Yatetrainaction.com
The official campaign to improve train services serving Yate.
Welcome to the YateTrainAction campaign website.
“We need action to improve train services serving Yate and we need action now” is something that is being said by more and more Yate commuters.
Commuters from Yate currently have to put up with train services that are often late, overcrowded and over-priced. Improvements are badly needed now, well before the Government even thinks of imposing thousands more houses on the town.
This campaign has been set up with the aim of finally getting something done after years of little or no progress. To get something done though, we need your help and support.
Matthew Riddle
Prospective Conservative MP for the new Thornbury and Yate constituency
NETWORK RAIL CONSULTATION OPEN UNTIL 27 NOVEMBER - SIGN MATTHEW'S PETITION BELOW AND HAVE YOUR SAY!
Network Rail has now published its draft Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) for the ‘Great Western’ area, which includes Yate. This is the draft blueprint for the region and will shape future investment in the railways. Views about this document are now being sought as part of a period of public consultation, which ends on 27 November.
Sadly, despite all the hype, the document is disappointing. First, it talks vaguely about improvements over a 10 year period when what we really need is decisive action now. Secondly, Network Rail seems to suggest that an extension of services to Yate represents poor value for money and, therefore, should only go ahead with ‘third party funding’ – not funding from Network Rail’s own budget. This ‘third party funding’ – which could mean local authority and/or developer funding – would be used primarily to build a facility that would allow trains to turn around at Yate station (a ‘turnback’ facility).
I hope you will join me and the Yate Train Action campaign in urging a robust response to this consultation that makes clear that what is proposed is simply not good enough. The minimal progress that Network Rail outlines will do little or nothing in the short to medium term to tackle the overcrowded, overpriced and limited train services that commuters from Yate currently have to deal with.
As well as signing the petition below, consultation responses can be submitted either electronically or by post to the addresses below:
greatwesternrus@networkrail.co.uk
Great Western RUS Consultation Response
RUS Programme Manager
Network Rail
Floor 4
Kings Place
90 York Way
London
N1 9AG
LATEST CAMPAIGN PETITION – A TRAIN TURNBACK FACILITY
*Update* Network Rail has delayed the publication of its Route Utilisation Strategy until later this year.
One of the most immediate fights is to get Network Rail to fund a train ‘turnback' facility at Yate, which would be a huge step towards more frequent cross-Bristol services.
Formal consultation on Network Rail's ‘Route Utilisation Strategy' (RUS) – which will decide the fate of a ‘turnback' – is expected to take place in April 2009, but many people are concerned that we'll simply be asked to rubber-stamp schemes that have already been decided. Therefore, we need to start campaigning NOW for a train turnback facility as it will be competing against other schemes across the country.
Please sign the petition so we can show Network Rail how much support there is for more frequent services from Yate station.
YATE TURNBACK FACTS
• A train turnback allows trains to cross onto the other track, so it can then head in the opposite direction. This provides a quick turnaroundtime, which allows the frequency of services to be increased.
• In 2007, Network Rail said a train turnback facility will cost nearly £3 million, but that a ‘third party' should fund it. We think Network Rail should fund it.
• A Yate train turnback has to be part of a wider package of rail improvements both at Yate and throughout the wider area and we'll be working hard to get each of these improvements carried out.