PRESENT) T Thompson (Chair) J Adams, I Jackson, R Hartley, D Dixon A Hutchinson, D James, G Hudson, V Wasdell, P Cousins, J Woodcock, R Patching, R Hockney, P Martin, P Sheridan, B Eisner
APOLOGIES Messrs, Bates, Frayn, Pretty, Henshaw, Rathbone, Mullarkey and Ms Cooper.
MINUTES of March meeting and AGM in May had been circulated by e-mail. Approved.
CHAIRMAN reported attendance at WC250 and Chase Line Stakeholders meetings. Observed that most of WC250 members had previously been in favour of HS2 but many with no planned HS2 connections were now wondering how their current and future services will be affected, and with a groundswell of concern about the cost and value of HS2. Virgin contract scheduled to finish between November 2019 and April 2020 – future arrangements unknown!
Chase meeting has been organised by Cannock Chase DC for 30 years and they have been highly proactive in promoting rail services. The group reported similar problems experienced to those on Cross City Line with turnbacks (at Hednesford) and overcrowded commuter services on 4 coach trains.
STATIONS members reported that ALL toilets at City station now out of order.
Parking charges to be introduced at Shenstone in July.
Pedestrian safety at LTV to be considered at meeting on 24th June with Chairman, Secretary and representatives from NR and WM Trains; we will take opportunity to raise other concerns at this station.
NEW TIMETABLE overall considered to be an improvement but with some problems – early morning connection to Stoke, Staff shortages (mainly at weekends?)
TREASURER Bank £1045.62. Membership 36 (figure advised at May meeting was incorrect)
PUBLICITY & WEBSITE thanks to DJ for letter published in Mercury re new timetable and for producing with webmaster a new map for the website and an updated membership form.
FUTURE SPEAKERS Fay Easton in August, Vicky Cropper in September. Possibilities for October & November – representatives from County Council and WMRE. Suggestion that a speaker from a trade union might be helpful – to be researched.
OTHER BUSINESS wifi is inaccessible on most (all?) Cross City trains. Poor service experienced on LNWR services when delays/cancellations occur. Shabby treatment of football fans returning from Wembley with toilets locked which resulted in them being vandalised
NEXT MEETING 15th July