spring2012
northern’s stakeholder magazine
insideconnections 4
news from Serco and Abellio
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Northern Hub
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green fingered students
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corporate ticket scheme
inside connections
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insideconnections 4
news from Serco and Abellio
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Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge stations to be built
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your
connections
We hope you enjoy this edition of connections.
Northern Hub
Remember, if you ever need to update your contact details with us just contact Lindsay Marsden, Marketing and Communications Executive, at lindsay.marsden@northernrail.org or send to Lindsay at Northern Rail, 6th Floor, Northern House, 9 Rougier Street, York, YO1 6HZ.
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Ride 2 Stride
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green fingered students
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New Year’s honour for Phil
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corporate ticket scheme
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If you have any stories you would like us to include in future editions of connections please contact Carolyn Watson, Head of Corporate Communications by email carolyn.watson @northernrail.org or at the address above.
Carolyn Watson Head of Corporate Communications
more seats introduced In our last issue of connections we told you about the 2.2 million seats being provided on peak time trains for passengers through the Department for Transport’s rolling stock programme.
Ian Bevan and Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of TfGM
connections | spring/summer2012
The majority of the extra carriages were introduced on Monday 12 December. Our thanks go to Passenger Transport Executive colleagues who joined us at various stations around the network to help us celebrate. We’re already getting some great feedback from customers who are noticing the improvement.
hello from Ian 3
from Ian o l l he
Welcome to our first issue of connections for 2012.
R
One of the biggest external risks to the punctuality of train services is cable theft. It has been a serious problem on our network for a number of years.
unning a punctual and reliable service is the basis of any passenger rail operation. We’ve made significant improvements to the performance of our fleet and services since the start of our franchise. Our trains, some of which are amongst the oldest on the UK rail network, are now 60% more reliable than the start of our franchise thanks to the hard work of our engineers. We also work closely with Network Rail to reduce infrastructure and planning related delays and have been focusing on our own operations to ensure that all our teams are committed to making every second count.
“Our trains, some of which are amongst the oldest on the UK rail network, are now 60% more reliable than the start of our franchise thanks to the hard work of our engineers.” It is this work that has meant our performance is returning to the high levels our passengers had become used to, after a slight dip in 2010/2011, reaching a 91.77% public performance measure moving annual average (or PPM MAA) in January. We’ve also been ensuring we provide the maximum capacity of carriages. The influx of additional carriages into our fleet in autumn last year presented our engineers with some challenges to make sure they were all fit for service, with some needing significant attention. Our overall availability of units suffered slightly in the run up to December, however I’m pleased to report that colleagues have been working hard to reverse this with levels back to normal.
With the price of copper remaining high, signalling cabling is an attractive prize for would-be thieves, but we’re not making life easy for them. In addition to better prevention and detection measures, the rail industry and partners have been campaigning for changes to the current system of cashless transactions at scrap yards, which makes it easier for thieves to profit from stolen goods. So, we were really pleased when the Home Secretary announced in January that an amendment will be made to the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill to tackle metal theft. This will create a new criminal offence to prohibit cash payments to purchase scrap metal and significantly increase the fines for all offences under the existing Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964.
“The rail industry and partners have been campaigning for changes to the current system of cashless transactions at scrap yards.”
Ian Bevan Managing Director
connections | spring/summer2012
news from Serco and Abellio 4
On 14 February, the award-winning Serco operated Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme achieved an impressive milestone – ten million hires since its launch just 18 months ago. The iconic blue bikes have transformed transportation in the capital and are used by tens of thousands of Londoners and visitors every day.
Cycle Hire Scheme reaches 10m milestone On Thursday 8 March the Mayor of London launched the major Eastern expansion of the Barclays Cycle Hire scheme, which is designed, implemented and operated by Serco. Bikes will be available beyond central London across the whole of the Borough of Tower Hamlets as well as North Shoreditch in the Borough of Hackney, Camden Town, Canary Wharf and Westfield White City. Altogether 2,300 more bikes and 4,800 extra docking points are being installed across the existing and new area. The expanded scheme will cover approximately 65km²
Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme
of the capital, and over 8,300 hire bikes will be available from 15,000 docking points at hundreds of locations across central and east London. To date over 150,000 people have signed up as members of the scheme and between them they have made over 7.8 million hires. Casual users of the scheme have purchased over one million access periods making over 2.2 million journeys since the casual users function became available in December 2010.
launches Greater Anglia On 5 February Abellio began operating the Greater Anglia franchise. Greater Anglia operates local, regional and commuter services from London Liverpool Street to Essex, Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of north and Greater London.
It also connects over two million passengers per week with London’s Stansted airport. The franchise will provide a major transport link for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The 3,000 strong Greater Anglia team is headed up by former Northern Engineering Director Ruud Haket.
Launching the new franchise Ruud Haket, Managing Director, Greater Anglia said: “We want to provide a great rail service and from today will start by ensuring those travelling in the peak see more seats on specific trains. I want customers to have complete peace of mind that they are travelling safely too.
“We’ll continue to deliver on the promises we have made to improve customer service through a whole suite of initiatives between now and the end of the franchise. Initially we will work towards delivering the successful Olympic programme but my commitment to existing and new customers is to make it easier to ensure staff are able to deliver customer service to you every day, no matter which part of the network you travel on.” Greater Anglia executive team connections | spring/summer2012
area stories
Kirkstall Forge and Leeds Station Apperley Bridge Southern Entrance stations to be built The Chancellor, George Osborne, used his autumn statement to announce some positive commitments to rail, including the approval of the Leeds City Region Rail Growth Package – a move welcomed by Metro and partners. A new rail station, with 125 car parking spaces, is a key element of the Kirkstall Forge development site, which will support 2,400 new jobs and is expected to attract significant investment into the area. The station will be served by two trains an hour in each direction and is expected to cater for 400,000 passengers each year. The six-minute link to Leeds city centre and 18-minute link to Bradford Forster Square, will make it an attractive travel option. Designed with a 300-space car park – the largest at any Northern West Yorkshire station – the new station
Metro and Network Rail are continuing to develop proposals for Leeds Station Southern Entrance (LSSE). The new entrance will provide direct access between the River Aire and Granary Wharf areas south of Leeds and Leeds Rail Station.
Artist’s impression of Leeds station southern entrance
at Apperley Bridge will be used by around 250,000 passengers each year and will remove 200,000 car journeys from busy local roads annually. Journey times to Leeds and Bradford Forster Square will be about 12 minutes. Around 40% of the overall £17m cost of the new stations has been raised locally including a contribution of over £5m from the Kirkstall Forge site developer Commercial Estates Group (CEG) and funding from Metro. Detailed design work will now begin with construction due to start in the summer of 2013. Both stations are proposed be operational by the December timetable 2014.
Inside, a new lift, escalators and stairs will whisk passengers up to a new concourse at the end of the current footbridge, providing step-free access to all platforms. It is expected that at least 10% of the 100,000 passengers using the station every day would use the new entrance, cutting journey times for passengers south of the River Aire and relieving pressure on the existing northern entrance. A period of public consultation was undertaken during December with two half day exhibitions at Leeds Rail Station and one in Granary Wharf, attended by senior Metro directors and the Chair of the ITA James Lewis. The next stage of the project is to obtain legal powers to construct the new entrance. These powers will be sought under a ‘Transport and Works Act Order’ and formal application for these will be submitted in Spring 2012.
Artist’s impression of Kirkstall Forge station
If these are approved, construction is due to start in Summer 2013 with opening a year later, giving a boost to passenger usage and improved flows throughout the station. connections | spring/summer2012
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Northern Hub 6
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orthern Hub is the industry’s joint vision for the north, seeing rail as a catalyst to drive economic growth. In the simplest terms, the Hub is a package of infrastructure improvements reaching as far as Newcastle and Hull in the East to Chester and Liverpool in the West. Through carefully targeted investment, we believe that these enhancements can transform rail in the north so that the region can continue to thrive.
Northe
There has been much talk in recen the levels of investment in rail in the the north. However, as the Northern there are many northerners wh may be about to
The Hub is made up of a range of complementary proposals which include: • two new platforms at Manchester Piccadilly station to allow more trains to run through, rather than terminate in Manchester. This will enable more direct services across the north
To Scotland Blackpool
Preston
• new tracks on the line between Leeds and Liverpool and between Sheffield and Manchester to allow fast trains between the major towns and cities to overtake the slower trains • Manchester Victoria station will also undergo a major transformation to an improved, more spacious, transport interchange.
