Llangollen Four Great Highways Threat Increased!

Update: 26-01-2024

As a further update for this recent news about Llangollen's Four Great Highways development (https://www.change.org/p/support-and-fund-railway-links-to-llangollen-and-corwen-to-connect-them-to-ruabon-and-bala/u/32244961), the threat has unfortunately increased even further! Recently whilst browsing on their website (here's the link https://www.denbighshire.gov.uk/en/community-and-living/community-development/levelling-up-fund/four-great-highways/four-great-highways.aspx), the Four Great Highways team say that a contractor has been appointed to complete the project. Work is due to start on 5th February 2024, with the aim of being completed by the end of June 2024. Again, judging the coloured plans for the proposed gardens, stairs, steps, and paths for the riverside walkway and Lower Dee Mill areas, all this is very serious and again it needs countering as much as possible, including counting support of local MPs, to ensure that at least a 6 meter wide strip of land at railway trackbed level immediately along the back of the riverside wall is kept clear through the full length of the Project's footprint to allow for the future reinstatement of a single track mainline railway reinstatement from Llangollen to Ruabon. There also needs to be enough land to build a carriage siding extension of Llangollen Railway, East of the present buffer stops alongside the river as far as the Ponsonby Arms, within the railway's Leased land footprint.

Again, please notify this threat immediately to all relevant MPs and the Welsh Assembly Government to get them to focus on rail re-openings like the Ruabon-Llangollen route, and express your concerns to the Four Great Highways project managers by emailing them at this e-mail address: fourgreathighways@denbighshire.gov.uk

I contacted Mark Isherwood last summer, but he expressed no interest whatsoever. I've tried contacting Sam Rowlands, but got no response from him.

I contacted Simon Baynes, who's a Member of Parliament for Clwyd South (I have attached screenshots of his response to this e-mail). But he said, as this is in regards to transport in Wales, this issue would be best raised with the local representative of the Welsh Government in the Senedd, Ken Skates MS. But Simon will continue to monitor the subject since he supports Llangollen Railway.

I haven't got a response from Ken Skates as of now, but he can be contacted at this e-mail: Ken.Skates@senedd.wales

Another MP worth contacting is Darren Millar. I contacted him last summer and he said he would love to the see more extension to the Llangollen Railway line. He can be contacted at this e-mail: Darren.Millar@senedd.wales 

Contact Daniel Newton to offer to help or to make further enquiries.

daninewton1@live.co.uk (our contact)

Llangollen Four Great Highways Threat Increased!

Remember this update warning I posted on the petition about the Four Great Highways threat on the East side of Llangollen bridge: https://www.change.org/p/mark-drakeford-support-and-fund-mainline-railway-links-to-llangollen-railway-to-connect-it-to-ruabon-and-bala/u/31536729? Although certain design changes have been made, the threat has still increased because while looking at the latest information on the Four Great Highways Project, I noticed that the coloured plans for the proposed gardens, stairs, steps, and paths for the riverside walkway and Lower Dee Mill areas, appear to still totally block the old railway route and make no 'passive provision' for a future railway. More details can be found here in the attached pdf file.

All this is very serious and it needs countering as much as possible, including counting support local MPs, to ensure that at least a 6 meter wide strip of land at railway trackbed level immediately along the back of the riverside wall is kept clear through the full length of the Project's footprint to allow for the future reinstatement of a single track mainline railway reinstatement from Llangollen to Ruabon. There also needs to be enough land to build a carriage siding extension of Llangollen Railway, East of the present buffer stops alongside the river as far as the Ponsonby pub within LR's Leased land footprint.

Recently whilst browsing on the Four Great Highway's website, they say they are now working to consider the responses received before the final designs are agreed for the project.

Please notify this threat immediately to all your MPs and the Welsh Assembly Government to get them to focus on rail re-openings like the Ruabon-Llangollen route, and express your concerns to the Four Great Highways project managers by emailing them at this e-mail address: fourgreathighways@denbighshire.gov.uk

Yours Sincerely,

Daniel Newton

daninewton1@live.co.uk

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/daninewton1%40live.co.uk/FMfcgzGwJckFWlDVHcqJkrXLnGvblhZC?projector=1&messagePartId=0.1

2023 Assessment and Seed Sowing for 2024 Progress!

ERTA aspires to be nationwide in coverage and is voluntary in scope. Therefore, we need a steady flow of members to help us fulfill our aspirational goals. If people want more, they must be prepared to contribute and get involved to 'make it happen' or at least make it more likely. 

