Committee Minutes January 2012

TVRUG Minutes

Minutes of the TVRUG Committee Meeting held on 31st January 2012

 

 

 

Those present: Malcolm Chainey, Julie Gibbon, Robert Forsythe, Sylvia Chainey, Duncan Walne,

 

Denis Peel.

 

Apologies: Peter Johnson, Colin Moore.

 

 

 

Performance Measures and the Strengthening of the 0742

 

 

 

Recently re-introduced extra carriage and has only missed 1 day since. Issues seem to be resolved.

 

Revenue protection – still many issues here. Not enough staff at the Newcastle barriers and it is a long walk around from platform 1 as the barrier there is often not open – even when passengers have free access through the other barriers. Excess fares office not staffed.

 

Feedback from the PACT (Police and Community Together) meeting attended by Peter Nevin 'The Northern Representative felt the barriers were now open for much longer periods. The ticket desk which had been operating line side was now closed due to shortage of Eastern staff. Anyone unable to buy a ticket is being treat as honest, allowed through when the barrier is in operation to buy a ticket at the machines or ticket sales. PACT Transport chairperson felt they had done enough and could take the suggestion of a ticket machine line side as far as they could without success.'

 

 

 

ActionMC to complain as an individual to East Coast. This will be followed up with a letter from TVRUG when appropriate. MC will also send his latest monthly log to Guy Opperman and explain various things that we feel he should know about. RF has already sent GO a resume of the 0742 affair.

 

 

 

RF reported that Prudhoe politicians are seeing if car park charges at the Country Park can be lifted so that all parking would be free.

 

 

 

Membership Flyer

 

It was agreed to have 5000 copies of the flyer printed in an effort to increase membership. The quote of £292 + VAT was accepted from Blakes Printers in Haltwhistle. JG to finalise and action.

 

 

 

Suggested distribution of flyers – Ian Watson (for Carlisle Station) 300; Barry Earp; RF 100 for Brampton; JG Haltwhistle, Bardon Mill, Haydon Bridge; Hexham – Queen's Hall, MPs office, Wentworth, Forum, Library etc; Jazz trains; DW Corbridge; MC Riding Mill; MC and RF Stocksfield; RF Prudhoe (500); RF Blaydon Library; DP Wylam; Steve Beverley Metro Centre (via RF); Graham Jellett to be asked if he would distribute some to Mining Institute and Lit and Phil; MC to ask Drew Haley and Craig Johnson if we can distribute them on the train and platform (if so DW will do this).

 

 

 

Membership 103 and rising slowly. MC to contact Wylam PC Chairman to thank them for the intended increase in their donation. They have always given an extra £5 when paying their subscription and intend to increase this donation to £20. JG has already acknowledged through the clerk.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Questionnaire

 

Haydon Bridge – Haydon News are happy to give us 1 or 2 pages when we are ready. Prudhoe Life and Tyne Valley Express to be investigated further byMC.

 

JG to put together draft questionnaire to send around the committee for trial and comment.

 

 

 

Campaign

 

MC to ask Gillian Orrell of Transition Tynedale if she would be willing to speak to us about successful campaigning. (This has since been agreed).

 

 

 

Northumberland Public Transport Strategy

 

Agreed to send a letter to them to inform them of our existence and that we are keen to see the line deliver services for residents of the Tyne Valley (i.e. pull its weight). Emphasise that it is a critical time as the new franchise is approaching and we want them to consult with us. Action MC

 

 

 

DfT Command Paper

 

There is an awareness of this paper and when it emerges we will probably want to elicit views from members and also respond individually. This paper is overdue and we know it contains plans for 15 year franchises and SMART card ticketing. It sets out the government response to franchise policy and McNulty value for money reviews. A command rather than white paper because no legislative changes are likely to result. Nevertheless it will be a powerful influence on what happens in the North. MC is likely to be involved in compiling a regional response to it.

Hexham Ticket Office
Considerable disquiet in the north of the county about Morpeth and Alnmouth booking offices. Northern says no decision about closure, and they are probably safe for the remainder of the franchise. Hexham is category D and therefore not so vulnerable. However, we ought to keep this in mind. Now that we know that Prudhoe ticket machine will issue prebooked tickets (and presumably so does Hexham) we may want to publicise this more widely.

GW Franchise Consultation
Not directly relevant to us, but we should be able to learn from how the competition is conducted. This franchise specification is subject to a formal DfT consultation (http://www.dft.gov.uk/consultations/dft-2011-36). The consultation document gives much detail on topics that are of interest to us, principally rolling stock. We need to find out whether the new Northern franchise or its component arrangements will be consulted on in a similar way.
Contacts: NECC, Guy Opperman, Dave Anderson, NE groups, Carlisle end (with FoSCL, Copeland), SENRUG. Not much progress with this so far.

 

 

 

Station Surveys mostly complete but will refresh later in the year as this cannot be moved forward until we know the bidders. Much improvement since previous survey.

 

 

 

Events

 

  • Transition Tynedale Meeting 1st February – MC and RF to attend (and gained 2 new members).

  • 15th May TVCRP meeting in Stocksfield for partners and Parish Councils.

  • South Tynedale Sustainabilty are having a Public Transport stall at the Haltwhistle Plant Fair on Saturday 19th May. We have been asked if we would like to take part. Agreed – who can attend to hand out leaflets?MC to also ask John Gillott to attend with the TVCRP publicity.

  • Next NCC Western Area Review at Prudhoe – John Gillott to attend.

 

 

 

Date of Next Meeting Tuesday 13th March 1930 at Malcolm's house.