Cambrian hourly service consultation

[Gareth Marston]

wow2
having worked with fibre, I know its more vulnerable than copper to impact damage etc.
I don't know if things improved with ertms installation, but in the past I've certainly seen green fibre optic cables laid on the ballast along the cambrian not in concrete ducts. So very vulnerable to damage during any lineside works.
Probably there are spare fibre pairs in the cable so they can be switched if some fibres get damaged, but that only works for minor damage.
hmm, sounds like a bit of a headache for someone..

Re etcs it either works well or it goes down completely nothing in between.

WG has announced today that they (and DFT) have jointly funded the DDA footbridge monstrosity at Machynlleth.

 

[The Informer]

The green fibre cable isn't required to go in troughing. Its already protected by a steel / alu shell. Its laid bare in most places all over the country, most of the time buried and tied to breeze blocks sunk into the ground so thieves cant pull it up. Personally its better out of sight out of mind!

 

[IKBrunel]

Re etcs it either works well or it goes down completely nothing in between.

WG has announced today that they (and DFT) have jointly funded the DDA footbridge monstrosity at Machynlleth.

Hmm, I'm strongly in favour of DDA compliance for footbridges since it benefits not just disabled people, but also people with heavy luggage, the elderly, etc.

I would also be interested to hear from anyone on here who could put forward the NR POV in terms of reasons why a new footbridge was the preferred option rather than new points and splitting platform 1 into A&B?

 

[merlodlliw]

Hmm, I'm strongly in favour of DDA compliance for footbridges since it benefits not just disabled people, but also people with heavy luggage, the elderly, etc.

I would also be interested to hear from anyone on here who could put forward the NR POV in terms of reasons why a new footbridge was the preferred option rather than new points and splitting platform 1 into A&B?

I have seen some Equality Act compliance footbridges that could be better designed,I appreciate any rebuild etc should comply with the Equality Act 2010,It has always occurred to me, having met some Consultants brought in at huge cost, many have not a clue on the regulations & guidance notes that support the Act.

 

[The Planner]

I would also be interested to hear from anyone on here who could put forward the NR POV in terms of reasons why a new footbridge was the preferred option rather than new points and splitting platform 1 into A&B?

Whole life costs of the bridge would be less than installing new points, hacking into ERTMS for the change, ongoing maintenance and the schedule 4 costs for the disruption.

 

[IKBrunel]

There we are then.
I'm going to be a bit controversial/devils advocate on this one then...
I have a lot of respect for the work that SARPA members do in campaigning for a better service on the Cambrian. But having read the SARPA criticism of the new footbridge (not about its aesthetics but about whether it's the best use of resources), it makes me question whether SARPA engage with and represent a wide cross section of rail users. My impression is that SARPA have a tendency to be overly critical, (sorry SARPA). If cash is being invested in the Cambrian which will improve amenities for passengers, make journeys less stressful and ultimately increase footfall, surely that is a good thing, especially given its from a pot of money which would not be available for non DDA work. At long last we finally realise there are no longer porters in stations to help people with heavy luggage.
I have overheard 'white elephant' comments about DDA compliant footbridges elsewhere on the network, usually by middle aged men, and not by people struggling up Victorian era footbridges with heavy suitcases, etc.
Sorry if this causes offence to anyone on here, hopefully this is perhaps a debate worth having.

 

[Gareth Marston]

There we are then.
I'm going to be a bit controversial/devils advocate on this one then...
I have a lot of respect for the work that SARPA members do in campaigning for a better service on the Cambrian. But having read the SARPA criticism of the new footbridge (not about its aesthetics but about whether it's the best use of resources), it makes me question whether SARPA engage with and represent a wide cross section of rail users. My impression is that SARPA have a tendency to be overly critical, (sorry SARPA). If cash is being invested in the Cambrian which will improve amenities for passengers, make journeys less stressful and ultimately increase footfall, surely that is a good thing, especially given its from a pot of money which would not be available for non DDA work. At long last we finally realise there are no longer porters in stations to help people with heavy luggage.
I have overheard 'white elephant' comments about DDA compliant footbridges elsewhere on the network, usually by middle aged men, and not by people struggling up Victorian era footbridges with heavy suitcases, etc.
Sorry if this causes offence to anyone on here, hopefully this is perhaps a debate worth having.

We'll having been on UP trains that have accessed the DOwN platform at Mach and joined up with another unit before heading eastward on three occasions I know that the bridge is not a necessity. WG asked TraCC to find a project to spend the money on.
Ask people what will make them use the Cambrian more and the answer is clear more frequent trains and less overcrowding, do we have any hard evidence that DDA work increases footfall? Is there some study?

As to SARPA you'll have to ask them.

 

[Squaddie]

Ask people what will make them use the Cambrian more and the answer is clear more frequent trains and less overcrowding, do we have any hard evidence that DDA work increases footfall? Is there some study?

