tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-20667862072377018982024-03-13T01:48:35.999+00:00Essex Rail Users FederationNews Blog for the Essex Rail Users Federation - www.eruf.orgERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.comBlogger341125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-56993508657497849792021-01-24T13:50:00.001+00:002021-01-24T13:50:32.617+00:00<p><span style="font-size: medium;"> <b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;"><u><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 14.266666412353516px;">RAIL UPDATE</span></u></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">New trains<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">After the long hiatus in getting our new trains to work reliably, new class 720 suburban trains are being introduced into passenger service. At the time of writing, six units were being used at any one time, formed into pairs, and were reaching Southend, Southminster, and Braintree. A two unit, 10-car train is the same length as a 12-car set of old stock and holds many more passengers. They should be reaching Ipswich in early Spring, with over 50 units constructed with most stored, waiting for installation of the latest software and for sufficient drivers to be trained.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The relatively modern class 360 (blue) trains have been rapidly phased out, and by the time you read this, all will be gone. They are going to a new home at Kettering and will be used on the newly electrified St. Pancras to Bedford, Kettering, and Corby lines. They have been uprated to run at 110mph, not possible on the GE main line due to the frequency of stops. They will be refurbished soon, with the new electric service starting in May.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The remaining old trains are of classes 321 and 322 and are in varying states of repair. All are around thirty years old, and some of them are unlikely to be used again after they leave our lines. The unmodified ones are draughty and basic and were called “dusty bins” when they were built.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">All the new Stadler trains are in service with electric versions running from London to Norwich and Stansted Airport, and bi-modes (diesel and electric) being used on all non-electrified branch lines including Marks Tey to Sudbury. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">December 2021 timetable changes<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The new trains have faster acceleration and braking, so can achieve faster point to point journey times. So, it makes sense for the train timetables to be revised to reflect this. The new one comes in next December and is currently out for consultation, with feedback needed by 12<sup>th</sup> February. If you have any particular issues with the current timetable that need addressing, please contact us. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Engineering works<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you need to travel by train at weekends, please check to ensure your trains are running. Most Sunday services are being replaced by buses for part of the journey, adding an hour to journey times. I understand that there are still Crossrail works to be completed at Romford and Ilford that cannot be done while trains are running. Another Crossrail related project is the extension of platforms 16 and 17 at Liverpool Street station so that full length 9-car trains can run rather than the current shortened 7-car ones. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Greater Anglia Stakeholders Advisory Board<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Part of the franchise commitment for the Greater Anglia rail franchise was the setting up of a Stakeholders Advisory Board to provide consumer feedback on rail issues. I was invited to join the Board a couple of years ago and have found it very useful for keeping rail managers “on their toes”. I have the dubious reputation for being quite vocal there, but it is all very measured, and we do get things done that benefit rail users throughout the area. An issue that is top of the agenda is getting targeted investment to improve our rail infrastructure.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><b><u><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Haughley and Ely infrastructure improvements<o:p></o:p></span></span></u></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Many of you will have noticed long trains of shipping containers being hauled along the Great Eastern main line. These head up to London before returning north to the Midlands and North of England. However, there is a direct route via Bury St. Edmunds and Peterborough that parallels the A14, but this is so constricted that few container trains can use it. The pinch points are Haughley Junction (north of Stowmarket), Soham (a long stretch of single track) and Ely North (a three-way major junction). At both Haughley and Ely resignalling schemes desogned in the 1980s have left key junctions with stretches of single track that prevent frequent train services. Ideally this cross-country route should be double track and electrified throughout to provide a low carbon direct alternative to the A14 trunk road. Each of these container trains can take 70 HGVs off the A14, a big CO<sub>2</sub> saving. Upgrading this line should be the highest priority if this government’s climate change commitments are to be met, but controversial road schemes still get the money first (for example the £1.5 billion A303 Stonehenge by-pass).<o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;"><span style="line-height: 14.266666412353516px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Derek Monnery</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-30568323476842939082019-03-12T10:50:00.002+00:002019-03-12T10:50:30.240+00:0015 Minute Delay RepayPress Release from Greater Anglia dated 12th March 2019<br />
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<b><i>IMPROVED COMPENSATION BOOST FOR GREATER ANGLIA PASSENGERS</i></b><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Passengers on Greater Anglia are set to benefit from improved compensation thanks to a new deal signed between the operator and the Department for Transport (DfT). From 1 April 2019, they will be able to claim compensation for journeys delayed between 15 and 29 minutes under the Delay Repay 15 (DR15) scheme.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>This means that passengers, who take over 80 million journeys a year on the Greater Anglia network, will be able to claim back 25% of the single fare, irrespective of the cause of the delay. Existing compensation arrangements already exist for delays of 30 minutes or over. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Greater Anglia was determined to introduce DR15 as soon as possible after Chris Grayling, Secretary of State for Transport, announced in October 2016 that DR15 should be rolled out to all rail franchises.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>In recent years, the company has also taken positive steps to increase awareness of the customer compensation options available, make the claims process simpler and give customers more choice in the ways that they can receive their compensation. Customers can now claim compensation online, by email or by hard copy form. Compensation can be transferred directly into your bank account, as a credit on your credit card, by voucher, Paypal or alternatively as a charitable donation. This latter option was introduced by Greater Anglia last summer, following feedback from customers and stakeholders, and has already raised over £8,000 for the Samaritans charity. <o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Rail Minister Andrew Jones said:<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“Our top priority is ensuring passengers see the reliable and punctual services they expect, but when things do go wrong, it’s only right that they are compensated fairly and quickly. This is why the launch of DR15 on Greater Anglia is important news for passengers, providing them with better compensation if their services are delayed.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>Commenting on the introduction of Delay Repay 15 for Greater Anglia customers, Jamie Burles, Managing Director for Greater Anglia said :<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“We’re delighted to be able to provide better compensation, with the launch of Delay Repay 15 from next month and we are sure it will be welcomed by our customers. We’ve worked in close partnership with the Department for Transport to offer this significant benefit during the existing franchise as soon as possible, meeting our customers’ aspirations to see this upgrade earlier than expected.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>It’s all part of a wider transformation of train service standards in East Anglia that sees us bringing in a complete fleet of brand-new trains across our entire network over the next two years, with the first new trains due in service later this year. We’re fully focused on improving punctuality and reliability, in collaboration with Network Rail, but customers will now be able to claim compensation for any delays of 15 minutes and over, when things do go wrong.</i>”</div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-48201424562447797032019-01-03T10:27:00.004+00:002019-01-03T10:27:53.487+00:00Greater Anglia Rail Prospects for 2019<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 15.693333625793457px; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Introduction</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The area has seen a disappointing rail service with delayed, cancelled and short formed trains leading to a poor customer experience. This, coupled with rail fares that increase in price regardless of service quality, has led to increasing customer dissatisfaction, especially at peak travel times. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Rail fares</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Regulated rail fares continue to rise every year in accordance with the retail prices index, which gives a higher rate of increase than other indices. Compared with other European countries fares are ridiculously high, being three times those of Germany and France, and ten times those of Italy. Since 2010, fuel price duty has been frozen, with no increases, so a 25% differential has been created. This has made car commuting, even for a sole driver, a far more attractive proposition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Trains</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The existing rail fleet will be entirely replaced during the next two years. Meanwhile the old fleet is worked hard. Some trains are becoming quite tatty, and all are becoming less reliable. Failing units lead to short formed trains, which can be a real problem during peak periods, as trains become severely overcrowded. This sort of travel experience hardly encourages a productive day at work. New trains have started to arrive, with four new bi-mode trains for country branch lines now delivered for testing and driver training; the first of these should enter service in May 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Infrastructure</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Replacement of old overhead wires is nearly complete so issues relating to sagging wires in hot weather should now be history. However, other infrastructure issues such as power failures, signal failures and defective track have been far more frequent in 2018 than they should have been. