Lichfield Rail Promotion Group:
Minutes of Meeting in Wade Street Church on Monday 9th October 2017. 8pm

Present: D Dixon (chairman), J Adams, G Hudson, D Bathurst, A Hutchinson, P Cousins, D James, KV Wasdell, P Martin, G Wilcox. R Henshaw.
Apologies for Absence – B Pretty, I Jackson P Bates P Keane, M Frayn, R Hockney, R Hartley

East Midlands Franchise Chairman confirmed that our submission had been sent by e-mail and recorded delivery. Also copied to Michael Fabricant MP who is supportive and has so advised DfT. Chairman said other groups who know of our wishes are generally supportive.

London Midland We still await action on the following issues:
Toilets at Lichfield City to be brought back into use, and staff (not necessarily ticket office staff) to be on hand and to lock the station, and to reduce the opportunity for vandalism.
Ramp for disabled access to car park and platform at Shenstone
Footpath/safe pedestrian access to LTV
Additional suggestion made at meeting for Car Park signage to be installed at Trent Valley.

West Midlands Stakeholder meeting (28 Sept) was attended by Roger Hockney who provided a full report which has been circulated to members.

London Midland franchise has been awarded to Abellio. There are some route changes which affect Trent Valley trains to Crewe which will no longer go via Stoke, but Cross City is not affected.
However Cross City service will see some changes when new rolling stock is procured which will probably reduce the number of seats to create more standing space. DfT consider that standing for 20 minutes is acceptable.
Peter Cousins had asked if the Centro Fare Zone could be extended to include Lichfield, Tamworth and Shenstone but this is unlikely.

We will seek contact with Abellio and ask them to attend our meeting. DD to compile “shopping list” of issues to present to them.

Treasurer – absent but Bank statement shows £909.86. Grant application to City Council will be submitted.

Other Business
Noted that replacement road transport when service interrupted was still not efficiently organised.
New Street blockade is expected over the Christmas holidays but the extent and likely disruption is not yet known
Leaf fall Timetable will run from 30th October for 6 weeks
Rob Hornsey and Steve Helfet to be invited to next meeting prior to end of London Midland franchise.