Our campaign literature to encourage engagement with the Stratford upon Avon Area Transport Strategy
In February 2017 Warwickshire County Council and Stratford on Avon District Council launched the Stratford upon Avon Area Transport Strategy. The Strategy was subject to a six week consultation that ended on 23 March 2017 . It was jointly co-ordinated campaign by the Shakespeare Line Promotion Group, Cotswold Line Promotion Group, Avon Rail Link and Stratford Rail Transport Group. In addition to leaflets being delivered (shown below) key organisations and businesses were also written to and encouraged to take part in the SATS and have their say.
Our Views on the questions posed to the Stratford District Council's Citizens Panel
2 December 2016
A Strategic Review has been launched by Stratford on Avon District Council questioning all that it does and asking its "Citizens Panel" for their views. We welcome the Council undertaking this exercise and for including a section on rail transport. We have shown the questions posed to the Panel below and have provided our comments in respect of where we see the priorities and why.
A Strategic Review has been launched by Stratford on Avon District Council questioning all that it does and asking its "Citizens Panel" for their views. We welcome the Council undertaking this exercise and for including a section on rail transport. We have shown the questions posed to the Panel below and have provided our comments in respect of where we see the priorities and why.
OUR VIEW
Any link for Stratford upon Avon with HS2 at Birmingham International would come from an expansion of the existing railway at Widney Manor, Solihull. The existing railway lines from Stratford enable direct connectivity with Widney Manor and Solihull. Consequently, there can b no case for a completely new railway from Stratford upon Avon as there is no need.
The construction of a new railway line from Widney Manor to Birmingham International alongside the M42 would be the most likely option, The West Midlands Integrated Transport Authority would be the lead on such a scheme were it to be proposed. We believe that a link, provided by a new line between Widney Manor and Birmingham International should be supported but given the lead players are within the West Midlands the link should be a medium priority.
OUR VIEW
The introduction of what would be ‘semi-fast’ train services between Stratford and Birmingham is much needed and is achievable with the existing infrastructure. This would greatly benefit Stratford upon Avon and its community and encourage more people to use the railway to access Birmingham and the West Midlands. We believe this is essential.
OUR VIEW
The significant reduction of direct/through services between Stratford upon Avon and London Marylebone took place in October 2015. The train paths (slots of time along the route) were used to provide the new Oxford Parkway – London Marylebone service that Chiltern have promoted.The revenue and passenger traffic that the new Oxford Parkway – Bicester Village – London Marylebone services will attract are significant and lucrative and this is why direct Stratford services lost out.
We believe that the reduction in direct services between the capital and Stratford upon Avon has led to a reduction in passenger revenue of over 25%. With the loss of over 50% of direct services between Stratford and London to provide capacity along another part of the Chiltern route there is no scope for restoring direct sand frequent services because of the lack of capacity for any additional train paths highlighted by Network Rail in its most recent network report that looks forward to 2043.
We firmly believe that Stratford needs direct and frequent services with London and this is why we support calls for a GRIP 4 study and report, which is an objective and independent process, and will provide detailed costs and crucially determine if reopening the railway between Stratford and Honeybourne to link with the Cotswold Line is desirable, feasible and achievable.
OUR VIEW
The ability to operate a service between Stratford upon Avon and Oxford via the Cotswold Line (which is 11 miles shorter) provides connectivity for local residents commuting or visiting Oxford, the Thames Valley and crucially London as well as enabling tourist traffic between London Paddington and Stratford upon Avon. Passengers along the Stratford upon Avon – Henley in Arden – Shirley line to Tyseley junction would be able to use local services to directly connect at Stratford upon Avon with services to/from the south-east.
The Planning Inspector for Stratford’s Core Strategy, stated in June 2016 that with the scale of development planned and the current congestion in Stratford the railway scheme should be thoroughly examined and evaluated without delay. We believe that both direct and frequent services to/from London and a GRIP 4 study to determine the economic feasibility of the restoring the rail link to the Cotswold Line are both essential.
The ability to operate a service between Stratford upon Avon and Oxford via the Cotswold Line (which is 11 miles shorter) provides connectivity for local residents commuting or visiting Oxford, the Thames Valley and crucially London as well as enabling tourist traffic between London Paddington and Stratford upon Avon. Passengers along the Stratford upon Avon – Henley in Arden – Shirley line to Tyseley junction would be able to use local services to directly connect at Stratford upon Avon with services to/from the south-east.
The Planning Inspector for Stratford’s Core Strategy, stated in June 2016 that with the scale of development planned and the current congestion in Stratford the railway scheme should be thoroughly examined and evaluated without delay. We believe that both direct and frequent services to/from London and a GRIP 4 study to determine the economic feasibility of the restoring the rail link to the Cotswold Line are both essential.
OUR VIEW
We would welcome any improvements to the gateway to Stratford through its railway station and that this should be a high priority.
Note: Please see below for further information and comment of the proposed Stratford on Avon Area Transport Strategy
Rail Passenger Usage Figures published
The Rail Regulator, the Office of Rail & Road, published station usage estimates by passengers for the past year (April 2015 to March 2016) on 6 December 2016.
Passenger usage at Stratford upon Avon in overall terms increased slightly by 1.7% for the year. Usage at Stratford’s main railway station changed very little at 0.1% with Stratford upon Avon Parkway seeing an increase of 21%. However, when compared with usage last year it would appear that the increase at Stratford upon Avon Parkway is largely due to passengers preferring to use the Parkway station probably because car parking charges at Parkway are cheaper than those levied at Stratford’s main railway station.
The town’s main station still handles the lion’s share of passengers with nearly a million (994,070) passenger journeys being made in the last year. Stratford Parkway station has yet to realise its investment payback only attracting 83,228 passengers for the year equating to 229 passengers a day or just under 3 passengers for each train that calls at Stratford Parkway.
Stratford’s passenger usage appears poor when compared to higher growth recorded at other stations. Honeybourne, on the Cotswold Line has increased its growth by 3.2% despite a serious problem of available car parking which is regularly full up and all taken on most weekdays before the morning peak is over. Passenger usage last year at Honeybourne was recorded at over 9%. Moreton in Marsh, used by many in the more southern area of South Warwickshire, has seen growth rise by a further 6.6% on top of an increase last year of over 9%.
Usage at Warwick Parkway was just over 632,000 meaning there was a slight reduction of 0.8% in usage while at Warwick’s town station passenger usage has increased by 2.2% at over 567,000 passenger journeys. In overall terms these figures aggregate to passenger usage growth at Warwick of 0.6%. Leamington Spa usage increased by 5% to over 2.4 million passenger journeys a year. Coventry saw another large rise in passenger usage at 10.6%, the station is one of the busiest outside London dealing with over 6.9 million passenger journeys last year. Tile Hill, on the outskirts of Coventry and used by many people from nearby Burton Green and Kenilworth saw a significant increase of 15.6% in passenger usage at nearly 630,000 journeys.
The Shakespeare Line Promotion Group gave the figures a cautious welcome. The Group’s Secretary, Fraser Pithie said:
“Growth at less than 2% is welcome but it demonstrates how the current situation with Stratford’s railway service prevents much greater economic growth, estimated to be worth up to £17 million year being enabled for the town and its businesses. The Parkway station continues to underperform and shows what a poor investment and scheme by the County Council it was. Now Parkway is there and in use we will support those that use it but in reality it will only ever realise a financial return if the railway line reopens south and through services return.We need a study to consider reopening the railway to Honeybourne so we can use a shorter and more direct route to directly connect with Oxford, Reading and London Paddington and we also need semi fast services completing the journey between Stratford and Birmingham in 35 minutes as it was by steam in 1960!”
Passenger usage at Stratford upon Avon in overall terms increased slightly by 1.7% for the year. Usage at Stratford’s main railway station changed very little at 0.1% with Stratford upon Avon Parkway seeing an increase of 21%. However, when compared with usage last year it would appear that the increase at Stratford upon Avon Parkway is largely due to passengers preferring to use the Parkway station probably because car parking charges at Parkway are cheaper than those levied at Stratford’s main railway station.
The town’s main station still handles the lion’s share of passengers with nearly a million (994,070) passenger journeys being made in the last year. Stratford Parkway station has yet to realise its investment payback only attracting 83,228 passengers for the year equating to 229 passengers a day or just under 3 passengers for each train that calls at Stratford Parkway.
Stratford’s passenger usage appears poor when compared to higher growth recorded at other stations. Honeybourne, on the Cotswold Line has increased its growth by 3.2% despite a serious problem of available car parking which is regularly full up and all taken on most weekdays before the morning peak is over. Passenger usage last year at Honeybourne was recorded at over 9%. Moreton in Marsh, used by many in the more southern area of South Warwickshire, has seen growth rise by a further 6.6% on top of an increase last year of over 9%.
Usage at Warwick Parkway was just over 632,000 meaning there was a slight reduction of 0.8% in usage while at Warwick’s town station passenger usage has increased by 2.2% at over 567,000 passenger journeys. In overall terms these figures aggregate to passenger usage growth at Warwick of 0.6%. Leamington Spa usage increased by 5% to over 2.4 million passenger journeys a year. Coventry saw another large rise in passenger usage at 10.6%, the station is one of the busiest outside London dealing with over 6.9 million passenger journeys last year. Tile Hill, on the outskirts of Coventry and used by many people from nearby Burton Green and Kenilworth saw a significant increase of 15.6% in passenger usage at nearly 630,000 journeys.
The Shakespeare Line Promotion Group gave the figures a cautious welcome. The Group’s Secretary, Fraser Pithie said:
“Growth at less than 2% is welcome but it demonstrates how the current situation with Stratford’s railway service prevents much greater economic growth, estimated to be worth up to £17 million year being enabled for the town and its businesses. The Parkway station continues to underperform and shows what a poor investment and scheme by the County Council it was. Now Parkway is there and in use we will support those that use it but in reality it will only ever realise a financial return if the railway line reopens south and through services return.We need a study to consider reopening the railway to Honeybourne so we can use a shorter and more direct route to directly connect with Oxford, Reading and London Paddington and we also need semi fast services completing the journey between Stratford and Birmingham in 35 minutes as it was by steam in 1960!”
