Wales Rail, re schedule?

[merlodlliw]

The new Welsh Govt (WAG) is to re schedule Wales transport plan including rail according to reports in Cardiff, Minister Carl Sargent(AM Alyn & Deeside) is to oversee the plan, his responsibility's include Delivery of passenger rail services through the Wales and Borders franchise.

Source Plaid & WAG.


Bob

 

[DarloRich]

They will go the same way as Scotland/Scotrail very quickly.

 

[merlodlliw]

They will go the same way as Scotland/Scotrail very quickly.

I dont think the Scots Parliament ever ran its own open access services to Edinburgh, so perhaps you are correct.


Bob

 

[DarloRich]

I meant by taking contro lof the transport infrastructure and getting more investment than England

 

[WatcherZero]

Not really more spending their just targeting it into a few high visibility projects.

 

[merlodlliw]

I meant by taking contro lof the transport infrastructure and getting more investment than England

Take your point, however this is all about cuts I am sure.

Bob

 

[Gareth Marston]

The new Welsh Govt (WAG) is to re schedule Wales transport plan including rail according to reports in Cardiff, Minister Carl Sargent(AM Alyn & Deeside) is to oversee the plan, his responsibility's include Delivery of passenger rail services through the Wales and Borders franchise.

Source Plaid & WAG.


Bob

This was an election pledge to re-prioritise the NTP. Not met anyone who knows in what way - yet.

The beneath is also interesting, no mention of railways.

Wales
The First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones today (Thurs 9th June) called on the UK Government to give Wales full financial borrowing powers after Ministers in London announced plans for Scotland.
Thursday 09 June 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has confirmed that the Scottish Government will be given early access to capital borrowing powers to help fund capital projects. The powers were expected to be in place by 2013, but have now been brought forward to this financial year.

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said:

"The case for borrowing powers for Wales is now unassailable. I call on the UK Government to deliver these powers as soon as possible.

"Wales cannot remain the only part of the UK where the government cannot borrow to fund roads and hospitals.

"This would put us at a unique disadvantage and the UK Government now has a responsibility to rectify this. The Deputy Prime Minister says this deal is good for the economy of Scotland. I say to him what is good for Scotland is good for Wales and the same responsibilities must now be transferred from Westminster to Cardiff.

"The people of Wales will now expect similar announcements to be made by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, when they next visit Wales."

 

[merlodlliw]

This was an election pledge to re-prioritise the NTP. Not met anyone who knows in what way - yet.

The beneath is also interesting, no mention of railways.

Wales
The First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones today (Thurs 9th June) called on the UK Government to give Wales full financial borrowing powers after Ministers in London announced plans for Scotland.
Thursday 09 June 2011

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has confirmed that the Scottish Government will be given early access to capital borrowing powers to help fund capital projects. The powers were expected to be in place by 2013, but have now been brought forward to this financial year.

First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones said:

"The case for borrowing powers for Wales is now unassailable. I call on the UK Government to deliver these powers as soon as possible.

"Wales cannot remain the only part of the UK where the government cannot borrow to fund roads and hospitals.

"This would put us at a unique disadvantage and the UK Government now has a responsibility to rectify this. The Deputy Prime Minister says this deal is good for the economy of Scotland. I say to him what is good for Scotland is good for Wales and the same responsibilities must now be transferred from Westminster to Cardiff.

"The people of Wales will now expect similar announcements to be made by the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister, when they next visit Wales."

It is indeed unfortunate, we don't get a Minister with a knowledge of Rail, the last person with a good knowledge was Deputy Speaker John Merrick, when M.P for Wrexham he was sponsored by the old N.U.R & understood rail infastructure.
The current Minister Carl Sargent, places rail 3rd from the bottom of his 40 or so portfolio responsibilities, this is not good enough, but no doubt a delight to WAGs rail division staff.

http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetm/carlsargeant?lang=en

 

[jones_bangor]

My take on this is that Wales needs to take FULL control over rail infrastructure in Wales.....Rheilffyrdd Cymru - Rail Wales?

No more Network Rail (UK) dancing to DfT's Whitehall tune.

 

[merlodlliw]

Received this written request to the Minister via my A.M. We hope the new Minister will give a positive answer to back up the previous Ministerial promise of 2112 start.


From: Isherwood, Mark (Assembly Member)
Sent: 22 June 2011 10:58
To: correspondence.carl.sargeant
Subject: North East Wales Rail Track Improvements

Dear Carl,

During the Business Statement on 9th June I raised the issue of the double tracking of the rail track between Saltney and Wrexham which has been put back several times.

I asked the Minister for Finance and Leader of the House, Jane Hutt, for a statement updating us on progress, advising us whether options and costs have been re-submitted, and confirming whether the new Welsh Government is still on board and supporting the project with funding.

In her response, Jane Hutt stated “I am sure that the Minister will respond if a question is put to him next week or through correspondence".

I would therefore be grateful if you could give this your attention and confirm your intended course of action.

