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May 2022 Rail North Committee Update

Meeting: 30/06/2022 - Transport for the North Board (Item 8)

8 Rail North Committee: Update pdf icon PDF 336 KB

For Board to be updated on the key discussions following the Rail North Committee on 31 May 2022.

Lead: David Hoggarth

Additional documents:

Minutes:

8.1          Member received the report of the Strategic Rail Director.  In the absence of the Strategic Rail Director the Chief Executive presented the key points in the report.  Board was advised that one of the clear messages from the RNC meeting on the 31 May is that the North needs to retain its ambition.  Board was informed that the Chair had met with the Rail Minister, and that a further meeting between the Chair, the Chair of Rail North and the Minister is planned for the near future.

8.2          Cllr Robinson (Chair of the Rail North Committee) updated Board further.  He outlined Members’ frustrations at the current situation on the rail network in the North, highlighting unreliability of services and service cuts as areas of frustration. 

He emphasised to Board the strength of the rail recovery in the North following the pandemic: faster and stronger than the rest of the country. He reminded Board that levelling up required an expanded rail network.  He also addressed the issue of reduced budgets for rail operators in the North and stated his belief that these translate to service cuts and encouraged Board to oppose these. Finally, he highlighted other ways in which savings can be made and encouraged Transport for the North to challenge the way rolling stock is acquired.

8.3          Members were supportive of Cllr Robinson and were keen to pursue work around highlighting waste, particularly in relation to the operation of the rolling stock market.

8.4          Cllr Western enquired if the letter to Network Rail regarding the congestion in the Castlefield Corridor had been sent and whether a response has been received. 

The Chief Executive confirmed that the letter had been sent and has expressed the wish for quick response.

8.5          On industrial relations Cllr Edwards urged Transport for the North to encourage the Rail Operators and the Trade Unions to continue talking in order to end the rail disruption.

8.6          Peter Kennan highlighted the cuts that have already been made to rail services as a result of Covid and of constraints on the Castlefield corridor and requested that Board not lose sight of these cuts.

8.7          In response to Members’ comments the Chief Executive explained that TfN engages with the Department through the Rail North Partnership which enables it to challenge the operators.

 

Resolved:

1)   That the Board notes the feedback from the Rail North Committee held on 31 May 2022;

2)   That the Board endorses the actions set out in the report including:

(a) Adopting a collaborative approach to addressing the current challenges facing the industry in a way that draws on the local knowledge and insight of the North and supports the growth and levelling-up agendas;

(b) Undertaking work to plan for a growing railway in the North, recognising the changes in demand patterns post-covid and building on committed investment plans.