A consultation on improving the performance on the rail network in and around Manchester has been launched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The press release\nfrom the DfT (below) sets out why this is being done, but basically it\u2019s with a\nview to improving punctuality and reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So, in the absence of (or in advance of) any infrastructure improvements, this consultation is to consider a range of options to change the service pattern around Manchester to make it more resilient. The idea is to implement it from May 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Three options are\nbeing considered, aimed at improving train performance in the Manchester area\nand north of England by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
These options change the routing and frequency of some existing journeys. The options have been prepared with input from Network Rail, Transport for the North, Transport for Greater Manchester and the train operating companies<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The DfT are asking\nfor views on:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are three\noptions. Options B & C would deliver a half hourly service at Marsden and\nSlaithwaite throughout the day, which is something for which SMART has been\ncampaigning for several years. It\u2019s a big change from a few years ago when the\nvarious transport bodies were at best sceptical and at worst dismissive of the\ncase for improving the service at Marsden & Slaithwaite (and Greenfield\n& Mossley) to half-hourly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The proposals for\nour route are on pages 31 & 32. SMART is still examining the detail of the\nreport in order to formulate a formal response, but it will come as no surprise\nthat we strongly support increasing the service to 2 per hour. The more local\nsupport there is (from residents, businesses etc), in the form of consultation\nresponses in favour of 2 trains per hour, the more likely it is to happen. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The deadline for response is 10th<\/sup> March. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Department for Transport press release, dated 14th<\/sup> January 2021, follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A new consultation on improving\nthe performance on the rail network in and around Manchester has\nbeen launched on 14 January 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passengers are being presented with 3 options that feature\nincreasing levels of change from the pre-COVID service patterns. The 3 options\naffect different routes, and which routes have direct services to Manchester\nOxford Road and Piccadilly stations, and Manchester Airport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The agreed option, scheduled to be introduced in May 2022, will\nsignificantly improve overall reliability while maintaining the pre-COVID\ntravel connections for the vast majority of passengers. Some changes may mean\nmaking different choices for travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This change will give passengers a more reliable service with\nless risk of knock-on delays, while longer-term infrastructure changes are\ndeveloped that will enable more services to be added in the future in a\nsustainable way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chris Heaton-Harris, Rail Minister, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n We are putting the power to improve Manchester\u2019s rail network in the hands of those that use it daily.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n I urge passengers to use this opportunity to comment on the future of your railway.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Improving punctuality and reliability is one of my key priorities. As we continue to build back better from the pandemic, these proposals will ensure that the rail network is more dependable for those who use it every day.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Congestion in the region before the pandemic created regular delays to services around Manchester, with knock-on impacts to reliability across the north. While the public are being asked to stay at home, the rail industry is using this opportunity to plan improvements around Manchester ready for when passengers return in much greater numbers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n This work brings together the DfT<\/abbr>, Transport for the North, Network Rail, and the train operators Northern and TransPennine Express (TPE<\/abbr>).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n The consultation builds on government investment in electrification schemes, and brand new trains for Northern and TPE<\/abbr>, as it works together with Transport for the North and Network Rail on the development of a new robust timetable, underpinning a transformed offer to passengers.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n I welcome this consultation and the government\u2019s focus on this issue. The bottleneck in central Manchester is a problem for the whole of the north \u2013 and solving these congestion issues will improve the reliability of rail services for passengers right across the north.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n As we look to build back better from the pandemic, we want to work with the government to deliver a reliable and dependable timetable, alongside the much-needed upgrades to our Victorian infrastructure.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Liam Robinson, Transport for The North\u2019s Rail North Committee\nChair, said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Passengers need a better deal when it comes to reliability. When they return to the north\u2019s trains, they need to step onto services with confidence.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Manchester\u2019s congested rail network has long been the source of delays and frustration for passengers, with knock-on effects for the north\u2019s communities. We urge everyone to take a look and give their view on these proposals.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n While the goal of these short-term changes is to reduce delays and increase reliability, it is clear that the work we are doing with government and the industry on longer-term investment in rail infrastructure is also critically important, alongside changes to services.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n Phil James, Network Rail route director for the North West,\nsaid:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The proposed changes to the timetable in Manchester aim to give passengers across the north consistently safe and reliable train services, running to a schedule they can trust.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n We look forward to hearing people\u2019s views on it.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/news\/consultation-launched-to-improve-manchesters-railways<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Link to consultation document is<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/consultations\/timetable-options-to-improve-rail-performance-in-the-north-of-england<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Details are at<\/p>\n\n\n\n https:\/\/assets.publishing.service.gov.uk\/government\/uploads\/system\/uploads\/attachment_data\/file\/951401\/manchester-recovery-task-force-public-consultation.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Manchester Recovery Task Force Public Consultation A consultation on improving the performance on the rail network in and around Manchester has been launched. The press release from the DfT (below) sets out why this is being done, but basically it\u2019s with … Continue reading