Great Central New Build to 21st C Corridor - Rugby Transport Forum Minutes - please join and give support.

Notes of ERTA Rugby Transport Forum: Saturday 21^st January 2023 at Rupert Brooke Wetherspoons 01788 576759 8–10 Castle Street, Rugby, Warwickshire
CV21 2TP https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/warwickshire/rupert-brooke-rugby Convenor/contact: Mr Simon Barber: T. 0208 940 4399 E. simon4barber@gmail.com
 
Present: Simon Barber, Kuljit Maan, David Ferguson, Richard Pill
 
1.     Appointment of a chair for the meeting: Simon Barber
2.     Apologies for absence: Leonard Lean, Tom Longstaff, Colin Crawford, Mark Pawsey MP, Cllr Wallace Redford of Warwick’s CC, Cllr Rupert Frost of West Northants Council, Cllr Peter James, Harborough Council.
3.     North of Rugby (Rugby-Magna Park-Lutterworth-Narborough area physical rail linkages):
a.      Kuljit to liaise with Simon on informing a team of volunteers to assist with delivery of the ERTA Leicester Flyers around the Narborough area. What is left over, can be done elsewhere/used to recruit new members etc. A date needs to be set before 11^th March MH meeting. Likewise, Simon to furnish Kuljit with Cllr Peter James for delivery of the MH specific flyers in a timely manner and to liaise with Simon for a team of volunteers to deliver them 2 weeks before 11^th March to give people a chance to know and come to the meeting.
b.     It was agreed a study is needed on how to get out of Rugby existing station to Magna Park and Lutterworth and connect to the Leicester-Nuneaton existing lines for access to Leicester for passenger services and Peterborough (freight) and also Knighton for Burton upon Trent and Derby (freight bypass). Land has and is being developed, time is running out unless councils can be persuaded to buy into the idea, find a junction land and protect it to keep options open.
c.      It was agreed that Kuljit would inform a delegation to Leicestershire and Rugby Councils to try and persuade them to buy into the idea and round-table to find resources for a study to make the case and look at routing options.
d.     It was noted that the main line reconfigurations north of Rugby Station, means on-coming points to contra fast lines would not be entertained in all likelihood and so the old Midland route does not lend itself for such a new junction these days. One balmy idea, was to put the new link on stilts over the existing lines and have a two or three tier station complex, not higher than the adjacent station car park tower for example.
4.     South of Rugby (Rugby Central Parkway – East-West Rail and Aylesbury for wider linkage to Bicester, Oxford, Bristol, Southampton and all in between, beyond as well as London Old Oak Common/OOC. This via the areas of Willoughby, Woodford Halse area, Brackley East Parkway). Nothing is easy or straight-forward. But this is a new 21^st Century railway for the carriage of people and goods, more capacity, modal shift from road to rail and catering for sustainability more amidst spiralling growth and a lack of rail-based infrastructure. It was agreed that this second part of the project (north of Rugby being one half, south of Rugby being the other half) and maybe a third aspect linking the two/including orbitals of Rugby. The southern limits of the railway (physical) would be physical arms to link into Aylesbury and a western curve towards Oxford. If that can be done (complicated by the knuckle hump of east-west going over HS2, fine, but it has already knocked out an arm from Aylesbury-Claydon (eastwards curve) and a study to look at routing options, including of course Calvert-Grendon or Aylesbury-Princes Risborough for our proposed link from Chiltern Main Line to OOC and Heathrow-Woking-Guildford for example. It was agreed strategy-wise, but we are terribly short on willing volunteers.
5.     How to get from south of Rugby to Rugby WCML/Northampton Loop and beyond via DIRFT to Lutterworth and associated aforementioned linkages? It needs a study. Indeed, every aspect needs a study to look and identify options from construction/reconstruction, engineering, costs and environmental impact. Agreed that a study on practicalities is needed as well as routing options. Essential to get councils on board and for that we need to know/have volunteers who grasp the strategic significance of the project and gather support from councils, business and other sectors. Connect Midlands say they are ‘neutral’ which given their roads agendas, seems less-than ideal to put it mildly. We vitally need people like Colin to help with diplomatically bringing these points home and ushering council and others on board with the ideas, aspirations and them working out finer details. Some relocation/knocking down for a 20-meter width railway structure/land would be needed in some places. These things need studying, which needs councils on board and that is where efforts are best located.
