travelling long What ideas do you have for – Norwich route distances and dedicated services for local passengers. improving the current service on the Liverpool – Norwich route? Throughout most of the day, trains call at a consistent set of core stations. However, at peak times, additional stops are made at 15 smaller stations such as Chinley, Dronfield and Bottesford. These stops provide local capacity and connectivity, but slow down longer distance journeys and make the service irregular.
An option to improve the speed and consistency of the service Would you support changing the would be to review alternative arrangements for serving these destinations served by the existing smaller stations. This might include enhancing local services Birmingham – Stansted Airport so that these additional stops are no longer required on long service, such as serving Norwich distance journeys. instead of Stansted Airport? At the eastern end of the route, options might exist to provide 16 direct services between Nottingham and a wider range of stations in East Anglia, such as Cambridge and Stansted Airport. Some options could also result in changes to the destinations served by the existing Birmingham to Stansted Airport service currently operated by the Cross Country franchise.
To optimise the We have already described in Section 3 how the Barton-on-Humber to routes covered by Cleethorpes route will be transferred from Northern into the next East Are you in favour of these route the East Midlands Midlands franchise. changes? Please also give your franchise We do not usually transfer services between operators unless the reasons. benefits of so doing would clearly outweigh the costs and disruption • Liverpool – Norwich. for companies and staff involved. Transferring services can play a part in encouraging innovative service patterns that meet the needs • Birmingham – Nottingham. of a changing market rather than preserving by default those service • Birmingham – Leicester/ patterns that existed at the time of privatisation. Stansted. 17
Would you like to see any other routes transferred to or from the East Midlands franchise? If so, which routes? 18
32 Public Consultation | East Midlands Rail Franchise
Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
Liverpool – Norwich • A transfer of part of the Liverpool to Norwich service to the TransPennine Express franchise, potentially including a split of the services at Nottingham or Sheffield. The route serves different markets along its length. In East Anglia, its main function is as a connection to the East Coast Main Line at Peterborough. In the East Midlands it links Grantham and Nottingham and provides a through service to cities in the North West. Transferring this service to TransPennine Express could offer: −− A more efficient, cohesive service between cities on the western section of the route (Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield), with similar rolling stock and a consistent on-board service. −− More flexible journey opportunities within each franchise area. If the service is split, this will mean passengers may need to change trains for journeys between certain stations. Alternative options could include: −− A partial transfer, with the majority of services terminating at Nottingham or Sheffield, but with a limited through service maintained on some or all of the rest of the route. −− Or overlapping services provided by each operator. Birmingham – Nottingham • A transfer of the local Birmingham to Nottingham service from the Cross Country franchise to the East Midlands franchise. This could: −− Facilitate the restoration of some through trains; e.g. between Lincoln and Birmingham. Birmingham – Leicester/Stansted • A transfer of the Birmingham to Leicester/Stansted Airport services from the Cross Country franchise to the East Midlands franchise. This could: −− Allow bidders flexibility to offer new services, e.g. Norwich – Birmingham or from East Midlands stations to Cambridge/ Stansted Airport. −− Mean the East Midlands franchise overall would be more focused on its core geographic area. The routes covered by the East Midlands franchise could also change by introducing passenger services over freight-only routes.
