| Archived Save the Train forum articles - 2005 to 2010. See below
Review Of Community Rail Development Strategy - 1841/4622 Written by Lee on Wednesday, 4th April 2007 "The document deals with the Community Rail Development Strategy which is a Departmental Strategy to improve the value for money achieved from spending on local rail. It informs stakeholders of progress in implementing the Strategy." (link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/rail/strategyfinance/strategy/community/revcomrail "Although there was a positive response, a few concerns were raised. A minority of people mistook the Strategy as a precursor to the closure of lines rather than the means for them to grow and thrive. The Strategy was based on the premise that these lines are of value to their local communities, and a programme of closures has never been part of the agenda." Erm.... [quote author=Lee link=topic=641.msg1929#msg1929 date=1163497667]"The RUS also proposes the closure of three stations: Ardwick, Denton and Reddish South. Ardwick is said to be used by fewer than five passengers each day."[/quote] [quote author=Lee link=topic=264.msg697#msg697 date=1150984683]"Service frequency on the Sheerness branch will be maintained at its current level of 2 tph rather than being reduced to hourly as previously proposed. It is, however, now proposed that the very lightly used station at Swale be closed completely." "It is now proposed to close Beltring station altogether."[/quote] [quote author=Lee link=topic=217.msg2048#msg2048 date=1164372028] [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=217.msg539#msg539 date=1145822509]Question in Parliament - asked in writing on 20th April 361 Chris Grayling (Epsom & Ewell):To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether it is his policy to replace rail services with bus services on the (a) Par to Newquay, (b) Liskeard to Looe, (c) Totnes and Ivybridge to Plymouth, (d) Chippenham to Frome and (e) Severn Beach routes. See [url]http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmordbk1/60420w01.htm[/url] I'll let you know as and when I see an answer - I'm not sure how long these things take but I expect it will be after the final contracts are decided this week Re: Review Of Community Rail Development Strategy - 1841/4632 Written by admin (Graham Ellis) on Wednesday, 4th April 2007 [quote]a reasonable approach has been adopted in terms of meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995. In this context, where the costs of improving accessibility are unreasonably high in relation to likely demand (for example in relation to stations with low usage, which are commonly found on community railways), then alternative means of access to the rail network, such as a taxi to the next accessible station, should be identified where this is reasonable.[/quote] That could be read 2 ways. I understand it to mean that an alternative such as a taxi should be provided for disabled travellers wishing to join the network at a lightly used and unsuitable station. But it could be mis-read to mean that a station should be closed if it can't be made disabled friendly in a cost effective way. [quote]The Department and the operator (First) actively sought the opinions of the partnerships and other local stakeholders and the timetables were thoroughly revised[/quote] That is a VERY naughty statement. 1. Opinions sought be The DfT and SRA were not actively sought - they were teh absolute minimum to the extent that they only got 8 inputs with regard to the Swindon - Melksham - Westbury - Salisbury - Southampton service. Re: Review Of Community Rail Development Strategy - 1841/4651 Written by Lee on Thursday, 5th April 2007 [quote author=Graham Ellis link=topic=1841.msg4632#msg4632 date=1175695278] [quote]a reasonable approach has been adopted in terms of meeting the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995. In this context, where the costs of improving accessibility are unreasonably high in relation to likely demand (for example in relation to stations with low usage, which are commonly found on community railways), then alternative means of access to the rail network, such as a taxi to the next accessible station, should be identified where this is reasonable.[/quote] That could be read 2 ways. I understand it to mean that an alternative such as a taxi should be provided for disabled travellers wishing to join the network at a lightly used and unsuitable station. But it could be mis-read to mean that a station should be closed if it can't be made disabled friendly in a cost effective way.[/quote] Sorry Graham. I forgot that the DfT , Network Rail & others obviously have the best of intentions , and would never do anything to harm the viability of stations on the rail network. Melksham stands out as a shining example of their approach. Its just that I get rather worried when the word "taxi" is used in this context. Have a look at the links / quotes below. "Take a taxi in the country, says rail boss" (December 2006.) http://www.rmtbristol.org.uk/2006/12/take_a_taxi_in_the_country_say.html#more "Rural train services should be replaced by buses and taxis and the money saved invested in busy commuter and inter-city routes, the head of Britain's railway system has urged." "We accept heavy rail is not always the best solution, particularly in some of the outer parts of the network,' said Armitt. 'At the end of the day a bus or a train may not be the most cost-effective or environmentally effective solution.' In 'outer parts' of the rail network, cars 'with three or four people', small buses or taxis 'might be a better solution', he added." "Empty seats spell end of the rural lines as 'Beeching II' cutbacks loom" (November 2004.) http://www.guardian.co.uk/print/0,3858,5068050-103630,00.html "Last autumn the SRA's Wider Case for Rail strategy, admitted what government advisers had privately been saying for some time: 'Rail is best when it provides fast, long distance passenger services ... commuter services on busy corridors ... services to major airports [and] rail freight services for regular high volume flows.' It did not list rural services." "Some rail leaders now privately admit that buses, shared taxis or other modes are sometimes as good as rail - a view confirmed by the success of some operators' own bus services and the choice of buses over tube trains by some London commuters." My apologies for "mis - reading" this document , Graham. Re: Review Of Community Rail Development Strategy - 1841/5725 Written by Lee on Monday, 18th June 2007 Tom Harris continues to deny reality with an interesting avian - based twist (link below.) http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speechesstatements/speeches/spchacorp link to index of articles |
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Save the Train was the campaign to bring an approriate train service back to and through Melksham. Most big contributors are still around writing at the Coffee shop forum where new members are very welcome. The train has been saved - sort of - we have stepped back up from an unusable service to a poorish one but it's doing very well. We did that through setting up the TransWilts Community Rail Partnership. That fulfilled its early objectives; it has been taken over by local and regional government types who are now doing medium and long term work. The team from this forun can also be found at the Melksham Rail User Group (which was the Melksham Rail Development Group at the time these articles were written and we had no users. We mustn't loose sight, though, that the train service remains poor and needs our community support in marketing and campaigning to keep it going in a positive direction ... and all the more so when we're expecting to find a different normallity once we get out of the Coronavirus Pandemic and head for zero carbon via the climate crisis. Yes, it's saved ... it's now a key community facility ... the need for enhancement and the strong and near-universal local support remain, and the rail industry and goverment remain slow to move and provide the enhancements even to level us up with other towns. Please support the Melksham Rail User Group - now very much in partnership rather than protest with the rail industry and local government, including GWR, TransWilts and unitary and town councils. And please use the trains and buses, and cycle and walk when you can. -- Graham Ellis, (webmaster), February 2021 | |||
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