Stratford on Avon Area Transport Strategy
4 November 2016
The long awaited Transport Strategy moved a step closer as it was confirmed by Councillor Robert Vaudry, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Infrastructure, Stratford on Avon District Council that the draft plan would be launched in February 2017. It is claimed that the strategy will provide the basis for:
We support all of these objectives and consequently we are looking forward to the draft strategy as at last addressing the real transport and infrastructure needs of the area. However, without a significantly increased role for railways both in Stratford upon Avon and at Long Marston, meaning at the very least a GRIP 4 and economic impact study, the draft strategy and its objectives will be incompatible and fail to deliver an effective, sustainable and holistic transport solution to the problems in and around Stratford that are set to get worse due the increase in new housing that has been approved.
Our aim is to heighten awareness to local people and businesses of the following and ask them to each make their voice be heard by contacting their local councillors and MP. As part of our representations we will be submitting to the Stratford upon Avon Area Transport Study the following points that support the need for a GRIP 4 study to enable a decision to be made once and for all over the potential reinstatement of the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne.
We agree that there is insufficient up to date and detailed evidence to take a considered view on reopening the line. However, given the forecasted economic benefit of some £17 million annually to the local economy of Stratford upon Avon and district which could be achieved by reopening the railway line and enabling Stratford upon Avon to reach the national average of 13% for visitors by rail. The local authorities, particularly Warwickshire County Council who are the Local Transport Authority, determine that the scheme is low priority but how can they make such a determination when they say they need more detailed and comprehensive information?
The process for investing in railways is determined by what is known as the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP). There are eight stages in the process and the Stratford - Honeybourne scheme has reached GRIP3 (this is an outline and option study) was completed in 2012. The GRIP 3 study suggested the reinstatement of the line was feasible and would not require an operating subsidy from day one.
So the the next stage for a potential Stratford-Honeybourne scheme is a GRIP 4 study, including an economic impact study. Once completed a GRIP 4 study will provide a level of information that will set out the projected capital cost of the scheme, the economic benefits and the environmental impact. A GRIP 4 study is an independent process and typically its output enables third parties such as local authorities, developers and train operating companies to decide if they wish to proceed with the scheme.
The study would provide a detailed appraisal of the reopening proposal and whether it is feasible, affordable and desirable. Despite the offer of private finance to the tune of £400,000 towards a GRIP 4 and Economic Impact Study the two bodies charged by Central Government to enable potential infrastructure schemes to deliver economic growth and amenity of life, Warwickshire County Council (WaCC) and the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) rejected the funding and continue to sit on their hands. Why?
To their credit Stratford on Avon District Council did try to pursue a GRIP 4 Study in the light of the private finance offer of £400,000 only to be thwarted by CWLEP who refused the bid on the advice of Warwickshire County Council the Local Transport Authority. Attempts using Freedom of Information (FOI) to see the advice from WaCC to CWLEP has been refused by WaCC and CWLEP, the latter of whom enjoys exemption from FOI.
Given the clear direction from the Planning Inspector on Stratford’s Core Strategy in June 2016, the need to support local businesses in and around Stratford that depend on visitors and whoprovide jobs, together with the confirmation of over 6,000 new homes in the Long Marston area, the case for a comprehensive study (GRIP 4 study/report) and economic impact study is overwhelming and compelling and is why an increasing number of campaigners, businesses and people are calling for one.
The organisation out of step with those it is supposed to represent is Warwickshire County Council.
The neighbouring County Councils of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire together with many Parish & Town Councils support the reinstatement of the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne, they can see the benefits to the local economies through increased numbers of visitors and the benefit to the environment from enabling home to work journeys to main centres such as Birmingham, Oxford, Worcester and London Paddington.
If you agree that we should properly and thoroughly investigate the potential of reinstating the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne please write to your County Councillor and tell them:
Simply go to https://www.writetothem.com
Put in your postcode, select your County Councillor and write:
"As a local Council Taxpayer I expect the County Council to meet its responsibilities as an enabler of economic growth and consequently work with other local authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership for Warwickshire to initiate and complete a GRIP 4 study including an economic impact study in relation to the potential reinstatement of the railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne"
The long awaited Transport Strategy moved a step closer as it was confirmed by Councillor Robert Vaudry, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Infrastructure, Stratford on Avon District Council that the draft plan would be launched in February 2017. It is claimed that the strategy will provide the basis for:
- Reducing high car dependency particularly for travel to work and school trips
- Reducing through trips for motorised traffic in the town centre
- Reducing negative impact of traffic on air quality
- Protecting the historic core of the town and supporting the visitor economy
- Providing increased resilience to the transport network
- Improving road safety for all users
- Accommodating future development without compromising the above objectives
We support all of these objectives and consequently we are looking forward to the draft strategy as at last addressing the real transport and infrastructure needs of the area. However, without a significantly increased role for railways both in Stratford upon Avon and at Long Marston, meaning at the very least a GRIP 4 and economic impact study, the draft strategy and its objectives will be incompatible and fail to deliver an effective, sustainable and holistic transport solution to the problems in and around Stratford that are set to get worse due the increase in new housing that has been approved.
Our aim is to heighten awareness to local people and businesses of the following and ask them to each make their voice be heard by contacting their local councillors and MP. As part of our representations we will be submitting to the Stratford upon Avon Area Transport Study the following points that support the need for a GRIP 4 study to enable a decision to be made once and for all over the potential reinstatement of the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne.
- The prospect of over 6,000 new homes in and around Long Marston between now and 2031, estimated to generate over 7,300 more vehicles on rural roads will realise a significant impact on the amenity of life in and around Stratford upon Avon without adequate and sustainable alternative public transport infrastructure.
- The potential economic benefits to Stratford’s economy (local businesses) arising from reinstating the railway line are indicated as being worth £17 million annually
- The Planning Inspector at Stratford’s Core Strategy suggested the scheme needed to be considered urgently as it would help ease congestion in and around Stratford. He said "Reinstatement of this missing section of line holds the key to reinvigorating the Shakespeare Line and would further the Local Transport Plan vision for its Passenger Rail Strategy. There is an opportunity to re-appraise the contribution that rail reinstatement could make as part of the ‘Transport Strategy for Stratford-upon-Avon’ that is currently underway. It would appear to provide a long-term solution to the town’s traffic congestion."
- Not one person lodged a formal objection to the reinstatement of the railway in consideration and examination of the Core Strategy which has now been adopted and runs until 2031
- Private finance remains on the table towards a significant part (£400,000) of the cost of a GRIP 4 & Economic Impact Study. One of the developers at Long Marston has offered up to £17 million towards any rail reinstatement should a GRIP 4 indicate a positive case for reopening.
- Chiltern Railways are now concentrating on their Birmingham - London and Oxford - London corridors and markets with no train paths available for direct and frequent services between Stratford upon Avon and London. Over a 25% reduction is indicated in rail visitors to/from Stratford and London since the services were reduced by over 50% in 2015.
- Train Operator Great Western Railway has stated it wants to provide services via a reinstated line between Stratford upon Avon linking the Cotswolds, Oxford, Reading, Heathrow Airport and London Paddington
- A new parkway station at Long Marston on a reopened railway line would put Birmingham within 46 minutes as well as giving Stratford direct connectivity with Evesham, the new Worcestershire Parkway `(for services to/fromSouth Wales & South West), the Thames Valley, Heathrow Airport and crucially London Paddington.
- Earlier this week the Prime Minister accepted a High Court ruling that the government must do more to reduce the emissions of nitrogen dioxide arising from diesel cars particularly in towns and cities.
- The Secretary of State for Transport, The Rt Hon Chris Grayling MP, when referring to investment in our railways has made specific mention of the ‘key criteria’ he feels need to be considered when approving rail investment projects. These criteria being would it ease congestion and whether it would open up economic development or housing opportunity. He goes on to say “ I think we need to focus on smaller projects - we can generate more bang for the buck with simple rail schemes. We should spend as much on small projects as on major projects”.
We agree that there is insufficient up to date and detailed evidence to take a considered view on reopening the line. However, given the forecasted economic benefit of some £17 million annually to the local economy of Stratford upon Avon and district which could be achieved by reopening the railway line and enabling Stratford upon Avon to reach the national average of 13% for visitors by rail. The local authorities, particularly Warwickshire County Council who are the Local Transport Authority, determine that the scheme is low priority but how can they make such a determination when they say they need more detailed and comprehensive information?
The process for investing in railways is determined by what is known as the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP). There are eight stages in the process and the Stratford - Honeybourne scheme has reached GRIP3 (this is an outline and option study) was completed in 2012. The GRIP 3 study suggested the reinstatement of the line was feasible and would not require an operating subsidy from day one.
So the the next stage for a potential Stratford-Honeybourne scheme is a GRIP 4 study, including an economic impact study. Once completed a GRIP 4 study will provide a level of information that will set out the projected capital cost of the scheme, the economic benefits and the environmental impact. A GRIP 4 study is an independent process and typically its output enables third parties such as local authorities, developers and train operating companies to decide if they wish to proceed with the scheme.
The study would provide a detailed appraisal of the reopening proposal and whether it is feasible, affordable and desirable. Despite the offer of private finance to the tune of £400,000 towards a GRIP 4 and Economic Impact Study the two bodies charged by Central Government to enable potential infrastructure schemes to deliver economic growth and amenity of life, Warwickshire County Council (WaCC) and the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP) rejected the funding and continue to sit on their hands. Why?
To their credit Stratford on Avon District Council did try to pursue a GRIP 4 Study in the light of the private finance offer of £400,000 only to be thwarted by CWLEP who refused the bid on the advice of Warwickshire County Council the Local Transport Authority. Attempts using Freedom of Information (FOI) to see the advice from WaCC to CWLEP has been refused by WaCC and CWLEP, the latter of whom enjoys exemption from FOI.