To improve services The option of increasing the frequency of train services in in Lincolnshire Lincolnshire is being considered. As a consequence level crossing barriers will be down more frequently, especially those in Lincoln Do you support increasing the city centre. frequency of train services in Lincolnshire despite the impact this may have on level crossing users? 19
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Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
To improve facilities We believe it is important for facilities at stations to be upgraded and access at for the benefit of passengers. This could include: How can we improve all aspects stations • Better connection with other forms of transport such as buses, of your door-to-door journey trams, taxis and air travel. experience? • Improved car parking facilities. 20 • Better cycle storage. • Improved security. • Better toilet facilities, including for people with disabilities. What more could be done to • Improved environmental sustainability at stations. improve access to, and provide facilities at stations, including • Better use of stations for community and commercial/ for those with disabilities or retail purposes. additional needs? In addition, we want to make stations accessible for passengers, particularly those with additional needs. For example we would like 21 to see solutions to improve: • Access or interchange for people with accessibility needs. How could the next franchise • The passenger assistance scheme. operator make better use of stations for community and commercial purposes? 22
To improve and Ticketing simplify fares and Ticket buying habits are changing with more people purchasing What could be done to improve ticketing from ticket machines and increasingly on smart media rather than the way tickets are sold and buying at the station ticket office. provided? We want to: 23 • Provide passengers with widespread and easy access to the full range of tickets. • Ensure that they have all the information they need to select and purchase the most appropriate ticket for their journey. What changes to the fares The future operator will be expected to work with partners to structure would be of benefit introduce more modern ways for people to pay for their journeys, to you? such as pay as you go or barcode solutions. 24 This includes: making greater use of technology; improving station ticket retailing; and considering the role staff play in providing the best possible passenger experience. Fares We expect the next operator to ensure that passengers will be able to access a clear, fair and consistent fares structure when they buy their tickets. We want the options around prices and tickets to be designed to suit the changing needs of passengers, for example those who commute part-time.
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Option for What we propose to do Questions for you improvement
Closer connection We want passengers to be better informed and will encourage to passengers bidders to propose improvements to passenger information by incorporating new methods of communication, including live train What additional information would service updates and information from smart technology to enable be useful to you when planning the planning of complete journeys. This could include information or making your journey, such as about levels of crowding on board. seat availability, journey times and connections? How would you like Transport Focus’s research has shown that passengers like staff to it to be communicated to you? be available and visible on the rail network, for example to assist with vulnerable or disabled passengers, provide information and act as 25 a deterrent to anti-social behaviour. We will encourage bidders to suggest ways to increase the availability and visibility of staff on the network where they can add most benefit to passengers. How could staff be more effective in providing the service and assistance that passengers need on a modern railway network?
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To provide improved We will require the next operator to produce a regular information on report showing: How would you prefer the next performance • How it is meeting your priorities. operator to engage with: • Its performance. • You as an individual? • How it is meeting targets such as crowding and reliability. • Your organisation We will ask bidders to make suggestions about improvements (if applicable)? to the passenger feedback system, the way passengers give 27 feedback and then receive responses to their queries.
To improve security We know that personal security is a high priority for passengers and safety on trains and staff working on the railway. Bidders will have to develop What would make you feel safer and at stations their proposals for improving safety and security on trains and at and more secure on your journey stations. This could include: in relation to: • Use of better CCTV coverage. • Trains? • Improved lighting. • Routes? • Closer working with the British Transport Police. • Stations? We want to hear your views on where the main safety and security • Other? issues are. 28
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The old Grammar school in Market Harborough
8 Bringing it all together
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8. Our vision for the future
Britain’s railways have evolved tremendously over the past 20 years. There are more trains, carrying more passengers, more reliably. But, as a result, much of the railway is operating on the edge of what it can cope with because of the capacity constraints. For example, on the East Midlands network there is much more crowding on morning peak services into London and on inter-urban services north of Nottingham. If and when things go wrong, the impact can be rapid and widespread and the recovery time can be significant.
