WELCOME TO S.L.U.G. NEWS PAGE
We hope that you will find this page informative.
It will be updated on a regular basis and will include articles supplied
by the train companies and transport authorities with the appropriate
links for detail. This is where you will find reports from S.L.U.G. officers
and information on the Group’s activities including notice of meetings.
The scope of news coverage will be any
matter relating to Stourbridge Line stations, trains and performance and
also bus links to the line. We will comment on events and developments
and offer constructive criticism where appropriate.
If you have any news material to share or
if you want to comment on any of the news stories published here e-mail:
newseditor@stourbridgelineusergroup.info
News Page Updated 29
June 2009
29 June 2009
Enlarging the Network
The Stourbridge Line User Group warmly welcomes a new
report by the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) which was
published on the 15th June 2009. In the report, “Connecting Communities”,
ATOC calls for the routes involved to be safeguarded, and for further
detailed planning with Network Rail and local authorities to prioritise
investment. The suggested rail links, which might be built within a five
to ten year timescale, would serve the following highly populated towns
and cities:
- Cranleigh (Surrey)
- Bordon, Hythe and Ringwood (Hampshire)
- Churston for Brixham (Devon)
- Aldridge and Brownhills (West Midlands)
- Wisbech (Cambridgeshire).
- Leicester to Burton (Derbyshire)
- Fleetwood, Rawtenstall and Skelmersdale (Lancashire)
- Washington (Tyne and Wear)
- Ashington & Blyth (Northumberland)
ATOC can build a business case for these re-openings
and takes into account the economic benefit and environmental advantage
of taking passenger traffic off roads.
While SLUG appreciates the importance and advantages
of all the proposed re-openings, it is most interested in the identification
of a Walsall to Brownhills or Lichfield service. This corridor is being
considered for inclusion in the West Midlands Rail Utilisation Strategy.
The restoration of the Walsall-Brownhills-Lichfield line for freight is
proposed by Centro in its strategic plan, to release capacity on other
routes serving Birmingham. Longer term, the Brownhills route could form
part of an interurban service from Birmingham to Walsall, Brownhills,
Lichfield, Burton and Derby.
Naturally, SLUG sees an opportunity to demand a passenger
service from Stourbridge to Walsall and beyond. In fact this route is
listed in the appendix of the report under “Other Potential Link
Lines”. ATOC has evaluated the Stourbridge-Dudley-Walsall line as
physically achievable but not sought to make the business case. SLUG feels
that if a business case for Midland Metro Line Two has been made, then
the data and statistics also apply for a heavy rail service.
SLUG has traditionally supported Midland Metro with the
proviso that a parallel heavy rail link would follow at a later date.
The current situation is that Metro has a £250m shortfall of funds
and government funding will not be forthcoming without the introduction
of road congestion charges across the West Midlands. Tolls are deeply
unpopular with local politicians, so a position of stalemate hinders progress.
Centro is looking at tram/train track-sharing schemes and this may be
the way forward. However, the government must take the train-operating
companies seriously because the system is experiencing growth and capacity
needs to be built in to cater for future demand. Surely a traditional
diesel train operation from Stourbridge to Walsall would be easier and
cheaper to put in place than a Metro tram system? Once it was established,
the service could be evaluated for electrification.
25 May 2009
A place in history
The second week of May secured a place for Stourbridge
Town in the pages of transport history. Already recorded as the shortest
branch line in the United Kingdom, the railway from Stourbridge Town to
Stourbridge Junction became the first to be operated by the unique Parry
People Mover (PPM) railcar, entering service in the week which commenced
May 11th 2009.
Although the vehicle was intended to be introduced in
the last London Midland timetable, the whole project was delayed, as reported
on our website and in our newsletter. In the absence of the rail shuttle,
a coach service was substituted.
At our Public Meeting held on May 6th, Mike Haigh, Business
Strategy Director for London Midland, explained that his company had responded
to customer complaints about the replacement coach service and restored
the class 153 to enable better connections. The implication was that customers
would have drifted away if the coach had continued to provide the shuttle.
Mike explained the reasons for the delayed introduction
of the Parry People Mover vehicle. Although the commencement date of the
service had been planned in good faith, no one could have foreseen the
problems involved. A multitude of factors had compounded to prevent a
smooth changeover; sub-contracting of parts manufacture, additional modifications
to meet rigorous specifications and stringent tests. The intricacies of
introducing a new generation of railcar have now been realised and the
class 139 will be phased in gradually. (During the phasing-in period,
a back-up class 153 will be stabled in sidings at Stourbridge Junction
in case of vehicle failure).
SLUG has not witnessed all of the various ongoing processes which preceded
the decisions. To put the various aspects into context, we can now report
facts which were denied to us earlier this year:-
- The innovation has been successful both in vehicle type and operating
procedures.
- Vehicle 139 002 has been fully approved for passenger operation and
has demonstrated how well the PPM 60 type fits the operation of the
Stourbridge Town branch
- Pre Metro Operations has operated passenger services using 139 002
and over 1,500 passenger journeys have already been made on this unit
during the week commencing 11th May
- The partner of the 139 002 (139 001) was delivered to Stourbridge
on 17th May and is now being prepared for full acceptance and approval
for passenger operation
- Preparations for full passenger service are now in the final stages.