Given the clear direction from the Planning Inspector on Stratford’s Core Strategy in June 2016, the need to support local businesses in and around Stratford that depend on visitors and whoprovide jobs, together with the confirmation of over 6,000 new homes in the Long Marston area, the case for a comprehensive study (GRIP 4 study/report) and economic impact study is overwhelming and compelling and is why an increasing number of campaigners, businesses and people are calling for one.
The organisation out of step with those it is supposed to represent is Warwickshire County Council.
The neighbouring County Councils of Worcestershire, Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire together with many Parish & Town Councils support the reinstatement of the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne, they can see the benefits to the local economies through increased numbers of visitors and the benefit to the environment from enabling home to work journeys to main centres such as Birmingham, Oxford, Worcester and London Paddington.
If you agree that we should properly and thoroughly investigate the potential of reinstating the railway between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne please write to your County Councillor and tell them:
Simply go to https://www.writetothem.com
Put in your postcode, select your County Councillor and write:
"As a local Council Taxpayer I expect the County Council to meet its responsibilities as an enabler of economic growth and consequently work with other local authorities and the Local Enterprise Partnership for Warwickshire to initiate and complete a GRIP 4 study including an economic impact study in relation to the potential reinstatement of the railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne"
Railway Reopening Study Needed says Planning Inspector
29 June 2016
Campaign groups supporting the reinstatement of the railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne are welcoming what they consider is active support for a comprehensive study into reopening the rail route between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne. The support comes with the publication of the Planning Inspector Pete Drew's Final Report concerning Stratford on Avon District Council's Core Planning Strategy for 2016 -2031.
The Stratford Worcester Oxford (SWO) Group, the Avon Rail Link Group and the rail users group for existing services, The Shakespeare Line Promotion Group requested throughout the planning inquiry process that a full study, known as a GRIP 4 study and Economic Impact Assessment be carried out. They claim that only with the detail that such a study would provide can local councillors and the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership objectively consider the viability of any rail reopening.
In commenting on the proposal to develop Long Marston Airfield Mr Drew states:
"Warwickshire County Council, as Transport Authority, acknowledged at the resumed Hearing that it has no experience of reinstating railway lines, distinct from reopening stations along an existing railway line. Whilst its reservations are understandable at this stage, reinstatement of this missing section of line holds the key to reinvigorating the Shakespeare Line and would further the Local Transport Plan vision for its Passenger Rail Strategy. There is an opportunity to re-appraise the contribution that rail reinstatement could make as part of the ‘Transport Strategy for Stratford-upon-Avon’ that is currently underway. It would appear to provide a long-term solution to the town’s traffic congestion."
Mr Drew goes further and in doing so effectively puts pressure on Warwickshire County Council, who campaigners have increasingly criticised as being a 'dead hand' in South Warwickshire's transport problems.
"In this broader context it is appropriate to focus back on the policy. The ninth bullet-point under ‘What is to be Delivered’ requires frequent public transport services between Stratford-upon-Avon and Honeybourne Station, and so the policy ‘hook’ to justify the financial contribution that is offered is there. The main concern is therefore one of timing. The GRIP 4 study needs to proceed as soon as possible because that is the trigger for the rail industry to get involved and, if a lead body is identified, that would allow it to be identified in the Infrastruture Delivery Plan which, in turn, would ensure that the contribution offered would meet the tests in paragraph 204 of the Framework.
Whilst there is a GRIP 5 stage it appears to be a detailed design phase and the consensus at the Hearing was that GRIP 4 was the appropriate trigger point. It is in prospect that a Section 106, associated with a second phase of Long Marston Airfield development, could be structured in this way, but there is a concern that the Council might simply not seek any such contribution. Realistically this is the only chance for the line to be reinstated and without this significant contribution being secured from the private sector it might never happen."
Fraser Pithie, Secretary of the Shakespeare Line Promotion Group and a member of the SWO campaign says that the Inspectors comments make it clear that local authorities have one chance to investigate fully and consider reopening the railway and potentially secure a significant amount of developer funding towards a proper study and if the results of such a study led to the promotion of the line's reinstatement, then up to some £17 million has been offered by the private sector looking to develop housing at Long Marston Airfield .
"The rural areas in three counties around Long Marston need reinstating the railway to be looked at properly if they are to avoid being plagued by traffic congestion for decades and Stratford's town centre businesses, that could attract nearly 300,000 additional visitors a year with a reopened railway link, deserve the support of their elected Councillors and MP towards getting this study done. Mr Drew makes it clear that timing is of the essence, so the study needs to happen and take place as soon as possible." Fraser Pithie added.
Campaign groups supporting the reinstatement of the railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne are welcoming what they consider is active support for a comprehensive study into reopening the rail route between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne. The support comes with the publication of the Planning Inspector Pete Drew's Final Report concerning Stratford on Avon District Council's Core Planning Strategy for 2016 -2031.
The Stratford Worcester Oxford (SWO) Group, the Avon Rail Link Group and the rail users group for existing services, The Shakespeare Line Promotion Group requested throughout the planning inquiry process that a full study, known as a GRIP 4 study and Economic Impact Assessment be carried out. They claim that only with the detail that such a study would provide can local councillors and the Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership objectively consider the viability of any rail reopening.
In commenting on the proposal to develop Long Marston Airfield Mr Drew states:
"Warwickshire County Council, as Transport Authority, acknowledged at the resumed Hearing that it has no experience of reinstating railway lines, distinct from reopening stations along an existing railway line. Whilst its reservations are understandable at this stage, reinstatement of this missing section of line holds the key to reinvigorating the Shakespeare Line and would further the Local Transport Plan vision for its Passenger Rail Strategy. There is an opportunity to re-appraise the contribution that rail reinstatement could make as part of the ‘Transport Strategy for Stratford-upon-Avon’ that is currently underway. It would appear to provide a long-term solution to the town’s traffic congestion."
Mr Drew goes further and in doing so effectively puts pressure on Warwickshire County Council, who campaigners have increasingly criticised as being a 'dead hand' in South Warwickshire's transport problems.
"In this broader context it is appropriate to focus back on the policy. The ninth bullet-point under ‘What is to be Delivered’ requires frequent public transport services between Stratford-upon-Avon and Honeybourne Station, and so the policy ‘hook’ to justify the financial contribution that is offered is there. The main concern is therefore one of timing. The GRIP 4 study needs to proceed as soon as possible because that is the trigger for the rail industry to get involved and, if a lead body is identified, that would allow it to be identified in the Infrastruture Delivery Plan which, in turn, would ensure that the contribution offered would meet the tests in paragraph 204 of the Framework.
Whilst there is a GRIP 5 stage it appears to be a detailed design phase and the consensus at the Hearing was that GRIP 4 was the appropriate trigger point. It is in prospect that a Section 106, associated with a second phase of Long Marston Airfield development, could be structured in this way, but there is a concern that the Council might simply not seek any such contribution. Realistically this is the only chance for the line to be reinstated and without this significant contribution being secured from the private sector it might never happen."
Fraser Pithie, Secretary of the Shakespeare Line Promotion Group and a member of the SWO campaign says that the Inspectors comments make it clear that local authorities have one chance to investigate fully and consider reopening the railway and potentially secure a significant amount of developer funding towards a proper study and if the results of such a study led to the promotion of the line's reinstatement, then up to some £17 million has been offered by the private sector looking to develop housing at Long Marston Airfield .
"The rural areas in three counties around Long Marston need reinstating the railway to be looked at properly if they are to avoid being plagued by traffic congestion for decades and Stratford's town centre businesses, that could attract nearly 300,000 additional visitors a year with a reopened railway link, deserve the support of their elected Councillors and MP towards getting this study done. Mr Drew makes it clear that timing is of the essence, so the study needs to happen and take place as soon as possible." Fraser Pithie added.
Reinstating the Railway - New Briefing published
GWR's North Cotswolds Vision Looks to Stratford upon Avon
DIRECT RAIL TRAVEL between Stratford upon Avon, Oxford, Worcester and London took a step forward last Friday with the launch of "A Joint Vision for the North Cotswold Line" at Witney, Oxfordshire.
The event attended by over 100 representatives from local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP's), local business representatives, passengers interest groups and, of course, the Cotswold Line Promotion Group was also attended by local MP's including the Rt Hon David Cameron, MP. Produced by the Great Western Railway the Vision seeks to engage all interested parties, local authorities and LEP's to consider what they would like to see regarding further expansion of Cotswold Line services to meet the year on year and above the national average passenger growth experienced along the line. It was agreed to set up a Steering Group to take the proposals forward.
Once a consensus view can be reached it's hoped the vision will form the basis of a business case by Train Operating Company, Great Western Railway and asset operator Network Rail as part of their investment plans. Those campaigning for the re-opening of the Stratford-Honeybourne line have welcomed the vision as, for the first time, it includes the potential re-opening as part of the vision for consideration.
If re-opened, the railway would enable some 5,900 new homes in the area of Long Marston to connect directly to Birmingham in under an hour with potential direct connections to Oxford, London and Worcester. Evesham would be able to have a direct service to and from Birmingham taking just one hour. Stratford would be just 6 minutes from Long Marston by rail and would have direct connections to North Cotswolds stations with Moreton in Marsh potentially within 17 minutes of Stratford upon Avon and under an hour from Birmingham.
Speaking at the event the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP, whose Witney and West Oxfordshire constituency covers part of the Cotswold Line said “If you want to get rail investment, you need to have confidence, you need to have ambition, and you need a compelling case, and I think the three things you need are coming together here.”
He added: “I am utterly convinced of the necessity of investing in this line. I will do everything I can to give this vision a boost.”
Fraser Pithie from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford(SWO) group said " We are encouraged by the vision and that Great Western Railway can see the potential for re-opening Stratford-Honeybourne providing there is local support for it. We are confident that real local support exists because a majority of local Parish/Town Councils have confirmed to us they support the reopening of the line.
Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire County Councils all support the re-opening, the county that would benefit the most, Warwickshire, continually refuses to make any comment. The continued lack of any significant and coherent transport plan that addresses the here and now reality of the congestion in and around Stratford upon Avon and the potential increase in traffic by over 7,300 vehicles arising from new development is indefensible. Warwickshire County Council and Stratford on Avon District Council need to reconsider formally this issue and change their positions.”
ENDS. 15.02.2016
DIRECT RAIL TRAVEL between Stratford upon Avon, Oxford, Worcester and London took a step forward last Friday with the launch of "A Joint Vision for the North Cotswold Line" at Witney, Oxfordshire.
The event attended by over 100 representatives from local authorities, Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP's), local business representatives, passengers interest groups and, of course, the Cotswold Line Promotion Group was also attended by local MP's including the Rt Hon David Cameron, MP. Produced by the Great Western Railway the Vision seeks to engage all interested parties, local authorities and LEP's to consider what they would like to see regarding further expansion of Cotswold Line services to meet the year on year and above the national average passenger growth experienced along the line. It was agreed to set up a Steering Group to take the proposals forward.
Once a consensus view can be reached it's hoped the vision will form the basis of a business case by Train Operating Company, Great Western Railway and asset operator Network Rail as part of their investment plans. Those campaigning for the re-opening of the Stratford-Honeybourne line have welcomed the vision as, for the first time, it includes the potential re-opening as part of the vision for consideration.
If re-opened, the railway would enable some 5,900 new homes in the area of Long Marston to connect directly to Birmingham in under an hour with potential direct connections to Oxford, London and Worcester. Evesham would be able to have a direct service to and from Birmingham taking just one hour. Stratford would be just 6 minutes from Long Marston by rail and would have direct connections to North Cotswolds stations with Moreton in Marsh potentially within 17 minutes of Stratford upon Avon and under an hour from Birmingham.
Speaking at the event the Prime Minister, David Cameron MP, whose Witney and West Oxfordshire constituency covers part of the Cotswold Line said “If you want to get rail investment, you need to have confidence, you need to have ambition, and you need a compelling case, and I think the three things you need are coming together here.”
He added: “I am utterly convinced of the necessity of investing in this line. I will do everything I can to give this vision a boost.”
Fraser Pithie from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford(SWO) group said " We are encouraged by the vision and that Great Western Railway can see the potential for re-opening Stratford-Honeybourne providing there is local support for it. We are confident that real local support exists because a majority of local Parish/Town Councils have confirmed to us they support the reopening of the line.
Worcestershire, Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire County Councils all support the re-opening, the county that would benefit the most, Warwickshire, continually refuses to make any comment. The continued lack of any significant and coherent transport plan that addresses the here and now reality of the congestion in and around Stratford upon Avon and the potential increase in traffic by over 7,300 vehicles arising from new development is indefensible. Warwickshire County Council and Stratford on Avon District Council need to reconsider formally this issue and change their positions.”
ENDS. 15.02.2016
Support for railway solution grows from local councils
VILLAGES in South Warwickshire, North Gloucestershire and East Worcestershire have given a boost to calls for the railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Honeybourne being reinstated. Several Parish Councils, asked by the Stratford Worcester Oxford (SWO) campaign group in October 2015 to consider the scheme, have stated their support for reopening of the line primarily because of its ability to mitigate the 5,900 homes that in total are due to be built in the Long Marston area between 2016 and 2031. The support of the local communities was confirmed this week as Oxfordshire became the third County Council joining Worcestershire and Gloucestershire in calling for the railway line to be re-opened.
Campaigners for the rail line's reinstatement referred to what they described 'as a significant level of community support' to push home to planners the need for the rail line to be included in Core Strategy as part of the necessary infrastructure for the scale of development to be sustainable. The campaigners appeared before a Planning Inspector at the Examination in Public (EIP) considering the Local Planning Authority, Stratford on Avon's District Council's, Core Strategy on Tuesday 19 February 2016.
The SWO group stated that the reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne railway line needs to be re-included in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan enabling the Council to obtain funding towards the line's reinstatement from the housing developers. One of the developers CALA homes repeated their willingness to provide up to £17 million towards the reinstatement of the railway.
Campaigners say a reinstated rail line would allow a new station to be built at Long Marston for the new developments providing direct train services to and from Birmingham, crucially reducing the 7,300 additional vehicles the new development is estimated to generate if it goes ahead without any public transport provision.
Supporters of railway reinstatement highlighted that the rail line's reinstatement would also benefit Stratford as the town would regain train services southwards attracting more people to visit by rail with Oxford becoming within 50 minutes from the town. It would also enable a direct circular service giving Stratford connectivity with Birmingham (46 minutes) Solihull (33 minutes) Evesham (18 Minutes) Worcester (35 minutes) and Long Marston (6 minutes) service for local people.
Speaking for the CPRE Mark Sullivan challenged Warwickshire County Council for not having a clear or principle position on reinstatement of the railway. "What we have is the County Council sitting on the sidelines witnessing the environmental deterioration of Stratford upon Avon due to the level of vehicle congestion. They should be taking a wider view and one that must include rail reinstatement as part of the overall solution".
Reinstatement would also enable the Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western) to provide a London Paddington service to/from Stratford upon Avon something the train operator stated in 2015 it wants to do.
Fraser Pithie, speaking for the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford rail campaign said "We are disappointed that Warwickshire County Council having provided no alternative still fail to see what so many local councils clearly can by endorsing the need to reinstate the railway line between Honeybourne and Stratford upon Avon. So far the Councils supporting or not actively opposed to reinstatement are: Evesham Town Council, Chipping Campden Town Council, Mickleton Parish Council (PC), Welford on Avon PC, Pebworth PC, Bidford on Avon PC, Aston Cantlow PC, Henley in Arden & Beaudesert Joint PC and Honeybourne PC. "
ENDS. 21.01.16
Please also see our BLOG
Campaigners for the rail line's reinstatement referred to what they described 'as a significant level of community support' to push home to planners the need for the rail line to be included in Core Strategy as part of the necessary infrastructure for the scale of development to be sustainable. The campaigners appeared before a Planning Inspector at the Examination in Public (EIP) considering the Local Planning Authority, Stratford on Avon's District Council's, Core Strategy on Tuesday 19 February 2016.
The SWO group stated that the reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne railway line needs to be re-included in the Infrastructure Delivery Plan enabling the Council to obtain funding towards the line's reinstatement from the housing developers. One of the developers CALA homes repeated their willingness to provide up to £17 million towards the reinstatement of the railway.
Campaigners say a reinstated rail line would allow a new station to be built at Long Marston for the new developments providing direct train services to and from Birmingham, crucially reducing the 7,300 additional vehicles the new development is estimated to generate if it goes ahead without any public transport provision.
Supporters of railway reinstatement highlighted that the rail line's reinstatement would also benefit Stratford as the town would regain train services southwards attracting more people to visit by rail with Oxford becoming within 50 minutes from the town. It would also enable a direct circular service giving Stratford connectivity with Birmingham (46 minutes) Solihull (33 minutes) Evesham (18 Minutes) Worcester (35 minutes) and Long Marston (6 minutes) service for local people.
Speaking for the CPRE Mark Sullivan challenged Warwickshire County Council for not having a clear or principle position on reinstatement of the railway. "What we have is the County Council sitting on the sidelines witnessing the environmental deterioration of Stratford upon Avon due to the level of vehicle congestion. They should be taking a wider view and one that must include rail reinstatement as part of the overall solution".
Reinstatement would also enable the Great Western Railway (formerly First Great Western) to provide a London Paddington service to/from Stratford upon Avon something the train operator stated in 2015 it wants to do.
Fraser Pithie, speaking for the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford rail campaign said "We are disappointed that Warwickshire County Council having provided no alternative still fail to see what so many local councils clearly can by endorsing the need to reinstate the railway line between Honeybourne and Stratford upon Avon. So far the Councils supporting or not actively opposed to reinstatement are: Evesham Town Council, Chipping Campden Town Council, Mickleton Parish Council (PC), Welford on Avon PC, Pebworth PC, Bidford on Avon PC, Aston Cantlow PC, Henley in Arden & Beaudesert Joint PC and Honeybourne PC. "
ENDS. 21.01.16
Please also see our BLOG
Greater connectivity for Worcester & Evesham
Evesham >< Birmingham in less than an hour
WORCESTER, PERSHORE, EVESHAM and HONEYBOURNE residents will benefit if a 6-mile section of railway line is reinstated between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston linking to the Cotswold Line at Honeybourne according to residents and campaigners in South Warwickshire and East Worcestershire. They say the link if reinstated, would enable train services to operate between Worcester, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Stratford upon Avon, Solihull and Birmingham as well as London.
"The benefits are direct connectivity by rail of 35 minutes between Worcester and Stratford upon Avon with Evesham and Stratford taking just 18 minutes. A service, operating on a bi-directional circular Birmingham-Worcester-Evesham-Stratford-Solihull-Birmingham route, would enable vale residents to access Solihull in 51 minutes. With over 20 minutes taken off the time it currently takes to travel by rail between Evesham and Birmingham the line would enable a direct service between Evesham and Birmingham taking under an hour. The opportunities are tremendous” said Fraser Pithie, a campaigner from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford (SWO) group promoting the railway line's reinstatement.
A Planning Inquiry in January will consider proposals to build a further 3,500 new homes. Likely to be approved, the further development would mean some 5,900 new homes in total will be constructed five miles south of Stratford upon Avon at Long Marston on two ex-military brownfield sites adjacent to the disused rail route closed in 1976.
In October 2015 train operating company Chiltern Railways altered train services to accommodate their new service between London Marylebone and Oxford. Consequently, Stratford upon Avon lost over half of its direct train services with London. The reinstated route from Stratford via the Cotswold Line to Oxford is around 13 miles shorter than current services operating from Stratford upon Avon. A service operated by Great Western using the reinstated line from Stratford upon Avon via the Cotswold Line, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now the best option to develop future rail services between Stratford upon Avon and London.