Blackburn
West Coast Main Line
• the Ordsall Chord to provide a link between Manchester Victoria and Manchester Piccadilly stations. This element of the scheme was funded by the Government in March 2011, allowing for a new route across the city
Bolton Wigan Eccles
Earlestown LIVERPOOL LIME STREET
Roby Huyton Warrington Central Liverpool South Parkway
Trafford Park Freight Terminal
Warrington Bank Quay
Altrincham
MANCHESTE AIRPOR Knutsford
CHESTER
connections | spring/summer2012
Salford Crescent
The Northern Hub
ern Hub
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“For an investment of approximately £530 million, the Hub would deliver over £4 billion worth of benefits to the region and potentially create up to 30,000 new jobs.”
nt years of the imbalance between e south of the country compared to n Hub continues to gain momentum, ho are hopeful that the scales o tip in our favour. Station improvements New railway Linespeed improvements Headway improvements Loops/four tracking North West electrification scheme
To North East BRADFORD LEEDS
Halifax
Dewsbury
• two new fast trains each hour between Manchester Victoria and Liverpool
Huddersfield
• two additional fast trains an hour between Leeds and Manchester
Rochdale
• a new direct service through Manchester city centre to Manchester Airport.
Standedge tunnels
Salford Central
If the Hub is funded in full, passengers will benefit from faster and more frequent services to cities such as Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool and Sheffield. In terms of capacity, we could see up to 700 more trains on the network each day, enabling an additional 44 million people to travel by train each year. Specific benefits will include:
Ashton-under-Lyne MANCHESTER VICTORIA MANCHESTER PICCADILLY Guide Bridge
Stockport
ER RT
Marple
Chinley
SHEFFIELD Grindleford
Dore
Crewe Stoke
To London
East Coast Main Line
Ordsall Chord
Stalybridge
Doncaster
To East Midlands To London
However, it’s not just rail passengers who would benefit from the scheme. For an investment of approximately £530 million, the Hub would deliver over £4 billion worth of benefits to the region and potentially create up to 30,000 new jobs. Needless to say, this would provide an enormous boost for the northern economy. In terms of timescales and processes, the proposal has already been submitted to Government as part of Network Rail’s Initial Industry Plan. It is currently being considered and the industry is hopeful of a decision by the summer. For more information go to networkrail.co.uk/northernhub connections | spring/summer2012
area stories 8
partnership trial for
d l e i f a l l e S Earlier this year we ran a six-week trial with Direct Rail Services (DRS) to provide two extra services on the Cumbrian Coast line.
S
The services targeted BNFL employees in the north of the county who work at Sellafield, to el encourage the la fie use of greener ld s it e travel options. Early results have been encouraging with approximately 100 passengers using the trains each day. A working group has been set up to understand the options for the developing Nuclear Industry in Cumbria that will look to develop a timetable in line with the expected growth over the next 5–10 years.
Ride 2 Stride Ride 2 Stride is a festival of walks, talks and music along the Settle-Carlisle railway line planned for the 1-7 May 2012. A celebration of the wonderful landscape and culture of the western Dales and Eden Valley, the festival is made up of lots of events and activities which will be happening along the length of the line. Walks will be led from stations by experienced walk leaders. Speakers will share their local knowledge and love of the area, and the pubs will be buzzing with music and song. Ride 2 Stride is for everyone who loves the Yorkshire Dales.
Whether you travel to an event by train, live along the line or book your holiday to take advantage of the festival, we’re sure you’ll have a great time. Whether you are an experienced walker or more used to a gentle stroll there will be a walk for everyone. Starting at a three-mile ‘easy’ there are walks of up to 17 miles ‘strenuous’; so dust off the boots and head for the hills to sample the beautiful scenery on offer! For more details on all the events visit ride2stride.org.uk
If you can’t get to the festival but you’d still like to enjoy walks from the Settle – Carlisle line there’s a new book of walks just out called Dales Rail Trails. It contains 32 walks from stations between Settle and Kirkby Stephen and is available from dalesrailtrails.co.uk
Settle station water tower on TV The former water tower of Settle Station became a TV star recently when it featured on Restoration Man on Channel 4. The tower has been lovingly restored and converted into a home by former Friends of Settle and Carlisle Chairman, Mark Rand and his wife Pat.
The water tower before
The water tower is the only survivor of eight such towers between Settle and Carlisle which served the needs of thirsty steam locomotives. Built in 1876 the Settle water tower became redundant when steam trains finished in 1968 and the line itself seemed doomed to close. It had become almost obscured by trees and ivy but is now restored as a prominent gateway building to and from Settle Station.
The water tower after
connections | spring/summer2012
You can follow a diary of the building works at settlestationwatertower. blogspot.com
area stories 9
Cheshire best kept stations Northern stations scooped half of the 14 awards at January’s ceremony held at the Weaver Hall in Northwich.
