a) Update on Rebuilding Norwood Junction Station from the Chair - (Network Rail)
b) Update on Unblocking the Croydon Bottleneck from the Chair - (Network Rail)
c) Update on Rebuilding Gatwick Airport Station – Yvonne Leslie (GTR)
Presentation followed by a question and answer session
d) Update on West Croydon Station redevelopment - Neil Benson (TfL)
e) Update on Replacement of Sanderstead Railway Bridge – Paula Williams (Network Rail)
Minutes:
a) Update on Rebuilding Norwood Junction Station from the Chair - (Network Rail)
The Chair stated that the written update from Network would be circulated to the Panel after the meeting and Included within the minutes.
The following written update was provided by Network Rail:
“Following the public engagement last year, the feedback has been collated and a press release has gone out summarising the responses. This can also be viewed on the Network Rail website:
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/news/overwhelming-support-for-proposals-to-upgrade-norwood-junction-station
The designs for Norwood have not substantially progressed over the past six months as the team have been focusing on other elements of CARS”
b) Update on Unblocking the Croydon Bottleneck from the Chair - (Network Rail)
The Chair stated that the written update from Network would be circulated to the Panel after the meeting and Included within the minutes.
The following written update was provided by Network Rail:
“The design team have been progressing well and substantial progress has been made since the last public consultation back in November 2018.
We plan to consult again with the public in June 2020 and are currently beginning engagement with statutory stakeholders in advance of this.
In view of the above we feel it would be inappropriate to provide any further detail to this forum, at this time.
It may be more appropriate to attend a meeting later in the year, however we do not want to pre-empt the upcoming public consultation”
c) Update on Rebuilding Gatwick Airport Station – Paul Codd (Stakeholder Manager, GTR)
The GTR representative introduced the Gatwick Airport Upgrade 2020-2023 presentation. The presentation covered the purpose and what the project would deliver, the timescales of the project and the effects to train services during works. The project was being delivered through a partnership approach between DfT, Network Rail, GTR, GWR, Gatwick Airport and Coast to Capital. The GTR representative ask for any questions form the Panel and agreed for the presentation to be circulated after the meeting.
The following comments were made:
· An ESTC representative said the presentation was informative and well received,
· An ESTC representative raised concern over Platform 7 closing
· An ESTC representative stated that good signage around the station was necessary during the works
· The GTR representative stated that the was a dedicated page on the Network Rail website that covered the project, including a specialised ‘Plan your journey’ section
· An ESTC representative asked whether the workforce upgrading Gatwick Airport Station could be fed into other projects as they were ready and available with the skills in the locality
· An ESTC representative stated that passengers should be advised by training companies to make journey connections outside of East Croydon Station to relieve capacity
d) Update on West Croydon Station redevelopment - Neil Benson (TfL)
The TfL representative stated that the redevelopment would mean improved accessibility and platform capacity. Arriva would be improving the signage at the rear of the car park. Currently TfL was in the process of presenting a strategy to LBC.
The LBC representative stated that Croydon Council were working with TfL to make improvements. A key component of the West Croydon Masterplan was the redevelopment of West Croydon Station and the feasibility was looking positive. Network Rail were looking at the possibility of having three tracks in future.
An ESTC representative stated from a passenger point of view, during any works to take place they would rather the station remained open as to not reduce mobility through that period and maintain access to the tram and bus station.
e) Update on Replacement of Sanderstead Railway Bridge – Paula Williams (Network Rail)
An ESTC representative told the Panel that Sanderstead Road was closed for two months and there had not been sufficient notice. An ESTC representative stated that the work had been completed to a good standard. The construction assembly was finished within the work area meaning other areas were not negatively impacted. Network Rail provided a shuttle bus during the works which was a success. The Chair thanked the representatives for their feedback which could be incorporated into a future project.