Select Committee on Transport Minutes of Evidence


Memorandum by North West Group of Labour MPs

  The North West Group of Labour MPs would like to make a submission to your important inquiry into Passenger Rail Franchises. The Group are concerned that the new rail franchises configuration will have an adverse effect on the North West region.

  I have attached a letter from Brian Simpson, Campaign Director of the North West Rail Campaign which sets out their concerns. These concerns are also shared by the Group.

  I am sure that you will give this submission serious consideration.

RE: CONSULTATIONS ON NEW RAIL FRANCHISES

  I write on behalf of the North West Rail Campaign (NWRC) in regard to the consultation process for the three new rail franchises for Cross Country, East Midlands and West Midlands.

  In general the NWRC welcomes the creation of the East and West Midlands franchises, and the majority of the proposals concerning Cross Country. However, we would like to make the following points for your consideration.

  We recognise that the three franchises concerned are an attempt by the Government to improve both the quality and frequency of services presently in operation, and that in the main it is the Cross Country and East Midlands franchises that affect the North West of England most.

  However, we must make the point forcibly that, in our opinion, the lack of infrastructure capacity in and around Manchester not only brings into question the ability of the railway industry to deliver better services, but it is also having a detrimental effect on the region's economy. Increasingly we are trying to get "a quart into a pint pot", particularly at peak times.

  With passenger numbers having increased more than 10% in the Greater Manchester area, our peak services are at capacity and beyond, causing overcrowding and delays getting in and out of Manchester.

  Therefore, whilst it is not necessarily an issue in regard to these three franchises, we feel that the point has to be made that infrastructure enhancement in the Manchester Hub along with longer trains and extra rolling stock in the wider North West region are urgently required if we are to deliver a better railway.

  It also has to be said that the constraints at Birmingham New Street also present a problem that needs to be addressed particularly as it would appear that the Government are increasing services between these two very congested hubs.

  However, we are happy that the Government appears now to recognise that other major cities outside of London have commuters, and that there is an urgent need to separate commuters from long distance travellers.

  Here in the North West, our long distance trains are often overcrowded because of commuter usage. This is a particular problem on the Preston-Bolton-Manchester corridor. What is required here is more rolling stock for the Northern Rail franchise which is why the NWRC opposes the removal of units, particularly 158s, away from our region unless there is a quid pro quo replacement programme of other rolling stock of similar or increased capacity.

  The proposals outlined for the three new franchises cannot be judged in isolation. There has to be a serious look at the role of other franchises, the services they offer, the rolling stock that they have to work with, and how the railway infrastructure copes or fails to cope with the number of services it has to accommodate.

  If the Government is serious about separating commuters from long distance travellers then here in the North West, they will have to give serious thought to allowing Northern Rail to acquire rolling stock that can increase capacity on their services, thus easing problems for the longer distance TOCs.

CROSS COUNTRY

  The NWRC has some concerns in regard to the proposals not to have cross Country services north of Crewe on the WCML. Whilst we appreciate that it is intended to bring these services within an extended TPE franchise, we would question whether this would lead to an improvement in service for those areas affected.

  It is our belief that for towns between Crewe and Glasgow, the removal of Cross Country services will, at best, cause inconvenience for passengers and, at worst, will cause extra congestion on Virgin West Coast services as passengers for the South West try to get to Crewe or Birmingham by the quickest possible service. Added to this is the fact that more passengers will be changing trains at an already overcrowded Birmingham New Street, or a run-down Crewe station.

  However, if the Government is determined to incorporate Cross Country north of Crewe into TPE, then there are a few points we would like to make:

  Finally, we appreciate the need to ensure that these franchises are placed in context with the various regional Rail Utilisation Strategies. The NWRC reminds the Government that we are still awaiting the North West RUS and the Regional Planning Assessment, as well as a final agreement on the West Coast franchise. We are told that, like Christmas, they are coming: but which Christmas?





 
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