Will Dr. Beeching be turning in his grave?

15 June 2009

Report proposes to connect communities to the rail network

1. Over a million people across England could gain access to the rail network, if the recommendations of a new report due out on Monday 15 June are taken up by the Government and regional bodies. The vision, Connecting Communities – Expanding Access to the Rail Network, published by the Association of Train Operating Companies, has been strongly welcomed by the Campaign to Protect Rural England. [1]

2. The report shows the popularity of rail, noting that 'For all new lines built since 1995, demand has exceeded forecast’. It proposes new stations on existing lines, reopening freight only and disused lines to passengers again and even introducing passenger services on heritage lines.

3. The report chimes with 2026 – A Vision for the Countryside that CPRE launched last month, which calls for a 'revitalisation of rural railways’. [2] Many of the schemes proposed have been supported by CPRE county branches. The opening of new smaller stations, rather than the continued focus on main stations, which has resulted in congestion on surrounding roads and pressure to create ever larger car parks, will make rail a better option for more people.

4. CPRE is particularly keen for innovative schemes to be trialled to ensure even better value for money, such as:

· using of ultra-light rail, which can run as a tram on roads to connect town centres and residential areas;

· reducing red tape on minor railway lines, rather than the one-size-fits-all approach to regulation that treats branch lines the same as main lines; and

· upgrading walking and cycling routes to stations and introducing new demand responsive taxi bus services to make stations accessible for those without cars and reduce the need for more car parking.

5. Ralph Smyth, Senior Transport Campaigner, said:

'The report’s focus on small schemes that can be delivered quickly to benefit the maximum number of people is long overdue and very welcome. Politicians have been happy to make promises on high speed rail, with the comfort of knowing that spending decisions are in the distant future. Let’s see if they are willing to support rural rail now when hard choices need to be made on funding.’

6. Decisions on regional bids for transport [3] submitted this February are due to be made by Government in July 2009. Regions such as the South West and East Midlands have been missing out on rail improvements because their regional bodies seem to believe that rail improvements are not their core responsibility. CPRE has lobbied and met with regional bodies and ministers to raise rail up the agenda.

7. Ralph Smyth warned:

'All the main political parties seem to be keen to improve trains and to shift power from the centre to local communities. But many local councillors prefer to fund old road schemes, claiming that it is just Network Rail’s responsibility to fund rail. We need joined-up government if we are ever going to have a joined-up transport system.'

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