The point of complying with the DDA* is not to increase footfall but to make it possible for disabled people to utilise and enjoy the facilities that the rest of us take for granted - and, in my opinion, we should be ensuring that existing services are accessible to everyone who wants to use them before providing new services. This is not something that should depend upon cost-benefit analysis, nor is it something we should be seeking opinions on: it's simply the right thing to do.

* For anyone who isn't familiar with the acronym, DDA = Disability Discrimination Act.

 

[Llanigraham]

We'll having been on UP trains that have accessed the DOwN platform at Mach and joined up with another unit before heading eastward on three occasions I know that the bridge is not a necessity. WG asked TraCC to find a project to spend the money on.
Ask people what will make them use the Cambrian more and the answer is clear more frequent trains and less overcrowding, do we have any hard evidence that DDA work increases footfall? Is there some study?

As to SARPA you'll have to ask them.

Possibly your train might have used platform 1, but not every train does! Therefore a proper "useable for all people" footbridge is required.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Possibly your train might have used platform 1, but not every train does! Therefore a proper "useable for all people" footbridge is required.

Exactly. Provision of a DDA compliant footbridge (or a lift in larger stations) is not just used by people with disabilities. I would surmise that most users are people with young children with pushchairs/buggies and the more elderly with large suitcases.

 

[transmanche]

Ask people what will make them use the Cambrian more and the answer is clear more frequent trains and less overcrowding, do we have any hard evidence that DDA work increases footfall?

Making any premises accessible to more people means that more people can use it - surely that is obvious. In any event, providing an accessible footbridge is good not only for those who are protected under the Equality Act [*]; but it also makes life easier for passengers with lots of luggage, passengers with children in buggies, passengers whose knees have gone a bit dodgy, and so on.

In an advanced society, it's simply the right thing to do.

* The DDA has been surpassed by the Equality Act 2010.

 

[Gareth Marston]

Making any premises accessible to more people means that more people can use it - surely that is obvious. In any event, providing an accessible footbridge is good not only for those who are protected under the Equality Act [*]; but it also makes life easier for passengers with lots of luggage, passengers with children in buggies, passengers whose knees have gone a bit dodgy, and so on.

In an advanced society, it's simply the right thing to do.

* The DDA has been surpassed by the Equality Act 2010.

Having more car parking spaces at Machynlleth will also help make life easier for potential and actual passengers able bodied, elderly et al and of course the product on offer once at the station I.e the service and timetable will have a huge bearing on whether someone will attempt to access the service to begin with. There's a lady I work with whose wheel chair bound whose always asking when the hourly service will happen, my mother asked me again today she's 72 with limited mobility and has no car. The same issues that concern white middle aged male travellers do effect the rest of the population.

 

[transmanche]

The same issues that concern white middle aged male travellers do effect the rest of the population.

I don't think anyone denied that... :roll:

 

[the-gog]

It appears ERTMS has fallen over again. At least one train on a 25 mph stagger, and not an engine/unit fault.

 

[Squaddie]

The same issues that concern white middle aged male travellers do effect the rest of the population.

Yes, they do. But some sections of the population face problems that are not faced by white, middle-aged, able-bodied males.

 

[Gareth Marston]

It appears ERTMS has fallen over again. At least one train on a 25 mph stagger, and not an engine/unit fault.

Last UP 12 late at Newtown.

 

[strettonarms96]

Does any one know where the additional services will run to on arrival at shrewsbury off the cambrian? Crewe?

 

[Llanigraham]

Why do they need to go anywhere?

 

[merlodlliw]

Does any one know where the additional services will run to on arrival at shrewsbury off the cambrian? Crewe?

Welcome to the forum.

The Minister has not made any statement yet if & when the hourly service will commence, the extras could go anywhere or just stay at Salop & return down the Cambrian,currently its all guesswork where the stock will come from.

 

[strettonarms96]

Welcome to the forum.

The Minister has not made any statement yet if & when the hourly service will commence, the extras could go anywhere or just stay at Salop & return down the Cambrian,currently its all guesswork where the stock will come from.

Thank you, when is an announcement expected?

 

[Gareth Marston]

Thank you, when is an announcement expected?

The Minister said she would make an announcement in a couple of weeks after getting the final report from the line liaison committee on the 12th March. The liaison commitee minutes from the end of February meeting expect a announcement by end of March, I,ll post them later on got another mtg to go to tonight.

Today was flagged to me as a possible as the Minister likes announcing things whenever she's questioned by a Assembly commitee (as she was due to be today) however we got the OAP concessionaire schemes funded again on the HoW etc announced today.

 

[Llanigraham]

Not just the HoW, Gareth!!

 

[IKBrunel]

http://glyn-davies.co.uk/en/news_pa...-of-hourly-service-on-cambrian-line-2242.html
says:

Montgomeryshire MP hopeful of hourly service on Cambrian line

Glyn Davies, Conservative MP for Montgomeryshire, is hopeful an hourly rail service will be implemented on the Cambrian line by 2015, following a meeting this week with Arriva Trains Wales in Westminster.

