BRUG Chairman James Vasey was interviewed yesterday on The Pulse radio station commenting on predicted increases in commuter overcrowding.
The Airedale line will experience a 60% increase in passengers and the Caldervale line 45%.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Pulse, Radio | Comments Off
This month has seen two highly productive Cross Rail meetings in Bradford. Come along to the next BRUG meeting (October 4th), to find out more. – Progress is being made!
Filed under: CrossRail - X-Rail | Tagged: Bradford, Cross Rail, Forster Square, Interchange, Westfield, X-Rail | 2 Comments »
July 2010′s retail prices index (RPI) inflation figure was 4.8%, therefore using the DfT’s ticket pricing for regulated fares, ticket prices will rise by upto 5.8%.
However if the DfT choose to change the formula, some analysts expect fares to rise by as much as 10%.
Filed under: BRUG, Metro | Tagged: inflation, Northern, rail fares, ticket prices | Comments Off
On Thursday 12th August BRUG members were guests of Grand Central on a journey from Bradford – London. A full report will be available at the next meeting of BRUG. Our thanks go of course to the excellent on-board and back-office staff.
On Friday 13th August, The Passenger Focus survey on rail priorities showing overcrowding to be of huge concern was reported in the T&A. BRUG and the Aire Valley Rail Users Group, AVRUG, were both quoted in the article. Also reported in The Guardian.
On Tuesday 17th August, the T&A reported Cllr Greaves call for the Transport Secretary to visit West Yorkshire and experience the severe overcrowding on a number of local services. BRUG raised the problems experienced on the Caldervale line of significant overcrowding leading to some people being unable to board some peak trains at stations between Bradford and Leeds.
Our next meeting is on Monday 6th September 7:30pm at Bradford Voluntary & Community Service, Sunbridge Road, Bradford.
Filed under: BRUG, Grand Central, Interchange | Tagged: Cllr Greaves, Grand Central, Overcrowding, Passenger Focus, Philip Hammond | Comments Off
Breaking News: Low Moor railway station has been saved in WYITA’s development plan, following a meeting of the executive this morning.
However it is not planned to be built until 2013/14.
BRUG congratulates WYITA for choosing to save Low Moor from amongst the other schemes and hopes that funding can be confirmed following the comprehensive spending review.
T&A Article available here.
Filed under: Low Moor | Tagged: Low Moor, WYITA | Comments Off
WYITA is meeting on Friday 30th July to discuss a number of funding options, due to the planned shortfall in central government money.
Therefore WYITA’s spending plans have been rationalised …. and Low Moor is still on the plan! The station is estimated to cost of £5.5million based on their figures.
Metro may still be proved right about 2012 completion date for opening the station.
BUT…
This could come crashing down in the Autumn with the Government’s comprehensive spending review, when all schemes are to be re-evaluated.
BRUG will continue to lobby both local and national government for the funds to bring this major transport improvement to Low Moor.
Filed under: Low Moor | Tagged: Comprehensive Spending Review, Low Moor, Metro, WYITA | Comments Off
Cllr Pennington has been speaking on Radio Leeds today (26/07/10) talking to Steve Bailey about the plans for an across Bradford rail link.
BRUG remain confident the Cross Rail plan is deliverable and affordable.
Filed under: CrossRail - X-Rail, Forster Square, Interchange | Tagged: BBC Radio Leeds, Cross Rail, John Pennington, Radio Leeds, Steve Bailey, X-Rail | Comments Off
Where would the Cross Rail line go?
Have a look at the Google aerial map here
Filed under: CrossRail - X-Rail, Forster Square, Interchange | Tagged: Cross Rail, X-Rail | 1 Comment »
Mr Mac Ruairi
As we already knew, the regeneration department, led by Mr Mac Ruairi, have finally stated that Cross Rail is feasible!
Though it is also expensive, (we knew that), and there is no money (again, we knew that)
We were told that we needed to concentrate on Westfield, – we agree but Westfield would be in a better position with Cross Rail than without.
BRUG is continuing to campaign for the Cross Rail link. The link will provide fresh transport opportunities and real regeneration. Much better than a water pool.
Next meeting 2nd August 2010.
Filed under: CrossRail - X-Rail | Tagged: Cross Rail, X-Rail | Comments Off
One of the many laws suggested from removal on the “Your Freedom” website calls for the repeal of the Railway (Electrical Power) Act 1903. View details here.
The removal of this law would remove a number of legal hurdles that “technically” exist that limit the speed of conversion and installation of electrical traction to the railways.
Railways should be electrified and should be planned to include electrification in the plans for all lines, removing the need for a public enquiry at each possible electrification site.
This law creates an unnecessary burden on rail operators and the government and should be repealed.
Filed under: BRUG | Tagged: Electrification, Your Freedom | Comments Off
The Government met at Odsal Stadium earlier this week, it would be have great if they had arrived by train at Low Moor and walked up through the industrial village up-to the station. Visiting local businesses along the way.
Instead the station isn’t built, planned finances are in trouble and the town remains languishing.
