GTR/1403 - Ashford depot

[JonnyRingo]

Not a dickie bird.

 

[Choppsie5791]

Evening all

In response to your message Inamberclad...

I spoke to the HR lady 2 weeks ago she was still pretty vauge about everything.

I said (pretty desperately) I want her to know I'm still very much interested in the role and don't want to be forgotten about.
She laughed and said "oh no, you won't be forgotten" and said she has a list of all the people for the Ashford depot and will ensure she will contact all when there are further developments.

I asked her if the depot is actually still going ahead and she hesitated a bit ( ) and said yes and then said again she will be in touch as soon as they have training dates as nothing is available.

So not much news to report. Just have to hope something happens that will kick start everything and get it moving.

Also I saw in the local paper at the weekend that a part of one of the disused depots (Chart Leacon) might be bought to help Thameslink with their future service but lots of red tape...

 

[Demonbarber]

Evening all

In response to your message Inamberclad...

I spoke to the HR lady 2 weeks ago she was still pretty vauge about everything.

I said (pretty desperately) I want her to know I'm still very much interested in the role and don't want to be forgotten about.
She laughed and said "oh no, you won't be forgotten" and said she has a list of all the people for the Ashford depot and will ensure she will contact all when there are further developments.

I asked her if the depot is actually still going ahead and she hesitated a bit ( ) and said yes and then said again she will be in touch as soon as they have training dates as nothing is available.

So not much news to report. Just have to hope something happens that will kick start everything and get it moving.

Also I saw in the local paper at the weekend that a part of one of the disused depots (Chart Leacon) might be bought to help Thameslink with their future service but lots of red tape...

That’s interesting about chart leacon. Did they say much more about that mate? It’s the perfect place for it

 

[Choppsie5791]

That’s interesting about chart leacon. Did they say much more about that mate? It’s the perfect place for it

I wish I took a photo of the article!!! Was having a bite to eat and saw the story on the front page.
Can't find it anywhere online and I'm sure it wasn't the Kent Messenger. Had a full page article about it and a couple of photos of the current state of it.

I walked past the depot days before and said to the missus it would be funny if they reopened it. All I can remember was National Rail would own it to possibly support Thameslink's new operations/routes.

 

[Demonbarber]

I think that would make so much sense if they did. To be honest that’s where I originally thought they were going to operate the Ashford thameslink depot from when I applied. It’s such of waste of site if they didn’t.

I wish I took a photo of the article!!! Was having a bite to eat and saw the story on the front page.
Can't find it anywhere online and I'm sure it wasn't the Kent Messenger. Had a full page article about it and a couple of photos of the current state of it.

I walked past the depot days before and said to the missus it would be funny if they reopened it. All I can remember was National Rail would own it to possibly support Thameslink's new operations/routes.

 

[MAV39]

Ragrding Chart Leacon depot, Ashford Borough Council have this December 2016 letter from Southeastern in their planning archive:

https://www.ashford.gov.uk/media/63...n-regarding-railway-infrastructure-071216.pdf

Its a pdf, and I don't seem to be able to copy the text, but the opening paragraph states:""... Southeastern consider the retention of Chart Leacon Depot as railway infrastructure to be an important component of securing the capability to cater for growing rail demand for Kent...""

The letter goes on to outline 8 important characteristics for a rail depot, and that Chart Leacon is rare in that it fulfills all of them.

Furthermore, Southeastern have reviewed other possible locations for stabling the predicted increase in required units, and that the commissioning cost for Chart Leacon is between half and a quarter that of the alternatives.

 

[Choppsie5791]

Very interesting read. Hopefully the recent article means a decision is close... Fingers crossed.

 

[Inamberclad]

Thanks for the replies. Keeping fingers crossed they won't can the whole thing. I took my assessment centre tests in May 2017. Does this mean they have until May 2019 to hire me otherwise I would have to repeat them?

