Meeting title / subject: Date: 4 th December 2014 Venue: Heathrow Academy, CR3 Attendees: Name Organisation Fraser Brown (acting chairman) HEX Ian Frost HAL Derek Lawrence AOC Andrew Genever Network Rail David Martin HAL Bob Castelijn Hillingdon Roger Carpenter London Underground Geeta Odedra Heathrow Commuter Apologies Simon Earles HAL Theo Panayi HAL Josie Rogers Network Rail Paul Millin Surrey CC Ben Sturgess Network Rail 1.) Introduction, apologies & minutes of previous meeting Fraser Brown (HEX) introduced himself and welcomed everybody to the meeting. He explained that he would be acting as chairman of this meeting as Simon Earles (Head of Surface Access) was unable to attend. Apologies were noted as above. Previous minutes were discussed for accuracy. Matters arising: Ian Frost (HAL) informed the group that he would contact Wandsworth LB to obtain the economic values study findings which was noted as an action for Gemma Clutterbuck (Wandsworth LB) ACTION: Ian Frost to provide the economic values study from Wandsworth at the next meeting. Fraser reminded the group of his and Simon Earles s action to provide a presentation on the HEX proposition and what matters to airport passengers. He explained that this would be presented at the next meeting as there was on-going field work being carried out which would cover this action. 1
: Simon Earles and Fraser Brown to provide a presentation on the HEX proposition and what matters to airport passengers. In terms of the action regarding Hex and use of Oyster, Fraser explained that Simon has been attempting to get in touch with the right person at TFL, which was proving to be a challenge. He explained that there was no current plan for Oyster to be available on the HEX however, he and Simon would be looking to into engage in conversations with TFL to see what it would take to achieve this and resolve any issues that were hindering progress. It was queried whether they had found the correct person within TFL. Fraser explained Simon had spoken to several people and was heading in the right direction of finding the correct contact. The discussion moved onto the type of customers who used the Oyster and it was stated that UK passengers were more frequent users than UK based passengers. It was noted that the technology used needed to be upgraded as it was quite dated. Roger Carpenter (LUL) raised concerns over the challenges faced with the contactless system and foreign bankcards. The group accepted the minutes as a true record. 2.) Western Rail Access Andrew Genever (Network Rail) informed the group that since the last update in August, a contract had been signed with Jacobs to undertake GRIP3 (Option Selection) work. Engineering designs had commenced, with initial track alignments due by the end of the week. With regards to other works, Andrew added that on-site ground investigations, topographical and environmental surveys had commenced, and that an initial draft of the Statement of Community Consultation (a requirement of the DCO process) had been circulated to statutory stakeholders for comment. He informed the group there was on-going dialogue with the HS2 and Southern Rail Access to Heathrow schemes, and that a session with DFT and other stakeholders to explore stabling and other requirements associated with Old Oak Common Depot was planned. Andrew further added that meetings with the Planning Inspectorate, Iver Parish Council and the Berkshire Strategic Transport forum were scheduled before Christmas. David Martin (HAL) stated it was more likely that services would commence in 2022 rather than the original plan of 2021. He informed the group of the business case that was put forward to the DFT to exhibit the viability of the service specification, which included wider economic value and how it is funded. 3.) Long Term Planning Process Having briefed the group on progress with the Western Route Study at the August meeting, Andrew Genever provided a further update to the group. The Draft for Consultation document had been published on 10 October 2014, and was currently undergoing a 90-day period of consultation. A copy of the Outline Strategy diagram was tabled (see 14.12.04 Western Route Study Outline Strategy.pdf) to highlight the emerging choices for funders. Andrew advised that outstanding demand forecasting and capacity assessment work would be undertaken throughout the period of consultation, as well as the completion of appraisals for the CP6 (Control Period 6, 2019 2024) choices. GRIP2 (Feasibility) development work for four corridors would also be progressed during the consultation period, those being: 1. London Paddington to Reading 2. Reading to Oxford 3. Basingstoke to Oxford 4. Didcot Parkway to Swindon The final date for consultation responses is 9 January 2015, with the Final Western Route Study being published in May 2015. Andrew informed that the Wessex Route Study Draft for Consultation had been published on 20 November 2014 and was currently undergoing a 90-day consultation period, with the intention to publish the Final Wessex Route Study in the autumn of 2015. Reference has been made in the Draft for Consultation of the Southern Rail Access to Heathrow proposals, with the Final Route Study taking account of the emerging outputs from the on -going Network Rail study. 2
