DfT reveals widespread opposition to splitting GW franchise
THE Department for Transport says 78% of respondents to its consultation into the next Great Western rail franchise opposed plans to split it into two operations. The findings were revealed in its response to consultation responses, which was published on August 28. The next Great Western franchise is due to start in 2020.
The opposition was to a proposal to have one franchise operating the Thames Valley and high-speed operations and another the West service group including longdistance trains to the South West.
Secretary of State for Transport Chris Grayling said at a Transport Select Committee hearing earlier this year that the franchise would not be split, and the DfT’s response confirms this. However, the department does want the current franchise holder, FirstGroup, to “demonstrate how it will achieve more decentralised decision making within the franchise” in a bid to ensure local needs are better met.
In response to concerns expressed about the fragmentation of GWR and Network Rail, the department says it will include requirements in the next franchise for both parties to collaborate more closely, building on the current alliance structure.
It has also asked them to develop a plan for how they can provide ‘whole industry’ support for local authorities, local enterprise partnerships and other parties seeking to promote and fund improvements to the railway.
The reintroduction of trains to Okehampton was strongly supported by respondents, as was completion of the Metro West scheme covering Greater Bristol, Bath and Gloucester.
There were also strong calls for more trains between Paddington and Reading, Newbury, Didcot and Bedwyn, and on the CardiffPortsmouth and Bristol-Weymouth routes. The DfT is examining whether some improvements could be specified in the franchise
agreement, whether FirstGroup should develop proposals and potentially seek local funding, and setting out schemes that would require FirstGroup, Network Rail and local stakeholders to develop during the early part of a directly awarded franchise.
Cutting station stops to speed services drew widespread opposition, with 60% of respondents opposing the move. However, there was greater support from Devon and Cornwall for the measure.
Although the DfT acknowledges that reducing intermediate station stops is “unlikely to be acceptable to the communities which are served”, it says that in the longer term it may be possible to examine the service pattern over the ‘Berks and Hants’ route from Paddington to the South West.
The importance of freight was highlighted by respondents, with the sector expressing concern that carrying out more maintenance and renewal works overnight will affect freight operations. The DfT says it wants FirstGroup when developing proposals for a future franchise to engage with the freight industry to identify where changes to passenger operations could benefit the freight sector, and vice versa.
Better integration between transport modes was called for, particularly around Bristol Temple Meads, Taunton and Swindon, as was better marketing of through bus/rail links to tourist attractions not served by rail. The DfT says it will require FirstGroup to develop proposals for improving transport co-ordination, and to explore how barriers to operating National Rail services over heritage railways might be overcome.