Agenda item

The Chair welcomed Richard Gibson, Head of Communications, Arriva Cross Country Trains, to the meeting.

It was explained that, due to the pandemic, it has been difficult for the transport industry to run services safely for customers and staff.  The requirement for social distancing has reduced the number of passengers to 20%.  Infection and self-isolation of staff has also limited the ability to crew trains.

Since March very few people have opted for train travel.  Custom increased in July when restrictions were relaxed.  An hourly peak service (every two hours off peak) was introduced from Gloucester to Cardiff in March.  In July, change was necessary to protect the national timetable and to safely provide the capacity needed for social distancing.  More time is also needed to allow passengers to board and alight safely. There are 29 trains available to run through Monmouthshire providing services from Cardiff to Nottingham, Birmingham and Stansted Airport and local services between Birmingham and Leicester and Birmingham and Nottingham. 

A decision was taken to provide most capacity where there was most need and some services were rearranged to free up the ability to join two trains together to provide capacity.  These mainly affected services between West and East Midlands, and in areas such as Monmouthshire where there were other services running.  It was explained that Monmouthshire is not the only place where reductions in services have occurred.  It is understood that the changes have caused difficulties for residents and tourists.  Questions were asked as follows:

·         A Member commented that train services in Chepstow are abysmal and stopping at Chepstow would only take a few minutes as there is a 30mph speed limit.  Trains at Gloucester stand to make up recovery time. A plea was made to reconsider the changes at Chepstow and to allow all trains passing through to stop.  It was commented that there is a service provided from Cardiff at 18.45 then nothing further until the TfW service at 21.09.  It was responded that the changes were well thought through and made for good reasons.  They are not local services but part of the national timetable. Since the impact of COVID 19, timetables have changed five times and reviews are frequent.

·         A Member asked about the 7.26am to Manchester previously a Great Western Railway service.  There are no plans to reintroduce this service at the current time but it is still under consideration. 

·         The Chair expressed concern that services are being reduced at the current time of climate change when the priority is to encourage use of public transport. 

·         A Member asked if it would be possible for a survey to be carried out at Gloucester to review if the trains are standing there for a length of time sufficient to enable a stop at Chepstow.  It was agreed that the survey would be undertaken. 

·         A Member acknowledged the explanation but wished to emphasise that the service to and from Chepstow is a lifeline for many people.

The expert members of the Group were thanked for their highly valuable contribution to meetings.  Richard Gibson was thanked for his input to the meeting.