6.     Seeking backers, sponsors, business interest and political support from councils, agencies and government. Kuljit Maan after May to be willing to be the Project Coordinator and direct it, grow a team and pool support and take it to councils for their support and buy-in to the idea. Richard can do some desk-top thinking and clerical support and email, Simon and David may be willing to help with meetings, leafleting and general support. But we desperately need more local-based people and younger age profile with energy, get up and go and yet ably to engage with councils and gently say “what about it?” and court their support and better placed to start a consortium to move towards funding studies, protecting lands with councils and getting the rail agenda advanced.
7.     Association needs: This needs to focus on a. upping our presence in Rugby, b. getting and growing a team of support, c. leafleting and marketing, d. rails from Rugby Central south and rails from Rugby WCML to Magna Park, Lutterworth area and linkages to Narborough area existing rails. It needs backers, sponsors and professionals to take the ideas and make progress with them towards delivery. It needs buy-in from councils and public as well as MP’s. How we get there/preliminary strategies. ERTA is not equipped to do studies (they start at upwards of £50k), but we do plant ideas and seek to identify gaps and potential as yet unserved markets by rail to consider and pursue hopefully. Traffic and emissions reduction must be a main consideration in all our endeavours.
It was agreed to hold a Public Meeting at The Quakers 3^rd Saturday of May or following Saturday with a speaker – like Guildford. This would be preceded by a leafleting campaign and seek to rally public support. Wetherspoons 12 Noon for lunch, 1.30pm set up and 2-4pm business. Wetherspoons is not suitable for more than half a dozen people and noise levels are difficult to speak over. This needs to be the pattern if funding can cover it. Simon to make enquiries: Address: 28 Regent Place, Rugby CV21 2PN Phone: 01788 522365
8.     Growing support in the Rugby area. Ideas of how best to do that on a very meagre budget. Leafleting is one option, but so far has not roused people to join ERTA. Richard has 4 blocks of leaflets needing younger volunteers to reliably deliver door-to-door north, south, east and west of the town centre. If willing to lead and coordinate please let Richard know by email richard.erta@gmail.com
9.     Any Other Business:
a.             Kuljit suggested he would be willing to make representation to get us a discount at Wetherspoons since we use them often.
b.            Kuljit suggested a WhatsApp for ERTA people. Simon, David and Richard not keen, because we’re of an older age and not ofay with a lot more technology preferring email and telephone for communication. However, others are welcome to do it with Kuljit.
c.             Please read all emails and respond in a timely manner, as crucial we all work together.
d.            Richard to compile a GC Corridor New-Build Rail Link A4 outline strategy which gives options to help Kuljit. The public Meeting can be the hand-over to Kuljit to lead it.
e.             Kuljit asked about the vacancy of Chairman and this remains open for any Member and/or EC to apply, but must have a track record of engagement and reliable service. It is open to all. We work as a team respectively.
f.              Richard shared that in 4 years’ time he will be 60 and will be retiring. So is seeking people to hand on chunks of responsibility to and we need younger, keen and motivated people to come forward and do that for ERTA to carry on.
10.         Day, Date, Time and Place of next meeting: 3^rd Saturday or 4^th Saturday (whichever available) at the Rugby Quakers Meeting 2pm business. Please liaise with Richard on flyer delivery as he, David and Simon may not be able, but will attend the meeting and bring a sales stall.
a.             Market Harborough Public Meeting: Saturday 11^th March from 2pm
Details: To discuss Northampton-Market Harborough (MH) rail link being restored and accentuated others including stations, Rugby-Leicester, Magna Park and Lutterworth.
Market Harborough Methodist Church/Hall, Northampton Road, Market Harborough, LE16 9HE www.harboroughmethodistcircuit.org.uk  Opposite the Market Hall.
ERTA personnel will meet at the local Wetherspoons from 12 Noon. The venue is only a 5-minute walk from the Wetherspoon Pub. The Sugar Loaf: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pubs/all-pubs/england/leicestershire/the-sugar-loaf-market-harborough 01858 469231 18 High Street, Market Harborough, Leicestershire, LE16 7NJ
Local contact Cllr Peter James: peter341@btinternet.com
ERTA Contact: Mr Simon Barber, 20 Fitzherbert House, Kingsmead, Richmond, Surrey, TW10 6HT T. 0208 940 4399 E. simon4barber@gmail.com
 