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Freight Trains</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most freight trains from Felixstowe are carrying containers bound for the north of England, yet repeated delays in improving the cross-country rail route mean that most of these trains use the main line between Ipswich and Stratford, where they transfer to the North London line. It is at this point (Stratford) that these trains cause chaos to our train services. Often the trains are forced to queue up to enter the north London line (which is very congested), and in transiting they block the main line for three or four minutes, as the trains are long (30 wagons) and must negotiate a 20mph speed limit at this point. On numerous occasions the writer has been on main line trains that have been held up for a freight train for several minutes, enough time for all the train connections to be missed. As most connecting trains only run hourly, the inconvenience to rail travellers is very real and a strong discouragement to train travel. Recent upgrades to the Felixstowe branch will make this problem much worse, as more of these trains will be running throughout the day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Summary</u></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Until the government sets aside funds for strategic rail upgrades needed to divert freight away from the Great Eastern main line, it will be very difficult to run a reliable train service. Also, Network Rail needs to instigate a series of measures to make the infrastructure more reliable. So although new trains will arrive during 2019, they will continue to provide an unreliable train service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Derek Monnery</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Chairman, Essex Rail Users Federation</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">January 2019</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-78616949547270575222018-12-04T09:27:00.000+00:002018-12-04T09:37:43.507+00:00Update<div>
Following a recent meeting with Abellio and a visit to Derby, you may be interested in the following highlights:</div>
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<li>New trains update: - </li>
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<li>First two class 755 bi-modes now delivered to Norwich, with 20 expected by May. A pair will be used for Norwich in 90 from May 2019 (extra services)</li>
<li>First new class 745 for Stansted Express under test, should be delivered early 2019</li>
<li>First new class 720 now built, second nearly ready, third being assembled, fourth just a construction kit, In service autumn 2019.</li>
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<li>GA is still working to update its unreliable trains. Particular issue with 321 Renatus units in the recent past, but now 25 out of 30 in service and reliability much improved.</li>
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<li>Smartcards now introduced for season tickets a month and over, but cardboard tickets can be requested.</li>
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<li>In January two new products launched (i) a Flex Carnet (ii) 26-30 Railcard</li>
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<li>Delay Repay 15 will be introduced early in 2019, with lawyers currently as franchise agreement needs changing.</li>
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<li>A passenger assistance App is being trialled</li>
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<li>All stations apart from the least used have now got ticket vending machines.</li>
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<li>Customer newsletters being issued by email and hard copy.</li>
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<li>Water dispensers in at Ipswich, Chelmsford and Cambridge, more planned.</li>
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<li>Infrastructure being upgraded at Norwich and Ilford for new trains. New depot to replace Brantham will be announced soon.</li>
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<li>Timetables will remain as they are (with tweeking) until May 2020. Most changes delayed until then. May change will be limited to the Norwich in 90 extra trains.</li>
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<li>Crossrail tunnels to GE main line will be opened between September and December 2019 depending on how testing goes.</li>
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<li>Changes taking place at Network Rail due to change of CEO. Looks promising for improvements.</li>
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<li>Infrastructure improvements will be driven but the GE task force</li>
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<li>Beaulieu Park, the new station proposed north of Chelmsford, proceeding on the basis of a three platform layout.</li>
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ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-58196949966953307992018-04-25T12:29:00.000+01:002018-04-25T12:29:32.785+01:00New Committee Members<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;">At a committee meeting on 24th April, we welcomed<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; text-size-adjust: auto;">Thomas Rowe (representing Colchester) and Derek Cox (representing Witham) to our committee.</span><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); text-size-adjust: auto;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span> This should enable us to more accurately represent the views of rail users on the Great Eastern main line when lobbying to get improvements to our train services.</span></span>ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-85591477337124760712017-01-13T10:11:00.002+00:002017-01-13T10:11:16.791+00:00New Year Message<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2016 was a difficult year for rail travellers, with far too many incidents including infrastructure and train failures, causing major disruption to family life of the regular commuters to London. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Over the Christmas and New Year holiday, Network Rail started to remodel the tracks at Shenfield, and replaced the overhead wires in the Gidea Park area. This is all part of major works to upgrade the slow (or Metro) lines from Shenfield to London ready to receive new Crossrail trains that will start to enter service next May. Sharp eyed travellers will have noticed the first of these new trains has already been delivered to Ilford depot. Unfortunately, the Shenfield works have isolated the Metro lines north of Gidea Park, meaning that trains are unable to pass a failed train on the main line. This caused delays of several hours one evening in November.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The first of 30 refurbished class 321 trains has entered service. These can be distinguished externally because they have an red and grey horizontal strip on them below the windows. Internally, they have new seats, air conditioning, wi-fi, and power sockets, so are a substantial improvement on what they were. All the main line trains have already been refurbished.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">New trains will be delivered to replace all the existing fleet between 2019 and 2021, including all refurbished units. The operator has promised to make the existing fleet more reliable in the interim; we will be monitoring the situation to ensure this occurs. There can be a real temptation to cut back on maintenance of old trains that are shortly going to be removed from service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">We were expecting the latest fare increase, as this is government inspired, with the train operator obliged to follow their instructions. What we were not expecting was the sharp increase in car parking charges; this is totally unnecessary, and a real penalty for those already struggling to pay the rail fare increases. It seems that the authorities are doing everything possible to discourage rail travel, as motoring costs are frozen (apart from oil prices) while all costs associated with rail travel continue to increase disproportionately. We now have train fares that are six times the European average. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 18.399999618530273px;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We will continue to fight for a fairer deal for rail travellers in 2017. We are pleased to announce that our Chairman, Derek Monnery, has been appointed to represent East Anglia on the new Greater Anglia Stakeholder Board, so will have three meetings a year with senior Greater Anglia managers.</span></span>ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-61001512922882619062016-08-23T11:37:00.002+01:002016-08-23T11:37:33.541+01:00New Franchise<div>
At long last we, the long suffering rail users of East Anglia have got a proper long term deal for our rail services. Abellio (Dutch Railways) has won a nine year franchise in which they promise to replace the entire train fleet, Suburban, Main Line, Stansted Express, and Regional.</div>
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There will be essentially five types of unit supplied by two manufacturers, Bombardier and Stadler. All trains will have free wi-fi.</div>
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<div>
The Bombardier units will be built in Derby and will have a lot of similarities to the Crossrail trains already being built there. These will be used on all suburban services where class 317, 321 and 360 trains are used now. There will be two different types, 5 car and 10 car, with the former used on branch lines and the latter on the main line. These will be delivered in 2020.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There will be three different types of Stadler units, 10 car, 5 car and 4 car. The 10 car units will be electric and replace InterCity sets and Stansted Express class 379 units. The 5 car and 4 car units will be bi-mode (able to operate both on diesel and electric power) and will be used on Regional Services to replace existing class 153, 156, and 170 diesel railcars. These will be delivered in 2019.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Of course regular rail users will know that many of the problems on the line relate to infrastructure faults, so we will be putting pressure on Network Rail to eliminate the string of signal, point and other failures that wreck our timetables on a regular basis. New trains will only solve half our existing problems.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We also need to know that the existing train fleet will not be allowed to deteriorate further while we wait for the new trains. Again we will be putting pressure on Abellio to ensure that we do not suffer a poorer service before new trains arrive. </div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-57014382151970900402015-12-22T10:52:00.001+00:002015-12-22T11:01:18.382+00:00End of Year<div>
