The RAGES Rag SUMMER 2019, Issue 73
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The RAGES Rag SUMMER 2019, Issue 73 The newsletter of the Rail Action Group, East of Scotland, bringing members up-to-date with progress on improvements to local rail services. left: RAGES Vice-Chairman Barrie Forrest BEM is pictured at Edinburgh 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. East Lothian Galas 3. RAGES Annual General Meeting 2019 4. East Linton and Reston Station Updates 5. Dunbar Station Second Platform 6. Rail Network and Climate Change 7. Dunbar Station Passenger Count 8. TransportFocus Passenger Survey Spring 2019 9. Service Disruptions 10. Wallyford Station 25th Anniversary 11. North Berwick Line Overcrowding & Parking Page 1 of 8 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 Page 2 of 8 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 Page 3 of 8 East Linton and Reston Station Updates EAST LINTON AND RESTON a progress report and who will a further update on Network Rail’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 rd DUNBAR STATION SECOND more services on the route in the On 23 July, a letter was sent by PLATFORM future.