Railwatch 077 - October 1998

Midlands

By Alan Bevan

Chase line The new extension of the hourly Cannock Chase line services between Rugeley and Stafford is attracting over 500 passengers a day. RDS helped organise a count in which 525 journeys over this new route were recorded, augering well for future growth. There is attractive scenery along Cannock Chase and the Trent Valley. The now hourly Sunday service on the Birmingham-Walsall-Cannock-Hednesford line facilitates rambles over the extensive Cannock Chase.

Shuttle scores The special 10p return fare available during the first week of the Walsall-Wolverhampton shuttle brought scores of passengers on to the 40-minute interval train service. The non-stop 12 minute flyer variously attracted 20-100 passengers per trip, many of whom came to sample and explore the new route. With stock varying between three-coach electric trains to a single-car Class 153 diesel there was variety and occasional overcrowding. Early experiences at Wolverhampton with delayed trains and successive shunting highlights a serious platform shortage at this major station. The new route reveals a fascinating mix of industry, housing, fields, rivers and canals, plus the now busier level crossing at Noose Lane, Willenhall. Return fares are currently £2.40 during the early morning peak and £1.70 after 9.30am.

During the first week RDS members issued some 3,000 leaflets on the trains and at the stations giving train times, fares and information about the RDS.

NMS response In May the RDS issued a 10-page response to Railtrack's Network Management Statement and forwarded copies to various other authorities and interest groups. We particularly addressed the need for extra track capacity to cater both for present and future increases in rail freight and passenger services. Among the works advocated in our submission are:

• An extra down line over the five miles between Hampton in Arden and Lea Hall to enable faster trains to overtake without delaying slower services.
• Additional tracks in a new tunnel from New St to Proof House Junction.
• Diversion of over 30 freight trains a day via the Walsall - Dudley route.
• Doubling of track along the nine-mile Leamington-Kenilworth-Coventry line.
• Reopening the Walsall-Brownhills-Lichfield line.

We also outlined our preferred layout for Proof House Junction which appears to be the arrangement now adopted by Railtrack.

Convention centre The West Midlands bid for Government transport grants in 1999 notably includes proposals for a new £7.5m station at St Vincent Street, Birmingham, next to the portal of the New Street north tunnel where the National Indoor Arena, International Convention Centre, and Brindley Place could all benefit from four local train services per hour on Walsall and Wolverhampton routes. Railtrack is now satisfied that the station stops will not cause capacity problems on the Stour Valley route. If funding is approved in December the new station could be completed during 2000.

Aldridge RDS continues to seek a new single platform on the site of the original station at Aldridge where an adjacent health centre development is expected to allow access and car parking facilities for future rail users. As a convenient reverse crossover track already exists the only other requirement is for a new starter signal. We are advocating the operation of two diesel units half-hourly on a through Aldridge-Walsall-Willenhall-Wolverhampton service.

Arley line Plans by Warwickshire County Council to provide three new stations at Hams Hall, Arley and Galley Common (near Nuneaton) have been set back by the refusal of Central Trains to stop any of their trains on the half-hourly Birmingham-Leicester-Peterborough route. Mr Glen Kennedy of Central Trains says: "To stop the long distance City-Hop service is counter-productive both economically and environmentally." The latter presumably relates to potential overcrowding.

Warwickshire is not least disappointed and concerned at Central Trains' stance which seems to be more about playing trains than gaining passengers. The proposed Hams Hall station, which would serve both the new industrial and distribution park and nearby Coleshill, has already secured a Section 106 funding contribution of £870,000 towards the £l.6m cost. Means of securing a Birmingham-Nuneaton train service for Hams Hall and other locations on this important corridor must be addressed.

20 year strategy Centro is preparing a draft 20 year public transport strategy document on which it was seeking comment from voluntary bodies and the general public during August and September. Summary leaflets were widely available for the public, the draft document was issued to organisations, and consultation forums were organised by local councils. The PTA aims to collate and consider responses by November and publish the final strategy document in December 1998.

Metro Services on the £145 million line are now expected to begin in November with a reduced 10 minute frequency because of the delayed delivery of trams from Ansaldo of Naples. At the end of June three trams had arrived at Wednesbury and some test running had begun. As expected Birmingham City Council has backed the £45m extension of the Metro via Corporation Street towards the International Conference Centre and Fiveways. However Travel West Midlands is opposed to its buses being ousted from the city centre.

Snow Hill From June Railtrack was obliged by the Railway Inspectorate to abandon permissive working at Snow Hill whereby two trains parked on one long platform. Having previously lost the use of platform 4 this new ruling further aggravates congestion and delays for trains via Moor Street station.

ColwichLocal residents are campaigning for a new station for the village now that hourly trains operate between Stafford and Rugeley. The idea is supported by the Shugborough estate.

Freight Railfreight has won a contract to move car parts to Hams Hall for the new Jaguar X200 which is to be built at nearby Castle Bromwich. Two trains a day will be run carrying imported components.

Stockton The disused 12 mile Rugby-Stockton-Leamington route was being canvassed in May for reopening as a freight diversion route by the Rugby Partnership. However Railtrack has not indicated any support. The route is blocked at Leamington Spa and most of the route is already promised to Sustrans for a cycle path. There are also plans for a new road on the rail route alongside the Rugby Cement Works.

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