Working with Network Rail
The railway needs to adapt and change to be able railway closer together. It will mean that it is much to cope with the growth already experienced, and easier to focus on providing the best service to that which lies ahead. That means doing some passengers, and meet the challenges of today’s things differently to help passengers. network. Whether it is planning maintenance or enhancements, putting in place improvements It means: that can fit in an extra service on a crowded route, • Continuing to deliver a steady programme or responding to a problem on the network, the of improvements and enhancements. railway is much better operated by one joined-up • Integrated planning to deliver an improved team of people. This new franchise is the right passenger service to keep track and signals moment to bring things closer together and we are running well. exploring how this could happen, exploring how the train operator can form an integrated operating • Looking at ways of running more trains to more team with Network Rail, jointly incentivised to places and making journeys, that are difficult deliver the best possible service for passengers. today, easier. We could also require the operator and network • Harnessing new technology to improve the rail to continuously improve the whole passenger ways our railways work. experience. This will mean adopting good business • Reducing costs across the East Midlands network. practice and ensuring that the operator is not working to a rigid franchise specification. This could Anything that gets in the way of this should be include regular reviews of the timetable to ensure fixed. It is clear that while Network Rail and the that it meets passengers’ changing needs, and a current operator of the East Midlands franchise commitment to optimise the timetable to provide a have worked hard to join up their operations, the reliable service with trains that are as frequent and structure and framework of franchising means that fast as possible. not all their priorities are the same. We are going to bring the operation of track and train on the
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New routes to investment New routes
Not everything can change in the new franchise. Much of the East Midlands network runs to a Transforming a partly-Victorian, fast growing railway timetable pattern set many decades ago and will take time and work cannot come at the price of follows old patterns of demand. People want to disrupting the day-to-day service. However, that is travel on routes that are currently not well served not a reason for holding back essential investment. by rail, with services either too slow or too few. This franchise offers a chance to reshape the Some investment will come through established railways of the East Midlands to serve this growing mechanisms. Now is the time to look to new ways region better. of bringing in improvements. This should include new models of private funding, of the kind common We will consider options for new routes and in other forms of infrastructure. connections, and we will explore other options where these deliver passenger benefits and value The Department is looking to rail operators and for money for the taxpayer. other parts of the private sector to propose models which could bring in better services for passengers. This could include longer, concession-style franchises and specific investment in key projects. The recently announced East West rail line, running How do you think more from Oxford to Cambridge, has demonstrated the investment might be put into the government’s commitment to seek private sector railways to match money already funding to design, build and operate routes that coming from government through have traditionally been the responsibility of Network Network Rail? Rail. We will build on this and encourage innovative 29 proposals for private sector funding, including from the train operator and wider industry. This could range from upgrading and sharing in the success of part of the East Midlands network, including Are there any other areas that you think it is important for infrastructure, through to providing new shops in us to consider that have not stations. Proposals will be judged on whether they already been discussed in this deliver improvements to passengers and value for consultation? money for the taxpayer. 30
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Ely Cathedral
New technology and innovation
The next East Midlands franchise is currently expected to run until at least 2026. By then, technology and work patterns will be different from those of today. More people, for instance, may want to travel outside traditional commuting hours, work partly from home, or travel to new centres of employment. We are therefore considering more radical, new approaches to transforming the service provided on the East Midlands network. The train operator must adapt to make the most of technology, including delivering ambitious plans for smart ticketing. Technology has been used in many industries to drive rapid change, and we expect the train operator to use it to improve services. We also expect bidders to explain how they will modernise and simplify the journey experience through the use of technology and best practice from other industries. There is an opportunity for the East Midlands network to work with Network Rail to explore the use of the Digital Railway. Improvements such as new in-cab signalling systems could allow much more efficient use of rolling stock and could be funded jointly with outside organisations. Better capacity on the railway should not come only from new trains. By running existing trains faster and more frequently we should be able to deliver a more efficient rail service. Digital traffic management systems could also benefit passengers by providing live train running information and help the operator restore services more quickly after incidents, and make more efficient use of rolling stock and train crew. East Midlands Rail Franchise | Public Consultation
Annex A – Consultation questions 1. How do you think closer co-operation 8. What other on-board facilities should be: between staff in Network Rail and the • Introduced? operator of the next East Midlands franchise can be achieved? • Improved? 2. How can the operator of the next East 9. How could your local train services be Midlands franchise engage with community changed to better meet your current and rail partnerships or heritage railways to future needs? (A number of options are support the local economy to stimulate listed in the response form). demand for rail services in the region? 10. What additional services would you wish to 3. Do you think that the operator of the train see provided in the next franchise? service, stations and support services should take the following into consideration 11. Do you support the proposal to reopen when they run the franchise: the line between Shirebrook and Ollerton to passenger trains? If so, what sources of • The environment? investment could be identified to fund • Equality? this proposal? • Communities in the areas they operate? 12. Do you think that the current number of If so, how should they do this? services on the Midland Main Line to and from Luton Airport Parkway is adequate? 4. Do you agree with our proposed approach, which could reduce journey times on 13. Would you like additional fast trains from long distance services and increase the London each hour to call at Luton Airport likelihood of getting a seat? Parkway if this meant that, as a trade-off: 5. What are your suggestions about how • Some services are withdrawn from other to mitigate the potential loss of some stations, such as Luton? direct services between Oakham, Melton • Journey times to other stations Mowbray and London? may increase? 6. What are the particular services, routes • Freight capacity and/or frequency and times of day when you think additional is reduced? seats for passengers are most needed? 14. How could the train service be better at 7. Which on-board facilities in order of meeting the needs of passengers travelling preference (these are listed in the response to and from the airports within the East form), are most important to you: Midlands franchise? • On short distance journeys (up to 60 minutes). • On long distance journeys (over 60 minutes). ?