Note: ERTA has many other calls and we wish to grow a team to delegate these projects to take forward and court support. 

In short, if you want more, be prepared to be part of that and making it happen. Local people participation and local knowledge is indispensable.

Any volunteers, beit professional, elected or lay people, please let Richard Pill know: richard.erta@gmail.com or to talk: 01234 330090
Yes the numbering section has gone slightly wrong in translating to Blogspot, but enough for people so minded to get the gist and get involved with us positively please.

Northampton piecemeal-infill housing on or adjacent to former rail routes wanted for local rail reopening doesn't add up?

re: https://www.northantslive.news/news/northamptonshire-news/plans-build-217-homes-eye-8022251

This makes me very sad.

I guess this is what a vacuum looks like!

It will be the end of the line for any reopening east of Northampton.

We have done all we can, but some key locals have not played ball.

It is daft, but sadly we face the same pattern in Bedford.

It locks in a roads-only future for these areas and once built, very little chance of unravelling.

There's a lack of faith pervading and a sense of proportionality, yes we need housing, but we also need these rail links.

People can object and I am sure ERTA will, but sadly I feel there's an air of complacency pervading where it counts.

We are not resourced to take it all on - people or money - and could have been but for certain dynamics coming to see the best priorities.

It is not too late to object to these plans blocking the rail corridor, please email West Northants Council, local MP Andrew Lewer and the media. Does it make any sense to grow housing and yet have no public transport infrastructure? Yet this is exactly what is happening and some are greenwashing by planting trees alongside the very railway routes they refuse to entertain for reopening = goes across the political parties. This is #northampton!

A point is that some say "you can still get a rail link through" but they fail to realise that objectors west of London Road object to a rail link (exact same one!) because of noise and vibrations, so will these new residents east of London Road as well, even if you could.

Likewise some seem to be applying HS2 and LRT desk-top creativity for a 'go anywhere' rail application. They fail to take into account gradients, landscape and that LRT cannot do what heavy rail does and vice versa. They confuse the old Wellingborough line with the old Bedford line and harmogenise the two.

They are silent on getting across London Road and yet want to get over or under the A428 heading not towards Bedford, but Wellingborough! They say that you can have a link from their rail trajectory heading south for Bedford in the Irchester area, but fail to see: a. wrong side of Midland Main Line (no on-coming points for fast lines apparently) b. fail to show how they would access the slow lines/via Wymington loop.

Likewise getting to Wellingboroughitself, old route blocked many times in the Wellingborough area and their route lacks radial curvature clearance a heavy rail needs, so what about freight? They are approaching it as if it were the Croydon Tram Link! They wanted a rail link to Towcester, but did not have a new route in mind, rather old route now part of the A43 apparently? But really, councils should get a rail vision, a rail plan, a study and tailor development elsewhere to avoid conflict, even if it is greenwashed by tree planting in the same area.