At the time of going to press, it is expected that one PPM 60 unit will
be providing the branch service on either/or weekdays/weekends, in between
the regular diesel railcar. The times of operation may be subject to
revision.
30 April 2009
SLUG sets targets for the next two decades.
In response to a new West Midlands Region Rail Development
Plan, the Stourbridge Line User Group has drafted a reply encompassing
all its suggested improvements for a local and intercity service. The
W.M.R.D.P. covers the next two decades and promises major investment in
trains and railway infrastructure.
The Group believes that it has a duty to bring more national
destinations within easy reach of Stourbridge Line stations. The two options
which SLUG will explore are more through services and more one-change
connections at interchange stations. The Group recognises that Stourbridge
Line passengers have adapted to their trains serving Birmingham Snow Hill
and Birmingham Moor Street. Their loyalty will be rewarded with more destinations
such as Leicester and others in the East of England, being available at
these Birmingham stations.
Unlike previous Rail Development Plans, the W.M.R.R.D.P.
includes rail services that run through to Worcestershire and some lines
that have no stations within the political boundary of the West Midlands
County. Commenting on this aspect, SLUG Chairman Rob Hebron said:-
“The Stourbridge Line User Group is pleased that
this Rail Development Plan recognises travel-to-work patterns which are
cross county. It also takes into account regeneration in towns outside
the West Midlands County. Economic growth and regeneration will change
the pattern of travel and our railways will need to conform.
He continued:-
“The Group has set out its response in two parts;
one relating to its stations in the West Midlands County, the other to
those in Worcestershire. The latter section will be used as a basis for
a joint response with other Worcestershire Rail User Groups”.
The Stourbridge Line User Group believes that the W.M.R.R.D.P.
will be the main topic at its Public Meeting and A.G.M. which is being
held at Kidderminster (Severn Valley Railway) station on Wednesday May
6th, commencing at 7:30pm.
The Group expects a good turn-out from members and the
general public who can put questions to guests from London Midland, Chiltern
Railways, Centro and Worcestershire County Council.
3rd March 2009
Stourbridge – reversing the decline
In the last article, S.L.U.G. Chairman, Rob Hebron expressed
his disappointment at delays to Stourbridge public transport improvements.
His mood changed back to one of optimism when he was invited to a public
meeting to debate the decline of Stourbridge Town Centre. The event was
organised by Stourbridge resident, David Cox under the banner “One
Heart, One Way”. The meeting, chaired by Stourbridge MP, Lynda Waltho
brought together shoppers, traders, property developers, councillors and
representatives of public transport organisations.
The agenda set out to identify the strengths and weaknesses
of the town and members of the audience were invited to air their views
or to submit ideas on a pre-printed form. The prevailing feeling was that
arrival in Stourbridge by car, bus or train was not an enjoyable experience.
The swathes of derelict land, out of date bus station and dirty subways
create a bad first impression. This is unfortunate when Stourbridge High
Street actually has many fine buildings with outstanding architectural
features. The town also supports an array of independent specialist shops
which are often overlooked because they are in Lower High Street.
Guest speaker, John Parry of Parry People Movers offered
some solutions to transport problems. He brought with him a scale model
of Stourbridge Town Station showing how the area could benefit from landscaping.
The forthcoming light railcar vehicle will transform the branch line into
a tramway and the station could easily become open-plan so as to proudly
display the fine station building which has an almost “Swiss”
style appearance. The model is not far removed from our Chairman’s
vision of an integrated train and bus station which actually looks integrated.
Mr Parry has greater ambitions to take the tramway into
Stourbridge Town Centre. There is no endorsement, at present, from Centro
but the P.T.E. seems to be very interested. From comments made by the
Centro spokesman and local Councillors, it would appear that the re-opening
of the Stourbridge to Walsall passenger railway line may very well depend
on the success of the new railcar on the Stourbridge Town branch line.
However, our Chairman witnessed a sign of commitment to the Walsall Line
re-opening albeit long-term.
The meeting lasted for a duration of two hours and many
more issues were raised which were not transport related. Our representative
missed his chance to speak on the delayed bus station. Reasons for delay
were given which confirmed that the re-design was for the benefit of rail
passengers as well as bus customers.
Our Chairman submitted his official SLUG ideas at the
meeting and passed on his personal views by e-mail. He has promised to
remain involved with the new Stourbridge action group and will report
on any interesting developments.
3rd March 2009
Stourbridge – delays and disappointments.
Back in November, the Stourbridge Line User Group was
optimistic and upbeat about the future of public transport in Stourbridge.
We reported the strategy of Centro to evaluate tram/train track sharing
and the implied intention of the Authority to include Stourbridge in the
Metro extension. Our optimism was short lived as Geoff Hoon, Secretary
of State for Transport, poured cold water on plans to secure government
funding. When interviewed earlier this year, Mr Hoon made it quite clear
that funding through the Transport Innovation Fund (TIF) was subject to
congestion charges being levied in the region. The “Green Deal”
as we call it, was rejected outright in Manchester despite offering billions
of pounds for public transport improvements. There is no political will
to introduce road charging in the West Midlands as it is a certain vote
loser. This leaves the Council Tax payer and the Private Sector to find
the shortfall which the government should have provided. Does anyone seriously
think that Metro will be up and running before 2015? The tragedy is that
in this current recession, construction projects are vital to kick start
the economy and provide employment. Regeneration is the key to recovery.
