Owain Roberts, Regional Stakeholder Manager at Northern Trains Limited, to provide a verbal presentation.
Minutes:
Owain Roberts, Regional Stakeholder Manager of Northern Trains Limited was welcomed to the Task Group.
The members were updated as to how Covid-19 had impacted the rail network and customers. How the company and its staff had proactively ensured the trains were as safe, and socially distanced as possible while making it clear to both customers and staff of the changes. Despite action taken, Covid-19 was impacting service and use. Workplace bubbles were created to limit the spread of Covid-19. There had been no new train drivers or conductors between the months of March and October as it was not possible to undertake the required training.
During the pandemic, there had been significant operational impact, prior to the pandemic, there were 2850 daily services, the first lockdown in March 2020 caused a 95% drop in passengers from the year prior, with that figure slowly rising to 50% capacity by Christmas, it was assumed that the third Lockdown would again, decrease the number of passengers, and services in operation.
Service
The aim was to provide a service that customers could consistently rely on. Between 70-75% of trains arrived on time, 90% of trains arrived within 3 minutes of expected times and just under 100% arrived within 15 minutes of scheduled times. Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of cancellations was low.
Significant investment had been made to the Bolton corridor trainline, which runs through Chorley. Electrification occurred in February 2018. Tracks were been relayed on the West Coast Main Line which increased top speeds from 75mph to 100mph.
Various stations across the region have been refurbished and their capacity increased, and technology installed to provide greater customer information.
Infrastructure Challenge
A significant challenge faced in the North West was the congested rail networks. The network at full capacity limited flexibility potential.
Trains
43 new Class 331’s were now in service, they increased customer capacity and comfort. The improved trains were more environmentally friendly with better performance, with greater accessibility. In November 2020, all Pacer trains were retired from passenger services from November 2020
A new depot is due to open at Newton Heath January 2021 which will allow further improvement in the reliability and performance of trains.
Improved flexible and season tickets were introduced and tickets could now be paid for and displayed on smart phones, although a campaign was underway to ensure that people that used their phones as tickets have them charged. The improved flexible tickets was in response to Covid-19 as work and travel habits changed and accommodations made to suit the ever changing needs of the customer.
There is a new mobility scooter scheme in place, the updated trains have greater allowances for more mobility scooters although the service requires pre-booking to ensure compatibility.
Councillor Molyneux asked about the train station in Adlington without a train service. She explained Adlington prior to Covid-19 was a commuter village and residents commuted to Preston and Manchester. The station had a limited service and matters deteriorated when Buckshaw reopened. Owain explained that any changes to the timetable was a business case decision, if there was profitability available, changes would be made. It was also explained that the lack of flexibility on certain routes have meant that routes were constrained, and extra stops would impact the network. Cllr Molyneux countered that there was a service to Manchester Airport that currently would not be used due to Covid-19. She added that promises were made that Adlington would improve after electrification but it was not the case. Commuters now go to Blackrod to get the train.
When asked about the environmental impact of the trains, it was explained there had there been a reduction of emissions, although the figures were not available, nearly all of the trains than went through Chorley were electric. There are occasions when a replacement train would be required.
Councillor Julia Berry thanked Northern Rail for maintaining their operation throughout the difficult period and praised the safe, secure, and reliable service. She felt that as there was potential change in the work life balance of commuters and residents after Covid-19, she asked if there had been consideration for a new way of thinking regarding routes, ensuring that they were flexibility, with a focus on weekend services. She continued to enquire about cycling and said that at Chorley Station there was a bike shelter with high levels of cycle theft, and asked if there was consideration for greater investment in secure cycle storage, akin to Preston Station’s secure cycle storage.
Owain agreed that travel patterns have changed, and the flexible ticket was in response. Regarding secure cycle shelters, there was funding available but there was uncertainty where it was going to be awarded and distributed.
Members asked about reopening of Coppull station, Owain explained that the franchise time for the line was between 5 and 7 years and new stations were the responsibility of the Local Authority, which would be Lancashire County Council.
Councillor Laura Lennox explained that prior to Covid-19, her journey from Chorley to Manchester could take as long as it took to get from Manchester to London, and enquired about the worst junction in the area. Owain couldn’t say what was the worst but noted that there were some extremely busy and used lines.
Alison Marland, Principal Planning Officer asked about the potential for the rail provider to update Chorley Council when timetables were changed or expanded. Owain said that Covid-19 had impacted communication as they were no longer consulting as they had to respond to changes on a weekly or monthly basis, but when they do consult, they consult the County Council, and there would be a County Officer to talk to and provide information to the District Councils, but he was happy to add Chorley Council to the mailing list for updates.
Northern Rail were exploring new ways of consulting but was unable to make any guarantees to Members, as the industry in addition to Covid-19 was fast moving and many changes have and will be made.
Decision: The report was noted.