The Chair will give a verbal update on this matter at the meeting.
Minutes:
The Chair introduced the item, stating that he had brought this item to Committee amidst concerns relating to Northern Rail’s Esk Valley timetable consultation May, 2022 proposal: namely, the recommendation for the withdrawal of through journeys from Middlesbrough to Whitby and the consequent effect this would have on up to 30,000 residents.
The Chair invited Mr Alan Williams and Mr Neil Buxton from the Esk Valley Community Rail Partnership to speak. Mr Buxton began, and stated it was his understanding that the recommendations of the consultation would have a negative impact on users of the Esk Valley Railway vis a vis transport outcomes. He emphasised that although they were co-operating closely with North Yorkshire Moors Railway, the Section 106 monies raised from York Potash retained by North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) had for 6 years remained unspent. Mr Buxton elaborated that their plans for improved signalling had support from professionals, and argued that Network Rail and the County Council’s proposed plans would make the line less efficient.
Mr Williams added that it was essential to demonstrate to the Department for Transport (DfT) that they had the support of the local Council – something they had struggled to achieve with Scarborough Borough Council (SBC) and NYCC compared to other Community Rail Partnerships and their respective authorities. Moreover, contrary to SBC’s advisement that the service was adequate, it was found that the service was the worst performing in the country.
The Chair welcomed representatives from Northern Railways, Kerry Peters, Regional Director (North East), Matt Croasdale, Stakeholder Manager, and Clare Waller, Head of Service Planning.
Ms Waller provided the Committee a detailed PowerPoint presentation on the Esk Valley Railway Line. The presentation highlighted the following key points:
· Northern Railways would not be implementing the timetable in May 2022
· The re-cast (timetable change), is aimed to come in for 2023
· Rail services improved with fewer trains, therefore a return to pre-Covid services were to include service splitting
· 7-8 % of customer journeys to/from the Esk Valley cross Middlesbrough, hence the splitting of services.
· Introduction of Durham Coast semi-fast path to reduce time between changing trains
· Desire to invest in Esk Valley
· Total Whitby Line Journeys were Annually Pre-Covid 1,570,955 and this year 720,810
Following the presentation, Ms Peters elaborated on Northern Railways’ efforts to work with Network Rail to unlock the blockers that prevented a more efficient timetable and the timescale that would be best value for money.
The Chair inquired into why the performance was down during 2018/2019; whether the Section 106 funding could be used to update the infrastructure; and who the consultee from SBC was. Ms Peters clarified this resulted from short-term round times that were not met due to journeys conflicting with other trains on the track; that they had co-operated with Network Rail and the County Council on which options were the most affordable and efficient, from which a new timetable could be written; and that she would look into who the consultee was and return an answer.
Mr Williams added that the Section 106 monies of approximately £7 million was ring-fenced for improvements to the line, where half would go to Northern Trains and half to Network Rail. He stressed that there should be a wider appraisal of the options that considered modern technologies suitable for the 2020’s.
A Member questioned what factors caused delays with the trains and what would make the line profitable. Ms Peters explained that there were restrictions relating to the signalling and the congestion of services near Middlesbrough and Darlington; and that with the correct timings, additional trains on the route would drive more customers.
The Chair probed the viability of dual lines as a mechanism for improving options. Ms Waller responded that the passing of trains would open up more options, but that possible changes to the school train timetabling would also increase flexibility. In respect to dualling the track, Mr Williams spoke to say the cost would be in the region of £66 million, and therefore unrealistic.
A Member asked what the passenger numbers were for the dual tracked Scarborough to Hull Line as a means to compare the service to the partially dual tracked Esk Valley Service. A response would be fed back from Northern Trains when available.
Mr Buxton made a final comment to remind members that they desired to cooperate, and would not request anything that was not possible. He asked that all parties look at what would make the railway fit for purpose in future. Moreover, that attracting greater funding may be possible with the combined support of SBC, NYCC, and North York Moors National Park.
It was pointed out by Mr Williams that there was an option to use the funding as part of a larger project, should that materialise.
The Chair suggested that Members who were also representatives of NYCC made attempts at garnering any further support from the County Council, to which Members agreed.
Members sought to include climate change considerations such as the emphasis of using trains to reduce congestion on roads, the introduction of hydrogen trains, or a compromise between signalling and dual track infrastructure. Ms Peters elaborated that hydrogen trains were being discussed however would not solve timetabling conflicts. Mr Williams agreed, adding that the priority at this stage was to improve infrastructure.
The Chair invited suggestions on how the committee could move forward.
Members discussed a desire to offer more support in future and to link up with NYCC and the North York Moors National Park. The Chair expressed interest in arranging an informal meeting between key stakeholders in the near future. A member noted that like NYCC, SBC should have a liaison that would represent the authority on such matters.
RESOLVED: that:-
(1) that the representatives of the Esk Valley Community Rail Partnership and from Northern Railways be thanked for attending the meeting and their constructive dialogue to the matter under consideration;
(2) that the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee facilitate an informal meeting of parties in 6th months’ time to discuss progress; and
(3) that an SBC officer be sought to act as a liaison officer and first point of contact between the Esk Valley Community Rail Partnership and Northern Railways.