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15. What ideas do you have for improving 25. What additional information would be the current service on the Liverpool – useful to you when planning or making Norwich route? your journey, such as seat availability, journey times and connections? How 16. Would you support changing the would you like it to be communicated destinations served by the existing to you? Birmingham – Stansted Airport service, such as serving Norwich instead of 26. How could staff be more effective in providing Stansted Airport? the service and assistance that passengers need on a modern railway network? 17. Are you in favour of these route changes: • Liverpool – Norwich. 27. How would you prefer the next operator to engage with: • Birmingham – Nottingham. • You as an individual? • Birmingham – Leicester/Stansted. • Your organisation (if applicable)? 18. Would you like to see any other routes transferred to or from the East Midlands 28. What would make you feel safer and more franchise? If so, which routes? secure on your journey in relation to: • Trains? 19. Do you support increasing the frequency of train services in Lincolnshire despite the • Routes? impact this may have on level crossing users? • Stations? 20. How can we improve all aspects of your • Other? door-to-door journey experience? 29. How do you think more investment might 21. What more could be done to improve be put into the railways to match money access to, and provide facilities at stations, already coming from government through including for those with disabilities or Network Rail? additional needs? 30. Are there any other areas that you think it is 22. How could the next franchise operator important for us to consider that have not make better use of stations for community already been discussed in this consultation? and commercial purposes? 23. What could be done to improve the way tickets are sold and provided? 24. What changes to the fares structure would be of benefit to you?
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Lincoln Cathedral
9 What will happen next
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9. What will happen next
The Procurement Process
The Franchising Schedule The Department for Transport’s rail franchising programme works as part of a wider aim to create a world-class railway that creates opportunity for people and businesses. We want to reward train operating companies who help us to improve rail services for passengers by offering a cost-effective, value for money train service. Details of our rail franchising programme are available online at: www.gov.uk/government/collections/rail-franchising We are holding a competition to find an operator to run the East Midlands franchise from August 2019. Working closely with East Midlands Councils, we are starting to decide what we want the new franchise to do for its passengers. Your responses to this consultation will help us decide what we ask for from the new operator in our Invitation to Tender. This will inform the bidders’ responses when they are submitting their proposals to operate the rail service. This consultation document gives you more information about the franchise so that you can help us to put together a specification identifying what the new operator should provide.
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We expect the process for the award of the new contract to work like this:
Jul 17 20 July – 11 October 2017 Public consultation Aug 17
Oct 17
Feb 18
April 2018 May 18 Issue Invitation to Tender to bidders
Aug 18 July 2018 Receipt of bids
Nov 18
Feb 19 Spring 2019 April 19 Contract award to winning bidder
August 2019 Aug 19 Start of the new franchise
The competition timeline The planned timeline for the competition is set out in we also ensure that bids are financially robust and the diagram above. offer value for money to the taxpayer. Once the consultation has closed, responses will be We encourage bids that are ambitious in their considered and then: attempts to improve the punctuality, quality and reliability of services. At the same time, we aim to • Used to inform what we ask for from shortlisted discourage bids that are overly optimistic, either in bidders in the Invitation to Tender. their assessment of costs and revenues or in the • Provided to bidders as information to help inform deliverability of improvements. and improve their bid. Once a winning bid has been identified, the contract Following the publication of the Invitation to Tender is awarded. The new train operating company then bidders will then submit their proposals. We consider has a period of months to get everything in place, both price and quality (which includes deliverability) ready to start operating services for passengers on as part of the evaluation of the proposals (to establish day one of the new franchise. the most economically advantageous tender);
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How to respond