Fraser Pithie added, “A reinstated railway with a new Long Marston station would mitigate an otherwise estimated 7,300 vehicles hitting rural roads and communities. With part private funding from the proposed development, these services are now a real possibility. We are encouraged Evesham Town Council has joined the County Councils of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, who both have now said the railway should be reinstated given the proposed major housing development.”
ENDS 04.01.16
Evesham >< Birmingham in less than an hour
WORCESTER, PERSHORE, EVESHAM and HONEYBOURNE residents will benefit if a 6-mile section of railway line is reinstated between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston linking to the Cotswold Line at Honeybourne according to residents and campaigners in South Warwickshire and East Worcestershire. They say the link if reinstated, would enable train services to operate between Worcester, Pershore, Evesham, Honeybourne, Stratford upon Avon, Solihull and Birmingham as well as London.
"The benefits are direct connectivity by rail of 35 minutes between Worcester and Stratford upon Avon with Evesham and Stratford taking just 18 minutes. A service, operating on a bi-directional circular Birmingham-Worcester-Evesham-Stratford-Solihull-Birmingham route, would enable vale residents to access Solihull in 51 minutes. With over 20 minutes taken off the time it currently takes to travel by rail between Evesham and Birmingham the line would enable a direct service between Evesham and Birmingham taking under an hour. The opportunities are tremendous” said Fraser Pithie, a campaigner from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford (SWO) group promoting the railway line's reinstatement.
A Planning Inquiry in January will consider proposals to build a further 3,500 new homes. Likely to be approved, the further development would mean some 5,900 new homes in total will be constructed five miles south of Stratford upon Avon at Long Marston on two ex-military brownfield sites adjacent to the disused rail route closed in 1976.
In October 2015 train operating company Chiltern Railways altered train services to accommodate their new service between London Marylebone and Oxford. Consequently, Stratford upon Avon lost over half of its direct train services with London. The reinstated route from Stratford via the Cotswold Line to Oxford is around 13 miles shorter than current services operating from Stratford upon Avon. A service operated by Great Western using the reinstated line from Stratford upon Avon via the Cotswold Line, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now the best option to develop future rail services between Stratford upon Avon and London.
Fraser Pithie added, “A reinstated railway with a new Long Marston station would mitigate an otherwise estimated 7,300 vehicles hitting rural roads and communities. With part private funding from the proposed development, these services are now a real possibility. We are encouraged Evesham Town Council has joined the County Councils of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, who both have now said the railway should be reinstated given the proposed major housing development.”
ENDS 04.01.16
Oxford & Stratford upon Avon
Connectivity in under 50 minutes
OXFORD residents and university students will benefit if a 6-mile section of railway line is reinstated between Shakespeare's Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston linking to the Cotswold Line at Honeybourne, say residents along the route in South Warwickshire and East Worcestershire. Campaigners say the line if reinstated, would enable train services to operate between Oxford and Stratford upon Avon with a possible journey time of just 49 minutes.
"The benefits between Oxford and Stratford upon Avon are evident with a connectivity of under 50 minutes. The opportunities for both locations and are tremendous. Both locations are major tourist attractions, and Great Western are confident about providing the service. It would also help reduce road traffic for Oxford and Stratford upon Avon too” said Fraser Pithie, a campaigner from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford (SWO) group promoting the railway line's reinstatement.
A Planning Inquiry in January will consider proposals to build a further 3,500 new homes. Likely to be approved, the further development would mean some 5,900 new homes in total will be constructed five miles south of Stratford upon Avon on two ex-military brownfield sites adjacent to the disused rail route closed in 1976. Campaigners say that a rail service operated by Great Western Railway using the reinstated line from Stratford upon Avon, which is 13 miles shorter via the Cotswold Line, to Oxford Reading and London Paddington is the best option to develop future rail services between Stratford upon Avon and London.
Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, attracts over 4 million visitors annually, yet growth in rail passenger usage remains below the national average demonstrating a poor rail service campaigners say. The town lost over half its direct train services with London in October 2015. Train operator Chiltern Railways made the service alterations partly to accommodate a new service between London Marylebone and Oxford Parkway that will extend to Oxford’s city railway station later this year.
Fraser Pithie added, “A reinstated railway would mitigate an otherwise estimated 7,300 vehicles hitting rural roads and communities. With part-private funding from the proposed development, a rail service between Stratford upon Avon via the Cotswold Line, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now a very real possibility. The neighbouring County Councils of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, by both recently confirming their view that the line needs re-instating given the proposed major housing development, further encourages that belief.”
ENDS 04.01.16
Connectivity in under 50 minutes
OXFORD residents and university students will benefit if a 6-mile section of railway line is reinstated between Shakespeare's Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston linking to the Cotswold Line at Honeybourne, say residents along the route in South Warwickshire and East Worcestershire. Campaigners say the line if reinstated, would enable train services to operate between Oxford and Stratford upon Avon with a possible journey time of just 49 minutes.
"The benefits between Oxford and Stratford upon Avon are evident with a connectivity of under 50 minutes. The opportunities for both locations and are tremendous. Both locations are major tourist attractions, and Great Western are confident about providing the service. It would also help reduce road traffic for Oxford and Stratford upon Avon too” said Fraser Pithie, a campaigner from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford (SWO) group promoting the railway line's reinstatement.
A Planning Inquiry in January will consider proposals to build a further 3,500 new homes. Likely to be approved, the further development would mean some 5,900 new homes in total will be constructed five miles south of Stratford upon Avon on two ex-military brownfield sites adjacent to the disused rail route closed in 1976. Campaigners say that a rail service operated by Great Western Railway using the reinstated line from Stratford upon Avon, which is 13 miles shorter via the Cotswold Line, to Oxford Reading and London Paddington is the best option to develop future rail services between Stratford upon Avon and London.
Stratford upon Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, attracts over 4 million visitors annually, yet growth in rail passenger usage remains below the national average demonstrating a poor rail service campaigners say. The town lost over half its direct train services with London in October 2015. Train operator Chiltern Railways made the service alterations partly to accommodate a new service between London Marylebone and Oxford Parkway that will extend to Oxford’s city railway station later this year.
Fraser Pithie added, “A reinstated railway would mitigate an otherwise estimated 7,300 vehicles hitting rural roads and communities. With part-private funding from the proposed development, a rail service between Stratford upon Avon via the Cotswold Line, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now a very real possibility. The neighbouring County Councils of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, by both recently confirming their view that the line needs re-instating given the proposed major housing development, further encourages that belief.”
ENDS 04.01.16
Greater connectivity between London & Stratford upon Avon gains momentum
LONDON and STRATFORD residents and tourists will benefit if a 6-mile section of railway line is reinstated between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston linking to the Cotswold Line which runs between Worcester and London Paddington. The line if reinstated, would enable train services to operate between London and Stratford upon Avon via Oxford with a possible journey time of around 1 hour 50 minutes campaigners say.
The claim comes as residents prepare for a Planning Inquiry in January that will consider proposals to build some 3,500 new homes. Likely to be approved, the further development would mean some 5,900 new homes in total will be constructed five miles south of Stratford upon Avon on two ex-military brownfield sites adjacent to the disused railway line.
"The opportunities are tremendous. The route would benefit visitors, tourists, theatregoers and both London and Stratford residents by providing connectivity between Oxford, Reading for Gatwick Airport, Slough for Windsor and London Paddington accessing five tube lines, Heathrow Express and Crossrail when it’s completed," said Fraser Pithie, one of the campaigners from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford (SWO) group promoting the railway line's reinstatement.
Train operating company Chiltern Railways altered train services to accommodate a new service between London Marylebone and Oxford that started in October 2015. Consequently, Stratford upon Avon lost over half of its direct train services with London. The route to London via the Cotswold Line is around 13 miles shorter than current services operating Stratford upon Avon
A rail service operated by Great Western using the reinstated line from Stratford upon Avon via the Cotswold Line, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now the best option to develop future rail services between Stratford upon Avon and London. Stratford upon Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, attracts over 4 million visitors annually yet growth in rail passenger usage remains below the national average demonstrating a poor rail service say campaigners.
Fraser Pithie added, “A reinstated railway would mitigate an otherwise estimated 7,300 vehicles hitting rural roads and communities. With part private funding potential from the proposed development a rail service between Stratford upon Avon using the Cotswold Line via Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now a very real possibility. The neighbouring County Councils of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, have both recently confirmed their view that the line needs re-instating given the proposed major housing development, further encourages that belief.”
ENDS 04.01.16
LONDON and STRATFORD residents and tourists will benefit if a 6-mile section of railway line is reinstated between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston linking to the Cotswold Line which runs between Worcester and London Paddington. The line if reinstated, would enable train services to operate between London and Stratford upon Avon via Oxford with a possible journey time of around 1 hour 50 minutes campaigners say.
The claim comes as residents prepare for a Planning Inquiry in January that will consider proposals to build some 3,500 new homes. Likely to be approved, the further development would mean some 5,900 new homes in total will be constructed five miles south of Stratford upon Avon on two ex-military brownfield sites adjacent to the disused railway line.
"The opportunities are tremendous. The route would benefit visitors, tourists, theatregoers and both London and Stratford residents by providing connectivity between Oxford, Reading for Gatwick Airport, Slough for Windsor and London Paddington accessing five tube lines, Heathrow Express and Crossrail when it’s completed," said Fraser Pithie, one of the campaigners from the Stratford-Worcester-Oxford (SWO) group promoting the railway line's reinstatement.
Train operating company Chiltern Railways altered train services to accommodate a new service between London Marylebone and Oxford that started in October 2015. Consequently, Stratford upon Avon lost over half of its direct train services with London. The route to London via the Cotswold Line is around 13 miles shorter than current services operating Stratford upon Avon
A rail service operated by Great Western using the reinstated line from Stratford upon Avon via the Cotswold Line, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now the best option to develop future rail services between Stratford upon Avon and London. Stratford upon Avon, birthplace of William Shakespeare, attracts over 4 million visitors annually yet growth in rail passenger usage remains below the national average demonstrating a poor rail service say campaigners.