Newcomers Rose Hill and Lostock Gralam were amongst the prizes, as were established prize-winners Handforth, Chelford, Holmes Chapel, Greenbank and Northwich. The awards recognised the
contributions of the many volunteers in ‘Friends of’ groups and Northern employees. Thank you to everyone involved for making these stations such attractive places to visit.
Wakefield Kirkgate
redevelopment northern
out now! The sixth edition of ‘northern’ our customer magazine is out now! In addition to an interview with cover star Gabby Logan it is packed with features and fun ideas for keeping family and friends entertained over the summer. The magazine is available to download from northernrail.org or pick up a copy at busier Northern stations.
It is full steam ahead for the redevelopment of Wakefield Kirkgate. The £3.3 million refurbishment of the station building will include shops, offices, community use and facilities for new business start ups created alongside a new rail waiting room with real time information and ticket purchase facilities. The scheme, which is being led by the Groundworks Trust, will see them use the stations as their regional base with meeting and conference rooms and exhibition areas. At the same time Network Rail is progressing a platform canopy renewal scheme which will include the removal of the spine wall and disused canopy on platforms 2 and 3. The existing canopy on platform 1 will be refurbished and extended. Work on the canopies will take place this year and we expect the work on the station project to take place in 2013 with a full opening in 2014.
Wakefield Kirkgate also played host to a royal visitor when Prince Charles rededicated the royal train in January. Prince Charles arrived by train and was welcomed by local school children. He met young people who worked on the restoration of the steam locomotive and its crew before unveiling the new ‘Britannia’ nameplate. connections | spring/summer2012
area stories 10
Mid Cheshire designation
timetable C hanges
Following the successful operation of Saturday evening ‘crowd busting’ trains from Manchester Victoria to Rochdale in the run up to Christmas, we have decided to operate these services on an ongoing basis. The additional trains, leaving Manchester Victoria at 19.55 and 20.55 and Rochdale at 20.25 and 21.25 started on 18 February. We are also making a small number of changes in the May timetable, which include: • a new 23.24 Clitheroe – Blackburn weekday service • a new 23.50 Colne – Preston (limited stop) Friday service • 07.12 Saltburn – Darlington to call at South Bank (weekdays and Saturday) • 22.14 York – Leeds to call at Church Fenton (weekdays) • changes to the Sunday service pattern on the Calder Valley to improve journey times but without reducing the number of station calls • the introduction of request stops at Pleasington, Hapton, Huncoat and Burnley Barracks stations on Blackpool South – Colne services to improve punctuality and reliability on this route.
green fingered students ‘befriend’ Burnley Central A group of students from Burnley College’s horticultural department have formed the ‘Friends of Burnley Central’ group, taking ownership of the station’s plants and flowers and ensuring the station is a welcoming environment for passengers. The partnership was formed when Northern Rail’s Community Ambassador for Brierfield, Sultana Jamil, realised a lot of students from the area were using Burnley Central to get to college every day and wanted to find a way to work with them. Thanks to support from East Lancashire Community Rail Partnership, the College formed the station’s ‘Friends of’ group, with Northern supplying planters and compost and the students growing and maintaining plants. The work will form part of the students’ course work and be included in their final year results. connections | spring/summer2012
The Mid Cheshire line was awarded Service Designation by the Department for Transport in January. This makes it an ‘official’ Community Rail line and opens access to new funding sources for small projects. It presents the opportunity to raise the line’s profile with Local Authorities and other stakeholders. Rail Minister Theresa Villiers said: “I want to encourage communities to become more closely involved with their railways to help create the services and stations passengers deserve. “That’s why I am delighted to announce this latest community rail designation. Today’s designation is a major step towards helping the Mid Cheshire Community Rail Partnership work closely with local groups to provide innovative and more cost effective rail services for their community.”
Students from Burnley College
people stories
We’re delighted to welcome Jonathan Stewart to Northern as our new Commercial Director. Jonathan brings with him a wealth of experience in the transport and business sectors, including leading marketing and customer service improvements with First West and North Yorkshire (bus operations). Most recently he was Chief Executive Officer with Direx Solutions, a global management consultancy advising on business strategy. Jamie Burles, our former Commercial Director, has joined Abellio on secondment to support their work on rail franchise bids.
down under
Congratulations and bon voyage to Neil Scales, former Director General and Chief Executive es of Merseytravel. Neil has stepped down from the helm, of the transport authority to take up a new appointment as Chief Executive of TransLink, the public transport J im authority in Brisbane, Australia. Jim Barclay has been appointed interim Chief Executive of Merseytravel. We wish Neil and Jim every success in their new roles. al Nei l Sc
Jonathan joins the team
Neil heads
Ba rclay
northern people
New Year’s honour for Phil Our very own Phil Thickett was awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List. Phil, who was recognised for ‘services to the railway industry’, recently retired from his position as Area Operations Manager at Northern, but is still a regular face helping out on projects! Phil was nominated by colleagues for his overwhelming commitment to the railway industry and his willingness to help and support others, both inside and outside the company. Phil has mentored many school children, on a voluntary basis, to introduce them to the world of work, has supported countless projects and charity events, including those outside of his area.