Low Moor needs the railway station as much if not more than the promised improvements to broadband internet access promised to residents by the Prime Minister.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: broadband, Low Moor, Odsal, Prime Minister | Comments Off
Planning permission for Apperley bridge has been approved, however the funding is not yet forthcoming from the Department for Transport, the 25% cut across government departments is holding back all spending until a full review of all planned works is undertaken. - Cllr Greaves in T&A.
We have written to Philip Hammond to express our concern about this and Kirkstall Forge, especially as Kirkstall Forge is partially funded by private money!
We remain worried about Low Moor station and will be campaigning hard with Metro/WYITA to ensure that the station does not fall off the list of priorities.
Cllr Greaves stated:
The Bradford worry, if that’s the right term, is Low Moor station. The funding for that was coming from the Regional Funding Allocation. That has been heavily cut so at the moment we don’t know where we are.“What we have been told is that any spending of capital is at our own risk, so we are sitting on our hands until we know where we are.The Bradford worry, if that’s the right term, is Low Moor station. The funding for that was coming from the Regional Funding Allocation. That has been heavily cut so at the moment we don’t know where we are.“What we have been told is that any spending of capital is at our own risk, so we are sitting on our hands until we know where we are.
Filed under: Apperley Bridge, Kirkstall Forge, Low Moor | Tagged: Apperley Bridge, Cllr Greaves, Kirkstall Forge, Low Moor, Metro, WYITA | Comments Off
Due to significant problems with one of the Class 180 trains used by Grand Central the following services will not operate:
Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th June 2010
10:22 Bradford Interchange – London King’s Cross
14:20 London King’s Cross – Bradford Interchange
Grand Central staff will be available at stations with information about making connecting journeys.
Filed under: Grand Central, Interchange | Tagged: 180, Bradford Interchange, Brighouse, Class 180, Doncaster, GC, Grand Central, Halifax, London Kings Cross, Pontefract, Wakefield Kirkgate | Comments Off
Overhead wire problems are causing disruption at Keighley.
Because of this, buses are replacing trains between Skipton and Shipley, with journey times extended by up to 30 minutes. This is expected to continue until approximately 08:30.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Bingley, Bradford Forster Square, Cononley, Crossflatts, Keighley, Leeds, Shipley, Skipton | Comments Off
The WYITA today met to approve the payments of £53,000 for work undertaken in preparation for Low Moor Railway Station, the budget for the financial year 2010/11 is £850,000, with £4,597,000 planned spending in 2011/12. It appears that Low Moor might be finally on the way!
Complicated finance bit:
The new station is being funded by the West Yorkshire Strategic Programme of Schemes and not the from the Local Transport Plan (LTP) fund.
The LTP fund is designed for a road, bus, and rail spending. Low Moor station was already scheduled to be funded from LTP (£6,124,000). Moving it from LTP to WYSPS has saved this money, so the LTP’s overspend can instead by spend on traffic management – £13million. (source here) a £28 million overspend.
Filed under: Low Moor, WYITA | Tagged: Low Moor, LTP, WYITA, WYSPS | 1 Comment »
Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport
As reported in the T&A, the Secretary of State for Transport has announced a suspension of purchasing new train carriages.
BRUG are obviously disappointed by the announcement, however we will lobby for the Department of Transport to reverse it’s decision, as stated in the NAO report, the PTE’s/ITA’s (Metro) are also strongly upset by the decision. They believe that their planning and their views have been disregarded.
However it is clear from the report that the previous Government and Network Rail have over specified the number of carriages:
The Office of Rail Regulation had specified that occupancy had to be reduced to 70% in Leeds, however Network Rail’s plan would have reduced occupancy to 59%.
BRUG will continue to push for improved rail services and capacity in Bradford and the West Yorkshire region. There is very limited capacity in Bradford and genuine demand for seats. We are campaigning for more seats and more capacity, not just wanting “nice looking trains”.
Filed under: BRUG, WYITA | Tagged: Dft, ORR, Philip Hammond, train carriages | Comments Off
In comments to the BDO Stoy Hayward Yorkshire Report conference reported in the T&A, Stuart Hall, Chief Financial Officer of Saltaire based Pace PLC gave his backing to Bradford Cross Rail.
Filed under: CrossRail - X-Rail | Tagged: BDO, Cross Rail, PACE, Stuart Hall, X-Rail | Comments Off
The next meeting of the Bradford Rail Users’ Group will be held on Monday 7th June 2010, at 7.30pm at the Bradford Voluntary and Community Services, Sunbridge Road, Bradford.
We hope to have some big quotes to be able to provide on the website over this weekend!
Filed under: CrossRail - X-Rail | Tagged: Cross Rail, X-Rail | Comments Off
Take the kids to London this half-term with Grand Central!
Grand Central are offering a massive 25% discount on their fares from West Yorkshire stations on journeys to London Kings Cross.
This offer is valid between the 1st June and 11th June for travel dates between the 1st and 19th. Click here.
This discount is also available from thetrainline.com using discount code GC25OFF.
Tickets are sold subject to conditions as specified on the Grand Central website.
Filed under: Grand Central | Tagged: Bradford, Brighouse, Doncaster, Grand Central, Halifax, London, Pontefract, Wakefield Kirkgate | Comments Off