 

[JonnyRingo]

Just found this, thought it may interest you
Ashford – the original plan was to stable Thameslink Class 700s in the Hitachi maintenance depot. This is full, and an alternative option is needed. South Eastern have engaged with DB Cargo, the owners of Dollands Moor, who would be willing to accommodate up to 70 vehicles in the short term, with a capital expenditure of £2m. An alternative option is to acquire part of the Ashford Chart Leacon site, which is still rail connected but about to be redeveloped. I recommend that the Ashford option would be a better long term option, and have lower empty movement costs. The developer has agreed with South Eastern to hold discussions in January 2017, but if nothing can be agreed they will start work on redevelopment. Progress on this is urgently needed. This responsibility rests with the DfT’s Thameslink Programme Board. GTR should lead this project on behalf of the Board.
All of the above issues need to be finalised before the driver recruitment plans can be commenced, as the driver recruitment strategy must be decided around the stabling locations of the trains, and driver depot facilities, including parking, must be included in the scheme implementation.

Guess they didn’t wait to implement driver recruitment....

 

[Demonbarber]

https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2018/08/11/chart-leacon-depot-leacon-road-tn23-5nx/

 

[bionic]

https://southashford.org.uk/index.php/2018/08/11/chart-leacon-depot-leacon-road-tn23-5nx/

So basically other than bunging a few units in Dollands Moor tenporarily they've got nowhere to keep the units at Ashford?

 

[froggie]

Driver recruitment has already commenced though infact quite a few drivers have passed out and theres quite a few that have passed all there rules and traction and are just waiting for instructors.

 

[MAV39]

Not sure what posts #39, #40 and #41 are trying to state, but it does look as though the reinstatement of Chart Leacon is being planned.

The link in post #40, leads to a council planning document dated this August that merely states that an Environment Impact Assessment is not required for reinstatement of the Chart Leacon depot.

http://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/IDOX/default.aspx?docid=1683981

This link is to a case summary of the assessment application and refers to the proposed works being the ''Proposed reinstatement of a railway siding facility for the movement in, and stabling of, rail cars and associated equipment''.

http://planning.ashford.gov.uk/Planning/details.aspx?systemkey=110282&pageindex=0

 

[Choppsie5791]

Christ. My heart skipped a beat when I got that email this morning, but then I realised when the time comes it will be a phone call won't it...

Still nothing

 

[JonnyRingo]

That’s a relief, not just me then.

Seriously though, how long do your assessment last for, I thought it was 2 years? I passed mine in June 17 so pretty much the same time as yourself.
Or is it 2 years since you pass everything, ie mum and dmi? At least that’ll give another year..

 

[Choppsie5791]

Evening all.

I guess we all got that email from HR in early October saying the same stuff and that nothing's expected to happen for the next few months.

Well, during some last minute Xmas shopping with the missus she had to pop into Matalan which is right next to the Chart Leacon depot.
I saw a notice clipped to a lamppost next to the depot which had some details regarding the purchase of the site for use by Thameslink. So it seems it's all gone through. I went online and saw this: https://www.thameslinkprogramme.co.uk/chart-leacon-rail-depot

So, everything crossed things will move along in the new year???? Who knows!!!

Have a great Christmas guys.

 

[Choppsie5791]

Maybe I jumped the gun a bit as not completed but fact it's on their website must be a positive.

 

[JonnyRingo]

It all looks more positive than it did in October. Reading that link, it appears that southeastern will move into the Chart Leacon Depot, with Thameslink going to the Hitachi one? Hopefully things may start moving in the next few months. Anyway Merry Christmas everyone and fingers crossed for 2018.

 

[JonnyRingo]

Sorry 2019.

 

[JonnyRingo]

Hi Guys,
Looks like the Chart Leacon Depot is starting to move now, so hopefully not too much longer to wait.
https://www.kentonline.co.uk/ashford/news/50-new-jobs-as-former-train-depot-reopens-196331/

 

[Inamberclad]

I hope so becuase my assessment center results will be 2 years old at the end of May!