Finally, the folly of cycle or scooter ways linking key places along the corridor, does not preserve the corridor, they become 'objectors' themselves and does not guarantee adequate clearances for any standrad guage railway! Think again!

Threats to former rail infrastructure and the re-railing agenda balances - a long way from satisfactory!

Laudable campaign. We need a government incentive and directive to protect former rail routes and infrastructures and a nationwide plan and funding to reinstate and restore local rail links which could make a difference including modal shift more from road - based everything with pollution and land take, to cleaner, smarter and bulk people and goods by rail more saving land, speeding end-to-end up more and cutting the bads associated with excessive dependency designs on road-based usage en masse. Indeed, I feel the campaign for #Hunstanton rail reopening should have carried on - #Bude hasn't given up (!) and that we need a marriage whereby the Norfolk Orbital Railwaay aims support opposing the Wensum Road Scheme and vice versa, so we see more of a joined-up call to switch by reinstating the railway and stop the rot by opposing environmentally intrusive road schemes.

Lincolnshire is ina worse position, whereby they build roads on former trackbeds and then build more roads (strings of bypasses) because they cannot envisage rebuilding missing rail links or new-building alongside road infrastrcture which could be tailored e.g. #March (Cambs)-#Spalding area (South Holland/Lincolnshire area) and A16 East Lincs Rail Corridor Spalding-#Boston-#Louth-#Grimsby. We need a new approach with these goals in mind, otherwise we get bogged down in a quagmire/a 'slough for despond' as John Bunyan puts it in Pilgrim's Progress! Realisms are relelative. Studies start upwards of £50k. Government has a pivotal role in policy, frameworks and action terms.

Alas all is at sea and the tides come in and bury these key strategic structural issues under a myriad of other priorities, when if tiltering polcy to favour local, conventional rail (not #HS2), then money allocated to new roads £27 billion could inform a load of rail reopenings, currently been sold to advocates as unaffordable and makes vulnerable to land-grab other uses agendas and believe me #Bedford-#Sandy proves, a cycle scheme designed to retain the corridor for a railway, now rejects the railway reinstatement in the name of safeguarding a cycle way.

The reality is cycle ways are a lot easier and cheaper to redirect/relocate than railways, but a lack of political will, apprehensions of scale and complacency means market and Big Brother decides regardless of public or environmental needs-must issues. Cuts to buses compounds a sense of isolation, broken links and disenfranchisement across the regions. This is the sort of thing ERTA is trying to address with others respectively. https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/23254358.norfolk-cycle-track-row-disused-railway-bridge/?ref=fbshr

Bad News: TFL is still considering to withdraw from the Travelcard Agreement 1

Dear Friends, Colleagues and Elected Representatives,

ERTA has been following this for a while. Please wade in in whatever capacity and retain the walk-on, walk-off paper-based Travelcard benefits and accessibility to non-digital age people, including those with walking and hidden disabilities which the Government seem blinkered to as per many 'I'm alright Jack' who want reform to mean de-staffing of stations and support for rail and bus users it seems. At a time of environmental concern and a need to get people out of cars and cut road emissions, getting public transport sorted should be a top priority, instead we're trading cuts and rationalisation. Please write to your MP. The person who sent us this information wishes to remain anonymous but the source-references should speak for themselves.

It is not just a London matter, but covers a wider area.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Pill

ERTA Secretary

" You may remember I emailed you a year ago in regards to TFL proposing to withdraw the Travelcards, I have more bad news to break!

I've been sent the 2023 draft Business Plan, on page 42 it's revealed TFL is still considering to withdraw from the Travelcard Agreement with the Train Operating Companies.

https://board.tfl.gov.uk/documents/s19197/Appendix%202%20Draft%20TfL%20Business%20Plan%202023.pdf

As TFL is under a new financial settlement by the government, I've scanned through the settlement letter dated 30 August 2022, there's no mention about withdrawing from the Travelcard Agreement.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1101713/tfl-long-term-funding-settlement-30-august-2022.pdf

Recently, the London Assembly Members have also raised concerns about the proposal to withdraw from the Travelcard Agreement, TFL Commissioner Andy Lord said this is subject to Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) which is expected to be completed later this month.

