Consultation on RailPlan 7

Posted on May 8, 2012 by admin

Metro has today published its draft RailPlan 7, which

“seeks to build on the Local Transport Plan (LTP3) 2011-26 and the Yorkshire Rail Network Study by setting out Metro’s approach to deliver sustainable economic growth by improving the rail network in West Yorkshire.”

 

“RailPlan will be used to influence the key decision makers in Government and the rail industry to secure improvements to the network and deliver economic growth.”

 

It’s a substantial document (in its length if not the quality of its content), with something in the order of 150 pages including appendices.

 

There’s now a period for public consultation until 2nd July, which can be either on-line, by post or at public drop-in sessions, the nearest of which is at Huddersfield Town Hall on 6th June.

 

SMART will be preparing a detailed submission, but would also strongly encourage individuals to respond to the consultation.

 

Initial thoughts are that there’s very little in it to benefit the Colne Valley, and that large parts of the draft railplan were written by someone who didn’t realise that Slaithwaite and Marsden are in West Yorkshire and that both villages have railway stations.

Link is http://www.wyltp.com/consultation/railplan7/Download.htm

Posted in Campaigning, Marsden, METRO/WYCA, Rail Strategy, Slaithwaite | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Customer information screens at Marsden & Slaithwaite – sometime, possibly

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin
Metro are installing customer information screens at 18 stations across West Yorkshire. Unfortunately not here. Not yet anyway.
 
Response from Metro to an enquiry from SMART as to when customer information screens will be installed at Marsden and Slaithwaite stations.

“There is no current funding to install customer information screens at these stations, although we do hope to include them in the next potential bidding round when it is announced hopefully later this year.”

Posted in Campaigning, Marsden, Slaithwaite | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Passenger survey by TfGM and Metro

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

A reminder that the deadline for completing TfGM’s passenger survey is this coming Friday, 4th May.

Paper copies of the survey were handed out on the trains on a Sunday before Easter, on Saturday 28th April and on Tuesday 1st May. However, if you did not travel on the trains on any of those days you may still complete the survey on-line.

There is a comments box at the end (question 17 in the on-line version) where TfGM state that they would welcome your general views on the proposed changes to this service. Some points which you may wish to make in the comments box at the end:

  • It is important to maintain connectivity between all four stations – Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield and Mossley.
  • The “tunnel tax” fare between Slaithwaite/Marsden and Greenfield/Mossley depresses usage between intermediate stations. More people would use the train if there was a sensible fare structure. This should result in fewer people driving across the boundary to catch the train, a practice which creates parking problems at both Greenfield and Marsden.
  • There should be an increase in the frequency to half-hourly calling at all stations. Most routes in Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire have a half-hourly or better frequency, and we should have the same.
  • The Northern Hub proposals should be implemented in full.
  • Additional express trains are welcomed, but should not be at the expense of any deterioration in the local service.
Posted in Campaigning, Marsden, METRO/WYCA, New rail services, Northern Hub, Rail Strategy, Slaithwaite, TfGM | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Line closure at October half-term

Posted on May 1, 2012 by admin

The Huddersfield – Stalybridge line is to be closed during October half term for engineering works in Stalybridge (in addition to the closure on most Sundays between now and December).

Response from Metro to a request from SMART for the rail service to run between Marsden to Huddersfield as a shuttle instead of a rail replacement bus, as follows:

“Northern are currently developing detailed plans for the Stalybridge blockade with Metro, Transport for Greater Manchester and Merseytravel.”

“There are some significant challenges in making the best use of the rail resources to cater for passenger flows during this week. There are likely to be some trade-offs involved, for instance between resourcing Calder Valley services and Marsden – Huddersfield services. We will work closely with Northern and Network Rail to ensure we get the best possible arrangements.”

Posted in Marsden, METRO/WYCA, October 2012 closure, Slaithwaite | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment