NEWSLETTER

AUTUMN13 2009 Extended Opening for Morpeth Boost for ABT has announced that the ticket office at Morpeth Railway Campaign Station is to open during the afternoon for a trial period of six weeks; plus more news of improvements at Morpeth Station. Industry report says “strong business case” SENRUG has long urged North- announcement, SENRUG the extended opening hours. for re-opening the line ern Rail to extend the open- chairman Dennis Fancett said: “We know this was trialled ing hours of the ticket office “The ticket office being open three years ago and was a suc- Geoff Hoon came and went, at Morpeth and welcomes means that people will be able cess back then”, said Dennis. but rather more excitement the announcement that—for to buy tickets for both imme- “For some reason action was was generated by the pub- six weeks from 14th Septem- diate and advance travel. Any not taken immediately and lication of a report from the ber—the opening hours will UK rail ticket can be purchased now of course the economic Association of Train Operat- be extended until 4.30pm on and we have always found the situation has changed, so ing Companies (ATOC) that weekdays. In addition to sell- staff very helpful and able to we appreciate that Northern listed the Ashington Blyth & ing tickets, the office provides guide passengers through the Rail need to conduct the trial Tyne line as one of 14 reopen- access to the station facilities, full range of fares.” again.” ing schemes across England including the toilet and wait- It is hoped that sufficient Just in time for the extended- it believes would be good ing room; when the office is tickets are purchased during opening trial—and following value for money and should shut, these are unavailable. the trial period to warrant the a little prompting from SEN- be taken forward. Now at Commenting on the permanent implementation of » continued, Page 2 last our campaign has formal support from within the rail

Hunt Hunt industry itself.

ald ald SENRUG, on on : R : R County Council and the Asso- oto oto

Ph Ph ciation of North East Coun- cils have all written to ATOC welcoming the report, and making various points about the detail.

HAVE YOUR SAY Tell us what you think about rail services in South East Northumberland. » [email protected] » www.senrug.co.uk Pictured: Detail of a mural (left) and the refurbished waiting room (right) at Rail snubs SENRUG has shown con- Morpeth. This was followed in re-think of plans to remove feels that it is not answerable tempt for SENRUG by ignor- June by a request for progress infrastructure in Ashington to ordinary passengers. But ing three letters regarding key on the level-access project that would be required if ser- whatever the case, it has infrastructure decisions affect- at the station. Neither letter vices to the town resumed—a shown utter contempt to rail ing passengers in the area. solicited a reply or acknowl- swift acknowledgement was users in South East Northum- The first letter to be ignored edgement. When the SENRUG received but no further reply. berland. was sent in December 2008 Chairman wrote to Network Perhaps the organisation— You can find out more about expressing concern over the Rail Chairman Iain Coucher which primarily deals with Network Rail on their website planned parking charges at in February—requesting a Train Operating Companies— at www.networkrail.co.uk. 2 SENRUG Newsletter 13 Autumn 2009 No High-Speed for North East Network Rail says no to TGV-like services linking the North East to London and Scotland, leaving the North East’s railways stuck in the 1930s. Pictured: A4 Pacific class № 60007 Sir Nigel Gresley leaves Newcastle Central with a charter bound for Edinburgh. Classmate Mallard set a world Network Rail has announced lobby furiously for a change speed record of 126mph in 1938, faster than today’s inter-city services.

its preferred route for a new of mind. But it looks like an y e High Speed Line from London uphill struggle. l rier B to Scotland—and it cuts out Although a North East route n h o the North East. The proposed would not serve any Nor- : J oto

route would serve the Mid- thumberland stations directly, Ph lands and the North West, it would free capacity on the thus denying the North East of existing , a much-needed boost to the creating additional opportu- economy that would result nities for regional travel links from faster journey times to and connections with high- London. speed services at Newcastle. As the announcement is not A High Speed Line to the the final decision—indeed, North East would therefore funding for the link still has provide Morpeth and other to be agreed—we can expect stations in South East Nor- City Councillors and Regional thumberland with a faster, Development Agencies to more frequent service. It’s not fare! Why are cheap fares only available days (or often weeks) in advance, and could ’s problems be of their own making, asks Dennis Fancett, SENRUG Chairman