The video from the recent London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee with timestamps and links to the stream.

27:30

https://youtu.be/b1fyjgbwX7M?t=1650

35:15

https://youtu.be/b1fyjgbwX7M?t=2115

The current Oyster Pay As You Go system is not suitable because they have maximum journey times and they charge you a maximum fare if you forgot to touch out or their Oyster readers have stopped working, or enthusiasts who like to explore by using the TFL and railway system within the Travelcard zones. The proposal will affect people that live outside of the Oyster Pay As You Go system, it's impossible to ticket break as you have a longer journey by exiting the station and touching in, and you end up paying more with a standard ticket if the outboundary One Day Travelcard is removed! This is not the time especially we are in a cost of living crisis!

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/how-to-pay-and-where-to-buy-tickets-and-oyster/pay-as-you-go/keep-within-maximum-journey-times

On the TFL website, it says "We will not give a refund if you have already claimed 3 maximum fare refunds in the same calendar month."

https://tfl.gov.uk/fares/refunds-and-replacements/exceeded-maximum-journey-time

You may remember I've quoted various legislations in relation to TFL requiring to cooperate with Secretary of State for Transport on railways, Travelcard Agreement document etc. I've noticed one clause which could breach the Mayor's general transport duty on transport integration.

Greater London Authority Act 1999

Section 141

General transport duty.

(1) The Mayor shall develop and implement policies for the promotion and encouragement of safe, integrated, efficient and economic transport facilities and services to, from and within Greater London.

(2) The powers of the Authority under this Part shall be exercised for the purpose of securing the provision of the transport facilities and services mentioned in subsection (1) above.

(3) The transport facilities and services mentioned in subsection (1) above include facilities and services for pedestrians and are—

(a) those required to meet the needs of persons living or working in, or visiting, Greater London, and

(b) those required for the transportation of freight.

https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1999/29/section/141

If someone wishes to pursue this by taking legal action against the Mayor of London to try and stop the proposal, it's up to you.

As you know, other areas in the UK and elsewhere already have multi-modal day/weekly/seasonal tickets, this will be unfair if TFL remove the Travelcards including arrangement with the Train Operating Companies.

The government is encouraging local transport authorities (LTAs) to create Travelcard-style multi-modal tickets as part of the Bus Service Improvement Plan.

National Bus Strategy: Bus Service Improvement Plans

Guidance to local authorities and bus operators

There must be seamless, integrated local ticketing between operators and this should be across all types of transport

85. The Strategy sets out a bold ambition for an integrated ticketing approach to allow passengers to buy a through journey for local bus, rail and metro with a single tap on a smartphone. BSIPs should set out at a high level what is required to deliver no fuss, multi-operator tickets and price caps on contactless credit and debit cards, at little or no premium to single operator fares, and where appropriate how this could be expanded to tickets that cover all travel modes (bus, light rail/metro, rail). All buses should accept contactless payment and all operators running on the same route should accept the same tickets.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/985379/bus-service-improvement-plans-guidance-to-local-authorities-and-bus-operators.pdf

The campaign to save the Travelcard still remains!"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1fyjgbwX7M&t=1650s

End.

ERTA Rugby Transport Forum - Saturday 21st January 2023 1pm food, 2pm business at Rupert Brooke Wetherspoons 01788 576759 8–10 Castle Street, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 2TP

Rugby Forum - all welcome! Obviously as and when we get more local people interested and willing to be involved, we hope to upgrade to a hall-based meeting as resources may inform. However, for the time being we meet at the local Wetherspoons. 

