PRESENT D Dixon (Chairman), J Adams, I Jackson, P Bates, B Eisner, R Rathbone, R Hockney, R Hartley, A Hutchinson, T Thompson, P Martin, P Cousins, D James, D Bathurst, G Hudson
APOLOGIES R Henshaw, R Patching, M Frayn, A Dykes, M Cooper, B Pretty, P Mullarkey G Wilcox
MINUTES of October meeting had been circulated by e-mail.
MEETING with MP – arranged for Friday 1st February 2019. Please note start time 7pm
LTV Chairman has tried (and so far failed) to get the Station Manager to attend our meetings. He (and others) confirmed that work will start on lifts in early December, anticipated completion in Spring (for May timetable?). WM Trains aware of need for temporary alternative provision for cycle storage during the construction period.
Our MP has alerted us to his involvement to get a ramp from car park to southbound (up) platform. WM Trains will apply for a grant under Access for All and MP has encouraged our group to write to offer our support. It was suggested that Network Rail now have authority to use local contractors for such work which we would expect to be substantially cheaper than the figure of £250k quoted at an earlier meeting.
Car parking – possible introduction of first hour free to allow for drop-off/pick up and ticket purchase/collection. Noted that new car parks at Streethay and on the former GKN site, both £3 all day, had empty spaces.
Pedestrian safety still an issue which is “being addressed”. Press Officer (PO) will write to Station Manager and copy to D Whitley.
LICHFIELD CITY toilets should be operational in December for railway users.
SHENSTONE station – reported that yellow lines are to be painted on streets in the vicinity
CYCLING PROVISION – on platforms and on trains – discussed. Where appropriate we will continue to suggest improvements or report shortcomings. Noted Department for Transport pressure on TOCs to provide passenger rather than bike space on trains.
CROSS CITY line – members encouraged to continue to advise D Whitley of performance of train managers.
WEST COAST MAIN LINE – good news that Virgin have lifted the restriction on peak hour travel on Friday nights. Off-peak returns can now be used on any Friday pm train.
COMMUNICATION and PUBLICITY lively discussion about pros and cons of social media and how we might use Twitter and other to promote our activity. Committee to review options.
TREASURER – reported membership now at 48 and bank balance is £1055.
Continued overleaf
OTHER BUSINESS
- Times of Meetings – agreed that meetings will start at 7.30 with the intention that they finish no later than 9pm – wef December meeting
- Staffs County Council monthly newsletter includes a review of freight transport strategy – but no mention of railway strategy!
- Reported that Police and Crime Commissioner is to seek funding to install ticket barriers at Lichfield City Station to deter would be criminals/shoplifters from arriving without ticket
- Re-introduction of passenger services to Burton and beyond. Chairman reported that Roger Blake from Railfuture had not ruled out the possibility of a grant for us to commission a study and Chairman has asked Jonathan Roberts to let us know what he could produce and at what cost.
NEXT MEETING – Monday 17th December at Kings Head. NB start time 7.30pm