This Group thinks it is time to look at alternative options based on existing
tracks and available rolling stock. At least Dudley could be linked to
the national rail network at Stourbridge Junction without electrification.
The tram/train idea could be incorporated later.
As if Metro delay is not bad enough, Stourbridge commuters
will have to wait another year for their new bus/rail interchange. The
reason given is that the original plan is to be revised to include benefits
gained through “Transforming Bus Travel” funds and initiatives.
Whilst this Group applauds the improved walkways and integration with
Stourbridge Town station, we cannot help thinking that construction at
Stourbridge has been delayed in favour of redeveloping Wolverhampton and
Dudley interchanges. (We hope that we are mistaken).
The much-hailed Dudley Bus Review last year, has not
increased the range of destinations available from Stourbridge Town interchange.
In fact, many evening services have been cut back. The frequency of the
new railcar service to Stourbridge Town offered the chance to make good
connections by bus but the opportunity has been missed.
1st February 2009
The Complete Alliance
The Stourbridge Line User Group has forged new links
with the two Transport Authorities in whose counties the railway operates.
In addition to the main train companies, London Midland and Chiltern Railways,
the Group is now consulting with Centro and Worcestershire County Council
at its bi-monthly meetings. The alliance of stakeholders around the table
will produce a completely representative forum for improvements on the
line.
Individual passenger journeys do not fit snugly into
one man’s department. Sometimes problems originate in one area but
need to be resolved by work carried out in another. Centro has previously
financed work outside its boundary for the common good (The re-opening
of the Chase Line). Now there is evidence of two-way co-operation with
Worcestershire and the result could be less private traffic on congested
roads.
S.L.U.G. has been invited to provide input for the 2010
timetable by both London Midland and Chiltern. We will put forward to
London Midland suggestions based on the greater flexibility of the new
Class 172 trains. At last there is an opportunity that improvements can
be made to the service at Hartlebury and we will press for off-peak services
and the chance to develop Hartlebury as a rail head for Stourport.
The willingness of London Midland to run trains to Cheltenham
and Gloucester is an opportunity to request a through service to and from
the Stourbridge Line. At the very least, Stourbridge Line passengers need
better connections to the South of England to compensate for those lost
when trains were diverted from Birmingham New Street to Birmingham Snow
Hill.
With the improved acceleration of the Class 168 trains
to be run by Chiltern we must also seek improved journey times from Kidderminster,
Stourbridge Junction and Cradley Heath to London.
The 2010 timetable is a golden opportunity for us to
put forward our case for improved co-operation between the two companies
particularly in relation to the very poor evening service from Birmingham
to Worcester with two trains to Kidderminster an hour but both within
10 minutes of one another and no service for the next 50 minutes.
The Group is developing communications both externally
and internally. Following the meeting, Chairman Rob Hebron was quoted
as saying -
“S.L.U.G. needs to be active and interactive.
We are willing to hold “surgeries” in between meetings to
keep abreast of members travel experiences and their expectations.
He continued –
“Now is the time to re-evaluate our campaigns to
consider what we have achieved and what is achievable. The alliance of
stakeholders will help us to do just that. I am convinced that we share
one vision and that is for a superlative service on and around the Stourbridge
Line”.
(Details of our first “Complete Alliance”
meeting on Tuesday January 20th will be released in the next S.L.U.G.
newsletter which will be published in April.)
8th December 2008
The winter timetable: Journey opportunities and missed opportunities
Having published details of more trains serving Smethwick
Galton Bridge (trains bound for Crewe, Liverpool, Chester, Aberystwyth
and Birmingham International) the Stourbridge Line User Group is pleased
to report other improvements in the London Midland winter timetable. These
changes will widen travel opportunity on our line and from it. Most noteworthy
is an enhanced frequency of trains to Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturdays.
The through service from Stourbridge Junction is now two per hour instead
of hourly. Better still; some trains originate in Kidderminster so as
to give that town a regular service to Stratford which it has been deprived
of before. Even better still; Sunday trains to and from Stratford commence
or terminate at Kidderminster so as to make a two-way tourist destination
route with Kidderminster Town providing the scenic Severn Valley Railway
connection.
From Worcester Shrub Hill London Midland are running
a two-hourly service to Gloucester which fills in the gaps of the Great
Western timetable to make an hourly service. Connections are not ideal
but there is now more scope for avoiding a journey via Birmingham.
On the downside, there is once again no attempt to boost
the number of trains stopping at Hartlebury: The Kidderminster to Stratford
service realises the Sunday tourist potential but nobody at London Midland
has picked up on similar potential by stopping Sunday trains at Hartlebury
for the County Museum. Though it is a considerable walk from the station,
the County Museum is a hidden gem in Worcestershire.
London Midlands publicity department has produced a poster
which summarise the main changes on each of its lines. This Group feels
that they have not fully exploited the media to convey the journey opportunities
now available. Could it be that they do not want to promote the services
of other operators? Could they produce more destination-specific tourism
posters? We are happy to publish details of “bargain days out”
on our website and we feel sure that the County Councils would welcome
more visitors to their attractions arriving by train.
Thank you London Midland. More of the same please!
