GREATER WESTERN OR LESSER WESTERN?A report compiled by
TravelWatch SouthWest looking at, "Stakeholders proposed principles to guide the Department for Transport in preparing the Invitation to Tender for the New Greater Western Franchise"
Foreword
This paper arose from discussions between representatives of strategic transport authorities, business groups (including the emerging Local Enterprise Partnerships) and passengers^ organisations from throughout the South West of England. People from about sixty South West organisations met in early July to see if there was a common view of the big themes that we consider the Department for Transport should address in specifying the new Greater Western franchise. We were assisted by experts from the rail industry, including Network Rail and Passenger Focus (although, to avoid conflicts of interest, we deliberately did not invite train operators). We followed up the meeting with wide consultation as this paper was drafted. We were determined to reflect consensus.
Its focus on strategic issues is deliberate. Many of the organisations represented are likely to have their own list of local priorities which it is hoped can be pursued during the coming months both in discussions with the DfT» and with prospective bidders. This paper provides a narrative context in which those more specific concerns can be framed.
The Government^s South West planning region spans considerable distances. Its northern boundary is closer to the Scottish border than to the far west of Cornwall. Inevitably, the communities that it encompasses have diverse needs and aspirations: the fact that we found broad consensus is altogether notable.
One point in particular, however, requires mention. While the Government^s decision to invest in up-grading the Great Western Main Line has met with a positive response, there is undoubted concern amongst stakeholders in Plymouth, Torbay and elsewhere in the far west that their connectivity and service provision will worsen in relative terms. There is understandable concern that this will accentuate their competitive disadvantage in seeking to realise their economic potential and stimulating much-needed regeneration. The intensity and energy of this concern is striking: it must be addressed by the DfT and the successful bidder if it is not to become a significant political issue.
The over-riding message to come through is this: despite the significant improvements to the service since the disastrous start of the 2006 Greater Western franchise and the Government^s welcome commitment to long-overdue investment in Greater Western^s infrastructure more needs to be done if the UK▸ is to benefit from the potential of the South West^s contribution to sustainable growth. The new Greater Western franchise must be fit for purpose: reliable and resilient, attractive and affordable, capable of meeting the growth in demand for rail travel throughout the South West.
Chris Irwin
Chair, TravelWatch SouthWest CIC▸
1st September 2011
The full paper can be read here:
http://www.travelwatchsouthwest.org/greatwestern.pdf
Click on the map to explore geographics
