Agenda item

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR) which is currently carrying out second phase of public consultation on the proposed timetable for train services serving the Borough from May 2018.

Report of the Executive Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) on the Govia Thameslink Rail (GTR) which is currently carrying out second phase of public consultation on the proposed timetable for train services serving the Borough from May 2018 was considered.  The report on the first phase of consultation was presented to Cabinet Housing and Planning Panel in December 2016 – whilst some aspects of the proposals were welcomed, it was agreed that the Council would object to other aspects which would effectively result in a deteriorated rail service for the Borough.

The Phase 2 consultation provided a greater level of detail than at Phase 1, including actual proposed timetables rather than a more simplistic indication of the number of trains per hour proposed to serve each station.  However, it was apparent that very little had changed since the Phase 1 consultation and the proposals for Welwyn Hatfield’s services did not appear to have changed at all.  Due to extremely short four week consultation on the Phase 2 consultation included a consultation event which was scheduled for 12 July but did not take place so no verbal report was available at the Cabinet Planning and Parking Panel meeting.

Members noted that GTR had not been willing to consider changes at all where the response to the broad questions posed at Phase 1 were positive, regardless of what ever nuances there may have been. It was also apparent that some cohesive local campaigns had been persuasive in securing positive changes; for example petitions from smaller areas.

Members raised the following points:

·         The reduction in services during peak periods.

·         Local campaigning at Baldock having influenced GTR – although the population is approximately 10k.

·         The housing growth in Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City being significantly higher than other areas – this is a stronger point for the Borough.

·         The Borough needs good train links to be an attractive place in which to invest.

·         Could a petition be organised by the Council and would it have an impact on the proposals?

·         There has been a trend of GTR pulling out of organised meetings.

·         The frequency of late trains and trains departing too early.

·         It was felt that this timetable appeared to be the most that was being put forward service wise.

·         The timetable does no justice to Government’s strategy for getting people out of cars and travel by train, as the proposals set out make no contributions to encouragement.

·         A further meeting has been identified for 10 August at Hertfordshire County Council and it was agreed that comments be sent to GTR following the meeting.

·         Members noted that comments made at Phase 1 had not been taken into account and would concerns be heard at Phase 2?

·         Agreed that a letter be sent by the Chairman expressing the Council’s concerns and requesting that a response be provided GTR confirming that the comments made on/after 10 August would be taken into account.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Panel maintain the objection made during the Phase 1 consultations.

2.    That the Head of Planning be given delegated authority to agree the final response to the consultation with the Executive Member for Planning, Housing and Community prior to the end of the consultation period on 27 July 2017.

Meeting ended at 8.15 pm

GP