Minutes of the TVRUG Committee Meeting held on 26th July 2011

Those present: Malcolm Chainey, Julie Gibbon, Robert Forsythe, Sylvia Chainey,
Duncan Walne, Colin Moore, Andy Cope

Apologies: Denis Peel, Peter Johnson

Matters Arising (not already on this agenda)
May 2011 Timetable - a good response from Northern to our compilation of anomalies which has already been shared with members.
Photo opportunity to promote the extra stops took place at Bardon Mill and Wetheral stations but as yet no one had seen any press coverage.

Campaign Survey
Andy Cope was present having offered a while ago to prepare a survey for us to assist with our campaign.
It was decided that the purpose was to:-
• find out why people do not use the train
• establish latent demand
• elicit views on what is right and wrong
• establish the percentage of the population using the service and how often
• find out the awareness of the benefits of railcards and knowledge of products
• other modes of transport being used with respect to connectivity (eg bus meets train)
A prize draw would be held to encourage the public to complete and return the survey.
The survey could be completed on line as well as on paper.
The survey areas would be Prudhoe and Haydon Bridge and possibly Stocksfield as well. These areas were chosen because of their existing community newsletters that are delivered to all households in their areas. JG to contact the editors of the Haydon News. MC to contact Yvonne Probert at the Prudhoe Partnership. MC to contact Gordon Harrison of Nexus with respect to surveying people coming into the area on the train. Employers in Prudhoe could also be surveyed including Daisy, Furniture Company, SCA.
Suggested date for the survey is to be late September / October.

Contact with other groups
CM reported on his meeting with Neil Carney and Bryan Scott of Hadrian's Wall Heritage Ltd (HWHL). They are keen to be involved and to join TVRUG. They have invited us to join their access group. They offered their presentation skills to help our campaign and were particularly interested in integrated ticketing, the re-opening of Gilsland Station and that the train operating company understands their needs.
JG to contact Bryan Scott re joining TVRUG. CM to report back to HWHL that we agree to send a representative to their access group.
Railfuture - Railwatch MC to draft an article to which RF will 'respond'.
Passenger Focus - MC to tell them what we are about
Copeland Rail User Group and Friends of Settle and Carlisle Line - keen to collaborate and meet together with MP Rory Stewart, awaiting next meeting - MC to chase.
LEP - Local Enterprise Partnerships - awaiting more information.
MetroCentre - Steve Beverley is supportive.
Alex Nelson - RF and MC to meet in August.
Bary Earp - did the photo opportunity at Wetheral
MPs along the line - RF to meet Guy Opperman again in October; Dave Anderson MC to send JG info;
Lib Dem Group of NCC support call for a Northumbrian Franchise MC to meet them.
Northern - meeting in the Autumn MC to arrange with Drew Haley.

Flyer
A draft had been circulated prior to the meeting and it was agreed to make a few minor changes. RF had supplied both photographs that had been used and it was agreed to acknowledge his contribution on the leaflet. JG to make the changes and send to CM who would ask HWHL for any comments or advice prior to printing. JG to obtain costs for printing from 1000 to 5000 flyers.

Membership
Growing slowly - currently 94 with 39 'likes' on Facebook.
Station Surveys Update
MC to send around the information in the next few days.

AOB
Passenger Focus had sent a letter detailing changes of restructuring due to funding cuts. JG to complete form with contact details.
World Car Free Day - 22nd September - raised by a member - what can we do to support it - MC to contact Drew Haley at Northern to see what might be possible.
Leaflet boxes at gateway to HWHL platform at Carlisle Station are empty. JG to ask member Ian Watson if he would fill them with appropriate leaflets from the display area near the ticket office. Also our leaflet in due course.
Michael Portillo - Great Railway Journeys - members sent lots of information and RF spent several days gathering information including meeting them and showing them places of interest. They then asked him to be on standby one weekend but failed to make contact. RF believes filming has now taken place.