It's been a pretty tough year for rail users in our area with far too many "incidents" occurring that have caused severe delays to journeys. The majority of these have been infrastructure related (Network Rail responsibility), but we are getting increasing numbers of train faults, caused by the age of the trains, and in some cases by inadequate maintenance.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The new Greater Anglia rail franchise starts in October 2016. Bids have just gone into the Department for Transport from three rail companies; Abellio (the current operator), National Express (the previous operator) and First Group (who ran the First Great Eastern rail franchise immediately after rail privatisation). Based on the track record of these companies, there is one that is best qualified of the three by quite a margin, and indeed this company has been a lot more proactive in researching what is needed. So we are hopeful that common sense will prevail, and we will get a step change in improvement.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have certainly been very proactive ourselves in lobbying MPs, DfT, and other interested parties to ensure that this takes place. In December, there have been debates in the House of Commons about the poor condition of our rail services, with promises made of new trains and other improvements. Ministers have been left in no doubt that things need to improve and fast.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So we are left with lots of promises, but being realistic, it will be 2020 before new trains arrive in sufficient quantities to make our train service what it should be.</div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-17321263258686957392015-07-26T11:52:00.001+01:002015-07-26T11:52:37.361+01:00Norwich in 90In case you haven't seen it there is a very good article in the latest Rail magazine (issue 779) about the Norwich in 90 Campaign. Worth a look.ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-34152651482824518932015-07-07T18:39:00.001+01:002015-07-07T18:39:36.690+01:00ERUF Meeting with AGA and Bernard Jenkin MP<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">The ERUF has met with Jamie Burles, MD of Abellio Greater Anglia and Bernard Jenkin MP. Subjects discussed were many a varied but included:</span><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;" /><br />
<ul style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0.5em 0px; padding: 0px 2.5em;">
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Train Reliability</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Fares</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Communication</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Car parking</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Station Approach at Manningtree</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">A137 Underpass</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Rail track funding issues</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Mark 3 (Inter City) coach refurbishment</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">New Franchise</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">New Trains</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Crossrail Ticketing</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">GE Mainline Capacity</li>
<li style="margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; padding: 0px;">Freight Loops</li>
</ul>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-74958448092516455832015-05-14T10:45:00.001+01:002015-05-14T10:49:10.399+01:00ERUF Response To Network Rail Consultation<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">ESSEX RAIL USERS FEDERATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">RESPONSE TO NETWORK RAIL ANGLIA ROUTE STUDY – FEBRUARY
2015<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This paper is a response
to the Network Rail Anglia Route Study Draft, which was issued for consultation
in November 2014; references in brackets are to this document.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although we support many of the findings in
the report, we believe that the Study has not addressed the main problems
associated with the rail services in the area because these are potentially very
expensive to rectify.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As such we feel that
the Study is not credible as it has not been ambitious enough in its approach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Journey time improvements on Great Eastern main
line (GEC03)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is one of the primary
recommendations of the “Norwich in Ninety” campaign supported by MPs, local
authorities, rail user groups and other interested parties in the area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>ERUF has been a strong supporter of this
campaign with the proviso that any improvements should benefit all rail users,
not just those in Norfolk and Suffolk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Increasing line speed to 110mph would do this (0.4.2), but another
measure proposed would be potentially very detrimental to Essex rail users.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A report produced about
three years ago by the consultants Atkins suggested the addition of long
dynamic loops between the new Beaulieu Park station north of Chelmsford<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(which is planned to have four platforms) and
Witham; these loops would be ideally located mid-way between Colchester and
Shenfield, and would enable slower trains to be overtaken by fast ones while
both trains were travelling at speed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Rather than follow this advice, Network Rail proposes a much cheaper
option, to extend existing loops at Witham station (0.4.2).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem with the
Witham loops (even if extended) is that they would be too short to be dynamic,
and too far north to be of real benefit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Short loops mean that slow trains must be brought to a halt in order for
faster ones to overtake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This could add
a time penalty of five or six minutes to the journey time of the slower train
being overtaken.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is precisely the
sort of proposal that we find totally unacceptable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
The Network Rail document should propose loops where they are needed, not where it is financially expedient to construct them. Money has been found for other schemes in recent years for “too expensive to consider” schemes such as the Reading station rebuild and Crossrail. What we need in East Anglia is a railway that works well rather than one that is bodged, and regretfully providing loops north of Witham would be a bodge, a far from ideal solution to increasing capacity on the line..<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Half hourly rail services (GEC 06 to 16)<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We warmly welcome the
recommendation that all train services on Great Eastern branch lines should be
increased to two trains per hour.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Of
course the new rail franchise operator has to agree this and include this in his
bid.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some branches can accommodate this
now, but others may require substantial works to achieve this.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">In (0.5.6) this is acknowledged, and again
lack of ambition in the document simply pushes any route where this is going to
be difficult into the long grass by stating that a business case would have to
be made for improvements.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit;">This may be
true, but in some cases there are other interested parties that could be
persuaded to contribute to enable the improvements to take place.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One such branch is that to
Colchester Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that
Colchester Town station would need a second platform to satisfactorily handle 2
tph on all the services that currently serve the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is our opinion, endorsed by highly
competent train and timetable planners, that the station should be rebuilt with
a central island platform enabling cross platform interchange between London
services and local services to the Tendring Peninsula. The current station,
with a single terminal platform, can only cope with six trains an hour, due to
the fact that once the driver has arrived, he has to walk the length of the
train to the other end cab of the train to drive it out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Colchester has terrible
traffic jams in the rush hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Situated
near the main shopping centre, Colchester Town station does not currently even
have a Sunday train service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have
been campaigning for years to get a second platform constructed at the station,
but have been frustrated by road orientated councils and complete lack of
vision to make this happen.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Section 106 funding
was allocated to build the platform, but this was later spent elsewhere
improving Hythe station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This may have
been good for regeneration of the Hythe area, but this work has done nothing to
improve traffic congestion in the town centre.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A major shopping centre redevelopment
is planned in the area near Colchester Town station, and section 106 funding
could be available to help pay for a rebuild of the station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe that once the improvements are in
place, together with half hourly train services, use of the station should
improve massively by between five and ten fold.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u>Chelmsford and
Crossrail</u></b><u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Crossrail scheme now under construction will
have four terminal stations; Reading and Heathrow in the west, Abbey Wood in
the south east and Shenfield in the north east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As part of the future planning for the Crossrail scheme, extensions have
been planned and land safeguarded to allow Crossrail trains to run beyond the
south eastern terminus of Abbey Wood to Gravesend and Ebbsfleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, no such extension has been planned
beyond the north eastern terminus of Shenfield, which seems odd, because
Chelmsford is closer to London than Reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chelmsford is a City and the second busiest station
in East Anglia after Cambridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yet
unlike Cambridge, it only has one double track route serving it (Cambridge can
be reached either from Liverpool Street or from Kings Cross).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chelmsford is the administrative headquarters
of Essex, so it would make sense to plan long term to extend Crossrail services
to make this the north east terminus for Crossrail trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would probably require two extra tracks
between Shenfield and Chelmsford, which almost certainly will be needed in any
case due to the continuing increase in use of train services on the Great
Eastern main line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As there are operational
difficulties in turning trains round at Chelmsford, Beaulieu Park, the new
developer funded station planned for north east Chelmsford, would make a better
terminus, particularly as it is planned to have four platforms there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">New
stations<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">There is potential for extra stations in the East Anglia
region, as population growth has led to new locations where stations could be
viable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are some station sites in
our area which we feel should be investigated further: - <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(a)<u>Clacton North</u> – A station site near Gorse Lane
is proposed, as the existing station is well to the south of the centre of
population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new station would serve