Regards

Mark

 

[emoaconr]

It is indeed unfortunate, we don't get a Minister with a knowledge of Rail, the last person with a good knowledge was Deputy Speaker John Merrick, when M.P for Wrexham he was sponsored by the old N.U.R & understood rail infastructure.
The current Minister Carl Sargent, places rail 3rd from the bottom of his 40 or so portfolio responsibilities, this is not good enough, but no doubt a delight to WAGs rail division staff.

http://wales.gov.uk/about/cabinet/cabinetm/carlsargeant?lang=en

John Merrick?

i.e. The Elephant Man?

If its John Marek you're referring to, then I definately wouldn't put him in charge of rail.

 

[merlodlliw]

John Merrick?

i.e. The Elephant Man?

If its John Marek you're referring to, then I definately wouldn't put him in charge of rail.

OK my spell was wrong, But Marek did understand rail and was a then NUR,(now RMT as its now called) supported M.P. I have of course detailed him in the past sense,
The current Minister responsible for Rail in Wales does know a lot about the Fire Service, but may not be so able to question certain decisions being advised within the Rail Division of WAG. An example being window seating on the re hashed 158s where the local rail users spotted a big problem & were
far more knowledgeable than the WAG advisor's to the Minister.


Bob

 

[The Informer]

OK my spell was wrong, But Marek did understand rail and was a then NUR,(now RMT as its now called) supported M.P. I have of course detailed him in the past sense,
The current Minister responsible for Rail in Wales does know a lot about the Fire Service, but may not be so able to question certain decisions being advised within the Rail Division of WAG. An example being window seating on the re hashed 158s where the local rail users spotted a big problem & were
far more knowledgeable than the WAG advisor's to the Minister.


Bob

Just for the record, a load of jointed track got relayed the weekend at chirk viaduct!

 

[merlodlliw]

Just for the record, a load of jointed track got relayed the weekend at chirk viaduct!

Thanks, wondered why Wrexham became the railhead on Sunday.


Bob

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Received this written request to the Minister via my A.M. We hope the new Minister will give a positive answer to back up the previous Ministerial promise of 2112 start.

....Ministerial promise of 2112 start !!! Are things now that long-winded at Cardiff on Transport matters?

Please assure me that you mean a 2012 start.:roll:

 

[Gareth Marston]

Thanks, wondered why Wrexham became the railhead on Sunday.


Bob

crossover at Gobowen also being replaced.

 

[merlodlliw]

....Ministerial promise of 2112 start !!! Are things now that long-winded at Cardiff on Transport matters?

Please assure me that you mean a 2012 start.:roll:

Things will now get slower, as transport as been down graded to the bottom of the Ministers portfolio of around 40 responsibilities.

Bob

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

It is indeed unfortunate, we don't get a Minister with a knowledge of Rail.

The current Minister Carl Sargent, places rail 3rd from the bottom of his 40 or so portfolio responsibilities.... this is not good enough, but no doubt a delight to WAGs rail division staff.

Rather a damning indictment of the current situation, where the Minister views Rail as such a low priority.

 

[merlodlliw]

crossover at Gobowen also being replaced.

Yes I was aware of that, good news for the log traffic, I see Eddie Stobart is now involved at the North end of the log traffic route to Chirk.


Bob
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Rather a damning indictment of the current situation, where the Minister views Rail as such a low priority.

I am sure it will have been the aids who have downgraded it to the lower end,Carl is also having a major problem in Wrexham with (PMCF) a multi million£
funding scheme that as gone wrong,& wont go away http://www.wao.gov.uk/assets/englishdocuments/Plas_Madoc_Communities_First_eng.pdf,http://wrecsamplaid.blogspot.com/2010/03/heads-must-roll-over-plas-madoc.html mind you neither will the dual tracking, Ill see to that along with a few more of us.

PMCF is nothing to do with transport , but is in the same Ministers portfolio
and a damming report of WAGs audit of public money.
Bob

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I wonder if there is any news on NR looking at the line of the Anglesey Central Railway as far as Llangefni from the junction on the Bangor - Holyhead line?

Does this line feature in any WAG future strategic rail transport link?

 

[merlodlliw]

I wonder if there is any news on NR looking at the line of the Anglesey Central Railway as far as Llangefni from the junction on the Bangor - Holyhead line?

Does this line feature in any WAG future strategic rail transport link?

It is my understanding, NR have the money to do a feasibility study on this line,but others have presumed the previous Minister whos constituency covers this line had a more political slant on the idea, Llangefni being the HQ of Yns Mon County Council(currently taken over by Carl Sargents people), and supposed promises made prior to the election.

I am not aware the line features in any WAG strategic rail link, but a review is due in the Autumn on everything Wales rail, I personally don't think it will have the green light, as Anglesey did well under the previous Plaid Minister,and of course the Labour/Plaid honeymoon is well & truly over.

Of course the current Minister may call off or delay the Feasibility Study under his current review of costings.


Bob

 

[jones_bangor]

It is my understanding, NR have the money to do a feasibility study on this line,but others have presumed the previous Minister whos constituency covers this line had a more political slant on the idea, Llangefni being the HQ of Yns Mon County Council(currently taken over by Carl Sargents people), and supposed promises made prior to the election.