I attach a diagram showing the lines and links we are interested in. It is noteworthy that Rugby is central between Northampton and Coventry and Leicester and Leamington Spa, but there is a feeling that the central significance of the location and town has been overlooked, under-estimated and should indeed be restored as a main rail hub for local and regional rail connectivity and indeed environmentally, with more people and goods being lured and nurtured back onto the rail network. 

It is interesting, however informed, that HS2 has a station gap between Solihull and Old Oak Common (OOC) (West London), some 100 miles. That is a lot of growth area development sprawl without access to any rail station within 5-10 miles drive-time. So more development of whatever kind, will revert to road and roads of any kind are jamming up progressively with rat-running across country to circumvent junctions and congestion on trunk roads and motorways - when the selling point for closing railways and building motorways was they would drain towns and rural areas of congestion!

We are not trying to rebuild every inch of old railway line, we want new 21st century design rail links which serve people, communities and forge better local access and linkages. Old routes have been compromised and the art now is a. to determine we wish to entertain the idea of restoration, b. then to help find resources to study options and solutions and c. if the case is robust, to pursue them incrementally or as part of a government-backed grand design for modal shift to reduce emissions, congestion and waste.

https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/cost-of-congestion-in-capital-revealed#:~:text=This%20is%20estimated%20to%20cost,were%20not%20stuck%20in%20traffic.

Arguably the link above shows what is also happening outside London and we know there is a need for more rail-based orbitals around London to link the South Coast and Channel Tunnel with the wider regions sustainably. We believe our suggestions, with realignments, new build and integration, could play a pivotal role.

Magna Park is one of the largest depots of its kind and generates significant traffic, but as yet has no rail link access. Likewise Lutterworth, a growing town with no rail link serving it. Much ado about traffic, trade and business between West and East Midlands, but whilst rails do exist, north-south Rugby/Northampton-Leicester as a gateway to wider East Midlands and East Coast via Peterborough, remains largely unappreciated. 

There will always be objections whatever one seeks to do, but these need to be weighed in the round and that of the greater good. As UN Secretary General recently said at COP27 

"And our planet is fast approaching tipping points that will make climate chaos irreversible. We are on a highway to climate hell with our foot still on the accelerator. "

Source: https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2022-11-07/secretary-generals-remarks-high-level-opening-of-cop27

Whatever your views on Climate Change or Emergency, our rail ideas, which is what ERTA does - plant ideas - should be adopted and translated to policy to nurture towards fruition. Please consider what help you can give, like protecting land for enabling physical rail linkages in the Narborough and Rugby areas respectively.

East-West Rail (Oxford-Milton Keynes) is being built now. So that link will give access by rail to Oxford, Bristol and Southampton and all in between for example and them to potential audiences, if via our route (as West Coast Main Line has capacity issues), which would cut duration or freight and passenger journey times and boost regeneration, footfall and spend and cut emissions at one and the same time. In all cases, you have to start somewhere.

Copies of pdf agenda via requests to richard.erta@gmail.com 

Rails for Hertfordshire 2023!

English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) has a vision for Hertfordshire. We invite those who share it, to join ERTA https://ertarail.co.uk/become-a-member/ 

Then to offer to assist, volunteer - it is all voluntary - to work and help build a team to incrementally pursue it towards delivery with all the agencies, councils, MP's and public generative support. Attitude to solving problems, rather than bedevilment of them, helps see a bigger picture of benefits if we succeed and success tastes good!

Please join us and let's get Hertfordshire re-railed. 

Enquiries via richard.erta@gmail.com

The English Regional Transport Association (ERTA) is voluntary: https://ertarail.co.uk/

We rely on people to join and offer to assist with growing a team to take on projects and move the agendas on towards delivery. 

We want people to focus on benefits and opportunities and see the greater good than mere parochial concerns. 

We really welcome MP, Councils and elected people's support and interest. 

In all, moving towards delivery should be the goal and priority. 