Most people accept that its relative is taken ill or there is London and is generally fairly National Express say their pointless to offer cheap fares another emergency is like a empty. The advance purchase financial woes are being on busy peak hour trains, as tax on misery. fare is a bargain at just £10.70. caused not by less people lower fares are a useful way The only explanation I have But book your ticket for the travelling (their trains are just of directing those with flex- been able to extract from rail wrong day, or change your as full as ever) but by passen- ibility in their travel arrange- companies is that this is what plans at the last minute and gers getting clever and switch- ments onto less busy trains. the low cost airlines do. Yes, you will pay £49.50 to travel ing from full priced (dare I say, But try as I might I can not and how they are hated for it. on exactly the same train—or over-priced) anytime fares to understand the logic in only So why copy them? Surely the more likely jump in your car. the much cheaper advance offering the cheaper tickets whole advantage of rail is that How can such a difference purchase tickets. A more rea- through advance sales. If the it is a much simpler, stress free be justified? Would it not be sonable, clearer to understand train is lightly loaded, why process. This should extend to more sensible to take the policy such as we suggest not offer cheap tickets on it choosing your ticket too. average—say £25—and let above, would have avoided right up to when it departs? Take the 8.55am departure this be the price regardless of this problem, which seems to Having to pay a full fare to from Morpeth to . whether you book 3 months be of the rail company’s own travel at the last minute if a This train does not start in or 5 minutes before? making. « Extended Opening for Morpeth, continued from page 1

RUG—Northern Rail has fin- which can be found in the area given SENRUG use of the dis- causes Northern Rail to fail ished redecorating the ticket leading towards the subway play area which can be found quality checks. office at Morpeth Station - and steps on the Southbound on the Southbound platform Remember that when the very smart it looks too! Thank platform, provide a welcome and will be used to display ticket office is open, tickets must you to Northern for a job well distraction from boarded-up details of campaigns and be purchased before boarding done. windows and considerably forthcoming meetings. your train. Students from Morpeth’s improve the appearance of In return, SENRUG support- If you have information that King Edward VI School have the station. See the photo- ers are asked not to stick up you feel is appropriate to dis- painted a set of murals at graph on Page 1. their own notices on the back play in SENRUG’s poster case, Morpeth Station in associa- a poster display case has of the poster cases either at please contact Ronald Hunt on tion with Northern Rail and been designated for use by Morpeth or other stations, 01670 518055. the Town Council. The murals, SENRUG. Northern Rail has as unauthorised flyposting www.senrug.co.uk Autumn 2009 SENRUG Newsletter 13 3 CrossCountry undercut Situations Vacant The positions of Treasurer and Membership Secretary both Northern Rail need to be filled as the existing position holders wish to focus on their other roles within SENRUG. Both roles involve basic CrossCountry’s argument to limit stops record-keeping and require email access and spreadsheet expe- at Morpeth due to commuter numbers is rience (Excel). Given that the two jobs both primarily involve undermined by their own fare policy. dealing with membership records and payments, it is likely that both could be more efficiently filled by one person. Neither job Those who attended SEN- trains only. This undercuts is particularly onerous, requiring only a few hours per month. RUG’s meeting on 26th March the standard off-peak fare of SENRUG’s small exhibition on the Ashington Blyth & Tyne Re- 2009 will recall Richard Gibson £4.10 single (£5.30 return), opening Campaign urgently needs to be updated. Some of the saying that CrossCountry did which allows travel on any text has been overtaken by more recent events, and of course not want to stop more services operator’s trains (including there is now an excellent range of photos of the line in use from at Morpeth as they believed Northern Rail’s trains). The the June 2008 charter trip. Is this something you could do? You their services would be mostly new CrossCountry fare would need the ability to print digital photos and have some used for local passengers, even undercuts the fare on the free time to mount displays on backing card. SENRUG would which they did not wish to local Arriva-operated bus. pay for the cost of any materials used. Contact Dennis Fancett encourage. (SENRUG of course SENRUG always welcomes (SENRUG Chairman) if you can help. disputes this as observations lower fares, though Cross- Email [email protected] or phone 01670 825500 if you suggest that most people Country’s logic of attracting are interested in filling these positions. Any offers of help are most who board or alight from the local commuters onto inter- welcome. CrossCountry trains are carry- city trains has to be ques- ing luggage, and are clearly tioned, given their previous travelling further than New- statements. And can such a Grand Plans for Grand Central castle. Fare anomalies mean fare really work given how many passengers re-book few CrossCountry trains stop Grand Central—an “open access” operator providing direct from Newcastle even though at Morpeth, or will it just cause services from Sunderland and the Durham Coast to London— they join or leave the Cross- confusion for passengers who has now introduced a fourth service each way (Monday to Country train at Morpeth.) don’t notice the restriction? Saturday). Whilst journey times from Sunderland are about half- So given CrossCountry’s SENRUG would prefer to an-hour longer than direct National Express East Coast (NXEC) concern, it is surprising to have more CrossCountry services from Newcastle, Grand Central operates a simple fare note they have introduced a trains at Morpeth, and to see structure and the price you pay on the train is the same as the new fare of just £2 single (£3 the operator genuinely sup- price you would pay in advance. If you have to travel at the last return) between Morpeth porting the longer distance minute or can’t find a cheap ticket on NXEC, and don’t mind the and Newcastle, valid on their traveller. extra journey time, Grand Central may be your best choice. Grand Central does not operate a rail franchise, but rather provides services on its own initiative. It plans to start a new The Economies of Rail service to London from the West Riding of Yorkshire in May. Free wireless internet is provided to all passengers. ATOC figures show reopening the Ashington, More information about Grand Central can be found on their Blyth & Tyne railway line to be good value for website at www.grandcentralrail.co.uk. Tickets can be purchased money. in advance or on-board.

