Agenda item

Resolved:

(i)         That the update on the current rail service performance be noted and that Councillor Judith Blake, as the Combined Authority’s representative on the Transport for the North Rail North Committee, raises through that Committee the Authority’s concerns about the impact of prolonged rail disruption, and urge further action to restore rail performance to the level required by the respective franchises.

(ii)        That the establishment of a West Yorkshire Combined Authority Rail Forum, as outlined in the submitted report, be endorsed.

(iii)       That the Combined Authority’s input into the Blake Johnson Review be noted.

(iv)       That the Chair of the Combined Authority writes to Arriva Rail North highlighting concerns that the December 2018 rail timetable will not address pressing service delivery issues on critical routes in West Yorkshire, and seeking action to address these as a priority.

(v)        That the Transport Committee notes the risk associated with delivery of the 2019 timetable commitments as a consequence of network capacity constraints, and the work to be undertaken to understand this and the possible compromises which may be required.  Further information will be presented at the January 2019 meeting.

The Transport Committee considered a report on rail performance and future service planning which:

·         Provided an update on the performance of local rail services following discussion at the previous meeting.

·         Advised Members of progress with the reviews into rail performance and governance following the issues emerging in May 2018.

·         Advised Members of arrangements proposed to improve engagement between the Combined Authority and the rail industry.

·         Provided an update on the service planning for the forthcoming timetable changes.

·         Sought agreement to actions to highlight the Combined Authority’s ongoing concerns at service delivery issues in the region and to seek urgent interventions to address them.

Members reiterated concerns previously raised that services were still failing to operate at an acceptable level and that the rail operators were not fulfilling their franchise obligations.

The report provided an update on the service planning for the forthcoming timetable changes and Members were extremely concerned that the rail industry, led by Network Rail, had made the decision that the December 2018 timetable will have only very limited service changes designed to improve punctuality and reliability.  The Chair advised the meeting that she had met with Northern to discuss the priorities for short-term service intervention and had stressed that the Combined Authority want Northern to remain open to altering in May 2019 any changes made in December 2018, such as those on the Leeds – York corridor which the Combined Authority opposes. Comment was made that any improvements would be minimal and would not address the ongoing problems and that many committed service enhancements which should have been introduced in December 2017 would now face an even longer delay.  Members were also concerned about the lack of consultation on the latest timetable announcements from Northern.  Information was still awaited from Transpennine Express and a letter will be sent to Transport for the North and the Department for Transport on the urgent need to rectify the issues.

In respect of rail reviews, Members welcomed the involvement of Roger Marsh, Chair of the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership and the NP11 Board in the major review of the UK rail industry launched by the Secretary of State.

It was reported that Councillor Judith Blake, asthe Combined Authority’s representative, had agreed to raise the Combined Authority’s serious concerns at the Transport for the North Rail North Committee and she had assured Members that the voice of the City Region would be strongly and firmly heard at both the TfN Rail North Committee and nationally. 

It was proposed to establish a joint forum to enable the Combined Authority Members, train operators, Network Rail, Transport for the North and other key bodies to discuss plans and issues affecting local rail services and the terms of reference were attached at Appendix 2. 

A further report would be brought to the next meeting.

Resolved:

(i)         That the update on the current rail service performance be noted and that Councillor Judith Blake, as the Combined Authority’s representative on the Transport for the North Rail North Committee, raises through that Committee the Authority’s concerns about the impact of prolonged rail disruption, and urge further action to restore rail performance to the level required by the respective franchises.

(ii)        That the establishment of a West Yorkshire Combined Authority Rail Forum, as outlined in the submitted report, be endorsed.

(iii)       That the Combined Authority’s input into the Blake Johnson Review be noted.

(iv)       That the Chair of the Combined Authority writes to Arriva Rail North highlighting concerns that the December 2018 rail timetable will not address pressing service delivery issues on critical routes in West Yorkshire, and seeking action to address these as a priority.

(v)        That the Transport Committee notes the risk associated with delivery of the 2019 timetable commitments as a consequence of network capacity constraints, and the work to be undertaken to understand this and the possible compromises which may be required.  Further information will be presented at the January 2019 meeting.