Issue - meetings

For Board to be updated on the key discussions following the Rail North Committee on 9 March 2022.

Lead: David Hoggarth

8.1          Members received the update report following the Rail North Committee meeting on 15 March.  Cllr Robinson (Rail North Committee Chair) and the Strategic Rail Director updated the Board on the key discussions from the meeting.

8.2          Members expressed their deep dissatisfaction with the proposed cuts to Northern services (from the May 2022 timetable change) despite the strong rail bounce back and believe that such cuts hinder levelling up. 

8.3          Mayor Brabin asked what has been done to engage Ministers and what more can be done. She requested that the Chair makes representation to Government asking them to have conversations with the operators.

Mr. Kennan supported the planned meeting with the Minister and requested that before such a meeting takes place other train operators are spoken to, to ensure all the issues are captured. 

8.4          Mayor Jarvis stated that he has raised his concerns with the Transport Minister and Northern directly.  He stated that the cuts will directly impact on the lives of people and highlighted a specific example which illustrated how people make choices about their lives on the basis of the train service that they thought would be available. 

8.5          Cllr Edwards highlighted the issue of “on the day” cancellations and believes this maybe a loophole for operators to reduce the timetable and services “via the back door”.  He suggested that this issue is raised with the Government so that this loophole can be removed. 

8.6          The Chair stated that reliability of public transport is vital and if this is not the case it discourages people from using it.  He informed the Board that he would look to meet with the Transport Minister to raise the Board’s concerns. 

Resolved:

1)   That the report be noted;

2)   That Board endorse the Rail North Committee seeking an urgent discussion with the Rail Minister to address the implications for users and the economy of reduced service levels and increases in travel costs arising from wider economic pressures.