Minutes:
Mark Youngman, GWR Development Manager Wales and Integrated Transport Manager attended to provide information on the Severn Tunnel closure.
The refranchise of rail services in the area was discussed and it was speculated that a better service should be expected for the Wales and Borders region. It was reported that responses submitted in a recent consultation on GWR franchise raised the need for more direct services to and from Chepstow and Bristol. It was suggested that the terms of the extended franchise will be published soon and it would be very worthwhile to lobby politicians to attract their interest.
It was commented that train performance is not where it should be e.g. delays, less carriages than needed and gaps in services. Possible reasons included the significant training schedule for drivers covering the new and different trains being brought into service and also engineering works to electrify the mainline between London and South Wales by 2019. There is also pressure from Network Rail to gain access to undertake maintenance.
Reference was made to the parliamentary debate secured by Jessica Morden MP regarding the campaign for a new station at Magor, and the bids for new stations at Llanwern and Cardiff Parkway – all of which want trains to stop frequently. It was observed that a balance needs to be struck on the priority for faster services or frequently stopping trains at more stations. The source of evidence that rail travellers want either faster services or more connections was queried. It was explained that such evidence originates from politicians, senior officials and business organisations who want faster journey times. It was suggested that a higher level of service would allow more flexibility. A response was provided that the Welsh Government vision for public transport promotes both types of service with faster journeys on routes to key destinations including Bristol and London. This approach is supported by councils in Wales and the West of England. Transport for Wales are in agreement. It will be necessary to persuade the rail companies accordingly.
It was questioned if it is easier to have quick wins i.e. faster trains when what is needed is a comprehensive transport infrastructure and responded that in the SE Wales region there is a good understanding about an integrated network with connections to Bristol. It was explained that it is possible to deliver both types of service; a direct train to London via Severn Tunnel Junction is not necessarily suitable but a trial was advocated.
A Member attended the GWR Customer Panel recently and accepted the poor performance was for valid reasons, but observed that 44 % was an unacceptably low level of trains arriving on time. With regard to long journey times, it was noted that previously there had been a temporary service between Chepstow to Bristol with a long journey time. This service was liked by passengers who could use the time to work on the train. It was suggested that passengers would be interested in a reliable, longer journey service from stations in the Cardiff region to Bristol.
It was commented that a pattern had been detected of poor service alternating between services in S. Wales and West of England and questioned if it is a staffing, servicing or resources issue. It was responded that it can be all those things including changes to the trains in use, training and staffing/depot changes. The problems are equally spread across the network.
In response to a question, it was commented that the new trains will be in operation possibly from May 2019.
Mr. Youngman was wished well for his future ventures.
The Chief Executive suggested that the Council may wish to consider its position on quality and reliability or service versus speed, inclusive v. exclusive and how to organise a Chepstow to Bristol service.
It was explained that there is a possibility of a trial service from Chepstow/Lydney to Bristol during business hours. The franchise bidders have all expressed interest but it is not part of the base franchise and therefore there is no commitment at this stage.
A Member asked what the Council’s vision is and it was suggested that presentation a proposed vision and policy should be presented at Council.
It was confirmed that the Council has Local Transport Plan objectives within which priorities change according to circumstances. Whilst reliability is a priority now, safety is always the first objective. It is also key that the views communicated to stakeholders are acted upon and important to work with other authorities in West of England to define priorities for both sides. It was commented that it would be worthwhile lobbying the Department for Transport to address the challenges.
In terms of timescales, it was confirmed that the Wales and Borders franchise will be awarded at the end of May with a formal announcement in June. All bidders have been asked to attend meetings of regional transport authorities and officer level meetings to understand the detail of direction and any joint delivery plans.
The Head of Operations agreed that development of the Council’s vision and strategy was a piece of work to do, with consultation and reflection on previous engagement, to set out our position. This can be used when lobbying recalling that the Corporate Plan, “22 for 22”, includes improvements to rural transport.