The RAGES Rag SUMMER 2019, Issue 73

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

left: RAGES Vice-Chairman Barrie Forrest BEM is pictured at Waverley about to board the official LNER train to launch the new Azuma service north of York on July 31st.. (Photograph: Barrie Forrest)

Follow us on: Website www.rages.org.uk Twitter @RailActionGrpES www.facebook.com/RailActionGroup New LNER Azuma Trains

NEW LNER AZUMA TRAINS Barrie writes:- Then we were entertained by the “I received a invitation from Red Hot Chilli Pipers which RAGES Vice-Chairman Barrie LNER to attend the official everybody enjoyed. Forrest BEM was recently invited Azuma launch at Waverley Our train journey took us from to be present on the special train to Station on July 31st which I Edinburgh to Berwick and back. launch the new LNER Azuma train accepted. We were not allowed off the train services north of York. These trains Prior to our train journey David at Berwick as it was just stopped had earlier started operating trains Horne MD of LNER gave an long enough to let the driver from Kings Cross to Leeds at the update on Azuma and design of start of the new timetable in April. the new tartan for the staff. (continued on p2)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. New LNER Azuma Trains 2. Galas 3. RAGES Annual General Meeting 2019 4. and Reston Station Updates 5. Station Second Platform 6. Rail Network and Climate Change 7. Dunbar Station Passenger Count 8. TransportFocus Passenger Survey Spring 2019 9. Service Disruptions 10. Station 25th Anniversary 11. Line Overcrowding & Parking

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New LNER Azuma Trains We were all given goody bags on (concluded from p1) arrival back in Edinburgh. My thanks to LNER for their kind change ends for the return invitation and to the onboard journey. On board we were train crew.” served with drinks and goodies to eat. We were also able to (right: The 17:30 ex-London take photographs. (Kings Cross), the first Azuma Like everyone on board we to stop at Dunbar following the enjoyed the day very much and start of the new service on 1st look forward to travelling on August. Azuma in the coming months. Photograph: John Yellowlees)

East Lothian Galas

EAST LOTHIAN GALAS considerable interest was shown, resulting in 10 new members Each summer, a number of recruited. local gala days are held around East Lothian and The Borders. ST. ABBS LIFEBOAT DAY These are a good opportunity for RAGES to provide a display St Abbs Lifeboat Day was on 3rd stand in order to both answer August. Committee members Tom questions about our aims, and Thorburn and Barrie Forrest were to campaign for new members. present at the RAGES stand. Both The one question which was confirmed that the day had gone asked by most visitors to RAGES extremely well, with no less than 23 stands was “When are we going new members joining. to get new stations built”? Reports on this year’s galas are RESTON GALA given below. th Reston Gala was on 18 August. EAST LINTON GALA Due to bad weather, the Gala had to be moved into the village hall as the East Linton Gala Day was on park surface was very wet. RAGES 8th June; however, RAGES still were able to meet many local unfortunately did not attend the people and tell them about the event due to adverse weather. progress of our stations, and 4 new members joined. We look forward to DUNBAR LIFEBOAT DAY the day when Reston station will be open.

Dunbar Lifeboat Day was held top:RAGES stand at the on 13th July, but, owing to EAST LINTON COMMUNITY unavailability of any committee FAIR Coldingham Gala. members due to holiday Photograph: Barrie Forrest commitments, RAGES were East Linton Community Fair was held on 25th August. Committee again unable to attend. centre:RAGES stand at the Reston members Barrie Forrest and Harald Gala. COLDINGHAM GALA Vox were assisted at the RAGES stand by Reston RAGES member Mary Photograph: Allison Cosgrove Coldingham Gala took place on Hastings, and reported that 28th July. Committee members considerable interest was shown, bottom: RAGES stand at the East Barrie Forrest and Ian Bowman resulting in 8 new members (pictured) manned the RAGES recruited. Linton Community Fair. stand, and reported that Photograph: Barrie Forrest

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RAGES Annual General Meeting 2019 The 2019 RAGES Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 18th September at Reston Village Hall, 7 for 7.30pm RAGES members & members of the public are encouraged to attend.

