Memorandum by West Midlands Regional Assembly
(RR 09)
RURAL RAIL
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 The West Midlands Regional Assembly
provides a coherent voice for the region on the economic, social
and environmental well-being of the region, working in partnership
with other agencies including the West Midlands Local Government
Association, Government Office West Midlands and Advantage West
Midlands.
The West Midlands Regional Assembly is also
the Regional Planning Body, working closely with the region's
local authorities to formulate and deliver a planning strategy
that works effectively across the region ie Regional Planning
Guidance.
Regional Planning Guidance incorporates the
West Midlands Regional Transport Strategy, of which rail is a
crucial component.
2. URBAN AND
RURAL RENAISSANCE
IN THE
WEST MIDLANDS
2.1 Urban and Rural Renaissance are core
components of the Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the West
Midlands (RPG11).
2.2 Over half of the region's population
lives within the four major urban areas (MUAs) of Birmingham/Solihull,
the Black Country, Coventry and the North Staffordshire conurbation.
The sustainable regeneration of these MUAs to create urban communities,
where people may wish to live, work and invest is a regional priority.
2.3 Even though the West Midlands region
the often characterised as urban, some 80% of the area is rural,
with 20% of the region's population. The rural areas vary greatly
in character as does the degree and nature of the actions they
require in order to create stable, sustainable and attractive
communities.
2.4 The transport network is fundamental
for urban and rural renaissance, to create infrastructure and
services that facilitate social and economic regeneration. The
scale of the demand is greater in the MUAs, but the issues of
integration and accessibility are similar in the rural areas.
2.5 An integrated public transport system,
providing access to jobs and services is essential to provide
access both within the MUA and to the neighbouring rural areas.
The railways play an import role in this.
3. IMPORTANCE
OF RURAL
RAILWAYS TO
THE LOCAL
COMMUNITIES
3.1 Accessibility to services is important
for all communities. Where rail services exist in the West Midlands
rural areas it is likely that the community appreciates the benefits
of this access to/from their area. This should be probed deeper
by the SRA, through their consultation with stakeholders for the
on-going West Midlands region Route Utilisation Study.
4. INNOVATIVE
APPROACHES TO
FUNDING AND
MANAGEMENT
4.1 The West Midlands Regional Assembly
has commissioned research into the opportunities for innovative
approaches to funding and managing rail services including:
— the zero emission vehicle "Minitram"
prototype that was trialled in Stratford in 2003;
— the Parry People Mover being considered
(by Centro for the Stourbridge Town/Junction service) and the
Bewdley to Kidderminster railway; and
— running light rail vehicles on existing
railway lines between Coventry and Nuneaton.
4.2 The research is yet to be completed,
however surveys carried out during the trial of the "Minitram"
prototype show that 98% of respondents enjoyed using the service
and thought it was appropriate for Stratford.
5. PROSPECTS
FOR TRAFFIC
GROWTH
5.1 The prospects for traffic growth on
rural railways will vary from area to area, as does the character
and the degree and nature of the actions required to create stable,
sustainable and attractive communities.
5.2 The transport demands for some rural
areas may be greater as they include the Rural Regeneration Zone
(linking the regional settlements of Hereford and Shrewsbury)
or key tourism/cultural assets such as Stratford-on-Avon, the
Malvern Hills and the Severn Valley.
6. IMPACT OF
BUS SUBSTITUTION
6.1 The rural transport network must be
flexible and pragmatic. In some places the only transport offer
will be the bus, not the train. While the Regional Transport Strategy
requires the retention and development of local rail services
it also requires enhanced public transport providing access to
jobs and services.
6.2 It is understood that the SRA's West
Midlands region Route Utilisation Study will identify places where
the train is the most appropriate mode and other public transport
modes should be pursued.
7. CONCLUSION
7.1 The WMRA's welcomes the objectives of the
SRA's Community Railways initiative to:
— Increase passenger volume and income;
— Manage down the costs of lines now
and in the future; and
— Involve the local community more
closely in the development of its railway.
7.2 However, it is difficult to understand
how the SRA can embark on a review of a significant proportion
of the rail network while the Government is undertaking an industry
review and others within the SRA are already carrying out the
West Midlands regional Route Utilisation Study.
7.3 The Community Railway initiative could lead
to even greater fragmentation of the rail industry, introducing
more elements of uncertainty and risk for those considering locations
for investing in jobs and services.
7.4 Visitors are an important component
of the rural economy and it this needs to be served by the appropriate
public transport network. The potential of "competition"
between conventional and "heritage" services, on the
same railways needs to be considered in the round.
Danny Lamb
Strategic Transport Adviser
16 April 2004
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