Fraser Pithie added, “A reinstated railway would mitigate an otherwise estimated 7,300 vehicles hitting rural roads and communities. With part private funding potential from the proposed development a rail service between Stratford upon Avon using the Cotswold Line via Oxford, Reading and London Paddington is now a very real possibility. The neighbouring County Councils of Gloucestershire and Worcestershire, have both recently confirmed their view that the line needs re-instating given the proposed major housing development, further encourages that belief.”
ENDS 04.01.16
Support increases for railway reinstatement (23.12.15)
TRANSPORT CAMPAIGNERS are pleased that Worcestershire and Gloucestershire County Councils have both given their support their wholehearted support to the reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne railway line. Examination Hearings by a Planning Inspector are due to reconvene in mid-January. One of the major issues to be examined in the revised Core Strategy for Stratford on District is planned major housing development at Long Marston and the surrounding area where in total some 5,900 homes are set to be built between 2015-2031
In their responses to the Inspector both County Council's state their clear support and wish to see the Stratford-Honeybourne railway line, closed in 1976, to be re-opened. Both authorities base their support on the need to provide mitigation from an estimated increase of some 7,300 vehicles on rural roads and towns, including Stratford upon Avon.
Worcestershire County Council states that they "would expect, as part of the optimum solution to the problems of traffic on inadequate rural roads in this particular area, the construction of a new railway station at Long Marston”
Gloucestershire County Council were quite clear in their support for reinstatement of the what is known as the 'missing link' stating;
"The provision of frequent public transport services to Stratford on Avon and Honeybourne potentially using the route of the former Honeybourne to Stratford railway line is supported. This would provide a sustainable alternative to the car for residents and employees travelling for the proposed development. Also, reinstatement of the line would provide a strategic link from the North Cotswold line to the Midlands opening up the possibility of direct services from Stratford upon Avon to Oxford and London in the east or to Worcester in the west.”
Similarly, safeguarding land for a potential new station adjacent to the former line is supported as this will reduce car usage from the proposed new development as well as attracting users from the surrounding area."
The news of the two major County Councils supporting the line's reinstatement comes as the latest rail passenger journey figures for 2014/15, released by the Office of Rail & Road, show increases in of 9.3% for Honeybourne and 9.2% for Moreton in Marsh. Both are more than double the national average of 4.5% for passenger journeys in 2014/15.
SWO Campaigner, Fraser Pithie, added "We are really pleased that both Gloucestershire and Worcestershire County Council's can see the compelling case for reinstatement of the line. The need for it due to the planned major development at and around Long Marston is in itself justification enough. It’s also important for Stratford upon Avon too. The town would benefit so much from being on an orbital South Midland service putting Evesham just 18 minutes away, Worcester 35 minutes away and Oxford within 49 minutes. With the line's reinstatement Stratford upon Avon station has the potential to bring in many more visitors direct to the Town Centre shops and businesses who also surely deserve the support from greater connectivity and infrastructure.
ENDS
TRANSPORT CAMPAIGNERS are pleased that Worcestershire and Gloucestershire County Councils have both given their support their wholehearted support to the reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne railway line. Examination Hearings by a Planning Inspector are due to reconvene in mid-January. One of the major issues to be examined in the revised Core Strategy for Stratford on District is planned major housing development at Long Marston and the surrounding area where in total some 5,900 homes are set to be built between 2015-2031
In their responses to the Inspector both County Council's state their clear support and wish to see the Stratford-Honeybourne railway line, closed in 1976, to be re-opened. Both authorities base their support on the need to provide mitigation from an estimated increase of some 7,300 vehicles on rural roads and towns, including Stratford upon Avon.
Worcestershire County Council states that they "would expect, as part of the optimum solution to the problems of traffic on inadequate rural roads in this particular area, the construction of a new railway station at Long Marston”
Gloucestershire County Council were quite clear in their support for reinstatement of the what is known as the 'missing link' stating;
"The provision of frequent public transport services to Stratford on Avon and Honeybourne potentially using the route of the former Honeybourne to Stratford railway line is supported. This would provide a sustainable alternative to the car for residents and employees travelling for the proposed development. Also, reinstatement of the line would provide a strategic link from the North Cotswold line to the Midlands opening up the possibility of direct services from Stratford upon Avon to Oxford and London in the east or to Worcester in the west.”
Similarly, safeguarding land for a potential new station adjacent to the former line is supported as this will reduce car usage from the proposed new development as well as attracting users from the surrounding area."
The news of the two major County Councils supporting the line's reinstatement comes as the latest rail passenger journey figures for 2014/15, released by the Office of Rail & Road, show increases in of 9.3% for Honeybourne and 9.2% for Moreton in Marsh. Both are more than double the national average of 4.5% for passenger journeys in 2014/15.
SWO Campaigner, Fraser Pithie, added "We are really pleased that both Gloucestershire and Worcestershire County Council's can see the compelling case for reinstatement of the line. The need for it due to the planned major development at and around Long Marston is in itself justification enough. It’s also important for Stratford upon Avon too. The town would benefit so much from being on an orbital South Midland service putting Evesham just 18 minutes away, Worcester 35 minutes away and Oxford within 49 minutes. With the line's reinstatement Stratford upon Avon station has the potential to bring in many more visitors direct to the Town Centre shops and businesses who also surely deserve the support from greater connectivity and infrastructure.
ENDS
Campaigners condemn introduction of “3rd Rate Rail Service” (20 October 2015)
Drastic reductions in direct train services due to take place from 26 October 2015 between Stratford upon Avon and London Marylebone have been condemned by transport campaigners. The changes mean that compared to the previous seven direct trains in either direction on weekdays there will only be three. Chiltern Railways, who operate the London Marylebone/Stratford upon Avon service, have emphasised that there are still plenty of services between London and Shakespeare’s town but it means passengers need to change trains at Leamington Spa.
As Stratford upon Avon continues to grapple with major transport issues, especially traffic congestion, this latest development has been seized upon and condemned by the campaign group Stratford/Worcester/Oxford (SWO). With proposed development of some 5,900 homes to the south and south west of Stratford, SWO are campaigning to re-open 6 miles of railway, closed in 1976, that runs from Stratford upon Avon to Honeybourne where it could re-connect to the Cotswold Line that runs between Worcester, Oxford and London Paddington.
One of SWO’s members is Michael Brockington, in 1969 he played a pivotal role in stopping the complete closure of the existing Birmingham to Stratford upon railway line and is scathing about these latest service reductions:
“Reducing direct train services between London and Stratford upon Avon and replacing them with the need for passengers to change trains at Leamington Spa is completely unacceptable, particularly for those with special needs and passengers carrying heavy luggage as well as being a step back 40 years to the 1970’s when services were in decline.(1)
“Train Operator Chiltern Railways have been at the forefront of developing a new service from Oxford via Bicester to London Marylebone.(2) Seen as a tapping into a lucrative market, and in competition to the Great Western Railway’s Oxford-London Paddington service, the Chiltern line needs extra capacity to accommodate the new service. Some of this has been achieved by axing some of the direct trains between Stratford and London. I think these alterations are a disgrace and consider it absolutely essential that the London service be transferred to a reopened route south of Stratford via Long Marston, to serve the North Cotswolds, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington. ”
Fraser Pithie, who led a campaign in 1984 stopping a second attempt to close the Stratford-Birmingham railway line, is also a member of SWO and is equally critical of the service reductions.
“With the changes on weekdays there will a 10 hour gap between direct services from Stratford to London with an even longer gap of over 12 hours for a London to Stratford direct service. On Saturdays it is even worse with only one direct train and 2 direct trains on a Sunday.
This is an apology of a service to what is an international tourist attraction. Currently Stratford upon Avon only captures 6% of the tourist market by rail compared to 13% for comparable tourist attractions and towns. This shows the potential there is to develop the market and bring more people into Stratford by train. Chiltern have never really developed the Stratford service and their latest actions with the direct service reductions now demonstrate that. Warwickshire County Council and even Passenger Focus are complicit too in relegating Stratford upon Avon to a third rate rail service as they supported, rather than objected, to these direct service reductions enabling Chiltern Railways to serve a more lucrative market in another county, it’s reprehensible.
“It’s great that Chiltern Railways operate a really good service between Birmingham and London Marylebone but with these changes passengers from Stratford will stand all too often to be a victim of that success. Often already heavily loaded at Birmingham, and following stops at Solihull and Warwick Parkway, frequently there are no seats for passengers boarding Chiltern's Birmingham-London services at Leamington Spa = Stratford passengers get the return of a third rate service."
Stratford-upon-Avon, an international tourist destination with over 4m visitors annually, lies on a direct corridor with the Cotswolds’, Oxford, Reading (for Heathrow and Gatwick airport links) and London Paddington (for Heathrow Express and with 4 tube lines). This is also a rail corridor that already exists other than the 6 mile ‘missing link’ between Stratford and Long Marston. Great Western Railway already operate 125mph High Speed Trains only 10 minutes south of Stratford on the Cotswold Line and have openly have stated that they can see the potential with Stratford and consequently would like to operate services to and from the town.(3)
Last week SWO welcomed the news that due to the level of proposed housing development south of the town, Stratford on Avon District Council was making a bid to the Local Enterprise Partnership to help fund a comprehensive study (GRIP 4) into the re-instatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne link. (4)
ENDS
(1) Chiltern Railways Train Service between London Marylebone and Stratford upon Avon
Weekdays
Current service:
Direct trains from London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon at:
0645hrs, 0910hrs, 12.18hrs, 15.18hrs, 18.18hrs & 20.18hrs
New service: (from 26 Oct 2015)
Direct trains from London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon at:
0618hrs, 1824hrs & 20.43hrs
Current service:
Direct trains from Stratford upon Avon to London Marylebone at:
0733hrs, 0914hrs, 1135hrs, 1435hrs, 1735hrs, 2049hrs
New Service (from 26 Oct 2015)
Direct trains from Stratford upon Avon to London Marylebone at:
0733hrs, 1736hrs & 2139hrs
(2) Chiltern Railways New Oxford- Bicester Railway service.