Special Guest Speaker: Lawrence Shackman Head of Rail Projects and Technical Services,Transport Scotland

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East Linton and Reston Station Updates

EAST LINTON AND RESTON a progress report and who will a further update on ’s STATION UPDATES represent you at our AGM. commitment to delivering the two Kind regards stations early in CP6, the Since the last issue of the RAG, Tom” following e-mail was received:- RAGES Chairman Tom Thorburn and Vice-Chairman Barrie Tom Thorburn 8/8/2019 (email) Forrest have been pressing the Chairman “Network Rail is progressing the Transport Minister for an update Rail Action Group, East of Scotland design for both stations and you on the plans for the re-opening are correct that negotiations of East Linton stations. This has 27/6/2019 (email) regarding the land required for involved several exchanges of “Dear Mr Thorburn, Reston Station are progressing. In emails, and the content of these Thank you for your email of May addition, Network Rail and emails is given below in 2019 to the Cabinet Secretary for Transport Scotland are also chronological order. Transport, Infrastructure meeting regularly with both Local and Connectivity. As this is a matter Authorities to progress the design 27/5/2019 (email) for Transport Scotland, I have been work. “Dear Minister, asked to respond. Alongside this, timetable analysis We last met on the 24th January I have discussed the status of the is underway as part of the East to discuss the early progress of planning application with Network Coast Event Steering Group East Linton and Reston Stations Rail, who are progressing the detailed (ECESG) to identify opportunities within Control Period 6. At that design for East Linton Station. to provide an acceptable timetable meeting you could not put a date Network Rail and Transport Scotland for potential passengers while on when our Stations would officials have met with officials from understanding the potential open but assured us that it would East Lothian Council and Scottish service conflicts, franchise be early in CP6. As has been the Borders Council separately on commitments and operator norm at meetings to discuss several occasions to progress the aspirations. these Stations, we are always detailed design for the new stations at Once the design is further promised regular updates. Given East Linton and Reston. The land advanced and timetable analysis is that it is four months since we required for the new rail station at complete, we hope to be able to met, we enquire to what East Linton currently remains under provide indicative dates for works progress has been made? We the ownership of East Lothian commencing and service are aware that Network Rail has Council. Negotiations in respect of commencement.” submitted a planning application the land required for Reston Station to East Lothian Council for East are progressing. Network Rail advise In addition to the above, a Linton Station but sadly no such that until the detailed designs for each Members debate was held in the application has been submitted station are further advanced, a Scottish Parliament during w/e to Scottish Borders Council for planning application for either station 31/5/2019, during which Paul Reston Station. Ideally we would cannot be submitted as these detailed Wheelhouse MSP made the like to meet again with yourself designs are required to support the following statement:- for this update. planning applications. “On Reston and East Linton, I On a separate matter, RAGES I can confirm Lawrence Shackman, assure Rachael Hamilton that the Secretary, Allison Cosgrove Head of Rail Projects and Technical wrote to invite you to speak at Services, will be attending the AGM. commitment made by the Scottish ministers to the delivery of Reston our AGM on 18th September. Please contact Lawrence’s PA, Sadly your office wrote to say Robert Wilson at and East Linton stations as early you were unavailable but a [email protected] as practicable within control period 6 is unwavering. Detailed senior representative from to make the necessary arrangements. Transport Scotland would attend Yours Sincerely, design and timetable analysis is on-going. Until both are on your behalf. The Committee Lindsay Williamson” and members alike are very keen completed, no firm date for to know who will be speaking at Mr Lindsay Williamson construction or opening can be given. Rachael Hamilton might this year's AGM as we feel that Communications & Correspondence this meeting will reveal the Officer know that the east coast line capacity study is due to be 'Good News' which has been a Rail Projects and Technical Services long time in coming. published soon; it will inform the construction window that can be I look forward to hearing from In response to a request by RAGES for you as to when we can meet for used for development of the stations.” Page 4 of 8