 

[Inamberclad]

I just spoke to recruitment and they said Ashford is over-established and they won't need any trainees for 'a very long time'. I was too shell-shocked to ask for anymore info but that's what I was told. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

 

[Choppsie5791]

Yep. Not happening is it. I haven't told the wife yet.

 

[westcoaster]

I just spoke to recruitment and they said Ashford is over-established and they won't need any trainees for 'a very long time'. I was too shell-shocked to ask for anymore info but that's what I was told. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Sounds odd, I would still hold out hope. Maybe they misheard what you were asking. Maybe they thought you were asking about applying as a trainee, and not those ready to be allocated a space.

 

[JonnyRingo]

I think your right unfortunately,

Dear Candidate,


Thank you for your patience while you have been awaiting news regarding start date for a Train Driver Course for our Ashford depot.


Unfortunately we are unable to confirm a start date for you to join a 2019 training course for Ashford at the moment due to the limited number of current vacancies available for this depot, therefore it may take some time until we are able to offer you a start date.


Whilst we still want you to join GTR, we understand that this delay may create issues for you so wanted you to be able to consider other options that may arise to help you realise your aspiration to become a Train Driver earlier than we are able to.



We will keep you updated with any changes and would appreciate if you could advise us if your circumstances change and you will no longer be able to join us.


Once again thank you for your understanding and patience.


Regards,

Why bother recruiting in the first place?
Oh well, onward and upward

 

[JAC10]

I too am waiting a start date for the same job, found out i was successful in September 2017. Does anyone know how long your test results last from when you took them is it 2 years? After the 2 years would you have to sit the tests again ?

Also if this was your second time of applying and are still on the waiting list how would this affect your chances if you applied for another train operating company and if you were to fail with another company does that scrap your chances with GTR?

Would you say that you guys have given up with the chance of ever starting with GTR ? So disappointing being told the good news and getting your hopes up then having to wait and potentially it not happening at all .....

I think your right unfortunately,

Dear Candidate,


Thank you for your patience while you have been awaiting news regarding start date for a Train Driver Course for our Ashford depot.


Unfortunately we are unable to confirm a start date for you to join a 2019 training course for Ashford at the moment due to the limited number of current vacancies available for this depot, therefore it may take some time until we are able to offer you a start date.


Whilst we still want you to join GTR, we understand that this delay may create issues for you so wanted you to be able to consider other options that may arise to help you realise your aspiration to become a Train Driver earlier than we are able to.



We will keep you updated with any changes and would appreciate if you could advise us if your circumstances change and you will no longer be able to join us.


Once again thank you for your understanding and patience.


Regards,

Why bother recruiting in the first place?
Oh well, onward and upward

 

[Inamberclad]

I will keep an eye out and hope something else comes up before my psychometrics run out.

 

[Class2ldn]

I too am waiting a start date for the same job, found out i was successful in September 2017. Does anyone know how long your test results last from when you took them is it 2 years? After the 2 years would you have to sit the tests again ?

Also if this was your second time of applying and are still on the waiting list how would this affect your chances if you applied for another train operating company and if you were to fail with another company does that scrap your chances with GTR?

Would you say that you guys have given up with the chance of ever starting with GTR ? So disappointing being told the good news and getting your hopes up then having to wait and potentially it not happening at all .....

If you failed the first tests and then took them again it would wipe out any pass with GTR and count as your 2nd strike so think carefully before taking them again. That said I'm not sure how long they are valid so if they run out you'd have to take them again anyway.

 

[Choppsie5791]

Anyone else have their career page drop off on the website? I tried logging in and its asked me to register again and I used the same email as before. Nothing is on there now, no applications, no offers...

 

[bionic]

I heard a rumour that with no start date in sight for the services on the Maidstone East line, GTR are moving a load of Ashford drivers to Orpington. This is just a rumour though.