Great Clacton, Holland-on-Sea and the new developments on the north side of
Clacton.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(b) <u>Great Cornard</u> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>- New housing developments to the south of
Sudbury town centre at Great Cornard are poorly located for the existing
Sudbury station site.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A passing loop is
proposed for Great Cornard to enable, as proposed, an half-hourly service to be
instigated on the line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The station
could be built with one island platform and two platform faces, so that when
trains stopped to pass each other they could pick up passengers as well.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(c) <u>Great Blakenham</u> - A ski slope was planned for
this location together with a large housing development.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would appear that the ski slope has not
progressed, but the fact remains that a station could be well used if located
there, midway between Ipswich and Needham Market.<u><o:p></o:p></u></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Conclusions<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Regretfully, the Network Rail Anglia Route Study
Draft does not address the principal problems that are present in the
infrastructure of the Anglia lines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
suspect that the reason for this is that most of these problems are going to
cost serious money to put right. Funding of this scale seems to be readily
available for road improvement projects, but it is only in recent years that some
rail projects have been funded to this scale.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Under investment in the Great Eastern main line
over many years has been the cause of much of these problems.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The infrastructure cannot cope with the
massive increase in number of rail passengers using the Great Eastern main line.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example those using Manningtree station
have increased from 100 in 1985 to 1,500 now, a 1400% increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A further 500 to 1,000 houses are planned
near the station which we know will be marketed to the London commuter market. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Massive housing developments are also planned
north of Chelmsford and in and to the east of Colchester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a problem that cannot be avoided, and
must be addressed urgently.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Essex Rail Users Federation<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">February 2015<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
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ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-20433486667586724042015-05-14T10:26:00.000+01:002015-05-14T10:26:01.527+01:00ERUF Manifesto<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">ESSEX RAIL USERS FEDERATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">MANIFESTO FOR THE NEW GREATER ANGLIA RAIL FRANCHISE
WHICH STARTS OCTOBER 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The current rail operator
is Abellio Greater Anglia, which started its second short franchise in July 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A new 10 to 15 year franchise is planned to
be let in October 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This document
sets out longer term aspirations because the rail operator that obtains the next
franchise could still be in position in 2031.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">The Current situation<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This has not been a happy
period for East Anglian rail users with fares increasing at a faster rate than
inflation without any serious investment being seen in the route.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No new rolling stock has been introduced to
the franchise for over 10 years, due to first of all the seven year plain
vanilla National Express franchise, followed by the two short franchises run by
Abellio Greater Anglia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore all
trains on the line are looking tired; there has not been funding available in
any of these franchises to upgrade the fleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>East Anglian trains have an internal appearance and comfort which is markedly
inferior to those operated by almost every other franchise that serves London. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Passenger satisfaction figures show that the
Greater Anglia franchise to be one of the least popular in the whole country,
though part of the problem here is that the infrastructure in the area is
particularly unreliable.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rolling stock<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">At present, Abellio
Greater Anglia operates six types of electric rolling stock, which are the
class 315 inner suburban units, the class 317, 321, 360 and 379 outer suburban
fleet and the main line sets of locomotives and coaches used on the Great
Eastern main line to Norwich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The diesel
fleet mainly operates north of Ipswich and the only regular diesel workings in
Essex are those between Marks Tey and Sudbury. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The class 315 inner
suburban units will be transferred to the new Crossrail and London Overground
franchises in May 2015.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They will be
replaced on the Shenfield route by new class 345 trains by the time that Crossrail
opens in 2019, and on the West Anglia Metro services by new stock being
purchased by TfL, as these routes will join the London Overground franchise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The classes 317, 321 and
360 outer suburban fleet all look shabby and in need of heavy internal
overhaul.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The class 317 fleet is based
in West Anglia and is approaching the end of its design life; the earliest
units were introduced to the Bedford to St. Pancras line in 1982.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One last internal refurbishment is needed
soon before the units are phased out in probably less than 10 years’ time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The class 321 fleet is
divided into two; the 300 series were delivered new to Essex in 1990; the 400
series were delivered new to the suburban end of the West Coast main line in
1989.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most of the 400 series have since
been transferred to Essex.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All have the
original seats, which were designed prior to ergonomics being an important consideration
in train seat design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By today’s
standards they are uncomfortable for even medium distances and are seriously substandard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All units get very heavy wear, and the whole
fleet is looking tired.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In our opinion, the class 321 units need to
be replaced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They are incapable of being
modified to run at the new line speed of 110mph, and even the refurbished
prototype lacks the acceleration and comfort which is now generally available
on most other lines into London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They
also lack corridor connections between units, which has implications for
revenue collection and precludes economic catering facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some could be retained for local branch line and
Southend line services where the lower top speed is not a problem.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The class 360 fleet was
delivered new in 2002.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since then, it
has been worked hard so that the interiors are tired looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only cosmetic work has been done on the
interiors of these vehicles, such as replacing seat covers and carpets. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These trains should be upgraded to run at
110mph, the new line speed north of Shenfield.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The class 379 fleet was
new in 2012 and is being used on West Anglia lines to Stansted Airport,
Cambridge and Kings Lynn.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Trains similar
to these would be ideal for Great Eastern main line semi-fast services, having
excellent acceleration and a good ride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The latest versions of this train type (class 387) are capable of
110mph, the new line speed after the necessary line speed improvements have
been made. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We do however have
reservations about the seats used in some new trains, which seem to be designed
to cram as many people into the train as possible at the expense of passenger
comfort.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The main line (London to Norwich)
stock was previously based on the West Coast main line, where it had been
roundly condemned by Richard Branson for being out-of-date and unreliable; it
was transferred to East Anglia ten years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Successive train operators have spent a lot of effort to improve the
reliability of the class 90 engines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
coaching stock is currently being refurbished, but this is largely cosmetic and
the fact remains that these are now 40 year old coaches, albeit some of the
best coaches ever produced.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Reliability
is still an issue with the fleet, with class 321 outer suburban units being occasionally
used for main line diagrams when these trains fail. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Ultimately, these trains will have to be
replaced, and, due to the status of Norwich as a city, these trains should be main
line standard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have had several discussions
with the train operator, and a vision for two types of main line train was
agreed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The first is for express
services only, which should be state of the art main line standard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second, for semi-fast services is for
trains similar to the class 387 being introduced on Thameslink, with 110mph
capability, 2+2 seating and catering facilities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Services<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">National Express introduced
a new timetable for the Great Eastern lines from December 2010, which is still
in place today, though modified somewhat from the original.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were pleased that our Federation was
consulted extensively when this timetable was prepared. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However this timetable relies heavily on main
line trains making connections with branch line shuttle trains; in times of
disruption connections are missed causing long delays of up to an hour for
passengers to branch line stations. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It should be stressed that
this timetable seeks to maximise the use of the infrastructure and the trains
that are available.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any further