Last year we:

1. Unearthed a study which was suppressed making a case for reopening a Northampton-Market Harborough rail link. It was suppressed, we only unearthed it via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request. The study is not complete however, but sourcing support and money has been painfully difficult and protracted. That is still the case. The Minister for Rail Huw Merriman MP who deferred to taking it up with England's Economic Heartlands (EEH). That is our next port of call and explore all the avenues available. Really, should not be down to us, but the professionals and leaders seem to be preoccupied with other things, need I say more?!

2. East-West Rail is almost physically linked with Bletchley and Bicester, so through use of Oxford-Milton Keynes running will be possible, with passenger services commencing 2025/6/7 ish!

3. Guildford-Horsham, we are following up behind all that which has gone before. Galvanising a new team and funding things like questionnaires, remains again a challenge and a fundraising officer who knows what and how would be just the add-on we need to ensure targeted leafleting, with more volunteers locally sourced, is do-able.

4. There's always more like Stations between Bedford and Leicester, Stations south of Northampton and many other stations or reopenings or both, which come our way. Things are trickling along, but painfully slow and the gauntlet to any government is a. decide which way transport policy is going, b. consider land-use and the environment as well as people, places and communities well-being and c. Infill electrification of the Bedford-Bletchley rail link for a semi-fast Watford-Corby service beit passenger and freight usage and efficiency.

January 2024 Newsletter out now. PDF copies available via email requests to richard.erta@gmail.com

Freight by rail more - assessing government long-term pledges

05-02-24 Update news:

re: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-68180047?at_campaign_type=owned&at_link_type=web_link&at_format=link&at_ptr_name=facebook_page&at_medium=social&at_campaign=Social_Flow&at_link_id=CBF474F0-C335-11EE-A1EF-DEC754826ABF&at_link_origin=BBC_London&at_bbc_team=editorial&fbclid=IwAR2bAO8rYShHyTLKvT4roYds9oPQIeBRcBcHSrTtqL8gqYBMt4XgL364L8I

Please support BRTA as we advocate this sort of thing and more. Thank you. The Dudding Hill Lines could also facilitate a new bay at Luton Airport Parkway Station, a regular Luton-Reading 'South Chiltern' Rail Passenger Service, cutting changing and tube to get across London from North to West and vice versa.

Join and/or donate now! https://ertarail.co.uk/become-a-member/ The respective councils, quangos and leaders need to be encouraged to have the vision and get on with it. Heathrow Southern Rail Link could have arms to Reading, Paddington and Old Oak Common/Chiltern Main Line for a Milton Keynes/Aylesbury/Banbury arc to Woking/Guildford and beyond too. All standard conventional rail links can be used for passenger and freight operations, we just need more of them and joined-up-ness for optimum network benefits on and off the rails.

03-02-24

re: https://railuk.com/rail-freight/gb-railfreight-launches-new-rail-freight-service-connecting-london-gateway-to-iport-doncaster/

This is a good-news story, despite many saying no capacity along the East Coast Main Line (ECML)! 

If the slow lines either side were made x6-tracking - you agree the idea and start now x 10 years for delivery, with a new Ickleford Curve to the Hitchin - Royston Line and with curves at Tempsford for East-West Rail physically linking ECML and vice-versa, you enable utilization of stock, more scope, revenue and business for all rail lines and the benefit also of more lorries off our roads, cutting emissions and freeing up road space for those who have to drive and drive safely too. 

It is BRTA's conviction that East Bedfordshire must have a full through rail-based access to Bedford County Town and vice versa. Rejuvenation requires sustainable footfall and spend in all these places and rail is the way to go, hence our call for trains to enter and go through Bedford via St John's and that onwards also direct of the Oxford corridor. 

Please give us your support and help usher this option. We need more people and goods by rail and more tracks for more trains is exactly what is needed on existing networks and reopenings/new-builds as well. HS1 does multi-tasking whereas HS2 is not being designed for comprehensive usage and versatility. The lack of M25 orbital rails to enable Channel Tunnel-radial rails is a big issue, which needs a champion to lead on strategically and government has a pivotal role to play, but seems gormless from a number of policy, joined up and honesty issues like pretending HS2 to Crewe cancellation would cascade to local rails more, it is a pittance deployment, money majoritively has gone to non-rail projects or the Treasury for Tax Cuts before an election. Meanwhile Colne-Skipton which has ticked all the required boxes including business case, is not being given the go-ahead yet and other pressures could scupper it unless a bold, a strong determined lead from the Secretary of State is given. The model repeats elsewhere sadly.Northampton-Market Harborough (N2MH) is another case in point.