30th November 2008
Change for Bewdley?
If this Group is guilty of opportunism, then so be it!
Opportunity has a habit of slipping away. One such opportunity we cannot
waste is the renewed call for a commuter train service from Kidderminster
to Bewdley. The single track railway line from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth
via Bewdley is owned and operated by the Severn Valley Railway Company
and is a private venture run largely by volunteers. Wyre Forest District
Council and local Liberal Democrats are in negotiation with the Severn
Valley management to supplement their tourist based operation with a commercial
commuter service using railcars.
S.L.U.G. officers have raised the issue of Kidderminster
to Bewdley trains on previous occasions at meetings with Central Trains,
London Midland and Chiltern Railways. The obstacle always seems to be
who provides the infrastructure and staff.
S.L.U.G. Chairman, Rob Hebron can remember earlier proposals
for a Foley Park “parkway” type station on the Stourport Road
but this was at a time before the Severn Valley Railway came back into
Kidderminster. A Foley Park station has been suggested again to serve
a new business park but how this would fit into a “heritage”
railway appearance is unclear. Rob says:-
“If this aspiration can actually be turned into
practice then it would enhance the service on the main line. We are currently
trying to re-open the Stourbridge to Dudley line and the two re-openings
together could greatly increase travel opportunity. We have called for
the reinstatement of the necessary points and this would allow a through
service by joining the branch to the main line. On its merits alone, a
regular Bewdley train service could take much traffic off the road and
fits in well with the Group’s promotion of integrated public transport.
What better way to develop the Kidderminster station site than to reintroduce
a train service it so rightly deserves. The Stourbridge Line User Group
will support this scheme all the way”
We have three players in the picture (including the Stourbridge
Line User Group). We must now bring in Worcestershire County Council and
Kidderminster Member of Parliament, Dr Richard Taylor. If we all pull
together, we can make this happen.
19th November 2008
Re-launched, re-activated and revitalised
The Stourbridge Line User Group was officially re-launched
on Tuesday 11th November at the General Meeting held at Kidderminster
(S.V.R.) station. An impressive turnout gave its campaigners the encouragement
they needed to reactivate the Group which had unintentionally lain dormant
throughout the summer. Those present from the old Committee were willing
to resume their former roles and were re-elected en bloc. Sadly, ex Chairman
Nigel Tolley and Integration Officer, Phil Tonks have both had to stand
down owing to personal difficulties and pressing commitments elsewhere.
In place of Nigel, Rob Hebron has come forth as Acting Chairman. Phil’s
role will be absorbed but we expect new Secretary Peter Price will be
able to advise the Group on matters relating to bus and tram interchange.
As an added bonus we now have two more Committee officers – John
Rutherford and Mike Hanson who will play a supporting role. The healthy
mix of old and new officers is sure to revitalise the Group and we are
all eager to get back to business straight away.
It became clear from the audience at the General Meeting
that two issues continue to be of concern, namely poor connections at
interchange stations and the lack of a passenger service on the railway
line from Stourbridge to Dudley.
S.L.U.G. officers Caspar Lucas and Keith Flinders addressed
the audience in turn to elaborate on the matters raised:-
• Caspar informed the audience of developments
which offer more connections at Smethwick Galton Bridge. The winter timetable
enables one-change connections at Smethwick.G.B. for Crewe, Liverpool,
Chester, Aberystwyth and Birmingham International for the airport. Caspar
raised the issue of security at the interchange station and it was agreed
that the Group should pursue a campaign to make Smethwick G.B. a more
passenger-friendly station. We will raise this matter with London Midland
in the near future. Concerns were also raised about connections at Worcester
stations (details supplied by Keith Flinders). Those concerns were noted
by Mr David Balme who is a transport planning officer for Worcestershire
and who had come to the meeting as an interested member of the general
public.
• The S.L.U.G. campaign to re-open the Stourbridge to Dudley railway
line for passengers has recently gained momentum. Keith Flinders explained
Tram/Train track sharing which is under evaluation in Sheffield. He also
referred to rail freight company ambitions and commented on the state
of track and infrastructure at the Dudley to Walsall end of the line.
This is an ongoing campaign and now is the best time ever that S.L.U.G.
can push for reinstatement of a service.
In the coming months the Group will be revisiting its
campaigns and will prioritise them, taking in to account developments
on the line which have fulfilled our ambitions. We will continue regular
liaison with London Midland and Chiltern Railways so that day to day train
running issues are dealt with effectively.
4th November 2008
Tram/train track sharing offers hope for Stourbridge to Dudley service
West Midlands Passenger Transport authority (Centro)
is currently considering a revolutionary scheme which could drastically
cut the cost of the Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension. The practice
of tram/train track sharing is already commonplace in Germany and the
Netherlands and delegates from Centro have been to see the systems operating
while studying the technology which allows the dual usage. The delegation
was sufficiently impressed with the possible economies of using solely
standard gauge rail tracks that they have indicated the possibility of
an extension of Metro Line Two from Brierley Hill to Stourbridge Junction.
For the Stourbridge Line User Group, this is an important development,
particularly as the Group’s support for Metro Line Two had recently
been waning due to the delay in commencing the project. Our attention
had turned to reinstating a heavy rail passenger service but this puts
matters in a different light. If Centro is serious about a modified Metro
then this is the most exciting news for years and it opens up the possibility
that Dudley and Brierley Hill can be connected to the national rail network
at Stourbridge Junction.