Chiltern Railways have established a new rail service between Oxford and London Marylebone. A new ¾ mile line has been built at Bicester to link the London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street/Snow Hill line with an existing rail route between Bicester Town and Oxford. The line has been completely rebuilt to modern standards, with new track, signalling and bridges.
The project has been delivered in partnership with Network Rail as part of the Bicester to Oxford Collaboration that will also see the installation of infrastructure for an East West Rail line that will see trains running from Oxford to Bedford from 2017. The £130m investment will result in Chiltern Railways running services between London Marylebone and a new station to the north of the city, Oxford Parkway, from 26th October 2015. From Spring 2016 it is planned that services will run from Oxford’s main and existing railway station, effectively placing Chiltern Railways in direct competition with Great Western Railway that operate the current Oxford –London Paddington services.
(3) Great Western Railway openly state they would like to provide Stratford upon Avon-London service
At the Annual General Meeting of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group at Moreton in Marsh on 16 May 2015 Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway (formerly called First Great Western) said he felt that Chiltern Railways had not exploited the potential of Stratford upon Avon as a tourist destination and had failed to increase patronage since taking over the service from First Great Western in 2004.
Mr Hopwood told the AGM:
“We wish to be strongly associated with the support for re-opening the 6 mile section of railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston which would enable connection with the
Cotswold Line at Honeybourne” Great Western Railway is one of the biggest Train Operating Companies in the UK. The company currently provides passenger services along the Cotswold line that runs between Hereford-Worcester-Evesham-Honeybourne-Moreton in Marsh-Charlbury-Oxford-Reading-London Paddington.
Mr. Hopwood went on to explain Great Western’s reasoning behind wishing to serve Stratford upon Avon
“There are many attractions to getting Stratford upon Avon into our network especially with our
experience in serving similar destinations such as Windsor. Re-opening the line would also unlock
tremendous potential for the Cotswold line enabling its local communities, and including the one in and
around Stratford upon Avon to access direct services to and from Oxford, Reading, London Paddington and Worcester”
(4) GRIP 4
Governance of Rail Investment Projects (GRIP) is a process and methodology that Network Rail use to manage and control projects that enhance or renew the national rail network. There are different stages. GRIP 4 is the stage that considers in depth a particular option. The GRIP process is largely infrastructure related and does not include socio-economic factors. These are usually considered by means of separate studies and reports carried out in parallel so a whole picture can be considered before making decisions.
Drastic reductions in direct train services due to take place from 26 October 2015 between Stratford upon Avon and London Marylebone have been condemned by transport campaigners. The changes mean that compared to the previous seven direct trains in either direction on weekdays there will only be three. Chiltern Railways, who operate the London Marylebone/Stratford upon Avon service, have emphasised that there are still plenty of services between London and Shakespeare’s town but it means passengers need to change trains at Leamington Spa.
As Stratford upon Avon continues to grapple with major transport issues, especially traffic congestion, this latest development has been seized upon and condemned by the campaign group Stratford/Worcester/Oxford (SWO). With proposed development of some 5,900 homes to the south and south west of Stratford, SWO are campaigning to re-open 6 miles of railway, closed in 1976, that runs from Stratford upon Avon to Honeybourne where it could re-connect to the Cotswold Line that runs between Worcester, Oxford and London Paddington.
One of SWO’s members is Michael Brockington, in 1969 he played a pivotal role in stopping the complete closure of the existing Birmingham to Stratford upon railway line and is scathing about these latest service reductions:
“Reducing direct train services between London and Stratford upon Avon and replacing them with the need for passengers to change trains at Leamington Spa is completely unacceptable, particularly for those with special needs and passengers carrying heavy luggage as well as being a step back 40 years to the 1970’s when services were in decline.(1)
“Train Operator Chiltern Railways have been at the forefront of developing a new service from Oxford via Bicester to London Marylebone.(2) Seen as a tapping into a lucrative market, and in competition to the Great Western Railway’s Oxford-London Paddington service, the Chiltern line needs extra capacity to accommodate the new service. Some of this has been achieved by axing some of the direct trains between Stratford and London. I think these alterations are a disgrace and consider it absolutely essential that the London service be transferred to a reopened route south of Stratford via Long Marston, to serve the North Cotswolds, Oxford, Reading and London Paddington. ”
Fraser Pithie, who led a campaign in 1984 stopping a second attempt to close the Stratford-Birmingham railway line, is also a member of SWO and is equally critical of the service reductions.
“With the changes on weekdays there will a 10 hour gap between direct services from Stratford to London with an even longer gap of over 12 hours for a London to Stratford direct service. On Saturdays it is even worse with only one direct train and 2 direct trains on a Sunday.
This is an apology of a service to what is an international tourist attraction. Currently Stratford upon Avon only captures 6% of the tourist market by rail compared to 13% for comparable tourist attractions and towns. This shows the potential there is to develop the market and bring more people into Stratford by train. Chiltern have never really developed the Stratford service and their latest actions with the direct service reductions now demonstrate that. Warwickshire County Council and even Passenger Focus are complicit too in relegating Stratford upon Avon to a third rate rail service as they supported, rather than objected, to these direct service reductions enabling Chiltern Railways to serve a more lucrative market in another county, it’s reprehensible.
“It’s great that Chiltern Railways operate a really good service between Birmingham and London Marylebone but with these changes passengers from Stratford will stand all too often to be a victim of that success. Often already heavily loaded at Birmingham, and following stops at Solihull and Warwick Parkway, frequently there are no seats for passengers boarding Chiltern's Birmingham-London services at Leamington Spa = Stratford passengers get the return of a third rate service."
Stratford-upon-Avon, an international tourist destination with over 4m visitors annually, lies on a direct corridor with the Cotswolds’, Oxford, Reading (for Heathrow and Gatwick airport links) and London Paddington (for Heathrow Express and with 4 tube lines). This is also a rail corridor that already exists other than the 6 mile ‘missing link’ between Stratford and Long Marston. Great Western Railway already operate 125mph High Speed Trains only 10 minutes south of Stratford on the Cotswold Line and have openly have stated that they can see the potential with Stratford and consequently would like to operate services to and from the town.(3)
Last week SWO welcomed the news that due to the level of proposed housing development south of the town, Stratford on Avon District Council was making a bid to the Local Enterprise Partnership to help fund a comprehensive study (GRIP 4) into the re-instatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne link. (4)
ENDS
(1) Chiltern Railways Train Service between London Marylebone and Stratford upon Avon
Weekdays
Current service:
Direct trains from London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon at:
0645hrs, 0910hrs, 12.18hrs, 15.18hrs, 18.18hrs & 20.18hrs
New service: (from 26 Oct 2015)
Direct trains from London Marylebone to Stratford upon Avon at:
0618hrs, 1824hrs & 20.43hrs
Current service:
Direct trains from Stratford upon Avon to London Marylebone at:
0733hrs, 0914hrs, 1135hrs, 1435hrs, 1735hrs, 2049hrs
New Service (from 26 Oct 2015)
Direct trains from Stratford upon Avon to London Marylebone at:
0733hrs, 1736hrs & 2139hrs
(2) Chiltern Railways New Oxford- Bicester Railway service.
Chiltern Railways have established a new rail service between Oxford and London Marylebone. A new ¾ mile line has been built at Bicester to link the London Marylebone to Birmingham Moor Street/Snow Hill line with an existing rail route between Bicester Town and Oxford. The line has been completely rebuilt to modern standards, with new track, signalling and bridges.
The project has been delivered in partnership with Network Rail as part of the Bicester to Oxford Collaboration that will also see the installation of infrastructure for an East West Rail line that will see trains running from Oxford to Bedford from 2017. The £130m investment will result in Chiltern Railways running services between London Marylebone and a new station to the north of the city, Oxford Parkway, from 26th October 2015. From Spring 2016 it is planned that services will run from Oxford’s main and existing railway station, effectively placing Chiltern Railways in direct competition with Great Western Railway that operate the current Oxford –London Paddington services.
(3) Great Western Railway openly state they would like to provide Stratford upon Avon-London service
At the Annual General Meeting of the Cotswold Line Promotion Group at Moreton in Marsh on 16 May 2015 Mark Hopwood, Managing Director of Great Western Railway (formerly called First Great Western) said he felt that Chiltern Railways had not exploited the potential of Stratford upon Avon as a tourist destination and had failed to increase patronage since taking over the service from First Great Western in 2004.
Mr Hopwood told the AGM:
“We wish to be strongly associated with the support for re-opening the 6 mile section of railway line between Stratford upon Avon and Long Marston which would enable connection with the
Cotswold Line at Honeybourne” Great Western Railway is one of the biggest Train Operating Companies in the UK. The company currently provides passenger services along the Cotswold line that runs between Hereford-Worcester-Evesham-Honeybourne-Moreton in Marsh-Charlbury-Oxford-Reading-London Paddington.
Mr. Hopwood went on to explain Great Western’s reasoning behind wishing to serve Stratford upon Avon
“There are many attractions to getting Stratford upon Avon into our network especially with our
experience in serving similar destinations such as Windsor. Re-opening the line would also unlock
tremendous potential for the Cotswold line enabling its local communities, and including the one in and
around Stratford upon Avon to access direct services to and from Oxford, Reading, London Paddington and Worcester”
(4) GRIP 4
Governance of Rail Investment Projects (GRIP) is a process and methodology that Network Rail use to manage and control projects that enhance or renew the national rail network. There are different stages. GRIP 4 is the stage that considers in depth a particular option. The GRIP process is largely infrastructure related and does not include socio-economic factors. These are usually considered by means of separate studies and reports carried out in parallel so a whole picture can be considered before making decisions.
