Post by snoggle on Nov 26, 2018 14:12:33 GMT
The Transport Cttee have issued a report about rail services in the Greater London area. Report is accessible via the link below.
www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-publications/broken-rails-rail-service-fit-passengers
The report has six key short term recommendations.
Sadly as all of these recommendations require money to be spent or more staff time to be used I don't see any of them happening any time soon. The DfT can happily ignore this report as the Assembly have no jurisdiction or power over the Department. It is interesting that the Committee has opted not to push for more devolution to TfL as part of this report although they remain in favour. I assume they recognise nothing of substance is going to happen while Failing Grayling remains at the DfT.
www.london.gov.uk/about-us/london-assembly/london-assembly-publications/broken-rails-rail-service-fit-passengers
The report has six key short term recommendations.
Recommendation 1 - Effective small-scale interventions
Network Rail needs to deliver a plan to enable more frequent and longer trains to run on existing infrastructure across London, using a series of strategic, targeted upgrades. The Mayor and TfL need to press the Department for Transport and Network Rail to deliver these priority projects urgently.
Recommendation 2 - Healthy Stations
The Mayor and TfL should produce a Healthy Stations Charter based on the principles of their Healthy Streets Approach. The aim should be to deliver a drastic improvement in how stations can be accessed by cyclists and pedestrians, including by passengers with disabilities. Every station should be assessed against the Charter in partnership with passengers using that station.
Recommendation 3 - A new approach to passenger engagement
TfL, Network Rail and Train Operating Companies need to recognise that passengers care about their local stations and the services they can access there. For every station in London, regardless of its management, there should be dedicated passenger engagement with a specific station user group for people using that station.
Recommendation 4 - A single rail strategy for London
London has no rail strategy. TfL and Network Rail should produce a rail strategy for London that all parties will commit to implementing, which will improve rail services for passengers in London.
Recommendation 5 - Improving accessibility
The money available for accessibility upgrades, so that everyone can get to the trains they need, is far too small. The Department for Transport needs to reconsider the amount of Access for All funding available and ensure all priority upgrades are delivered in the next five years. The Mayor and TfL should strongly press the Department for Transport to increase funding.
Recommendation 6 - Increase funding for London’s rail network
TfL should consider all options to increase funding for London’s rail network. This includes funding Network Rail schemes where necessary, and contributing to projects outside of London’s
boundaries, such as freight routes, where this will enable the provision of more frequent and bigger trains for passengers in the capital.
Network Rail needs to deliver a plan to enable more frequent and longer trains to run on existing infrastructure across London, using a series of strategic, targeted upgrades. The Mayor and TfL need to press the Department for Transport and Network Rail to deliver these priority projects urgently.
Recommendation 2 - Healthy Stations
The Mayor and TfL should produce a Healthy Stations Charter based on the principles of their Healthy Streets Approach. The aim should be to deliver a drastic improvement in how stations can be accessed by cyclists and pedestrians, including by passengers with disabilities. Every station should be assessed against the Charter in partnership with passengers using that station.
Recommendation 3 - A new approach to passenger engagement
TfL, Network Rail and Train Operating Companies need to recognise that passengers care about their local stations and the services they can access there. For every station in London, regardless of its management, there should be dedicated passenger engagement with a specific station user group for people using that station.
Recommendation 4 - A single rail strategy for London
London has no rail strategy. TfL and Network Rail should produce a rail strategy for London that all parties will commit to implementing, which will improve rail services for passengers in London.
Recommendation 5 - Improving accessibility
The money available for accessibility upgrades, so that everyone can get to the trains they need, is far too small. The Department for Transport needs to reconsider the amount of Access for All funding available and ensure all priority upgrades are delivered in the next five years. The Mayor and TfL should strongly press the Department for Transport to increase funding.
Recommendation 6 - Increase funding for London’s rail network
TfL should consider all options to increase funding for London’s rail network. This includes funding Network Rail schemes where necessary, and contributing to projects outside of London’s
boundaries, such as freight routes, where this will enable the provision of more frequent and bigger trains for passengers in the capital.
Sadly as all of these recommendations require money to be spent or more staff time to be used I don't see any of them happening any time soon. The DfT can happily ignore this report as the Assembly have no jurisdiction or power over the Department. It is interesting that the Committee has opted not to push for more devolution to TfL as part of this report although they remain in favour. I assume they recognise nothing of substance is going to happen while Failing Grayling remains at the DfT.
