Media coverage 01-09-2023
Update 10-08-2023
Dear All,
It is the English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) conviction that this depot and with a south-west direct curve to link-in DIRFT, could best be served by rebuilding a direct rail link to Market Harborough for East Midlands and #Felixstowe via #
Successful meetings can inspire others to get involved. Northampton-Market Harborough rail needs a dedicated team!
We find it hard to understand why our leaders are not jumping up and down in support and getting the Government on side to commission a proper 'transparent' study to make the business case formally for this much needed strategic rail link?
It to us, seems commonsensical!
Yours sincerely,
Richard Pill
ERTA CEO
Dear All,
ERTA Northampton Public Meeting:
Saturday 30th
September at The Northampton Quakers, Quaker House, Wellington Street,
Northampton NN1 3AS https://www.quaker.org.uk/meetings/northampton 2pm-4pm (core time) with Guest Speaker:
Mr Andrew Meaney, Partner in Oxera https://www.oxera.com/ An economic and finance consultancy. Andrew
will be speaking around ‘‘Rail
funding, and effective business cases” followed by Peter Doveston of Northants
Streets Campaign, both with Questions and Answers (Q&A). There will also be
discussion for a Northampton-Market Harborough rail link as well as a general
rail and transport discussion and a general mingle and sales stall (old
magazines mainly). Please bring cash with you. Any enquiries please ring
01234 330090 or email richard.erta@gmail.com All welcome. A retiring collection will be
available. Please invite others and help spread the word. Parking is limited.
All offers to help get people there and support on the day welcome. Successful
meetings can inspire other to get involved. Northampton-Market Harborough rail
needs a dedicated team!
Meanwhile, we have updated our proposed rail network expansion vision which should ideally be being pursed now with 2030 as a date of opening, instead never never land seems to lacklustre situation whilst Rome burns literally!
The benefits of such a rail-based alternative to roads, pollution and congestion would help drivers and more people and goods by rail. Aware of local sensitivities, but more cycle provision should go along trunk roads like A508 and free-up trackbeds originally for rail, to be used again by rail. See example: https://www.theargus.
A source separate to ERTA has cited benefits of the reopening of these local rail links as:
'
- Making Northampton a central link between the West Coast and East Coast Mainlines.
- Maximising the impact of the recent development of the Rail Freight Interchange in Northamptonshire.
- Creating a valuable passenger link between Northampton and the cities of Leicester and Nottingham.
- Diminishing the environmental impact of lorry transport by replacing it with rail.
- Increasing the possibility of further rail development between Northampton and Bedford.'
- As in all things, you have to start somewhere. What counts as 'reasonable interest'? Do we protect routes/identify 'new' to realign or deviate for end-to-end purposes? ERTA wants minds to focus on a will and a way with the benefits shared accordingly please. As for level crossings, lobby Office for Road and Rail (ORR) and weigh carefully a congested Bedford Road or London Road or A508 with the few minutes delay a crossing may bring, but reducing overall traffic congestion and pollution? Councils and other agencies need to be brought together and work together. Laudable generalised platitudinal aims are useless without focused real routes, aspiration and attitude of intent in a timely manner.
Yours sincerely,
Richard Pill
ERTA CEO
c/o richard.erta@gmail.com - join our email loop!
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