Of course nothing is certain and the whole idea is dependent
on the whole length of the freight line from Stourbridge to Walsall being
put back in use. Furthermore, Centro is to base its decision on a trial
tram/train system in Sheffield which will not be under appraisal until
2010 at the earliest.
Nevertheless, tram/train track sharing is the best chance
we will ever get to re-open the Dudley line to passengers. The type of
rail vehicle employed is of secondary importance to the actual restoration
of service. Frequency and capacity can be addressed by the appropriate
mode.
Stourbridge MP Lynda Waltho has kept us abreast of developments
and will continue to do so. As we learn more detail about “roll
out” of the current Metro project, we will inform interested parties
through this website.
7th October 2008
Important notice of meeting
Nearly four months have elapsed since the S.L.U.G. contacted
members about the future of the Group. The response was encouraging and
a decision was taken by the outgoing committee to continue as a campaigning
body. However, three officers of the old committee were incapacitated
by injury or personal circumstances and though willing to accept nomination
and continue in their former roles, were unable to do so. Along with Gary
Adams, Nigel Tolley and Rob Hebron form the administrative arm of S.L.U.G.
and their unavoidable absence effectively disabled the Group for the summer
period.
The good news is that S.L.U.G. now has a new recruit
willing to stand as Secretary and the Group has been able to continue
its liaison role thanks to Don Barton, Keith Flinders and Phil Tonks.
Their input has enabled a limited output of news to circulate through
our website. Now we feel that the time is right to call all interested
parties together to consider formally reconvening S.L.U.G. by means of
a General Meeting. The General Meeting will be at
the Severn Valley Railway Station (booking hall),
Comberton Hill Kidderminster on Tuesday 11th November.
Proceedings will commence at 7.30 pm so as to allow visitors
by train to arrive at 7.20 pm from the Birmingham direction and 7.10 pm
from the Worcester direction. The duration is expected to be no more than
ninety minutes, so as to facilitate early departure by return trains.
We cannot stress enough how we need a good attendance
on the night so we can consider the future of the Group and if appropriate,
elect a new committee. It will not be purely a head hunting exercise,
as some officers of the old committee are willing to accept nomination
again. More importantly the membership will need to focus on how the Group
operates and its priority campaigns.
18th August 2008
More trains for Smethwick Galton Bridge
Following last week's exciting news of trains to and
from Shrewsbury (and beyond) calling at Smethwick Galton Bridge enabling
Stourbridge Line passengers to travel onwards with just one change of
train, SLUG has now learned that trains to Liverpool will also be calling
hourly at Smethwick G.B. The service provided by London Midland from December
will facilitate easy journeys to Stafford etc. As a result of the actions
of Arriva Trains Wales and London Midland, two airports (Birmingham International
and Liverpool John Lennon) will be accessible by a two-leg train journey.
This will not only fulfil a S.L.U.G. campaign but could potentially take
many cars and taxis off the road and thereby reduce carbon emissions.
This is a truly win-win situation.
We cannot possibly hope for every city in the United
Kingdom to be accessible from Smethwick Galton Bridge but it is encouraging
that key destinations have been identified and “plugged in”.
If only the Stourbridge to Walsall passenger line were re-opened then
the potential for rail journeys North East via Lichfield and Derby could
be realised. If other non passenger railways such as the Sutton Park line
are worthy of a business case study then surely the Stourbridge –
Walsall line is too. It really is that simple.
18th August 2008
One-change connection.
The Stourbridge Line User Group has made it clear to
its members and Centro that it is pursuing a credible alternative to a
Birmingham New Street terminus so as to give Stourbridge Line passengers
a one-change connection to the national rail network.
Stourbridge Member of Parliament, Lynda Waltho has been
lobbying on our behalf to introduce one-change connections with the network
at Smethwick Galton Bridge. Correspondence forwarded to the Group from
Tim Bell, Managing Director of Arriva Trains Wales contains exciting news:
We are pleased to report that from December, their two-hourly Aberystwyth
to Birmingham New Street service will call at Smethwick Galton Bridge
and likewise, the two hourly Chester to Birmingham service. Better still;
Arriva Trains Wales have extended the link so it stops at Birmingham International.
Stourbridge Line Users now have a connection point for Birmingham Airport.
Significantly, as a result of the two new links our own line gains a one-change
service to lots of places westwards, like Telford, Shrewsbury, Wrexham
and Chester.
Sadly, Lynda’s correspondence with Andrew Cooper,
Managing Director of CrossCountry has indicated that their company has
no plans to serve Smethwick Galton Bridge or Solihull. The reasons given
are capacity restraints and the exclusion of these station stops within
the Department for Transport specification for the franchise. However,
Mr Cooper has indicated that the company is responsive and (quote) “We
are certainly committed to developing alternative interchanges to Birmingham
New Street and are currently developing this”.
Meanwhile, Worcestershire County Council and Network
Rail are looking at better integration of services at Worcester stations
and this could have a positive outcome for our line. Although our members
have always favoured a New Street based service, it has always been for
the reason that other interchanges have been inadequate. This has lead
to inefficient use of time and fuel by travelling NORTH to Birmingham
New Street to head SOUTH.