timetable improvements can only come by improving the infrastructure, in
particular south of Colchester on what is one of the busiest two track sections
of line in the country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">ERUF would ultimately like
to see every station in Essex have a train serving it every half an hour throughout
the day, including weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We believe
that the demand is there for such a service and that this would pay for itself
fairly quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>People do not want to
wait for an hour if they just miss a train, but most will tolerate a wait of half
an hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At all times, it is important
to recognise that the rival to the train is the car, and one good way of easing
the heavily congested Essex roads is to improve the rail service, particularly
to the major towns of Chelmsford and Colchester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Controversially,
Colchester Town station still does not have a Sunday train service despite its
central location and popular Sunday trading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Also, there has been
reluctance since rail privatisation to run late trains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, the last train to Manningtree
and Ipswich now runs half an hour earlier than it did 30 years ago when both
stations had a tenth of the use they have now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Anyone seeing a West End show or a concert at Wembley currently has to leave
early or rush to catch the last train on many routes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This failure encourages people to use their cars
for at least part of their journey to London.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A developer funded station
is planned at Beaulieu Park, north of Chelmsford.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is planned to have four platforms which
will enable trains to terminate there, rather than at Chelmsford where the
restricted layout makes terminating trains there difficult.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
station should be served by most semi-fast train services.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there is no sign of the development
that will fund this station being started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">A recent desperate
shortage of diesel multiple unit vehicles has inhibited us from actively
campaigning for the reinstatement of two very useful rail services that existed
until 1990.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sudbury to Marks Tey
rail service used to run between Sudbury and Colchester Town station (then
known as St. Botolphs).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Cambridge to
Ipswich train service used to run through to Colchester.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Both services would be of considerable value
to Colchester, but both may have to wait until electrification of these lines,
as the shortage of diesel units is unlikely to change in the near future.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Information systems<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The information system on
the Great Eastern main line and branches has been a source of frustration to
rail users.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Departure board at
Liverpool Street was replaced with a new LED type display some years ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, the new board is much less
legible than the old one, leading to people standing close to the board craning
their necks and blocking the main concourse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Another frequent complaint is that a train disappears from the indicator
a minute before the train leaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In
times of disruption, the board can bear no relationship to the trains standing
in the station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The outdated TV style indicators
on the GE lines have always been a source of frustration, because they are
often illegible when the sun shines on the screens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These are obsolete and overdue for
replacement; some have been replaced by LED style ones that are a great
improvement, this updating process must be completed as soon as possible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>LED station clocks are a great improvement as
they can be seen even at 100 metres distance.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Car parking<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Car parking charges rose
massively under the stewardship of National Express, in many cases by 140%.
This has been heavily counterproductive, because charges are so high that
people are deserting trains and using cars instead for journeys to destinations
outside of the London area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Annual car
parking charges at Manningtree station are now £6.50 a day or £1,200 per annum.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In comparison, two multi-storey car parks in
Colchester Town centre offer all day parking at less than £4.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It is not surprising to
see every available car parking space within a mile radius of stations filled
with commuters’ cars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The use of NCP to
manage car parking has been deeply unpopular.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We have heard several horror stories of heavy handed treatment of elderly
people visiting stations and inadvertently falling foul of the parking
regulations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Car parking charges should be
no more than £500 per annum on today’s prices; more than this is a penalty as
it actively discourages rail travel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Long
term aspirations<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Great Eastern main line has only two tracks
north of Shenfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the
busiest two track sections in the country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There is no satisfactory diversionary route if the lines get
blocked.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Four tracking to at least Witham
has to be a medium to long term aspiration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This investment would benefit Norfolk and
Suffolk rail users too, enabling faster journey times. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Long dynamic loops could be an interim
solution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The Crossrail scheme now under construction will
have four terminal stations; Reading and Heathrow in the west, Abbey Wood in
the south east and Shenfield in the north east.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As part of the future planning for the Crossrail scheme, extensions have
been planned and land safeguarded to allow Crossrail trains to run beyond the
south eastern terminus of Abbey Wood to Gravesend and Ebbsfleet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, no such extension has been planned
beyond the north eastern terminus of Shenfield.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Chelmsford is a City and the second busiest station
in East Anglia after Cambridge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
also the administrative headquarters of Essex, so it would make far more sense to
extend Crossrail services to make this the north east terminus for Crossrail
trains. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chelmsford is closer to London
than <span style="font-family: inherit;">Crossrail’s western terminus, Reading.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As there are operational difficulties in turning trains round at
Chelmsford, Beaulieu Park, the new developer funded station planned for north east
Chelmsford, would make a better terminus as it is planned to have four
platforms there.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In order to provide an
half hourly train service off peak on all lines in Essex, some infrastructure
improvements will be needed to make the train services robust: -<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A passing loop at
or near Cressing on the Braintree branch<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A passing loop at
Great Cornard on the Sudbury branch<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">Reconstructing
Colchester Town station to provide two platform faces<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A third platform
at Thorpe-le-Soken station<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A second platform
at Walton-on-the-Naze station.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;">A second tunnel
at Stansted Airport to eliminate single track on the branch. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 36.0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Southend Airport station was the third new
developer funded station in Essex to be built in the last 20 years. There is scope to open other new stations to
open too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the most likely to pay
for itself would be at Clacton North, situated at Gorse Lane.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would be convenient for residents of Great
Clacton and Holland –on-Sea. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another
possible station site would be Great Cornard on the Sudbury branch line.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One big disappointment has been the failure of successive
franchises to exploit the station at Colchester Town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Colchester has terrible traffic jams in the
rush hour.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Situated near the main
shopping centre, this station does not currently even have a Sunday train
service.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The layout of the station prevents
a decent rail service (maximum six trains an hour) because it only has one
platform at which trains terminate and reverse even though the approaches are
double track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have been campaigning
for years to get a second platform constructed at the station, but have been
frustrated by road orientated councils and complete lack of vision to make this
happen. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having spoken to train planners,
the ideal layout would be a central island platform with two platform
faces.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This would allow a train from
London to connect with a local train by simple cross platform interchange.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Summary of Conclusions<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p> </o:p>Most of the problems
associated with the current situation have been caused by long term failure to properly
invest in the trains and infrastructure of the area. This has been recognised by the “Norwich in
Ninety” campaign, which we fully support provided that improvements are
designed to benefit all rail users, not just those in Norfolk and Suffolk. Urgent action is needed to stop the decline,
investing heavily in new rolling stock and in new train interiors where trains
are retained. In the longer term, and
certainly within the currency of a 15 year franchise, major targeted
infrastructure improvements are required to cope with increasing congestion and
the continuing rise in passenger numbers.
