Agenda item

The report of the Executive Director sets out comments which formed the basis of the Council’s response to the Govia Thameslink Rail public consultation into revisions to railway timetables from May 2018 which would include changes to services serving stations in Welwyn Hatfield.

Reportofthe ExecutiveDirector on the Govia Thameslink Rail’s consultation was considered in respect of the revisions to railway timetables from May 2018, which would include changes to services serving stations in Welwyn Hatfield, including the integration of most fast services into the Thameslink network providing direct trains to central London and beyond.

An important change to the proposed service pattern was that all fast trains serving Welwyn North, Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield would run towards or away from Cambridge.  It would no longer be possible to get direct trains to stations from Arlesey to Peterborough but it would be possible to change at Stevenage or Hitchin.

The Council’s comments on the consultation and points raised at the meeting included:

·         Supporting the improvement in the range of destinations served by fast trains. Members raised concern in respect of the reduction in the number of seats in the trains being phased in for the new services. 

·         Objections were raised to the lack of improvements listed for fast services and Members suggested that more services should call at Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield. 

·         Strong objections and dissatisfaction were raised to the proposed reduction in the frequency of services calling at Welham Green and Brookmans Park stations.  As severe cuts in the service would have a detrimental effect on commuters.

·         The possibility of rail replacement buses until further notice from Stevenage to both Hertford North and Watton-at-Stone.

·         Fast trains serving Welwyn North, Welwyn Garden City and Hatfield will run through St Pancras and London Bridge to Maidstone East, with a peak time service to Sevenoaks.  It was noted that faster Thameslink services not proposed to call at stations in Welwyn Hatfield are proposed to call at Gatwick Airport. New rolling stock would serve services to and from Moorgate calling at Welwyn Garden City, Hatfield, Welham Green and Brookmans Park on the East Coast Main Line and Cuffley on the Hertford loop.

·         The new trains on fast services would have 30% fewer seats and more standing area.  Concern was raised that with an ageing population it would be practical to have more seats than standing area.

·         The current peak train services were already at the maximum length that could be accommodated at platforms at Welwyn Hatfield’s stations so it would not be possible to introduce longer trains to mitigate this problem.

·         The safety aspect of train journeys was considered in terms of standing during an incident and large rucksacks and cases on board during peak periods.

·         It was proposed that the Welwyn North service be maintained.

·         The proposed service patterns were considered which directly affect Hertfordshire.  It was noted that there would be no direct services from Hatfield Welwyn Garden City and Welwyn North to Peterborough.  Instead, all northbound fast trains would terminate at Cambridge, would be inconvenient for people needing to make connections with long distance trains to the north of England and Scotland from Peterborough, as they would additionally have to change trains at Stevenage. It was agreed that Peterborough and Cambridge required to be served as part of the northwards services.

Information was circulated at the meeting in respect of stations served, in terms of usage for 2014-15 and frequency of services.  It was noted that some of the smaller stations had an increased service compared to stations that served a larger commuter population and no fast service for Brookmans Park or Welham Green. 

RESOLVED:

(1)  That the comments set out in paragraphs 3.11 to 3.14 of the report form the basis of the Council’s response to the Govia Thameslink Rail 2018 Timetable Consultation.

(2)  That the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to agree the final response to the consultation with the Executive Member for Planning.