The recent Association of £54.5m for A19 Moor Farm Train Operating Companies Junction Improvements MP Explains Parliamentary (ATOC) report (see “Boost for ABT Campaign, page 1) put £37.4m for A19 Seaton Burn Processes the cost of re-opening the Junction Improvements Ashington Blyth & Tyne (ABT) SENRUG would like to thank Wansbeck MP Dennis Murphy line at £34m, just over half of £36.0m for Morpeth North- for his excellent talk on his involvement in various commit- what the former Railtrack sug- ern Bypass. tees and groups within Parliament, and how this fits in with gested it would cost (£59m). the transport-related campaigns that he supports. Despite Clearly the figure is moving in These figures put the ABT the inclement weather, a goodly number turned out for the the right direction! price in stark contrast with talk—which was part of SENRUG’s AGM—and a wide variety You might nevertheless equivalent road projects and of interesting questions were asked of the MP. think that £34m is still an makes reopening the ABT Asked how the recession could affect the case for reopening incredibly high sum, so it is seem rather good value for the Ashington, Blyth & Tyne railway line, he commented that it worth comparing this with money. would likely further the case. the cost of schemes designed Figures taken from News Other business dealt with at the AGM included the election to help road traffic get to and Post Leader report on 6th of new committee members and reports from the Treasurer from Ashington. August 2009. and Chairman.

