Cynulliad Cenedlaethol Cymru / National Assembly for Wales Pwyllgor yr Economi, Seilwaith a Sgiliau/ Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee Masnachfraint Rheilffyrdd a chyflwyno Metro / Rail Franchise and the Metro Ymateb gan Cyngor Telford a Wrekin / Evidence from Telford & Wrekin Council

Telford & Wrekin Council Aspirations for the Wales & Borders Rail Franchise

Introduction The attractiveness of Telford & Wrekin as a Telford & Wrekin is a unitary authority in place to invest is also enhanced by the the West Midlands region. Telford is a new expansion of the two Universities with town designated in the 1960s but the sites in the borough – Harper Adams borough also includes the towns of University and the Telford Innovation Dawley, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates Campus of Wolverhampton University. The and Wellington and unparalleled Ministry of Defence in Donnington has also environmental assets in the Ironbridge committed to expanding its facility with a Gorge World Heritage Site. The population £70million fulfilment centre that is a major of the borough is circa 167,000 people. enhancement to Telford’s position as a centre for the logistics sector. During 2016 Telford & Wrekin Council along with the Telford Business Board Telford’s central location and connectivity created an Economic Development to both the wider West Midlands and Strategy to promote growth and prosperity beyond is a strong part of our offer to in the borough. Going forward the inward investors. Transport connectivity Economic Development Strategy looks to plays an essential role in supporting extend and support the diverse range of economic activity and growth: it enables businesses represented in the borough and access to markets nationally and continue to be a major contributor to the internationally; improves labour market region’s economy. efficiency; unlocks employment and housing sites; reduces the costs of doing The Economic Development Strategy business and stimulates business recognises that transport connectivity and investment and innovation. infrastructure underpins economic growth and efficiency. Telford & Wrekin Council To support this Telford & Wrekin Council is has agreed a growth deal with the Homes involved in the Midlands Engine initiative & Communities Agency that has identified to grow the combined economy of the East 400 acres of employment land and sites for Midlands and West Midlands creating close to 3,000 new homes. As part of this 300,000 jobs and boosting the national there is a commitment from Government economy by £34billion. Telford & Wrekin to invest over £44million into site Council is also involved in developing the preparation to deliver this land to market. vision and strategy to transform transport connectivity across the Midlands Engine Strong domestic demand is boosting area through Midlands Connect, the cross- production levels across a wide range of region transport group, which is working manufacturing activities and investment in towards better integrated transport new facilities, machinery, research and systems across the Midlands. recruitment by Telford based manufacturers is creating a solid outlook Telford & Wrekin Council now needs to for growth. work with partner agencies such as the Wales & Borders Rail franchisee to improve Telford & Wrekin Council supports the the quality and reliability of connectivity retention and development of these to, from and within the borough, to further services. enable people to access employment sites. Connectivity to airports and ports brings The response to this consultation is framed visitors to the area, for example to the with the needs of supporting the Council’s Ironbridge World Heritage Site and gives approach to economic development in impetus to economic development. mind and making the best use of the rail network in achieving the goals of the Telford & Wrekin Economic Development Strategy.

1. Have NIL detriment to any of our existing service provision and preferably deliver betterment. The current service levels should be seen as a base to build upon.

Telford & Wrekin Council’s view is that the 3. Reflect the passenger demand for current rail services provided by Arriva services that link cross border access to Trains Wales should be maintained into the heath provision, academic institutions next Wales & Borders Rail Franchise. This and business. should include the additional trains on the

Cambrian line introduced during 2015 and The cross border rail services operated by trains to Birmingham International. the Wales & Borders Rail franchise are of

importance to people living in Telford & The Wales & Borders Rail services provide Wrekin with many people travelling across valuable connectivity to Telford & Wrekin border for school, college, to hospitals and allowing residents access to health, for employment. Many people travel to the education, leisure, employment, retail and holiday towns on the Welsh coast. tourism destinations. For businesses the rail services allows them to access markets The rail services allow this cross border and bring in new employees. travel to happen but the services provided

do not often reflect the realities of the The rail service is an important asset to the travel demand created. Additional capacity Telford & Wrekin area and additional is needed on services to the coast during services, for example during Sundays, the summer, to the University towns at the would strengthen this and the associated start and end of term and to Birmingham benefits. during late November and December.