Failure to deal with the expected congestion would lead to economic
decline in Essex with the relocation of businesses and rail passengers to parts
of South East England with better and more reliable transport links.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><u><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br clear="all" style="page-break-before: always;" />
</span></u></b>
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">ESSEX RAIL USERS FEDERATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">MANIFESTO FOR NEW GREATER ANGLIA RAIL FRANCHISE
STARTING OCTOBER 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Appendix A – List of infrastructure improvements
needed<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Small schemes<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Works to allow the
progressive introduction of “Access for all” to all stations starting with
interchange stations, such as Manningtree, Wivenhoe and Thorpe-le-Soken, and
then tackling the busiest ones.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Reopen the footbridge at
Frinton-on-sea to give access to the station from the north side when the level
crossing is closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Tendring village stations:
- Lengthening platforms to take 12 car trains, raising platforms where
necessary and improving car parking facilities<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Medium schemes<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Progressive infrastructure
upgrades to enable robust half hourly services on all lines in Essex, starting
with the Cressing loop on the Braintree branch line, rebuilding Colchester Town
station so that it has a central island platform serving two lines.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Provide a new station at
Clacton Common (Gorse Lane) which would serve the Great Clacton housing and
industrial estates, and Holland-on-Sea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Provide a new station at
Great Cornard to serve new housing estates in the area.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Electrification of the
Sudbury branch so that services can be integrated with other lines (Sudbury
trains served Colchester Town until the mid-1980s).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Alterations at
Thorpe-le-Soken and between Kirby and Frinton to improve reliability of branch
line services and connections.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Reopen Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea,
as existing road access cannot cope with traffic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Large schemes<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Works to provide
additional relief lines or dynamic loops between Shenfield and Witham to
improve capacity and to allow extension of Crossrail services to Beaulieu Park,
the new developer funded station planned for north of Chelmsford.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Works to provide improved
infrastructure, in order that the speed limits on the main lines can be raised
and journey times to and from London decreased.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Major rebuilding is
required at Colchester (North) station to provide a seamless interchange with
other public transport modes.
Connectivity is currently poor, particularly with local buses. Ideally there should be a new bus station
built there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Electrify the line to Bury
St Edmunds, Cambridge and Peterborough.
This scheme will mainly benefit cross-country freight, but would greatly
improve passenger rail service opportunities too, such as reinstating the
Colchester to Cambridge link, and a robust hourly train service to Peterborough.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">ESSEX RAIL USERS FEDERATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">MANIFESTO FOR NEW GREATER ANGLIA RAIL FRANCHISE
STARTING OCTOBER 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Appendix B – Explanatory notes<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">WHY HAVE HALF HOURLY
TRAIN SERVICES IN ESSEX<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">London Mayor Boris Johnson
has a stated aim that every train/tube/DLR/tram line in Greater London should
have a train at least every fifteen minutes throughout the day. Essex is well populated, but not as densely
as Greater London. We think that for all
lines in Essex there is potential business for a minimum train service of one
every thirty minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This is not the only
justification for this frequency of service.
We must always bear in mind that the competition is the car, and unless
train services are reasonably frequent, people will give up on trains and use
the car or other alternatives. Most
people will tolerate a short wait for public transport, particularly if they
can wait in a shelter. In my
experience, a half hour’s wait is just about tolerable; an hour’s wait is
intolerable. It is therefore
essential that we extend half hourly train services to as many lines as
possible, as soon as possible if we are to have any chance of attracting
additional passengers to the Essex rail network.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Most stations on the main
line and on the line to Southend Victoria have had at least half-hourly
services since December 2010. Some
branch lines could accommodate half-hourly train services without any
modification (such as Colchester to Clacton, Manningtree to Harwich). Others will require additional
infrastructure in the form of passing loops or additional platforms (Witham to
Braintree, Thorpe-le-Soken to Walton, and Marks Tey to Sudbury). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">COLCHESTER TOWN STATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We believe that Colchester
Town station will need a second platform to satisfactorily handle half hourly
train services on lines that serve the station. It is our opinion, endorsed by train
planners, that the station should be rebuilt with a central island platform
enabling cross platform interchange between London services and local services
to the Tendring Peninsula. The current station, with a single terminal
platform, can only cope with six trains an hour, due to the fact that once the
driver has arrived, he has to walk the length of the train to drive it out from
the other end cab of the train.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">SUDBURY TO COLCHESTER
TOWN DIRECT TRAIN SERVICE<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Trains ran from Sudbury to
Colchester Town station until around 1990.
We believe that there remains a strong potential demand to extend the
Sudbury to Marks Tey train service back to Colchester Town. This would require electrification of the
Sudbury branch line. As this is the only
non-electrified branch line in Essex, it would make sense from an operational
point of view to have this line integrated with the rest of the Essex rail system.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: inherit;">WALTON TO FRINTON,
KIRBY AND CLACTON DIRECT TRAIN SERVICE<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The “Sunshine Coast”
covers the coastline from Walton-on-the-Naze to Clacton-on-Sea. This area has the highest population in the
Tendring Peninsula. There are pockets of
deprivation along the coast, but public transport along the coast is poor,
involving either slow buses or a difficult rail connection at
Thorpe-le-Soken. We believe that
connectivity would be much improved if there was a direct Walton to Clacton
rail service. At present trains would
have to reverse at Thorpe-le-Soken, but a direct rail connection could be built
in the medium to long term, forming a triangular junction east of Thorpe (like
the one that serves Colchester Town station).
