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Agenda item

Trains

Ø  Siemens GoVia Thameslink trains unexpected reactions to electrical disturbances– Yvonne Leslie (GTR)

 

Ø  Update on Passenger Benefit Fund – Yvonne Leslie (GTR)

 

Ø  Rebuilding Gatwick Airport Station – Yvonne Leslie (GTR)

 

Ø  December 2019 Timetable Proposals – Yvonne Leslie (GTR)

 

Ø  Replacement of Sanderstead Railway Bridge – Yvonne Leslie (GTR)

 

Ø  Selhurst Station Lift Work (disruption from closing rear entrance during works on match days) – Yvonne Leslie (GTR)

 

Minutes:

a)          Siemens Govia Thameslink trains unexpected reactions to electrical disturbances

 

The Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) representative informed the Panel on the details of how the national power outage affected services across the country including; Kings Cross, Siemans, Network Rail and GTR.  After the outage only half of the effected trains could be re-booted which left the remaining trains requiring repair from technicians. Beyond the entire incident there was an initial report published by National Grid on the OFGEM website and a wider investigation and review was to follow.

 

In response to the Chair asking the operator whether their service was prepared for an event of this nature and secondly whether there were any passengers that were held stuck on the train carriages and had tried to evacuate themselves, the GTR representative stated that the operators had evacuation and communication procedures in place for these scenarios and that they were not aware of any passengers performing evacuations independent to the formal process.

 

b)          Update on Passenger Benefit Fund

 

The GTR representative stated that there had been 3-4 user engagement sessions to collate ideas on how to spend the £25 million fund. The online survey closed at the end of August and the feedback was currently being analysed to balance factors of popularity, affordability and feasibility alongside talks with DfT on how to take the project forward. Once proposals were drafted they would be fed back into the engagement process. Improvements being explored included cycle hire and smart card extensions.

 

In response to the Chair asking what the fund could mean for Croydon in particular and which stations would see the benefit, the GTR representative said that most stations, including GTR stations, would be allocated funding as part of the special industry compensation scheme.

 

The East Surrey Transport Committee representative welcomed the plans and stated there would be many wider benefits felt by the community as part of station improvements which would result in increased public transport usage and environmental gain.

 

c)           Rebuilding Gatwick Airport Station

 

The GTR representative explained to the Panel that to respond to the current and increasing passenger volume there was a £150 million investment to expand the Gatwick Airport Station with planned work due to commence within the next two years. There were ongoing discussions with Network Rail and the proposed timetable was under review and further updates would be communicated to the next Panel.

 

d)          December 2019 Timetable Proposals

 

The GTR representative told the Panel that the December 2019 timetable proposals were not substantial and would not affect Croydon; the main lines to be affected were between London and Peterborough.

 

The East Surrey Transport Committee representative said that there would only be two fewer trains per hour to Gatwick therefore little affect to local train services.

 

e)           Replacement of Sanderstead Railway Bridge

 

The East Surrey Transport Committee representative enquired how long the Sanderstead Railway would need to be shut in future works to the bridge whilst the compound was being constructed. In past waves of construction the length of time the station had been closed ranged greatly between half-day and four day spans and the TfL representative replied that they would investigate this further and return with information.

 

A resident stated that National Rail had provided a detailed letter to the local residents advising of road and rail closures and that progress so far had been good in that construction was managed on a part and part basis so that services were running at all times. The resident said that he would share the letter with the Clerk to circulate with the Panel.

 

Councillor Hoar informed the Panel that construction had meant that the children’s play area in the South Croydon Recreation Ground had been reduced and hoped this area would be available for use and without any damage in the near future.

 

f)            Selhurst Station Lift Work

 

The GTR representative spoke on the disruption caused from closing the rear entrance during works on match days at Selhurst Station and stated that after speaking to the area manager that the entrance was no longer usable so passengers were now required to walk around the station.

 

The Head of Transport stated that potential problems on match days had not been fully considered and that they had asked advice from the council on any other unintended consequences form the works that could be a concern, to which there was no other response. The Head of Transport asked the GTR representative what was the progress of the response or if any problems had arisen and they agreed that the area manager would be asked to contact the Planning and Strategic Support team for more information on the matter.