2. Maintain and improve rail connectivity The new Wales & Borders Rail franchise to international gateways. needs to be let with sufficient rolling stock

capacity to allow the operator to provide The existing rail timetable for Telford & the capacity for day to day flows on cross Wrekin includes rail services to border route but also to allow the operator Birmingham International and Holyhead. to respond to the additional demand created by seasonal fluctuations and 5. Increases in train service frequencies special events traffic. In the Telford area to meet passenger demands. this can include the Air Show at Cosford and the V Music Festival at Weston Park. Higher train service frequencies to Telford Central and Wellington would bring a 4. Provide connectivity to future HS2 valuable addition to the rail services and agglomeration benefits. would support planned increases in housing and support economic growth in Improved transport connectivity generally Telford & Wrekin. It would attract means the ability to reach a wide range of investment to outlying areas and support places in a short amount of time. The the national Industrial Strategy bringing development of High Speed Two in coming development to deprived areas. years will bring high quality transport infrastructure to the West Midlands. 6. Connectivity with inter city rail services including services to London. The next operator of the Wales & Borders Rail Franchise should be a position to The conurbations of Greater Manchester, deliver connectivity to High Speed Two. Merseyside and the West Midlands are This will allow businesses from Telford & within easy reach of Telford & Wrekin and Wrekin to benefit from sustained are therefore significant destinations for economic growth and maintain rail passengers from Telford. competitiveness in a developed economy. These centres also act as interchange There has long been recognition of the link stations for onward travel to other regions between connectivity and economic of the United Kingdom and these centres growth. International competitiveness is have international airports. driven by productivity growth which is underpinned by trade, foreign investment The borough currently has limited direct and innovative activity, all of which are rail services to London but there are facilitated by connectivity. The most opportunities for changing to rail services innovative and productive firms tend to be to London at Birmingham New Street and those that are competing at a global level. Wolverhampton so connections with the Connectivity to High Speed Two will help Wales & Borders rail franchise at those business across the Telford & Wrekin stations should be maximised. borough to progress further. The improvements to rail services to the conurbations should include enhanced evening services and Sunday services. The cities are open 24 hours and with varied events throughout the year at the National Exhibition Centre and continued attraction of the Birmingham Christmas Market, the services to the conurbations are of importance to the people and the economy of Telford & Wrekin Council.

7. Increased and appropriate rolling 8. The Wales & Borders Franchise should stock. have appropriate governance arrangements allowing meaningful Steps should be taken with the new Wales engagement, cross border and & Borders Rail franchise to order new representative of the area it serves. rolling stock for the franchise. The older trains in the fleet need replacing and the The next Wales & Borders Rail Franchise fleet also needs to be increased in size. needs to continue and strengthen the work that Arriva Trains Wales has done in areas Whilst we are aware that the older trains of stakeholder liaison particularly in have been upgraded in recent years the England, as there is no direct link between Council still considers that there is a need the English authorities and the Welsh for new rolling stock on the Birmingham Assembly Government. routes with appropriate room and facilities for passengers with luggage, cyclists and Telford & Wrekin Council would welcome disabled passengers. the involvement of the rail franchise in the Marches Strategic Rail Group’s meetings to In addition to air conditioning the new assist the group with information on trains should also come with new franchise issues and progress. passenger information systems, 4G wifi, USB charging points and toilets adequate The terms of reference for the existing for long distance journeys. Cross Border Forum involving the Department for Transport and the Welsh Some thought should be given to other Assembly Government should be adjusted luxury features or innovations such as to allow representation from relevant sofas in group seating areas. Welsh and English Councils (and consortia) and Department for Transport, so the Telford & Wrekin Council welcomes the forum can cover other cross border rail installation of wi-fi by Arriva Trains Wales franchises and so the forum is able to have and looks forward to further strategic input, including dialogue with improvements to the trains operating on Midlands Connect and Transport for the the Wales & Borders Rail franchise lines. North. The forum should meet quarterly.