The route could even be operated by tram/trains, and extended beyond
Clacton towards Jaywick. Our proposed
new station at Clacton Common would greatly benefit from this service.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">ESSEX RAIL USERS FEDERATION<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">MANIFESTO FOR NEW GREATER ANGLIA RAIL FRANCHISE
STARTING OCTOBER 2016<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">Appendix C – “Norwich in Ninety” campaign<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">This campaign was started
after the May 2010 General Election by three local MPs, Chloe Smith from
Norfolk, Ben Gummer from Suffolk and Priti Patel from Essex*, all newly elected
MPs based in the area. The aim is to
persuade the government that the severe lack of investment in railways in the
area needs to be reversed and a comprehensive plan of improvements instituted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We at ERUF have always
supported this campaign, with the obvious proviso that any improvements made
should benefit all rail users, never benefiting Norfolk and Suffolk at the
expense of Essex.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">One example of where rail
improvements would benefit Norfolk and Suffolk rail users at the expense of
Essex are proposals in the recently published “Network Rail’s Draft Route Study”. A report produced about three years ago by
the consultants Atkins suggested the addition of long dynamic loops between the
new Beaulieu Park station and Witham; these loops would be ideally located
mid-way between Colchester and Shenfield, and would enable slower trains to be
overtaken by fast ones at speed. Rather
than follow this advice, Network Rail proposes to extend existing loops at
Witham station.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The problem with the
Witham loops (even if extended) is that are too short to be dynamic, and too
far north to be of real benefit. Short
loops mean that slow trains must be brought to a halt in order for faster ones
to overtake. This could add a time
penalty of five or six minutes to the journey time of the slower train being
overtaken. This is precisely the sort
of proposal that we find totally unacceptable.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Essex Rail Users Federation<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><span style="font-family: inherit;">January 2015<o:p></o:p></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">(*now replaced by Simon
Burns, MP for Chelmsford, as Priti has joined the government)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-1114947558069107792014-07-17T18:26:00.002+01:002014-07-17T18:27:44.441+01:00Rail Briefing to Essex MPs<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The following has been sent to Essex MPs</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">RAIL BRIEFING TO ESSEX MPs – JULY 2014<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Essex rail users have suffered from a series of franchises
where minimum expenditure has been authorised.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This state of affairs started with the National Express plain vanilla
franchise of 2003, and continued with the first Abellio franchise of 2012, and
continues now with the second short franchise recently awarded to Abellio which
expires in October 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Due to the
wording of the franchise documents, in all this time there has been no money
available for new trains or even the much needed refurbishment of the rolling
stock, which is now in such poor internal<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>condition that it compares unfavourably with <u>every </u>other
franchise that serves London.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Uncertainty
over future franchising means that externally most of the train fleet is
painted in a temporary white livery that becomes dirty very quickly and does
not look smart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The poor state of the trains is largely beyond the control
of the operator and is due to inadequate funding of the rail franchise by successive
governments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The government has failed
to recognise that Greater Anglia train services are no longer up to the
standard expected by the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These
are falling well short of the standards maintained by other operators. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What needs to be done?<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">In order to put things right, there needs to be serious
investment in new trains and in refurbishment of existing ones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These investments need to be stipulated in
the tender documents so that all bidders for the new franchise can include
funding for this in their tender price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Details of these investments are included in the Greater Anglia Rail
manifesto which has been endorsed by County Councils, MPs, Rail User groups and
other interested parties based in East Anglia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Essex Rail Users Federation has also submitted proposals for these
investments directly to DfT.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Network Rail also needs to invest to eliminate a large
number of unreliable components in the rail infrastructure that is track and
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Above all it is essential that Essex MPs work together on
this. Norfolk and Suffolk MPs have been
far better at presenting a united front on rail issues.</span><o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Derek Monnery FRICS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chairman <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Essex Rail Users Federation<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">17<sup>th</sup> July 2014</span><o:p></o:p></u></div>
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ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-31352380764095655902014-03-19T17:36:00.001+00:002014-03-19T17:36:56.127+00:00£1m investment by Greater Anglia To Improve ServicesFollowing significant recent disruption caused by severe weather conditions, fatalities and infrastructure issues, Greater Anglia has announced £1m worth of actions to improve things ongoing:<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">A contract with Direct Rail Services to provide locomotives and carriages to support service provision on its local routes and increase intercity service carriage availability up to the current franchise end date in July.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Recruiting additional maintenance staff at its Norwich Crown Point depot.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Review of contingency plans to improve recovery times in the event of disruption and minimise the impact of any short carriage formations which do occur.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Further modifications to West Anglia route Class 317 trains to improve door reliability.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Work with Network Rail to secure a reduction in speed restrictions and engineering work over-runs, and to ensure a more robust operation of the freight services using the Ipswich to Felixstowe line to lessen their performance impact on the passenger services operating on this route.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Additional fleet advisor working with the operations team to provide 24 hours cover to minimise the impact of any in-service faults.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Development of further targeted investment schemes to tackle the key causes of delays and disruption.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Work with Network Rail to improve the reliability of the cab-to-signaller communication system on the Class 315 and Class 317 trains used on services between Shenfield and London and on the West Anglia route.</span></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Extension of remote train monitoring systems which help track train systems and identify faults before they cause delays or more serious problems.</span></li>
</ul>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Review of traincrew deployment and contingency plans to enable the quickest possible recovery from disruptive events.</span></li>
</ul>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-46153156685216274412013-12-23T12:18:00.004+00:002013-12-23T12:18:59.767+00:00Fare Increases AnnouncedThe expected fare increases in the region have been announced. Annual season ticket examples as follows:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Colchester £4,690 (up from 4,556 - increase of 2.72%)</li>
<li>Clacton £5,152 (up from £4,984 - increase of 4.1%)</li>
<li>Harwich £5,312 (up from 5,104 - increase of 4.07%)</li>
<li>Manningtree £5,232 (up from £5,060 - increase of 3.4%)</li>
</ul>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-72609131754476509032013-12-07T11:37:00.002+00:002013-12-07T11:37:38.163+00:00ERUF Update<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
We at ERUF have been slow recently to update this website to tell readers about what we are doing. Rest assured we are well aware of what is going on, and do monitor Twitter feeds to find out what train commuters are saying about the service. Committee members all use Greater Anglia train services on a fairly regular basis and about half are daily commuters.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Behind the scenes we have been working with local MPs, Essex County Council and Greater Anglia to develop the East Anglia Rail Manifesto, a call for serious investment in the trains and infrastructure in the Greater Anglia Franchise area. This has been well received by the Department for Transport and by government ministers. We are in direct contact with civil servants who are well aware that the train service is not what it should be.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Part of the problem is that government interference in the franchising process has led to a ten year period of decline; first National Express East Anglia (formerly 'one') (2003 to 2012) was a “plain vanilla” franchise, let on the cheap with no money for any sort of investment. This has been followed by the Greater Anglia franchise, which was to last for two years, and will now probably be let for a further two years. These short franchises are far too short for any real investment to be made in improving an already run down train service. Patch and mend can only work for so long, and the results are plain to see.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are meeting again with civil servants in the coming week and are pressing for major refurbishment of the existing train fleet and for the class 387 trains currently being built for Thameslink to be transfered to our line once new trains are delivered for Thameslink in 2018. Class 387 trains will be similar to the Stansted Express fleet, but will be capable of 110mph. We also want the class 360 (plug door) trains to be upgraded for 110mph running. We believe that many of the class 321 sliding door trains should be displaced as they would be more suitable for use on newly electrified lines in the Cardiff or Manchester areas where they would replace short diesel trains. We will also be pushing for the improvements listed in the East Anglia Rail Manifesto. We have the full support of Essex County Council in what we proposing.</div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-36159660218536729702013-11-08T18:09:00.001+00:002013-11-08T18:09:13.063+00:00New MD for Greater AngliaAbellio, the parent company of Greater Anglia, this afternoon issued the following press release:<br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER">