https://ertarail.co.uk/events/

re: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-sets-ambitious-target-to-grow-rail-freight-by-at-least-75

Laudable stocking filler for what campaigners like us may wish for, but how accountable is the pledge? For example, anything with 2050 immediately rouses suspicion, even as half a loaf is better than none. On the one hand irreversible climate change cut off is 2030, I'd like to know what progress between now and then that is 'new' beit money, infrastructure, grants reorientation to favour rail connectivity and lines-side plans for nurturing freight by rail, which because of its nature, is not necessarily an overnight thing, but 30 years may seem extravagant. On the other hand, we have a general election within about 12 months, so a new government may have another agenda, does this one remain or rapidly changed, from what to what? If we have a consensus amongst Opposition and Government that we must nurture modal shift from road to rail as a clear goal, then we should expect to see specific plans for where extra tracks for more trains will go and what timescale and what of cascading. Two examples yea, three:

1. Ely Rail Bypass in the system, but will take time, along with hopefully redoubling tracks along the Soham line. But March-Peterborough is already intensively used, how may extra trains can be accommodated without squeezing passenger demand or indeed, the Wisbech rail reopening with through trains? 

2. Bletchley-Milton Keynes has been identified by Network Rail, but timescale is unknown. Trains have been cut back to Watford from Gatwick/East Croydon due to a lack of capacity. So we excellerate capacity for East-West Rail into Milton Keynes Central and that of Bedford-Bletchley trains, but what about other enhancements? Infill electrification between Bletchley and Bedford may not have a strict 'business case' (I hate that whole system as costly delaying tactics when common sense cries out for rail investment for environmental and good efficiency reasons), but would enable Watford-Corby electric hauled freight and a semi fast peak time passenger service exploiting the end-to-end potential for a speedier transit. Yes, keep the shuttle and add another station for Kempston Town and Retail Park. But the agenda must be rail, what can we put on it, all sizes open to consider from containers to Post, Pallets and Parcels for example. Every station should have a parcels outlet, which could tie-in with information and sell stamps upwards and outwards. With Universal Pleasure Parks seeking permission to develop between the proposed Wixams and existing Kempston Hardwick Stations, both should benefit, so upgrading with lengthening platforms for 3-4 coach trains as a norm should be where the plan goes to ensure rail serves these big developments from day one, not like the Retail Park, 40 years and nil delivery! https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/breaking-news-universal-studios-confirm-they-are-planning-a-theme-park-in-bedford-borough/

3. Northampton. If we are to get a Northampton-Market Harborough rail link, more track capacity apart from that, is needed through Northampton with additional platform capacity. This is why developing non rail development right to track-side is ludicrous if we are serious of modal shift from road to rail. 

Please help us by:

1. writing to your local MP, relevant council

2. Stay with us and give us whatever support you can please.

3. Our new Westminster Team coordinated by Tony Houghton, is open to all to collaborate with us. We want pro-rail people to attend the various meetings and speak up credibly for more and better rail solutions, reopenings, and select pieces of new build.

Government started by allocating £27 billion new roads and a mere £500 million for the Rail Reopenings Fund. It is not therefore new money we need, but a reallocation of existing funds to show forth better intent to rebalancing our transport system and enabling more by rail. 

New Stations example and our tabling opportunities to work together

14-12-23

Some of you may be interested in this: https://enroutecic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Two-towns-multiple-approaches-Observations-from-Daventry-Rushden-1.pdf

ERTA supports a number of new stations, but we can't just keep adding to existing networks, we need more tracks and reopenings for more stations to engage wider audiences. 

Please see:

https://www.newcivilengineer.com/latest/contractor-appointed-for-new-station-on-scottish-rail-line-28-11-2023/

Please note that as far as Stations North of Bedford go, our Wellingborough and Beds Forum respectively are two meetings to tap into. Identifying and protecting a site for a station is critical and working out the 3-5 population catchment distance likewise. 

Please see: https://ertarail.co.uk/events/

Ampthill (Thameslink), Kempston (London North Western Train Operating Company) and Sharnbrook, Irchester, Desborough and Kibworth would be East Midlands Electric shuttle service between Bedford and Leicester on the slow lines and if Bedford-Bletchley was electrified could run semi-fast to Bletchley and likewise to Watford (especially peak time)? Let us have your feedback. Note, we do not support Northampton-Wellingborough as too far gone and Finedon and Burton Latimer, may have a case, but would they detract from the close proximity of Wellingborough and Kettering?

