Agenda item

The Board was presented with updates on a number of current rail issues.

The Rail Development Manager advised that the rail industry was recovering following the covid pandemic with the north showing stronger improvement than the south. Leisure travel had rebounded well but commuter travel was still significantly lower than pre-covid.

The December timetable change had been implemented including a number of reinstated services from Northern. TransPennine Express (TPE) had also extended the route to Liverpool. Due to the continuing industrial action, the full effect of the timetable changes would not be seen until 9 January.

It was noted that TPE had experienced a catalogue of issues leading to widespread cancellations. Currently around 30% of services were being cancelled. The MCA was monitoring this and had put pressure on DfT to look at possible measures to be put in place. Government had recently released a statement setting out a package of support for TPE and Northern.

The MCA was also engaging with operators and Transport for the North to ensure South Yorkshire would benefit from the May timetable changes.

Members requested that the possibility of introducing a stop at Barnsley in the service from Sheffield to Leeds be explored. The Rail Development Manager also confirmed that the link from Thorne South had been reinstated on a 2 hourly service although it was not running during the strikes.

Action: The Rail Development Manager to investigate services between Sheffield and Leeds which do not currently stop at Barnsley and explore the possibility of this stop being introduced.

Action: The Rail Development Manager to circulate the timetable of the Thorne South link to the Doncaster Member.

The Executive Director of Infrastructure & Place added that the TPE service was particularly bad on the Southern route which affected Sheffield and Doncaster. The Mayor was due to meet the Managing Director of TPE to raise our serious concerns.

The Senior Transport Manager (Rail) informed the Board that the first anniversary of the publication of the Integrated Rail Plan (IRP) had been marked by joint publicity between the Mayor and the Mayor of West Yorkshire commenting on the lack of progress since its publication and demanded clarity on the HS2 route to Leeds. This had received widespread media coverage.

The MCA was currently awaiting Government’s decision on three Strategic Outline Business Cases (SOBC) for Restoring Your Railway schemes. Two had been submitted for the reintroduction of passenger services on the Don Valley (Sheffield) and Askern Line (Doncaster) and one for a new station at Waverley on the border of Sheffield and Rotherham. The Barrow Hill Line (Chesterfield to Sheffield) scheme was progressing to Outline Business Case. This could include up to three new stations in the first phase and ultimately enhance the passenger offer by rail or tram.

There was some uncertainty on whether or when Great British Railways (GBR) would go ahead following the deferment of legislation on its establishment. This had also delayed the decision on the headquarters, for which Doncaster had been shortlisted.

The Director of Public Transport Operations added that a meeting had recently been held with the Manchester Task Force. There had been constructive discussions on the loss of the direct service from Sheffield to Manchester Airport and the Task Force had committed to continue this in the new year.

A newsletter on rail developments was planned to provide updates and keep people informed.

(The Chief Executive left the meeting.)

The Co-Chair commented that a huge amount of effort had been put into the Doncaster GBR bid.

RESOLVED that the Board note the contents of the Rail Issues Update.