Agenda item

(Member lead: Cllr J Blake, Director: Dave Pearson)

The Combined Authority considered a report of the Director of Transport Services on the current main issues affecting rail services in the City Region. 

The meeting was attended by Anna Jane Hunter, Director, North of England Rail for Network Rail who explained the issues around central Leeds and how Network Rail was addressing them.  She advised that services were almost at the level they were before the May 2018 timetable changes but there was still work to be done.

A full discussion ensued and Members repeated the concerns raised at the previous meeting which had been attended by representatives from Northern and TransPennine Express and expressed their disappointment that Network Rail had not been present.  Whilst noting there had been some improvements to performance, it was stressed that many services continued to be shortformed and were still failing to operate at an acceptable level with the impact on passengers and the local economy being severely affected. 

In respect of rolling stock, Members asked Anna Jane Hunter for confirmation that the Pacer units would be withdrawn by the end of the year.  She advised that it was her understanding that this was the case as the Pacers would be illegal from 1 January 2020 but she would seek clarification.  It was requested that information for when the new trains, timetables and service improvements for the City Region would be implemented be provided at the earliest opportunity so that this could be communicated to the public.

It was considered that the rail industry was fragmented and not fit for purpose.  There was no single accountable body and a fundamental structural change was needed to provide greater transparency, local level accountability and more devolved powers for the North.  Members discussed the work being undertaken by Richard George who had been appointed by the Government to oversee infrastructure and train operations, working closely with Transport for the North, the Rail North Partnership, Network Rail and the train operators. It was noted that his work was highlighting that the constraints at Leeds Station and that the network in central Leeds impacts on service improvements and effects reliability across the City Region.  Recommendations from Richard George and his team were outlined in the report and it was noted that he had been invited to attend the next meeting to explain the main outcomes of the work he had undertaken.

The Combined Authority thanked Anna Jane Hunter for attending the meeting and Members reiterated that for the rail industry to maintain the status quo was not an option and the need to see continued improvements and better communication and engagement with the public was essential to help to restore passenger confidence. 

Resolved:

(a)       That the current issues affecting the delivery of rail services in the City Region be noted.

(b)       That the Combined Authority urges DfT and Network Rail to prioritise the technical capacity analysis needed to determine the rail network requirements in and around central Leeds necessary to bring clarity on the investment required to deliver committed service improvements and accommodate growth across the City Region.

(c)       That in response to the importance of addressing rail network capacity in and around central Leeds for improved services across the Leeds City Region and beyond, the Combined Authority endorses the need for ongoing activity to make a strong case for investment by:

·         working with Transport for the North to ensure that the strategies and investment plans it is developing reflect this important priority;

·         continuing to shape and influence plans for TransPennine Route Upgrade, HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail to ensure that these respond to the need to facilitate rail service growth and improvements across all parts of the City Region; and

·         alongside Council partners, continuing to make a strong and compelling pitch to central government for the Rail Network Enhancement Programme funding that will be required to unlock network capacity in the City Region.