On the Corby issue, we are pleased the electrified railway is being used and would like to see a study into Melton Mowbray-Nottingham to see how the old railway could link that way to the East Midlands to free up more capacity through Leicester for passenger and more freight trains by rail? Corby-Nottingham was once part of the Midland Main Line, serving Rutland areas and connecting with Peterborough-Leicester services for example.

Maybe an all encompassing study or series of studies could look at scope and tell powers that be what we would like and seek less costly and bureaucratic means and ways to achieve successful outcomes of more and better railways? It can be done. Fast trains remain on fast lines, however feeder stations and local services being restored, could provide a handy parking capacity expansion and more overall rail usage, cutting associated roads-only congestion in some cases.

Archive Call Appeal from 07-12-23

Archive Call Appeal: Richard Pill has files and other archive of the former ERTA and previous BRTA eras (going back 20+ years) and would love them to go to a good home. Likewise, some dry, safe storage of old magazines and stock for selling on-line or teaming up to cover sales stalls would be welcome to entertain asap please. 

Contact Richard Pill with enquiries via richard.erta@gmail.com or phone him (see front page for details). It will be junked if no interest is forthcoming sadly. Plastic containers provided, but must have own transport.

ERTA Supports Electrification of the Peterborough-Spalding-Doncaster Rail Link and associated bigger picture of where the trends are pointing!

06-12-23 Coming the other way, Southampton-Oxford-ECML-Doncaster cannot happen without more track connectivity at design stages and capacity with spades on the ground now and going forward: 

Got this article in a rail freight publication. I did send a second draft correcting a typo or two, but the original was done instead! However, I hope it makes some salient points and we welcome any support.

re: https://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/major-report-reveals-ambition-to-electrify-railway-line-9342791/

4 December 2023

Press Release

 

ERTA Supports Electrification of the Peterborough-Spalding-Doncaster Rail Link and associated bigger picture of where the trends are pointing!

 

Re: https://www.spaldingtoday.co.uk/news/major-report-reveals-ambition-to-electrify-railway-line-9342791/

 

ERTA supports calls for electrifying the Peterborough-Doncaster line. More freight by rail is increasingly on the agenda across the whole network and in an environmental context makes more sense if only we have a more joined-up and comprehensive infrastructure.

 

It is ERTA’s view that we were calling for this before the Pandemic alongside a study into a new-build March-Spalding rail link. Development blight on old railway corridors should be seen as unacceptable and poor stewardship and Councils and Governments who permit such when there is a growing demand for rail-usage generally should pay compensation commensurate to what needs relocation to enable a rail link to get through.

 

Moreover, electrifying Peterborough-Doncaster makes more sense if:

1.      If Felixstowe-Peterborough is also electrified as that is where a lion’s share of freight comes and goes to and from.

2.      The East Coast Main Line/ECML lacks capacity between London and Peterborough that also needs a review and capacity enhancements to enable more.

 

End Press Release

 

Media Comment: Richard Pill ERTA CEO 01234 330090 or richard.erta@gmail.com

Mobile: 07752 096392

Oxford-Witney Rail Reopening-New-Build Let's have it now!

re: Bring it on! Oxford-Witney rail reopening. Cheap at the price, given all the on-off rail benefits such may inform. ERTA has long called for it.

Now Lord Cameron alias 'Dave' has come back to Cabinet, maybe as a local he can be persuaded to advocate for this reopening: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-67487149

This terminal branch as such, is one of many likewise which would bring enormous social benefit to the people of Witney and surrounds by providing a rail alternative to the busy A40 and reduce congestion to and from Oxford along the corridors it would intersect. Elsewhere Croxley near Watford, Bridport, Padstow and many other coastal areas also need re-railing. 

Cannot do them all, but a top 10 in a decade would inform more all-year-round footfall and spend and help sustain jobs and the local economy. Please write to your MP and call on the Government to see this is a case of 'a stitch in time saves 9'! 

There are many who rubbish local rail reopenings, so-called 'professionals' amongst the mix. However, most rail reopenings have exceeded expectations and there's no reason why this and others similarly would not and saves road wear and tear too. 

Our railways are fixed assets and so medium-long term benefits grow as flows follow what transport is available. Please give us your support.

 Join ERTA and help make our voice stronger: https://ertarail.co.uk/become-a-member/ Thank you.

Devon proves it... local rail reopenings are the way to go and investment should be made to be available to inform x nationwide more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-67484900