I am not aware the line features in any WAG strategic rail link, but a review is due in the Autumn on everything Wales rail, I personally don't think it will have the green light, as Anglesey did well under the previous Plaid Minister,and of course the Labour/Plaid honeymoon is well & truly over.

Of course the current Minister may call off or delay the Feasibility Study under his current review of costings.

A lot of "pie in the sky" proposals need to be looked at.

Feasibility = telling you what people in the know already know....

Anyway, with WG capital budget halved, don't expect any new metal laid in Wales anytime soon.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I wonder if there is any news on NR looking at the line of the Anglesey Central Railway as far as Llangefni from the junction on the Bangor - Holyhead line?

Does this line feature in any WAG future strategic rail transport link?

Personally, I think this one has more chance of going ahead than Saltney redoubling;
1. The line's already there
2. The LA's keen
3. llangefni's the county town of Anglesey.......

...we shall see, others will disagree.......

 

[cymro inside]

the idea behind the LLangefni reopening was that it would relieve congestion on the Britannia Bridge which is the only single carriageway part of the A55 , the idea was that there would be an extended car park at LLanfairpwll and this combined with a station at LLangefni would reduce the demand on the A55 and that in turn would delay the need for a third crossing across the Menai for some years, contacts at Network Rail suggest that the cost of reopening would be a lot lower than originally expected, a new bridge would be 300 million pounds plus. the rail scheme would be less than 6 per cent of that cost.the proposed new service would also relieve the pressure on trains between Bangor and LLandudno Junction as some services are reported as full and standing on a daily basis.i am not optimistic that it will go ahead,the report is due in early November.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Thank you for the explanation, which does seem quite similar to what I had heard from another source, about the relief to the A55, but in far more depth.

 

[jones_bangor]

the idea behind the LLangefni reopening was that it would relieve congestion on the Britannia Bridge which is the only single carriageway part of the A55 , the idea was that there would be an extended car park at LLanfairpwll and this combined with a station at LLangefni would reduce the demand on the A55 and that in turn would delay the need for a third crossing across the Menai for some years, contacts at Network Rail suggest that the cost of reopening would be a lot lower than originally expected, a new bridge would be 300 million pounds plus. the rail scheme would be less than 6 per cent of that cost.the proposed new service would also relieve the pressure on trains between Bangor and LLandudno Junction as some services are reported as full and standing on a daily basis.i am not optimistic that it will go ahead,the report is due in early November.

I would expect Bangor to get a lot busier once the new car park is opened, things are looking good there at the moment.

I'm sure a Llangefni / Llanfairpwll - Llandudno stopper would be well used + plenty of spare capacity on the line.

 

[Gareth Marston]

I would expect Bangor to get a lot busier once the new car park is opened, things are looking good there at the moment.

I'm sure a Llangefni / Llanfairpwll - Llandudno stopper would be well used + plenty of spare capacity on the line.

I don't doubt it. However the fundamental problem in Wales is that with declining budgets and a large cuckoo in the nest (the A465 Head of the Valleys Road dualling £600 million plus this decade) - will there even be crumbs off the table for anything else?

 

[merlodlliw]

Personally, I think this one has more chance of going ahead than Saltney redoubling;
1. The line's already there
2. The LA's keen
3. llangefni's the county town of Anglesey.......

...we shall see, others will disagree.......[/QUOTE] Jones Bangor

Of course I will disagree.
1. The track bed between Saltney & Rossett is also there.
2. Wrexham County Council the TOC & NR want it redoubled
3. Wrexham is also a County Town(the largest in North Wales) with a population of over 42,000
Llangefni population less than 4,500.


Bob

 

[tbtc]

the idea behind the LLangefni reopening was that it would relieve congestion on the Britannia Bridge

Whilst I agree that the Britannia bridge is a major headache and a real "pinch point", a lot of the traffic on that bridge is going long distance.

Llangefni must be one of the smallest places to be suggested for reopening a line to, surely?

 

[jones_bangor]

Llangefni must be one of the smallest places to be suggested for reopening a line to, surely?

Think of it as a "hub" - most people on Anglesey will probably drive to Bangor as opposed to Holyhead to catch a train - the parking's better & about to get a LOT better - and it takes 40 minutes to get from Holyhead to Bangor etc....if Llangefni could offer convenient parking & a decent service a lot of people might not cross the bridge + it might take a few Anglesey - Bangor work commutes away from the A55.

 

[tbtc]

Think of it as a "hub" - most people on Anglesey will probably drive to Bangor as opposed to Holyhead to catch a train - the parking's better & about to get a LOT better - and it takes 40 minutes to get from Holyhead to Bangor etc....if Llangefni could offer convenient parking & a decent service a lot of people might not cross the bridge + it might take a few Anglesey - Bangor work commutes away from the A55.

Holyhead isn't the only station beyond Bangor, why not build car parking spaces at Llanfairpwll, instead of building a new line to serve a village?

I'm all in favour of a service from Anglesey to Llandudno via Bangor, it sounds a good idea (stock permitting), but that doesn't require a whole new stretch of line, just a couple of 150s.