Important information The consultation period runs for 12 weeks If you are responding as an individual, any personal from 20 July 2017 to 11 October 2017. details you are able to provide will help strengthen the evidence base as we develop our proposals You can respond: and respond to the suggestions made, including: Online at: • Your first name and surname. bit.ly/east-midlands-consultation • The first half of your postcode. By email: [email protected] • Your nearest station (this is not necessarily the one you use the most). In writing: • Where you normally travel from and to on East Midlands Consultation Co-ordinator the train. Department for Transport 2/21 Great Minster House • The times when you most regularly travel 33 Horseferry Road on the train. London • How often you travel on the train. SW1P 4DR • The reason why you make your most regular Please make sure that your response reaches rail journey – such as when you are travelling to us before the closing date as we will not be able work, for leisure, or when you are on business. to consider responses received later. If you would like further copies of this consultation • If you have any particular accessibility needs; document you can contact us using the methods these might include needing wheelchair access, described above if you would like alternative pushchair access, English not being your first formats (Braille, audio CD etc). language, or if you are blind or partially sighted, or have capability impairments. When responding, please tell us whether you are acting as an individual member of the public or When we are looking at your replies, and writing representing the views of an organisation or group. the Invitation to Tender, we will have regard to the If responding on behalf of a larger organisation public sector equality duty created by the Equality please make it clear who the organisation Act 2010, which requires that public bodies have represents and, where applicable, how the views of due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, its members were assembled. advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities. For more information please see www.gov.uk/guidance/equality-act-2010-guidance
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Freedom of Information and Data Protection
• Information provided in response to this • We will process your personal data in consultation, including personal information, accordance with the Data Protection Act may be subject to publication or disclosure in 1998 and in the majority of circumstances this accordance with the Freedom of Information will mean that your personal data will not be Act 2000 (FOIA) or the Environmental Information disclosed to third parties. Individual consultation Regulations 2004. responses may be shared with bidders in an anonymised format as part of the franchise • If you want information that you provide to be competition and/or in preparing a response to treated as confidential, please be aware that, this consultation. under the FOIA, there is a statutory Code of Practice with which public authorities must • By providing personal data in response to this comply and which deals, amongst other things, consultation, you consent to the Department with obligations of confidence. for Transport, or third parties contracted to the Department for Transport, processing your • In view of this it would be helpful if you could personal data for the purpose of analysing explain to us why you regard the information responses to this consultation. you have provided as confidential. If we receive a request for disclosure of the information, we • It would be very helpful to the Department for will take full account of your explanation, but we Transport if, as part of its analysis of responses cannot give an assurance that confidentiality can to this consultation, it was able to take into be maintained in all circumstances. An automatic account certain sensitive personal data that confidentiality disclaimer generated by your IT you may wish to provide in response to this system will not, of itself, be regarded as binding consultation, for example details of any disability on the Department for Transport. you have. In providing your responses to the Department for Transport by email or post please indicate whether you consent to the Department for Transport, or third parties contracted to the Department for Transport, processing your sensitive personal data for the purposes of analysing responses to this consultation.
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Consultation events
During the consultation period a series of public events will take place, allowing anyone to come along and ask questions about the proposals for the next East Midlands franchise. A full list of the events is available on our website at bit.ly/east-midlands-consultation. If you wish to attend any of these events, please write before the date of the event to the East Midlands Consultation Co-ordinator at the Department for Transport (the address is given below), or email us at: [email protected].
What will happen next? Consultation principles A summary of responses will be included in the The consultation is being conducted in line with the Stakeholder Briefing Document to be published government’s key consultation principles. Further alongside the Invitation to Tender planned for information is available at: April 2018 at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/consultation- www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ principles-guidance department-for-transport If you have any comments about the consultation Paper copies will be available on request. process please contact: If you have questions about this consultation, Consultation Co-ordinator please contact: Department for Transport Zone 1/29 East Midlands Consultation Co-ordinator Great Minster House Department for Transport 33 Horseferry Road 2/21 Great Minster House London 33 Horseferry Road SW1P 4DR London SW1P 4DR [email protected] 0300 330 3000 (switchboard) [email protected]
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