The Government has a pivotal role to play, to reform the framework to enable more in a timely manner. £27 billion new roads and a mere £500 million Rail Reopenings Fund is no way to seriously address modal shift from road to rail, reduce emissions, pollution and save land for other things from conservation and farming to housing and employment for example. Land is a precious resource, local rails take less of it than new roads.

Please give us support and help be part of the answer to 'will or can it happen?' It is more likely with your support.

Much laudation for the Oxford-Cambridge East-West Rail is accredited, but has taken 35 years of ardur to get things moving and still not there yet by a long chalk. Meanwhile east-west roads have progressively been upgraded, traffic volumes have arisen and really in 100 miles north of London, it is ERTA's conviction we need more east-west rail links, minimally at the 25 mile, 50 mile (east-west) and 75 mile axis' north of London.

Extending the tubes out of London would also bring better rail access and make integration easier.

Someone once suggested every junction on/off the M25 should have a park and ride facility with services. Alas, it is a bleak landscape and land is being developed without rail-based infrastructure being adequate, compounding congestion problems and associated ills.

Please give us your support. It is not a losers game, rather a window of opportunity to work at and seek delivery for benefits to all.

ERTA Newsletter January - February 2023 is out now - get your free emailed copy.

I attach our latest newsletter* (see below) and our coverage continues to grow as we reach out and stretch to wider English Regional appeal and beyond to the borders of England and Wales.

Whilst reopening freight only lines to passenger services has happened, we have yet to see any reinstatements even where a majority of railway route formation is recoverable like Colne-Skipton, a mere 10 miles or so of railway trackbed, needing re-railing. Indeed, many reinstatements up and down the nation are about 5-10-20 miles but the benefits are enormous on and off the rails.

Most reopenings have exceeded expectations and predictions from the Borders Railway to Okehampton in Devon and the latter has triggered a wider demand for being re-connected to the physical rail network from Okehampton, we also have Tavistock, Bude, Bideford and Ilfracombe all bidding for re-railing. Other seaside resorts can look-on and not just the south-west, we need a nationwide vision and plan and that I feel is where ERTA is heading to play a role in that.

I know that we need more willing volunteer helpers to inform more and better and members have a pivotal role to play to enable and foster that. We at 42 members nationwide have loads of room to grow numerically, but also in quantity and quality of who does what, where and when and how. It has to be a delegated growth. Growing teams and pulling together takes some engagement, but is essential.

I was fortunate to live in Bedford most of my life and had local knowledge and engagement from an early stage of efforts to revive the Oxford-Cambridge railway. Laudably, some is being rebuilt (Oxford-Milton Keynes-Bedford) and we await the specification, fine detail and designs for public consultation and the public inquiry on matters pertaining to going East of Bedford.

ERTA has produced its own route and view, namely that the two should be worked up equally and then let the people decide in a local referendum. Solo options may be pragmatic in a world where Office of Road and Rail (ORR) can say all new railways must go over or under, not level crossings, raising cost and inconvenience; but were they to stipulate that design for new roads, they would be challenged. Too many railway people and media are religiously rolling onto their backs and accepting rote without thinking of challenging it.

Another example is the North Downs Line, which in a sea of third-rail electrification, would make an infill third-rail solution cheaper and more versatile for enable for example semi-fast Thameslinks out of East Croydon to Guildford and maybe even Reading for orbital integration and sustained footfall and spend. Alas, apparently the Government has stipulated "no more third rail electrification, only 25kv wires" and given most in the south are not, creates more expense than warrants the investment. Result? Stagnation, diesel operations and the line not being able to play as vital a role as it may lend itself to. Other examples abound, East Croydon-Uckfield is another. ERTA would wish to champion flexibility, versatility and common sense.

Thank you for your interest and I very much hope you will stay with us in 2023. May I wish everyone a happy New Year!

* (from above): The ERTA Newsletter pdf emailed version is free and to request a copy, send requests to richard.erta@gmail.com - open your horizons with us!

https://ertarail.co.uk/