Dunbar Station Second Platform

DUNBAR STATION SECOND more services on the route in the On 23rd July, a letter was sent by PLATFORM future. Network Rail to local residents If any constituents or residents and stakeholders, giving details of Work is now in progress on the have any questions or concerns forthcoming work and apologising construction of Dunbar station’s during the works they can call our in advance for noise and second platform. Network Rail 24-hr helpline on 03457 11 41 41 disturbance, particularly during issued the following notice or contact us via our website the night and at weekends. regarding the work in May:- www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus. Anyone affected should contact “Network Rail, and main Network Rail, either using their Further information on the project contractor Amco, will begin work 24-hour phone line on 03457 can be found at on Dunbar’s new second platform 114141, or via their website at:- www.networkrail.co.uk/DunbarSt from next week (Tuesday, May 7). ” Construction work on the project ation. www.networkrail.co.uk/contactus will be ongoing from May until early 2020, with the new platform being operational from December 2019. (right: Initial Engineers will be on-site at preparation work for Dunbar from next Tuesday construction of establishing a project office and Dunbar station compound ahead of the start of platform 2 in early construction work at the station. May Throughout May work will take Photograph: Barrie place to clear vegetation and Forrest) redundant structures and track to make way for the new infrastructure. The project will deliver a new, 271m-long second platform and a fully-accessible steel footbridge, with sandstone clad lift towers. (left:.Excavation The new platform will provide increas ed capacity and improve work for the new operational flexibility as currently footbridge linking all northbound and southbound platform 1 and services have to use the same platform 2 during platform. Northbound stopping August. services will use the new platform Photograph: Tom once it is constructed and it will Dickson) also allow train companies on the to operate

Rail Network and Climate Change

RAIL NETWORK AND - The need for integration between - The Council's website could CLIMATE CHANGE bus and rail at Dunbar, which is the identify more sustainable ways of busiest station on the East Lothian travel, especially to large public East Lothian Council recently network events such as golf championships. circulated a consultation on - The need for to have We feel that these suggestions would climate change for public its own dedicated rail service, or at be a starting point for developing rail comment, and RAGES made a the very least, to have a more as East Lothian's first choice of response. The main issues we frequent hourly service sustainable travel. highlighted were:

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Dunbar Station Passenger Count

DUNBAR STATION note is in the evening peak, there figures for a similar count carried st PASSENGER COUNT requires to be another train from out on 21 May 2018 were 1316, Edinburgh calling at Dunbar to 772 and 544 respectively. The RAGES Committee relieve the overcrowding on the Although only a slight increase conducted an all day, all train current services which are was recorded, this may have been passenger count at Dunbar on predominantly provided by LNER due to the 2018 survey being Tuesday 18th June. What this and Cross Country. At the end of the carried out on an Edinburgh count makes abundantly clear day, later services from Edinburgh are holiday. is the serious lack of trains in required around 23:15/23:30 to cater It is clear to RAGES that, with the the morning peak. Ideally this for people taking in theatre and other number of new houses being built commuter town requires recreation activities in our capital city. in Dunbar, Haddington and the addition trains at 06:15; 07:20 The overall figure recorded for the 32 surrounding areas, these figures and 08:10 to cater for those trains stopping at Dunbar that day was will only increase in the future. people working in Edinburgh 1334, which comprised 675 boarding and further afield. Also of and 659 alighting. The corresponding TransportFocus Passenger Survey Spring 2019