“Phil has helped develop so many of our employees, in both their daily duties and further education aspirations and is a true ambassador for Northern and the rail industry.”
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Phil said “I couldn’t believe it when I was told the news about the MBE. I have seen many changes to the railway industry over the last fifty years and for me it was about embracing those changes and providing a service for thousands of people every day.”
Ian Bevan said: “We are incredibly proud of Phil and delighted he has received this fantastic honour. He has helped develop so many of our employees, in both their daily duties and further education aspirations and is a true ambassador for Northern and the rail industry. Phil’s kind and unassuming nature has a positive effect on everyone he comes into contact with and makes him a pleasure to work alongside.” Phil began his career as an apprentice in 1961 and worked his way up the career ladder to Northern’s Area Operations Manager until his retirement last May. Well done Phil! connections | spring/summer2012
area stories 12
Redcar enhancements Working with our partners, Tees Valley Metro (TVM), Redcar town council and Network Rail we are developing a scheme that will provide many improvements at Redcar Central Station. The council and TVM have aspirations to demolish a number of buildings surrounding the former entrance to the station to create “a vista to the sea” which will greatly improve the area’s appearance. The authorities have also secured funding to enhance the station itself.
Improvements will include a new DDA compliant ramp on the Saltburn bound platform, new waiting shelters on both platforms, enhanced CCTV, Customer Information Screens and public announcement systems, refurbishment of the ticket office area and direct access to the local college. The initial stages of the scheme are now drawn up and we are working closely with Network Rail to ensure a smooth delivery plan.
ss
Eli
The recent economic climate has seen an increase in the number of businesses looking for new and creative staff benefit schemes that are low cost and simple to administer. With the increase in car parking and fuels costs, businesses are trying to find ways to support their staff by encouraging the use of public transport as well as reducing the number of cars coming into the towns and cities.
Rail Station Improvement Strategy: The delivery of Customer Information Screens, CCTV, Public Announcement systems and help points was completed before Christmas at eight stations in Greater Manchester including Rose Hill, Walkden, Brinnington, Reddish North, Westhoughton, Marple, Ashton under Lyne and Bramhall. The project was funded by TfGM and delivered by Northern.
Manchester Victoria: New toilet facilities incorporating ladies, gents, disabled and baby-change facilities have been opened replacing old and life-expired facilities. Further improvements on the way include improved waiting facilities on the through platforms, better lighting and extended CCTV.
scheme
The corporate scheme has been a great success for us and we now have approximately 80 businesses purchasing annual season tickets through the scheme.
news in brief
Penistone Line Speed Restrictions: Great news for users of the Penistone line! We’ve been working with Network Rail and SYPTE to address the number of speed restrictions on the route. Network Rail undertook a series of overnight closures and successfully removed each restriction over the course of a week. This is great news to our customers who now benefit from faster and more reliable journeys.
Corporate Season Ticket In 2008, we introduced our business-to-business corporate season ticket scheme, focusing on connecting with the business community around our stations.
northern
a
Ro b Cities such as inson Manchester, Leeds, Newcastle, Liverpool and Sheffield all have businesses that employ a large number of staff. For example, councils, universities, colleges, banks and major firms of solicitors and accountants are all sited within walking distance of these stations.
For more information about our corporate scheme go to northernrail.org/corporate or contact Elissa Robinson our Sales Manager. Email: elissa.robinson@northernrail.org or Tel: 07920 587977
Remember you can send your stories and ideas to carolyn.watson@northernrail.org connections | spring/summer2012 or call 01904 568 670
Rotherham Central: SYPTE has invested £8.5 million in demolishing and rebuilding Rotherham Central Station. The station has been completely rebuilt, including a new ticket office and waiting area, lifts to the platforms and platform canopies. Users of the old facility will certainly notice the difference and with the creation of three new jobs at the station customer service levels will be increased too!
Please recycle me