Minutes of 8th January 18 meeting

Minutes of Meeting in Kings Head, Bird Street, on Monday 8th January 2018@ 8pm

Present: D Dixon (chairman), J Adams, B Pretty, D James, KV Wasdell, P Martin, R Henshaw, I Jackson; R Hartley, T Thompson, J Woodcock, G Hudson, A Hutchinson, C Mellor
Apologies for Absence – D Bathurst, R Hockney, M Frayn, G Wilcox, P Bates, P Mullarkey

Minutes of previous meeting –approved.

Abellio – we were joined by David Whitley who is Head of Route for West Midlands Trains’ Cross City and Chase line services. David spoke frankly about the new franchise, in particular:
• Stringent financial penalties for under performance
• New timetables will see trains four times an hour on weekdays to Lichfield Trent Valley wef Dec 2018 and Sunday service to be the same as Saturday service wef May 2021
• New 3 car trains have been ordered but he expects them to run as 6 cars in service. They will have through gangways, and better in-train and station information
• Role of Conductor – more will be expected from them in terms of Customer Service. Abellio is committed to having two members of staff on each train (presumably driver AND conductor)
• Oyster Card type ticketing will be developed
• CCTV on all trains within next six months to assist Revenue Protection teams whose work is being extended to include deterring anti-social behaviour.
Local issues
LTV Car Park – ramp from new car park to southbound platform was refused by DfT but a new request will be submitted. Car park capacity – recognises a proper study is needed of options. Walking route from Trent Valley Road needs improving.
Toilets at both stations – hopeful that they will be fully operational in Spring 2018 at City Station. No commitment for those at LTV. Longer term, it may be possible to move the toilets at City station to the ground floor. (We wondered if it might be better to move the station staff to platform level)

Meeting with MP – planned for 2nd February (Friday) in Kings Head. Chairman (unable to attend as on holiday) will revise list of topics which we wish him to address.

Administration – Treasurer advised cash balance of £750 and reminded members that subscriptions are now due for 2018 – £8 single, £10 Joint – please pay promptly.

Next Meetings both at Kings Head at 8pm
(i) 2nd February with Michael Fabricant
(ii) 12th February monthly meeting

2 comments

  • greg Simmond says:

    I write to enquire if there have been any developments concerning the earlier proposal extend the passenger service from LTV northwards to Alrewas and Burton on Trent.

    As noted a reinstated station and service at Alrewas would greatly assist the National Memorial arboretum plus the residents locally as well as possibly reducing the car commuter traffic to Birmingham on the A38.

    There will be a large number of additional homes soon in Fradley, Alrewas and further north around Burton. All of these will probably have a minimum of two cars each all adding to the existing heavy traffic on the A38.

    A radical rethinking of transport needs along this corridor is long overdue.

    Greg Simmons

    • David James says:

      a) LRPG has formally responded to East Midlands Rail Franchise Consultation suggesting a regular service from Derby to Birmingham International via Burton, Lichfield, Sutton Coldfield and Aston. (Railfuture and Campaign for Rail have also included this reopening in their consultation responses). DFT are currently analyzing consultation feedback.

      b) Our local MP, Michael Fabricant strongly supports restoration of a regular passenger service north from Lichfield and a new station at Alrewas. LRPG are conscious that we also need to get stronger support from the relevant county and local councils. Roger Blake (Railfuture Director) is attending our next meeting on 12th March to advise how we can better achieve our aims.

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