<i><span style="color: grey;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b>"NEW MANAGING DIRECTOR FOR ABELLIO GREATER ANGLIA</b></span></span></span></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i>Following the conclusion of a rigorous selection process, Abellio UK has selected Jamie Burles to succeed Ruud Haket as Managing Director of the Abellio Greater Anglia franchise.<br /><br />Commenting on the appointment, Abellio UK Managing Director Dominic Booth said: “We are delighted to appoint Jamie as MD of the Abellio Greater Anglia business. Ruud and the team have done an amazing job in a very short time, and we were determined to find a replacement with the calibre and inspirational qualities to maintain the momentum for change and improvement across the whole franchise. Jamie will do just that.”<br /><br />Jamie is a Bid Director at Abellio UK, where he is currently managing the company’s bid for the new Thameslink franchise. He will continue in that role until the decision on franchise award, and will take the reins at Abellio Greater Anglia on 1 April 2014.<br /><br />Commenting on his appointment, Jamie said “I’m looking forward immensely to being part of what is already a very dynamic and successful team at Abellio Greater Anglia. Building on the impressive start they have made, and delivering even more exciting improvements for passengers will be my sole focus. Abellio Greater Anglia serves one of the fastest growing regions in the country, and a modern, efficient, attractive rail network will be crucial to sustaining that growth.”<br /><br />Prior to joining Abellio UK, Jamie had experience as an MD in the healthcare sector and Commercial Director roles within Northern Rail, Vax and Midland Mainline.<br /><br />Ruud Haket will leave the business at the end of January 2014. Adam Golton, currently Finance Director of Abellio Greater Anglia, will be appointed Interim Managing Director to provide continuity until Jamie arrives. "</i></span></span>ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-58179037895061522562013-10-27T16:59:00.002+00:002013-10-27T16:59:53.467+00:00No Trains Before 9am on 28th OctoberDue to the forecast storm approaching the region, Greater Anglia have issued the following statement:<br />
<br />
<div align="CENTER">
<i><span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><b>"On Monday 28th October Greater Anglia will be suspending services on all Greater Anglia routes until 09:00. Customers are advised not to attempt to travel before 09:00</b></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">.</span></span></i></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i>We have worked with Network Rail and our plans are based on the high winds of up to 75mph forecast across our region early on Monday morning which presents a significant risk of falling trees/branches, damage to railway equipment and will severely limit our ability to safely and quickly respond to any incidents which may occur.<br />We will be working with Network Rail throughout the night to ensure that the railway is open as soon as possible on Monday morning but we need to undertake checks across every area of our routes in order to ensure that services can run safely. We are working closely with Network Rail to deploy additional staff across the network overnight and throughout the early morning.<br />From 09:00 we will look to run a reduced service on all lines but we expect there to be significant disruption to services throughout the day.<br />We will update our website (greateranglia.co.uk) and our Twitter feed (@greateranglia) throughout the morning with the latest advice and information. Customers are strongly advised to check the latest travel information before setting out.<br />Customers with Greater Anglia tickets dated for travel on Monday 28th October can travel on Sunday 27th and Tuesday 29th October. Customers with Advanced Purchase tickets dated for Sunday 27th are advised that restrictions on the time of travel are suspended.<br />Other operators across South East England are likely to be affected and details of their services are available here <a href="http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/60152.aspx">www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/60152.aspx</a>"</i></span></span></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri, Verdana, Helvetica, Arial;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-63081848904578223502013-08-26T14:08:00.002+01:002013-08-26T14:08:33.650+01:00Greater Anglia Nominated For Top Award<br />
Greater Anglia has been nominated for Rail Operator Of The Year award at the National Transport Awards. Among the reasons fro being nominated are:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Best punctuality ever seen in this region</li>
<li>Improved ticketing service</li>
<li>Service provided during the Olympics</li>
<li>The alliance with Network Rail resulting in fewer weekend disruptions</li>
</ul>
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The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony in October.<br />
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-48847316234187884592013-08-13T10:11:00.000+01:002013-08-13T10:11:06.126+01:00Ticket Office AvailabilityA number of ERUF members are reporting that ticket offices are closed more and more often in recent months. Have you been affected? Let us know at <a href="mailto:info@eruf.org">info@eruf.org</a>ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-17097758162219953482013-04-17T11:07:00.002+01:002013-04-17T11:07:30.765+01:00Class 321 RefurbishmentAn advertisement in RAIL magazine from Evershot Rail suggests they will be refurbishing the Class 321 fleet for Greater Anglia. The 321 trains are the older sliding door units that form the backbone of outer suburban services between Ipswich and London including branch services to Clacton, Walton, Harwich and Braintree.<br />
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The Advertisement says "coming soon" and promises "modern seat design; Bright, quiet and comfortable environment; Air conditioning, LED lighting and new windows."</div>
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Watch this space....</div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-7667424555646441192013-04-09T11:33:00.004+01:002013-04-09T11:33:54.796+01:00Tweet The ManagerGreater Anglia will be holding another <i>Tweet The Manager</i> session with station managers north of Chelmsford on Friday (12th April) between 07:30 and 09:00. Join in by following @greateranglia and using the #ttmga hashtagERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-76239175252902644212013-03-26T11:00:00.002+00:002013-03-26T11:00:33.345+00:00Greater Anglia Franchise Extended<br />
The Department for Transport (DfT) has today announced that the Greater Anglia franchise run by Abellio is to be extended to October 2016. It had originally been due to expire in July 2014. This has come about as part of a review of the whole franchising process following the West Coast main line debacle that has seen many franchises extended.<br />
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Full details of the DfT announcement can be found <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/franchise-announcement" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-1508646477555121112013-02-28T14:58:00.003+00:002013-03-01T11:01:01.798+00:00Greater Anglia Named Best Train Operator(!)<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less than two week<span style="color: #1f497d;">s</span> after being voted second worst operator (worst amongst commuters) in the UK by Which? Magazine, Greater Anglia has been awarded Train Operator Of The Year at the annual Rail Business Awards. The independent judging panel - who judging from the feedback that we have been getting from regular travellers have never been on a Greater Anglia train in their lives - praised GA's improved punctuality, higher customer service standards and engagement, and station improvements. Special mention was made of the excellent performance during the Olympics but nothing about the poor state of the trains on the Great Eastern main line.<br /><br />Extraordinary</span><br />
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ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2066786207237701898.post-78738925666363203302013-02-18T10:08:00.002+00:002013-02-18T10:08:34.926+00:00Which? Passenger Survey Results Different To Passenger Focus<br />
<div class="post-body entry-content" id="post-body-5909555242274047289" itemprop="description articleBody" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 1.4; position: relative; width: 570px;">
<i>Which?</i> Magazine has published results of a survey which suggests that less than 50% of passengers are satisfied with the service provided by their train operating company. This is a sharp contrast to to those figures published by Passenger Focus recently which suggested satisfaction levels of 85%. The <i>Which?</i> results however are more in line with feedback received.<br /><br />The Passenger Focus survey questioned 31,626 passengers in their survey to <i>Which?</i> Magazine's 7,500 passengers. However the <i>Which?</i> survey questioned <i>regular</i> travellers.</div>
ERUFhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16327335595966634279noreply@blogger.com0