MINUTES OF MEETING ON 16th July 2018
PRESENT D Dixon ( Chairman), J Adams, , I Jackson, R Hartley, T Thompson, R Henshaw, P Martin, A Hutchinson, J Woodcock, R Patching, D Bathurst

APOLOGIES from P Bates, P Cousins, D James, M Frayn, V Wasdell, R Rathbone, P Sheridan G Lusher

MINUTES of June meeting had been circulated and were approved.
RAIL FARES CONSULTATION – members are encouraged to answer the questionnaire which is available from Rail Delivery Group. We shall not submit a group response.
DECEMBER TIMETABLE REVISION will not happen with WM Trains which means that the introduction of direct services to Crewe (avoiding Stoke) will be postponed. Chairman will write to express our disappointment and ask why this is necessary.
WCML – trains for Virgin’s new Blackpool service will stop at Rugby but not at Lichfield or Tamworth. Virgin have suggested that this is the most convenient arrangement – for them and offer no hope of a review but stops at Rugby make for a slower service than stops at Lichfield/Tamworth, and Chairman will write to our MP.
CROSS CITY LINE – invisibility of train manager is still an issue. The meeting agreed that we should advise D Whitley of WM Trains of our experiences. Members are asked to log their journeys during August – date/time of train and whether tickets checked, and advise Secretary who will compose a summary of activity.
CAR PARKING – i) introduction of charges at Shenstone were planned for July but have been deferred. WM Trains have advised that they are working on improving “integrated transport services” – but we do not know what this means! ii) Will remind WMT of need for more spaces at Lichfield Trent Valley following local press coverage of parking on service road to industrial estates.
CROSS COUNTRY – DfT franchise consultation open till late August. Members are asked to submit their thoughts to Chairman who will draft a response for the group
MIDLANDS CONNECT – Ian Jackson attended a meeting and summarised four initiatives that were being considered – i) new track and passing places ii) longer and re-formed platforms iii) minor electrification iv) 24 extra trains as part of improved East/West services. No mention of links through Lichfield.
GROUP STRATEGY – following last meeting 7 members have sent written responses; input from other members is requested to get a broad picture of views. Does our group have the resources and the energy to get things moving?
TREASURER – advised membership numbers at 45 and funds of £1000, approx..
NEXT MEETING – 20th August