S.L.U.G. looks forward to the upgrade of both Smethwick
and Worcester interchanges and better utilisation of both.
Source of story – Lynda Waltho MP and B.B.C. News Wales. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/mid/7505769.stm
21st June 2008
Change at Kidderminster
The Wyre Forest Transport Technical Group is a committee
of Wyre Forest District Council and invited guests. The W.F.T.T.G meets
to ensure that the desired public transport network for Kidderminster,
Stourport and Bewdley is the one provided by commercial operators and
the County Council. On Wednesday June 11th the Stourbridge Line User Group
was represented at a W.F.T.T.G. meeting by Phil and Rob. As a full time
employee of Bus Users UK, Phil is frequently involved with this particular
forum as a consultant and is able to influence the District Council on
matters relating to the integration of bus and train services in the area.
Once again, the topic of a new Kidderminster rail station
was on the agenda:
A working group has been engaged in the planning and design of the new
facility and the partners are Network Rail, The Severn Valley Railway
and Worcestershire County Council. S.L.U.G. has seen detailed drawings
of the new station and surrounding area (see previous news article) but
it would seem that there are still various options still open for revision
of the original design. The objective is to provide a more spacious station
building with more passenger facilities but at the same time to protect
the number of car parking spaces. The station area has been earmarked
for an interchange incorporating three bus bays and shelters which will
be located behind the existing taxi rank on land excavated from the shrub
filled embankment. In addition, a layover bay will be constructed on the
Severn Valley Railway car park.
Funding has yet to be approved but the partners will
provide a proportionate share as well as seeking government sponsored
initiative grants and “Access for All” reserved cash. There
is real scope here for Kidderminster station to become an interchange
up to the standard of Cradley Heath and it could be the hub of Worcestershire
bus services. First Bus and Whittle Bus companies are both keen to run
services to and from the station (subject to an improved junction layout
at Comberton Road/ Station Drive) and if this were the case, S.L.U.G.
would like to see frequencies of Stourport and Bewdley buses match those
of the train.
On the subject of bus/rail links, the villagers of Harvington
and Bluntington have lost most of their bus services to Kidderminster
railway station. Regretfully, the number of passengers using the X3 does
not justify the diversion of the bus from the Kidderminster to Bromsgrove
main road but at least Chaddesley Corbett still has a reasonable service,
albeit from the outskirts of the village.
Again, lack of patronage has led to the withdrawal of
a Wyre Forest facility – the Park and Ride coach service from Aggborough
to the town centre. Rob suggested the idea of a one way circular bus serving
Aggborough, the rail station and town centre but he was advised that road
layouts at present would not be conducive to such a service. It was agreed
to revisit this idea when the new station layout was in place and meanwhile
to look at upgrading the pedestrian access from Aggborough to the station
which is not a considerable distance at all. Various means of improving
car park provision and expansion have been considered including “double
decking”. S.L.U.G. hopes that a local solution can be found so as
to avoid the practice of parking out of town at other stations along the
line.
All in all, the meeting was very interesting. Some topics
such as “Bewdley, Load Street bus bay improvements” may seem
to have no relevance for Stourbridge Line users but the fact is that it
is part of a whole package to make public transport more attractive and
accessible for passengers. The start of the journey is as important as
the interchange and the final leg. S.L.U.G. hope to be invited to the
W.F.T.T.G. again and we are happy to take along comments and suggestions
to help improve the integration of Wyre Forest bus services with our railway
line.
10th June 2008
Behind the scenes
Viewers of this website may be forgiven for thinking
that the Stourbridge Line User Group is inactive at the moment. This time
of year yields very little news apart from the details of a new timetable
and there is little or no change for Stourbridge Line commuters either
on London Midland or Chiltern Railways services.
Of course, the postponement of the A.G.M has delayed
the election of S.L.U.G. officers but the outgoing Committee have carried
on regardless “out of the limelight” and “behind the
scenes”. The liaison team, Don and Keith have continued to engage
with the train operators to maintain our mutually beneficial relationship.
The meeting at St Saviours Hall, Hagley on May 14th yielded much interesting
information and cause for optimism:-
Ian Baxter represented the newly formed Northern Division
of Chiltern Railways.
Ian’s role as Divisional manager is to focus on the highly lucrative
market at the northern end of their railway operation and he reinforced
their commitment to Stourbridge/ Kidderminster to London services. The
company is undertaking a program of redecoration at their stations and
has recently restored Leamington Spa to pristine condition. The main area
of improvement to Chiltern services will be in decreased journey time
on Birmingham to London trains. Their aspiration is an optimistic (but
desirable), one and a half hours, effective from 2010 when 172 units come
into play.
Mark Lawton, Customer Service Manager for the Snow Hill
Lines reported for London Midland. Amongst forthcoming improvements are
ongoing staff training, investments in station car parks, a wider allocation
of ticket vending machines (backed up by revenue protection on the ground)
and automatic gates at Birmingham stations by the end of the year. London
Midland stations including Smethwick Galton Bridge will be re-branded
in the new company colours. In addition, the help points at Stourbridge
Line stations will go “live” connecting to real people and
not recordings. This will provide both security and comfort for waiting
passengers.
Further aspirations of London Midland include the electrification
of the Barnt Green to Bromsgrove line and a new station at Kidderminster.