TRANSPORT FOR SCOTLAND https://www.transportfocus.org.uk/re Further details on the campaign PASSENGER SURVEY search- can be found at:- SPRING 2019 publications/publications/national- rail-passenger-survey-nrps-spring- https://www.transportfocus.org. As reported in the last issue of 2019-main-report/ uk/news-events- RAG, TransportFocus carry out media/blog/make-delay-pay- 6-monthly surveys of customer DELAY REPAYMENT CLAIMS claim-compensation/ satisfaction with the national rail system. These surveys involve a In a separate announcement, PUBLIC PERFORMANCE questioning a large number of TransportFocus, based on figures MEASURE (PPM) people about a wide range of released by the Department for Another very informative set of aspects of rail travel, and result in Transport (DfT), recently began a campaign to improve Delay statistics are the PPM’s, which a detailed report. The last RAG are an industry-wide measure of featured the Autumn 2018 survey, Repayment claims resulting from late-running of train services. punctuality and reliability which showed the lowest levels produced regularly by each of customer satisfaction recorded. In the last 6 months of 2018, 41% of individual Train Operating The Spring 2019 survey was rail services were 15 minutes or more Company (TOC). Daily figures carried out between February and late (the point at which, in most are issued for these, plus April 2019, and the report was cases, passengers are entitled to monthly reports, and a rolling published in June 2019. It broadly claim delay repayment). Only 35% annual average is maintained. shows that customer satisfaction of passengers affected submitted The figures for ScotRail for July has improved slightly, and has claims, and it is estimated that the 2019 show that only 88% of returned to levels similar to those 65% who did not claim lost a total of trains arrived at their destination reflected in the Spring 2018 £100 million. It is therefore within 5 minutes of schedule, survey. With regard to the 3 main important that affected passengers compared with a target of RAGES train operators in area, should submit claims in all cases, in 92.5%. For more information, LNER improved by 2% to 89% order not only to be fairly visit:- satisfied; CrossCountry by 5% to compensated for delays, but to 86% satisfied; and ScotRail by https://www.scotrail.co.uk/perfo ensure that train operators are made rmance-and-reliability 5% to 85% satisfied. to improve the punctuality of their services. The full report can be viewed at:- Page 6 of 8

Service Disruptions

SERVICE DISRUPTIONS CrossCountry services - 21,28 September, 5,12 - 24-26 August: remodelling October: Engineering works At time of writing, a number of at Kings Cross affecting affecting all Edinburgh- service disruptions affecting LNER services Dunbar services. RAGES area are either in - 14/15 September: For more information on the progress or planned. Broadly, Engineering works latter, visit:- these are as follows:- affecting all Edinburgh- https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan- - 23-27 August: RMT Dunbar/North Berwick your-journey/engineering-works dispute affecting services

Wallyford Station 25th Anniversary

WALLYFORD STATION 25TH (Railtrack) and Chris Green modern electric units to the latest ANNIVERSARY (ScotRail). Class 385s. It has acquired the Wallyford station currently adjoining park-and-choose site, and (RAGES is indebted to John services about 6000 passengers a Musselburgh Racecourse who have Yellowlees, Honorary Rail week, or 300,000 a year. adopted planters now run courtesy Ambassador for ScotRail, for the John Yellowlees writes:- buses from there.” information in this article) “The opening was performed by Cllr David Begg, then transport Below: A Class 380 stands at Wallyford Station opened on 13 chair at Lothian Regional Wallyford station. June 1994. Council, one of only two railway Photograph Courtesy: East Lothian Funded by Lothian Regional openings that he performed in his Community Rail Partnership/Barrie Council, and originally to be time in local government - but Forrest called Musselburgh East, the unlike the plaque for a new opening was marked by the office-wing at Haymarket Depot, 11.37 Edinburgh (Waverley) – the one at Wallyford seems to North Berwick being specially have vanished? decorated. It was opened by As you know, in the quarter- David Begg (LRC), and also century since, the station has present were George Wanless gone from elderly slam door (ELDC), Paul Prescott trains through two generations of

North Berwick Line Overcrowding & Parking

NEW CAR PARK AT Twitter the previous day (Wednesday) that the barriers at the new car park were being lifted A new car park at Longniddry at the station that evening. railway station was opened on Thursday 16th May. The new car park is to the east of OVERCROWDING and in addition to the one already in place at the station. RAGES understands that, since the It has spaces for 58 vehicles and introduction of the new, longer 10 bikes, adding to the previous trainsets on services to North 73-vehicle capacity at the station. Berwick, overcrowding problems (above: The new Longniddry car East Lothian Council posted on have reduced. park. Photograph: Allison Cosgrove)

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RAGES works to

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

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

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