Minutes of Meeting Monday 7.30 pm Monday 12th January 26, Kings Head, Lichfield
ATTENDEES Richard Henshaw, Jane Arnstein, Paddy Martin, David Bathurst, John Woodcock, David James, Roger Hartley, Ian Jackson, Matthew Bentley, Roger Hockney, David Dundas
APOLOGIES RECEIVED
Geoff Lusher, John Adams
MINUTES OF 10th NOVEMBER MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
The minutes of the meeting were approved. All matters arising covered below.
SHENSTONE STATION ADOPTION & FACILITIES
Ticket office is now staffed by a lady from 7.00AM to 10.000 AM Monday to Saturday, who works well with Station Adoption Group.
Jane is planning for Station Adoption Group to prepare a small edible garden (vegetables & herbs in time for Shenstone Village Festival in the summer.
LICHFIELD STATION ADOPTION & FACILITIES
Nothing to currently report from Station Adoption Group. Geoff Grant (West Midlands Trains) promised to investigate lack of defibrillator at Lichfield City station, but so far Richard has had no response. Richard will chase up.
LICHFIELD TO BURTON
Reopening of Lichfield to Burton for regular is mentioned in Draft Staffordshire Local Transport Plan, but there does not seem to be strong support from the County Council. Various plans for housing development close to the route would strengthen the case for reopening.
LICHFIELD TO WALSALL
David Bathurst reported there had been an article in Branch Line News on Lichfield to Walsall. It stated all remaining tracks had been removed from Angelsea sidings during September and October & also mentioned the Greenway.
There have been some complaints about the surface on Greenway. A new surface is being trialled on a short stretch of the route.
HS2
A decision is expected in February on the route from Handsacre to Crewe, which was part of the HS2 route cancelled by previous PM (Rishi Sunak). (An announcement was made on 14th January, stating the government’s intention to eventually build a new route between Birmingham and Manchester, so the former HS2 planned route from Handsacre to Crewe will remain protected. The Northern Powerhouse new line between Liverpool and Manchester via Warrington and Manchester Airport will take priority, so it could be after 2040 that work commences.)
ANNUAL STATION USAGE
Peter Cousins had kindly sent Annual Station Usage figures for the Cross City line and stations in the Trent Valley area, for the year to March 2025. Lichfield Trent Valley, Lichfield City and Shenstone Station usage was 81%, 90% and 85% of pre pandemic levels. It should be noted that nationally passengers have increased since March 25, so these stations could now be even closer to pre pandemic levels. Some of the stations closer to New St. are showing a lot lower level of recovery (e.g. Erdington 46%). David James thought this might be due a combination of lower frequency (4 tph compared to pre pandemic 6 tph) and bus fares in the peak period being cheaper than rail.
Matthew Bentley felt the figures for the stations in the West Midlands Combined Authority area could be understated as Swift Cards to not require tapping out (unlike London Oyster card), so it is difficult to see how journeys can be accurately recorded.
RAIL FARES
David Bathurst stated there was a strange anomaly on the Chase Line, where West Midlands Concessionary fares were valid to Hednesford, but not the intermediate stations between Walsall and Hednesford).
John Woodcock had previously been able to travel with an Off – Peak Ticket from Lichfield Trent Valley to Wolverhampton via Stafford, using the 9.14 from Trent Valley. He is now being told he must purchase the more expensive Peak ticket.
Ian Jackson reported that with more T.O.C’s coming under state ownership, there is less competition on routes where more than one T.O.C operates. Therefore, some advance fares are not as cheap as previously.
TREASURERS REPORT
There was a deficit of £137 in 20255 compared to a surplus in 2024 of £138. 2026 Membership Subscriptions (£10 individual, £12 couples) are now due. Bank transfer details have already been circulated. Alternatively, you can give Paddy cash. (Cheques not accepted at Citysave Credit Union, as it is not a clearing bank)