Ian Frost re-iterated that the Paddington to Reading would need to deal with the capacity constraints for the high demand of this service. It was noted that some of the choices may affect the HEX proposition, which David Martin (HAL) confirmed had been raised to Network Rail. : Andrew Genever to arrange for a presentation on the Western Route Study at the next Rail Working Group meeting. 4.) Crossrail David Martin (HAL) informed the group of the intensive build-up of work and the network was delivering a large volume of work, which needed to be executed on the weekends before Christmas. He mentioned that the Stockley fly over was to be re-opened post-christmas. Network Rail were also likely to complete all infrastructure work by 2016. He informed the group of the possessions that Network Rail requested over the Christmas period and that there would be several closures during this time. There also was a drive to install a new signalling system by 2016. David highlighted some of the potential risks and outcomes should a Cross rail service to HAL not be up and running by May 2018. He informed the group that MTR were the chosen service operator for Crossrail and they would be in contact with HAL to discuss Heathrow s requirements for train operations in 2018. David stressed the importance of having support from HEX, particularly when any issues or disruptions arise. 5.) Southern Rail Access (SRA) Ian Frost (HAL) presented an update for the group. He began by informing the group that stakeholder support for Southern Rail was strong and that Surrey had their own Rail strategy study which indicated that they required better links to Heathrow. Thames Valley Berkshire had also conducted an economic value study that highlighted the benefits of a direct rail link into Heathrow from the south. Network Rail had conducted a market study which set out aspirations that were similar to those from Heathrow, which included having faster, frequent, reliable rail services. The Airports Commission had contacted the chancellor to stress the importance of access to the airport; Southern Rail being a key option. Ian then went onto discussing the work conducted by Greengauge 21 and gave example of the various conditional outputs. He stated that the Clapham/Waterloo corridor was the largest catchment with the most potential of growth of rail trips. This would generate more rail demand and increase rail revenue. He indicated that Southern Rail Access was the missing link for Surface Access growth for Heathrow. DFT had sponsored Network rail to carry out a specific study into Southern Access to Heathrow. This study looked into what SRA would achieve; the various destinations and what value would this bring to the Rail industry. These aspirations would be presented to the DFT June 2015. To conclude, Ian informed the group that their objective to secure rail policy support by 2017 still remained. He gave a brief overview of the timeline and where they were in the Long Term Planning Process. 6.) HS2 Update David Martin updated the group of Heathrow s petition against the Hybrid Bill and the challenges of finding a new depot location. However, progress had been made on the alternative option of a depot in Langley which has been agreed by DFT and Network Rail. Network Rail projects team had taken the scheme design to Grip 3 option selection. The Langley option is integrated with Western Rail Access. He informed the group that the DFT were reviewing this option from a financial view. David informed the group there was going to be an option selection workshop next week to look into Langley as an option in detail. He re-iterated that the intent was to withdraw the petition before the committee stage in 2015. 7.) HEX Update Fraser Brown followed on from David s update on Crossrail by re-iterating that HEX had strong customer comms on display and the disruption board was very clear at the Terminal. He explained that social media played a significant part in communicating to their customers. Fraser informed the group of a Christmas replacement bus which was not heavily publicised as the default option would be the Piccadilly Line. National express were also increasing their services. Derek Lawrence raised concerns over the website and how quickly it was updated. Fraser announced that a 3
new twitter feed had been added this week which ran real time. He stated that this time last year it proved difficult to inform customers of disruptions; however they had made significance progress since then and were now able to communicate with passengers. He ensured they would continue to work on any issues and look to find ways to improve all lines of communication. Fraser informed the group that Hex was running a special promotion with BA staff, offering club members a free upgrade to business class. He announced that HEX and RMT were officially out of dispute however they did face some challenges to build up morale with staff members. He then announced that Heathrow Express was recruiting and that 20 new colleagues were to join. Derek Lawrence requested if Fraser could provide the group with examples of any signage/posters used to display Heathrow Express services during the Christmas period. ACTION: Fraser Brown to distribute Heathrow Express services posters to the working group. Fraser announced that the self-printed boarding cards now displayed HEX adverts. He also made the group aware of the Back to Work campaign that from January to February, which would be advertised in various newspapers and possibly the radio. Fraser discussed the promotion of HEX and other sustainable public transport modes against services such as taxi s and private hire vehicles. 8.)Piccadilly Line Update Roger Carpenter (LUL) informed the group of the several issues they had faced over the last couple of weeks, which included cable faults and train failures. He assured the group that these were being looked in to and highlighted to prevent any future issues occurring. He informed the group that a new timetable was put in place in December from 21-00hrs - 23-00hrs where there was an increase of trains from 19 to 21. Roger informed the group that Arsenal tube station on the Piccadilly Line was to be closed for 4 days for maintenance work. He then went on to discussing the Fit for the Future programme where the first phase would begin in January. This would focus on the employees and working on how to provide the best customer service possible. This would include a proposal of a new operating model. Derek Lawrence (AOC) discussed the cashless system and raised some concerns over the ticket office and some of the machines being closed when there are services running during the night. Roger explained that this was done to ensure that customers did not purchase tickets for services that were not running. 9.) AOB None Next Meeting: 25 th February 2015. 4
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