A NEW CRISIS
Since our train shortage started on 2nd July, barely a day has passed without cancellations and delays. Those with long enough memories say that the situation is every bit as bad as the last days of the heritage diesel sets, before the arrival of the second-hand Sprinters from the West Midlands in 1999. Below are the figures for the first week.
02 July – 7 July 2018
|
2/7
|
3/7
|
4/7
|
5/7
|
6/7
|
7/7
|
Totals
|
Planned Cancellations
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
1
|
0
|
0
|
4
|
Planned part cancellations
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
Unplanned cancellations
|
4
|
11
|
0
|
18
|
9
|
3
|
45
|
Unplanned part cancellations
|
0
|
1
|
0
|
2
|
0
|
0
|
3
|
3+ minutes late
|
10
|
19
|
20
|
11
|
15
|
0
|
75
|
10+ minutes late
|
0
|
12
|
4
|
5
|
6
|
0
|
27
|
A small group of dedicated members is kept busy monitoring the service on the ground and from open data sources on the internet. The latter enable us to monitor movements from and to Bombardier’s Derby Litchurch Lane works. On Tuesday, 10th July, while Jerry Gold and I were attending City Hall, another Class 710 unit, believed to be 710 263, was delivered to Willesden TMD. Through contacts at Modern Railways, it was discovered that Network Rail had still not issued the needed approval for Class 710, but Bombardier was moving units to Willesden in anticipation of receiving NR approval. The cynical might say that the move was because Litchurch Lane works was stuffed full of stored Class 710s!
BGORUG AT THE LONDON ASSEMBLY
The London Assembly Transport Committee is embarking on an investigation entitled The future of rail in London. BGORUG was invited to attend and make a presentation on Priorities for the rail network to a round table discussion at City Hall on Tuesday 10th July. Jerry Gold put together an excellent presentation which was well received by the Assembly Members. They also accepted a supplementary paper on the current rolling stock crisis. To see both the presentation notes and the supplementary note on our website go to https://tinyurl.com/ydhk57rq .
QUESTIONS TO THE MAYOR
Three Assembly Members have tabled questions to the Mayor regarding the current crisis.
Our former Secretary, the late Richard Pout with Caroline Pidgeon MBE AM on 23/03/2012
Barking to Gospel Oak Overground service (1)
When does the lease that Arriva Rail London holds on eight Class172 diesel multiple units (172001 - 172008) owned by Angel Trains leasing expire?
An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.
Barking to Gospel Oak Overground service (2)
What contingency planning has Transport for London carried out to ensure that the eight Class172 diesel multiple units (172001 - 72008) will not be transferred to West Midlands Railway before eight New Class710 electric multiple units have entered service on the Barking to Gospel Oak Overground service?
An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.
New trains on Barking - Gospel Oak Line
Will the Mayor confirm whether new trains will be available for passenger service on the Barking - Gospel Oak by November 2018, given that the existing diesel fleet is being moved to enhance services in the West Midlands?
An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.
On-platform signage to the lifts at Blackhorse Road Station.
Jennette Arnold (19-Jul-2018)
Transport for London (TfL) has still not installed on-platform signage to the lifts at Blackhorse Road Station, months after they started operating. As a result, people struggle up the stairs with buggies, luggage etc, because they don't realise there are lifts further along the platform. Questions and chasers to TfL about this have so far produced vague promises but no action - not even temporary signs. Does the Mayor share the despair of so many of my constituents who are regular users of this station, and what will the Mayor do about it?
An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.
Improved Platforms, Stairs, Access & Exit Routes at Blackhorse Road Station.
Jennette Arnold (19-Jul-2018)
The extensive regeneration and building programme around Blackhorse Lane is bound to put increasing pressure on Blackhorse Road station, where the Overground platforms and the steps leading to them are very narrow and in need of widening, leading even now to congestion especially at peak times. What measures are planned by Transport for London to address this?
An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.
Walthamstow Central tube station
Jennette Arnold (21-Jun-2018)
You have recently announced funding for improvements to Walthamstow Central Tube Station if the Walthamstow Town Centre Redevelopment goes ahead. However, there is no mention of any improvements to Walthamstow Queens Road station nearby. This is also very near the development on the increasingly busy Overground Gospel-Oak Barking line, but it has no direct access from the town centre area. Will you please consider extending the planned transport enhancements to include improved access to Queens Road station, e.g. by means of a direct subway link under the Chingford line?
The Mayor (21-Jun-2018)
Transport for London (TfL) does not plan to change the existing link with Walthamstow Queen's Road station as part of its improvements to Walthamstow Central Tube station. Customers interchanging between the two stations can use the existing direct pathway.
TfL believes that the cost involved in building such a link as proposed in your question would not be good value for money considering the number of customers expected to use it.
Andrew Dismore AM
Barking to Gospel Oak Line
In May, Transport for London promised users of the Barking to Gospel Oak line that there would be 5 extra peak time trains until the longer electric trains were introduced later in the summer. Now that extra service has been withdrawn; and the electric trains introduction has slipped to November: what has been going on? And is this acceptable?
An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.
Glenn Waliis
Secretary
Barking - Gospel Oak Rail User Group
@RidingtheGoblin
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