This project is subject to funding but has progressed to key stage three.
David Balme, representing Worcestershire County Council, elaborated on
the projected Kidderminster station and produced detailed designs for
both the station and surrounding area. The modular design will provide
a more spacious building than at present and the office itself will be
moved further down the line towards the new bridge and lifts. A new pathway
will guide passengers from the new station to the Severn Valley terminus
and traffic calming measures will be introduced if necessary.
It may seem a long way away but the 2010 timetable promises
to be a considerable improvement. S.L.U.G. officers continue to push for
intercity connections at Smethwick Galton Bridge and Worcester and there
seems to be a consensus for these ambitions. Work should have been completed
on re-signalling the line between Hartlebury and Blakedown, leaving more
paths for Worcester-bound trains and (hopefully), time to stop more trains
at Hartlebury. All in all there is still work for S.L.U.G. to do and we
hope to be “up and running” as soon as possible and not simply
working “Behind the scenes. Watch this space for information about
the rescheduled A.G.M.
13th February 2008
Good and bad news concerning station bus links.
The Stourbridge Line User Group is happy to report some
good news for bus passengers in Kidderminster. Forthcoming changes to
First Group local services will benefit commuters who want to travel onwards
by train. First Group have extended the existing Kidderminster –
Spennells service 10 to Habberley on Monday to Friday, off peak. This
revised route combined with service 2 gives 4 buses an hour from Habberley
and provides through buses to Kidderminster Railway station. As well as
this welcome new link, which comes into effect on February 24th, early
morning Stourport to Kidderminster services 3 and X3 have been retimed
to improve bus/train connections.
Last year when the previous revisions took effect, S.L.U.G.
criticised First Group for the neglect of rail station routes. Both First
Group and Worcestershire County Council appear to have taken note and
it would seem that Integrated Public Transport is back on the agenda:
Our Liaison Officer, Don Barton attended the Worcestershire Timetable
Conference on Monday January 17th and was pleased to report some progress
in the County strategy to coordinate timings of London Midland, Chiltern
and First Great Western trains so as to provide better connections. Although
this was a strictly rail travel conference, it was recognised that buses
have an important role to play where stations such as Kidderminster and
Bromsgrove are not centrally located and the lack of a regular bus shuttle
offsets advantages gained by better train to train connections.
At the northern end of the Stourbridge Line, the situation
has taken a turn for the worse: the Station Link bus which connected the
three Birmingham stations has been withdrawn.
Patronage of the free service has not been enough to
justify its continuance. It is the intention of Centro that the Birmingham
Metro extension will eventually provide the station to station link but
its construction and operation appears to be years away.
Meanwhile, at London Marylebone another possible solution
is on trial: Chiltern have just taken delivery of a Buggy to assist passengers
with walking and visual disabilities to get from the Marylebone station
entrance out to the train. It will be of particular assistance for passengers
who wish to get to trains on the new platforms which involve a very long
walk. Every attempt is being made for all the Birmingham trains to be
leaving from the nearer platforms, and particularly all the Kidderminster/Stourbridge
trains, as it is thought that these will perhaps be carrying more long
distance passengers and fewer London commuters.
Our Liaison Officer has received an indication that Centro
are interested in the idea of a similar Buggy for use between Moor Street
and New Street. Shortly the Chiltern Passenger Board members will be asked
for their ideas for the 2008/9 User Group Fund. Don proposes to support
Centro's idea by putting it forward as a nomination from SLUG and seeking
support from the other Snow Hill lines user groups. He will suggest that
the project be jointly funded by Centro, Birmingham City Council, the
New Street TOCs, Network Rail and the Chiltern User Group Fund, as joint
funded projects have a higher chance of being approved by Chiltern Management.
18th January 2008
Striking the right chord.
The Stourbridge Line User Group is currently preparing
its response to the Centro/W.M.P.T.A. document entitled “West Midlands
Rail Vision; Network Development Strategy”. The document dated November
2007 has only recently been published but the content has been well worth
waiting for. Over the years the Group has responded to many consultation
documents but this collection of projects has to be the most ambitious
and far reaching. From what we can extract of this strategy, we are very
excited about the prospects for rail travel in the West Midlands. We feel
sure that our members will share our excitement.
If the aspirations of this blueprint turn into reality,
then S.L.U.G. can start to wind up most of its campaigns! For instance
the demand for improved evening and Sunday services has been recognised
and measures are proposed to provide increased capacity on the Railways
of the West Midlands.
Fundamental to all the proposed improvements is the construction
of the two Bordesley Chords which will allow trains to proceed from the
Camp Hill Line to Birmingham Moor Street Station. Under this scheme, the
Camp Hill Line itself will re-open to passengers with three new stations.
As well as giving these Birmingham suburbs a rail service and connections
to the Stourbridge Line, the chords open up the possibility of Nottingham,
Nuneaton, Tamworth, Leicester and Cardiff services being diverted away
from Birmingham New Street, thereby creating anintercity station at Birmingham
Moor Street and easy connections from the Stourbridge line.
The Network Development Strategy also applies to services
operating in Warwickshire as Centro has influence on the so called “travel
to work area” and is not restricted by political boundaries. Presently,
one of our Stourbridge local trains runs through to Stratford-Upon-Avon.
