Latest Newsletter

Latest Newsletter

What is the future for the Wharfedale Line?

We stand at a crucial point. The generally good train service on our Line and the popularity of Lower Wharfedale as a place to live have caused massive growth in passenger numbers. Severe overcrowding of our peak hour services to Leeds is making the journeys of many regular users uncomfortable.

Across Yorkshire similar growth has raised issues of capacity outside the control of Metro and Northern: the Yorkshire & Humber Route Utilisation Strategy (YHRUS) was developed to provide a blueprint to improve rail services in the region.

WRUG was asked to input its views. This we did, on the basis of what we wrote in the Newsletter last year:

· A mix of additional, retimed and longer peak hour trains for Leeds to reduce overcrowding.

· More early morning trains at weekends and improved frequency of trains on Sundays

· Simple improvements to signalling on the Line to improve flexibility and reliability

What will YHRUS mean for our Line?

Sadly, the only improvement accepted is the lengthening of four peak hour Leeds trains in each direction by two extra coaches to six coach trains: nothing in respect of weekend trains or signalling improvements. Of course, this will bring about a great improvement to many commuters’ journeys. But, if growth continues at even half the current level, within five to six years the trains will be as crowded as ever. IT IS TOO LITTLE

To run longer trains, the platforms between Guiseley and Ben Rhydding must be lengthened; when will this happen? Network Rail says hopefully by 2012/2013. IT IS TOO LATE

Where are the extra coaches coming from?

In 2008, the Department for Transport (DfT) said that by 2014 Northern Rail should receive 182 additional coaches, 24 of these for electric trains, presumed in sets of 3 coaches each.

Now it appears Northern will get only half that number, around 90 across the whole of their operational network. No new electric trains have been ordered for Northern, so where will our additional coaches come from?

From other areas: second hand trains, that currently do not meet modern access requirements for the elderly or disabled, have limited space with tip-up seats for pushchairs and bicycles, no advanced information systems nor air-conditioning.

WRUG believes that any new trains should have the same levels of comfort, convenience and accessibility for ALL users as our present trains. DO YOU?

Action on coaches for Wharfedale

Councillor Ryk Downes, Chair of Metro, called recently on MPs to ‘prevent the Government short-changing this Region’ as a result of the cut in extra coaches for Northern.

We ask you, our regular users, to do the same; please write to or email your MP asking

· Will Wharfedale actually get the promised extra coaches and, if so, when?

· Will these ‘new’ coaches give me the same levels of comfort, accessibility and convenience as our present coaches?

MP’s contact details are given below

WRUG understands that the present trains in regular use are compliant with current Disabilities legislation (RVAR 1998/2000); to replace these by trains that are not compliant would appear to us to be in breach of the spirit, if not the letter, of the legislation: a (free) legal opinion would be welcomed from any of our users!

Action on YHRUS

WRUG considers that the failure of the YHRUS to adequately address the questions of passenger growth, weekend services or simple improvements to signalling means that our train services, though good overall, will still not cope with longer term passenger numbers. The timetable will lack flexibility: it will not encourage more weekend leisure travel or get people out of their cars to meet the government targets for reducing carbon emissions.

To see our arguments in detail, please go to WRUG_Response_to_RUS.pdf

If you agree with our arguments, please either give us a message of support or better still ask your MP to challenge Network Rail and the DfT to reconsider their minimalist proposals for our Line.

Contact Details for Wharfedale Line MPs

Ilkley and Ben Rhydding

Kris Hopkins MP

Churchill House

North Street

KEIGHLEY

BD21 3AF

Website: www.krishopkins.co.uk/

E-mail: kris.hopkins.mp@parliament.uk

Phone: 01535 211152

Menston, Burley-in-Wharfedale and Baildon

Philip Davies MP