Prime Minister restates support for improved Cotswold Line (14 October 2015)
The following exchange took place between the Member of Parliament for Mid Worcestershire and the Prime Minister at Prime Ministers Questions on 14 October 2015:
Q5. [901525] Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con): My midlands constituency is already benefiting from infrastructure investment such as the significant improvements to the M5 motorway. Does the Prime Minister agree that the recently announced and independent National Infrastructure Commission will play a key role in improving and securing our nation’s long-term economic prosperity?
The Prime Minister: I am delighted that we are establishing the National Infrastructure Commission. I hope that it can put some of these questions about infrastructure beyond party politics; I think that would be a thoroughly good thing. I am delighted that Lord Adonis, who made a great contribution in government, will be running it. I know that my hon. Friend and I will want to make sure that the Cotswold line is looked at very carefully by the infrastructure commission as it does its work.
SWO welcomes these latest comments from Rt Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Witney and West Oxfordshire which includes Charlbury on the Cotswold Line. Mr Cameron has previously given support for the re-instatement of the Stratford to Honeybourne railway line so as to provide greater connectivity between Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Oxford and Worcester. The re-instatement would also enable Cotswold Line users to access Birmingham more directly and quickly.
Nigel Huddleston MP, together with Worcestershire County Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Oxfordshire County Council support re-instatement and Stratford District Council have responded positively by seeking part funding from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership for a GRIP 4 study (which is a comprehensive infrastructure related study).
Q5. [901525] Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con): My midlands constituency is already benefiting from infrastructure investment such as the significant improvements to the M5 motorway. Does the Prime Minister agree that the recently announced and independent National Infrastructure Commission will play a key role in improving and securing our nation’s long-term economic prosperity?
The Prime Minister: I am delighted that we are establishing the National Infrastructure Commission. I hope that it can put some of these questions about infrastructure beyond party politics; I think that would be a thoroughly good thing. I am delighted that Lord Adonis, who made a great contribution in government, will be running it. I know that my hon. Friend and I will want to make sure that the Cotswold line is looked at very carefully by the infrastructure commission as it does its work.
SWO welcomes these latest comments from Rt Hon David Cameron, Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Witney and West Oxfordshire which includes Charlbury on the Cotswold Line. Mr Cameron has previously given support for the re-instatement of the Stratford to Honeybourne railway line so as to provide greater connectivity between Stratford upon Avon, the Cotswolds, Oxford and Worcester. The re-instatement would also enable Cotswold Line users to access Birmingham more directly and quickly.
Nigel Huddleston MP, together with Worcestershire County Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Oxfordshire County Council support re-instatement and Stratford District Council have responded positively by seeking part funding from the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership for a GRIP 4 study (which is a comprehensive infrastructure related study).
SWO welcomes creation of National Infrastructure Commission (6 October 2015)
The campaign for reinstatement of the railway line from its current terminus in Stratford upon Avon to some 6 miles south west of the town at Long Marston has been welcomed by Stratford/Worcester/Oxford (SWO) the group campaigning for the line’s reopening.
Connecting Birmingham - Stratford upon Avon – Honeybourne - Broadway and Cheltenham the line was closed in 1976 due to financial constraints on British Rail at that time. A small section remains in use between Honeybourne (Cotswold Line) and Long Marston. The route was never one of those earmarked for closure by Dr Beeching.
The announcement on Monday 5 October 2015 by the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the government is establishing a National Infrastruture Commission is seen a major step and enabler to get a proper and comprehensive appraisal completed that looks at the local but also national benefits arising from greater public transport connectivity.
SWO campaigner Fraser Pithie said:
“We are pleased there is to be a National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) that will look at things such as rail transport schemes much more holistically.
A NIC could overcome one of the biggest hurdles that has existed for decades. For mainly no other reason the route from Stratford to Honeybourne straddles two government regional boundaries (South West and West Midlands) two Network Rail regions (Western and Chiltern/West Midlands), three County Councils, three District Councils and two Local Enterprise Partnerships.
To date, despite various mechanisms that should have enabled sponsorship of such a scheme, not one of the various authorities have ever taken ownership. So dereliction has been allowed to take the place of promotion. A NIC represents a real prospect of a more positive approach that supports commerce, local businesses especially in the town centre, connectivity and a better amenity for local communities.”
Stratford upon Avon, suffers from a poor rail service. From Sunday 26 October a further significant reduction in London services by Chiltern Railways takes place so they can concentrate on more lucrative revenues from their new Oxford-Bicester-Marylebone service. Stratford only attracts 6% of visitors to travel to the town by rail. The national average for visitors by rail to similar UK rail connected tourist destinations is over double that at 13%.
Fraser added;
“We believe the potential for growth in visitors by rail is evidence of the scale, opportunity and need for better connectivity and economic benefits for Stratford and South Warwickshire residents together with the many excellent town shops and local businesses.
Further, the planned 5,900 homes that are due to be built close to the Bard’s town and alongside or nearby the reinstatement route places a greater emphasis than ever to secure what would b sustainable transport for people to commute from home to work in Birmingham and the West Midlands and by doing so mitigate even more vehicles adding to already significant tidal flows in the mornings and evenings on routes through some of South Warwickshire’s villages together with congestion in and around Stratford upon Avon.”
Connecting Birmingham - Stratford upon Avon – Honeybourne - Broadway and Cheltenham the line was closed in 1976 due to financial constraints on British Rail at that time. A small section remains in use between Honeybourne (Cotswold Line) and Long Marston. The route was never one of those earmarked for closure by Dr Beeching.
The announcement on Monday 5 October 2015 by the Rt Hon George Osborne MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, that the government is establishing a National Infrastruture Commission is seen a major step and enabler to get a proper and comprehensive appraisal completed that looks at the local but also national benefits arising from greater public transport connectivity.
SWO campaigner Fraser Pithie said:
“We are pleased there is to be a National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) that will look at things such as rail transport schemes much more holistically.
A NIC could overcome one of the biggest hurdles that has existed for decades. For mainly no other reason the route from Stratford to Honeybourne straddles two government regional boundaries (South West and West Midlands) two Network Rail regions (Western and Chiltern/West Midlands), three County Councils, three District Councils and two Local Enterprise Partnerships.
To date, despite various mechanisms that should have enabled sponsorship of such a scheme, not one of the various authorities have ever taken ownership. So dereliction has been allowed to take the place of promotion. A NIC represents a real prospect of a more positive approach that supports commerce, local businesses especially in the town centre, connectivity and a better amenity for local communities.”
Stratford upon Avon, suffers from a poor rail service. From Sunday 26 October a further significant reduction in London services by Chiltern Railways takes place so they can concentrate on more lucrative revenues from their new Oxford-Bicester-Marylebone service. Stratford only attracts 6% of visitors to travel to the town by rail. The national average for visitors by rail to similar UK rail connected tourist destinations is over double that at 13%.
Fraser added;
“We believe the potential for growth in visitors by rail is evidence of the scale, opportunity and need for better connectivity and economic benefits for Stratford and South Warwickshire residents together with the many excellent town shops and local businesses.
Further, the planned 5,900 homes that are due to be built close to the Bard’s town and alongside or nearby the reinstatement route places a greater emphasis than ever to secure what would b sustainable transport for people to commute from home to work in Birmingham and the West Midlands and by doing so mitigate even more vehicles adding to already significant tidal flows in the mornings and evenings on routes through some of South Warwickshire’s villages together with congestion in and around Stratford upon Avon.”
Latest News (2 October 2015)
Gloucestershire County Council supports SWO in submission to Network Rail's Western Route Study 2015.
Network Rail's Western Route Study 2015 published in late August 2015 sets out the future strategy for the railway network in the western region for the next few years. In response to the study Gloucestershire County Council have submitted the following comments in respect of the re-instatement of Stratford - Honeybourne.
Gloucestershire County Council:
Redoubling the remaining single sections of the North Cotswold line between Oxford and Worcester and consequent junction improvements would seem logical in providing additional capacity and resilience on the section over the longer term period of the study.
General Comment: Schemes being promoted by adjacent LEPs and LAs such as improvements to the North Cotswold line and the reinstatement of the Stratford to Honeybourne line are welcomed. It is therefore important that the Western Route Study maintains the recognition of the benefits of the reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne-Oxford/Worcester/Cheltenham route, detailed in the Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy, 2010 as in the longer term these will benefit the north of Gloucestershire.
This adds to the support from the leader of Worcestershire County Council who stated to SW0 in July:
We are supportive of trying to gather up the funds to open up the railway line from Honeybourne to Stratford upon Avon which would include the Long Marston site and I understand that developers have pledged a contribution to start this work by having a feasibility study which we will then be able to use and report to the Department of Transport.
Uploaded 2 October 2015
Network Rail's Western Route Study 2015 published in late August 2015 sets out the future strategy for the railway network in the western region for the next few years. In response to the study Gloucestershire County Council have submitted the following comments in respect of the re-instatement of Stratford - Honeybourne.
Gloucestershire County Council:
Redoubling the remaining single sections of the North Cotswold line between Oxford and Worcester and consequent junction improvements would seem logical in providing additional capacity and resilience on the section over the longer term period of the study.
General Comment: Schemes being promoted by adjacent LEPs and LAs such as improvements to the North Cotswold line and the reinstatement of the Stratford to Honeybourne line are welcomed. It is therefore important that the Western Route Study maintains the recognition of the benefits of the reinstatement of the Stratford-Honeybourne-Oxford/Worcester/Cheltenham route, detailed in the Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy, 2010 as in the longer term these will benefit the north of Gloucestershire.
This adds to the support from the leader of Worcestershire County Council who stated to SW0 in July:
We are supportive of trying to gather up the funds to open up the railway line from Honeybourne to Stratford upon Avon which would include the Long Marston site and I understand that developers have pledged a contribution to start this work by having a feasibility study which we will then be able to use and report to the Department of Transport.
Uploaded 2 October 2015