If suggested signalling and line upgrades are carried out, potentially
we could have a twenty minute frequency and a late evening return from
Stratford–Upon-Avon.
Similarly, the Strategy extends to Worcestershire where
Bromsgrove station and its services may be radically improved to Cross-City
Line standards. S.L.U.G. looks forward to the time when a journey from
Stourbridge to Bromsgrove (with a good connection at Droitwich) is a realistic
option. Also in Worcestershire, two Parkway stations are proposed which
S.L.U.G. will evaluate.
The Strategy then looks at re-opening the full length
of the Stourbridge-Dudley-Walsall-Lichfield freight route. We fully support
the principle but no specific plans are in place for a PASSENGER RAILWAY:
We are offered only a few words of comfort – “may create opportunity
for tram/train or other rail-based options for passenger services on the
route”. We have campaigned for too many years to let this opportunity
slip away again. What has happened to the Metro scheme? Surely a heavy
rail scheme should be considered in tandem with the freight line restoration?
There are also economic light rail vehicles available which can use heavy
rail infrastructure. These options must be explored.
All in all, there is much cause for optimism but there are
oversights and omissions:
• Kidderminster is a strategic station and falls into the “travel
to work” area. Worcestershire County Council badly needs partners
and funding to upgrade this station to become a practical bus/rail interchange.
• There is no direct public transport of any kind from Kidderminster
area to Wolverhampton, Merry Hill Centre or Birmingham Airport.
It looks as though S.L.U.G. will still have a few campaigns
to keep its committee busy!
(Source of story – Peter Sargant, Head of Rail
and Rapid Transit Development,Centro )
20th November 2007
Introducing London Midland
Our new train operator, London Midland has been running
Stourbridge Line services for over a week and assumed its role quietly
and confidently. They have not shamelessly eradicated all traces of their
predecessor, Central Trains because to do so would be to discredit all
improvements made by that company. At Stourbridge Town, the only noticeable
change is a London Midland poster welcoming passengers to the station
and listing the facilities provided. There are no changes to the station
signs because they are provided by Network West Midlands (Centro) and
the livery of the Town Car is still the same.
The official launch of the new franchise was on Monday
November 12th at a briefing, in the Issigonis Suite, Millennium Point,
Birmingham hosted by Keith Ludeman, Chairman of Govia and Group Chief
Executive of the Go-Ahead Group. SLUG Liaison Officer, Don Barton, attended
the event on our behalf and Caspar Lucas was there in an official capacity
representing Parry People Movers. The formal presentations were all very
brief and low key. The Rail Leader of the West Midland Passenger Transport
Authority welcomed Govia to our region and the two Govia speakers outlined
their hopes for the future. Being at Millennium Point one of the rooms
being used gave a spectacular view of the main West Coast Main Line just
south of New Street and word soon passed round the room that there would
be a run past of one of the three re-liveried suburban electric, class
323, trains coming north from Coventry and then quarter of an hour later
on its return from New Street.
During the presentation, it was noticeable that London
Midland returned to the use of the term “passenger” instead
of the word “customer”. London Midland promised to build on
the work of Central Trains and Centro and outlined their immediate and
long term plans:-
• new and refurbished trains
• better information
• new CCTV and increased security
• more parking spaces and cycle storage
• improved accessibility
• better customer service
• annual environmental targets
After the formal presentations Don used the opportunity to speak informally
with Keith Ludeman about our concerns over the need to improve the poor
labour relations that have dogged the Sunday services in the run-up to
the last two Christmas’s and the need to negotiate with the unions
over un-rostered weekend working.
Don also used the opportunity to speak informally with the several Centro
staff present about our desire to improve the links from our line and
Birmingham International for both the airport and the NEC. He stressed
that there was no connection between any station in Worcestershire and
the airport and the unsatisfactory need to change trains twice for passengers
with luggage.
The Group does not expect an immediate roll out of improvements but will
continue to campaign in line with passenger expectations. Amongst our
priorities:-
• SLUG wants to see a reliable, frequent, high
quality service on the Birmingham-Stourbridge-Kidderminster-Worcester
route and on the Stourbridge Town branch. London Midland's proposals so
far are welcomed, but SLUG wishes to see improved evening services and
an extension of turn-and-and-go frequency into a greater part of the week.
(Weekday evenings are poor at present, with significant [over 40 minutes]
gaps in services back from Birmingham and final services too early for
theatre-goers, etc. )
• SLUG remains concerned that the planned Class
172 fleet is smaller (albeit by just one vehicle, excluding the ex-Anglia
Class 150s) than the fleet it is replacing, and intends to monitor whether
overcrowding worsens as a result.
• Connections from the Stourbridge line are a big
issue, with no direct services to New Street, few connections for the
south west, no decent destinations from the low level platforms at Galton
Bridge and no Cross Country connections any more at Solihull. These facts
prevent the railway from competing with road for passenger transport from
and to the area served by the Stourbridge line. Passengers are prepared
to make journeys with one change of train, but dislike further changes.
London Midland has acquired the valuable assets of Central
Trains, not least its experienced staff and they are acutely aware where
the new company needs to go. If first impressions are anything to go by,
then the new company and its team are looking in the same direction as
the Stourbridge Line User Group. We welcome London Midland and look forward
to working with them.
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