Glyn met with Arriva Trains Wales in Westminster on 26th February, in order to discuss the need for a more frequent rail service between Aberystwyth and Birmingham.

Glyn has been campaigning for a more frequent service on the Cambrian line for 20 years; particularly for the investment needed to upgrade the line in order to accommodate an hourly service, which has now been completed.

Commenting after his meeting with Arriva Trains Wales, Glyn Davies MP said:

“I have been discussing the need for an hourly service on the Cambrian line for decades with various bodies and organisations. Over recent years, greater customer demand on the line has made the need for a more frequent service a more pressing priority.

“Investment in infrastructure works needed to accommodate an hourly service has been completed, and the Welsh Government are now contemplating changes to Arriva Trains Wales’ franchise which would allow the service to be implemented.

“I am very hopeful that the go ahead for an hourly service will be given in the near future, which would then allow for a period of training for new drivers and staff to begin.

“An hourly service between Aberystwyth and Birmingham would be a major boost to the people of mid Wales, and I am optimistic that it will be a reality by 2015.”

so nothing we haven't already heard, apart from putting any delay to staff training.

 

[Squaddie]

Does any one know where the additional services will run to on arrival at shrewsbury off the cambrian? Crewe?

Whatever the final decision, I think it's important that every Cambrian service should connect into a direct London service, whether that connection is at Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton or Birmingham. Ideally, no-one should be more than one change of train away from the capital.

 

[Gareth Marston]

http://glyn-davies.co.uk/en/news_pa...-of-hourly-service-on-cambrian-line-2242.html
says:


so nothing we haven't already heard, apart from putting any delay to staff training.

He's picked up the going ons on the wind and is getting his strike in to claim credit for it as will many others if it happens.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Whatever the final decision, I think it's important that every Cambrian service should connect into a direct London service, whether that connection is at Shrewsbury, Wolverhampton or Birmingham. Ideally, no-one should be more than one change of train away from the capital.

So Cardiff then?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Not just the HoW, Gareth!!

Etc great news on the Conwy Valley

 

[Llanigraham]

Glyn Davies is not the best example of how a local representative should be working. Of course when this and the Newtown by-pass happens he will expect to get all the praise.

Gareth, the Cambrian coastal pensioners also get the free travel.

 

[The Informer]

He's picked up the going ons on the wind and is getting his strike in to claim credit for it as will many others if it happens

But we know its happening anyway, where's he been hiding?

 

[Llanigraham]

But we know its happening anyway, where's he been hiding?

Anywhere he doesn't actually meet his constituents!! At least his predecessor did actually get his face around the area a lot, even if he was a bit of a prat.

Somehow I get a regular email from him with his "news" and I think this is probably only the second time he's mentioned the railway.

 

[Gareth Marston]

from http://shrewsburyaberystwythrailway.org/?page_id=533

3. Report on discussions between the Shrewsbury/Aberystwyth Rail Liaison Committee and the Welsh Assembly regarding the Cambrian Lines and an improved rail service.

3.1 The Secretary gave a full presentation on the current position with regard to the enhanced rail service provision and tourist trains on the Cambrian Coast.

A copy of the presentation is kept on file. (copy available by email upon request)

3.2 The presentation covered the following topics:

The history since July 2013

The survey and results

The recommendations to the Minister

The Implementation Group

3.3 The recommendations to the Minister are as follows:

a) The implementation of the extra morning and evening peak hour trains as set out in the timetables in the report (4 extra trains morning and 4extra trainsafternoon/evening) as soon as possible and no later than May 2015.

b) The implementation of the 1700 Fridays only Coast train from Machynllethto Barmouth extending its journey to Pwllheli each day. This recommendation to be implemented as soon as possible.

c) The introduction of a scenic train service on a trial basis for summer 2014 is supported.

d) To continue the Cambrian Lines Implementation Group to monitor the implementation of the new timetable and take forward the future recommendations to be implemented sometime between 2015 and 2018. Such reports and work to be completed by the Shrewsbury to Aberystwyth Railway Liaison Committee in consultation with the Cambrian Coast Line Liaison Committee.

e) To inform on the station improvements needed as the services on the Cambrian Lines are enhanced.

3.3 A statement from the Minister is expected following a meeting with the Implementation Group.

3.4 A copy of the reports (including that from the Implementation Group) will be posted on the new web site following publication by the Welsh Government. The web site is to be found at www.shrewsburyaberystwythrailway.org.uk

 

[merlodlliw]

Anywhere he doesn't actually meet his constituents!! At least his predecessor did actually get his face around the area a lot, even if he was a bit of a prat.

His predecessor being Lembit Öpik,a fan of Cheeky Girls,are you saying the local MP does not hold local surgeries open to all . or walk the streets. Out of interest.