www.senrug.co.uk 4 SENRUG Newsletter 13 Autumn 2009 Going up in Smoke The destiny of the Ashington “Black” bridge is revealed as John Earl continues to uncover details of the Ashington, Blyth & Tyne’s hidden treasures. John Earl, Membership Secretary h it Readers of our last newsletter in 1846, and on to New Hartley a br

will remember that an appeal and Blyth in 1847, when it was Gal m

was made for more informa- designated the Blyth, Seghill aha r tion on the two fine viaducts and Percy Main Railway. : G oto

on the Ashington, Blyth & Tyne “In spite of having to com- Ph (ABT) railway line at Ashington mission a huge wooden and . We are grate- viaduct over the River Blyth, ful to Mrs C.M. Hogg of Ash- 80 feet high and 770 feet in ington, who wrote in to say length, Bedlington Coal Com- that she had found a newspa- pany built a line from a colliery per report of 8th November near Bedlington to Newsham. 1859 referring to the opening A connection was made in of the ABT between Bedling- 1850 with the track to Blyth, ton and North Seaton. Here and passenger trains were Pictured: A 1950s painting showing a coal train crossing the Black Bridge we find that the “principal introduced a few weeks later. work on the line is the viaduct There being an intermediate over the Wansbeck, worthy of station at Cowpen Lane, after biggin folk did get home— May (we are not sure which) notice. It is considered to be some years this was renamed was there a shortcut across and divided into millions of the largest timber structure of Bebside.” fields by any right of way? We matchsticks! Now can anyone the sort in the Kingdom, being Mrs Hogg goes on to say value these memories of the calculate how many match- 410 yards in length and 125 that, from memory, “trains railway, and perhaps some- sticks it would take to cross feet from the bottom of the coming into Ashington were one else could fill in the gaps. the River Wansbeck, and were pilings. From foundations to greeted by a sign saying ‘Ash- Meanwhile, apparently all that you one of those privileged to the surface of the roadway, no ington and Newbiggin sta- 1,200 tons of timber used on light your pipe with a piece of less than 1,200 tons of timber tion’. Presumably”, she says, the Ashington Viaduct—the history? have been used in the con- “everybody got off, those for “Black Bridge”—was destined Send your memories of the struction of the viaduct. The Newbiggin home by any trans- for higher things: it was sold railway to newsletter@senrug. Seghill Railway was extended port!” She wonders how New- to Swan Vestas or Bryant and co.uk. Franchising: is there a better way? The government announced in July that it intended to bring the East Coast rail service into public ownership as National Express (who operate the franchise) look unlikely to meet franchise commitments. Whilst many may rejoice at the prospect of a public-owned railway, what can be learned for the franchise model, asks Dennis Fancett, SENRUG Chairman.

It was Lady Bracknell from either taxpayer or passenger. ping in Northumberland in re-written, they are done so in Oscar Wilde’s The Importance Why the rush to re-let the many instances. line with SENRUG’s aims and of Being Earnest who told franchise a 3rd time? There is The government needs to objectives. the orphaned and hapless surely a strong case now for take its time as it considers the Should the ICEC franchise Mr Worthing that “to lose keeping the ICEC franchise future of the ICEC franchise, stay in the public sector? What one parent may be regarded managed by a public com- lest it make the same mistakes would be in the best interest as a misfortune; to lose both pany controlled directly by again. SENRUG must also take of passengers in the area and looks like carelessness.” Paral- the Department for Transport. this opportunity to ensure nationally? Send your views to lels could easily be drawn with At the very least, this would that if the franchise terms are [email protected]. the Inter-City East Coast (ICEC) enable genuine comparisons franchise. to be made between fran- What would you like to see in the SENRUG For the government to have chised and directly-managed Newsletter? Would like to contribute to the one East Coast franchisee operations over the length (GNER) default on their agree- of a typical franchise. This next issue? ment might have been bad might also see the end of chairman: Dennis Fancett [email protected] luck, but now that it is hap- the nonsense whereby East Membership: John Earl [email protected] pening again with National Coast and CrossCountry trains Editor: Richard Hilton [email protected] Express it does rather look as chase each other up the line if the franchise model is not between and Edinburgh, » www.senrug.co.uk » 01670 825 500 (chairman) working in the best interest of but with neither services stop- Hiltonian Media by produced Newsletter • 01670 504096 www.hiltonian.com www.senrug.co.uk