• Home
  • News
  • Awards
  • Events
  • Buzzing Stations
  • Poetry Platform
  • The Lowestoft Evacuation
  • About FoGS
  • Friends
  • Bus Connections
  • Links
  • Join us
  • Contacts
  • Photos
  • Videos
Friends Of Glossop Station

Tram Trains Mooted for Glossop Line by TfGM for 2020+ Onwards

14/11/2013

Comments

 
Picture
A PRESS RELEASE by TfGM this week revealed possible inclusion of the Glossop Line in a future Phase Two Tram train system in the GM area. We are wary of this scheme as a way forward for the Glossop Line for a number of reasons.
The Glossop Line is already served by clean, comfortable 3 coach Class 323 electric units with seats for 284 passengers. At peak times passengers joining from Godley onwards may struggle to get a seat. Passenger numbers continue to rise – use of Glossop Station alone totalled 765,364 in 2012. Along with Hadfield and Dinting well over a million passengers now use these 3  Derbyshire stations. In their own analyses TfGM recognize that use of tram train vehicles would significantly increase overcrowding and they also note that economic/social costings are only medium compared to converting the Marple Line – phase one. We would like to stress that we feel that Heavy Rail ie conventional style trains should be retained on the Glossop Line. With the huge numbers using the trains longer ie 4 coach and more frequent trains would seem to be the logical solution. We are also concerned that any tie in with Metrolink would mean loss of staff at booking offices and the withdrawal of being able book to anywhere in the country. And closure of ticket offices would negate all the recent improvements to the new ticket office and waiting rooms! Ironically too journeys would be no quicker! 
Northern’s recently introduced skip stopping timetable ie most trains not stopping at Gorton has been broadly welcomed by Glossop users. And with no news of any concrete proposals for relieving traffic on Mottram Moor it would seem sensible to keep a window open for a possible rail revival of the Woodhead route to Sheffield. Running Tram trains could prevent this. Glossop needs better East connectivity which is often overlooked! The Station Friends’ groups at Glossop, Hadfield, Dinting, Broadbottom and Hattersley are in the process of forming a Glossop Line forum. The vision being to present a unified voice on the future of the Glossop line - in terms of trains, timetabling and staffing. Our ideas/conclusions will be made available, we hope, next Spring.  We will use these as the basis for discussion with new franchisees next year and in the run up to the new 2016 Franchise start.  We will seek through the High Peak and Hope Valley Community Rail Partnership to engage in discussions with TfGM to ensure they are fully aware of the local issues/concerns they have raised with their consideration of tram trains for the Glossop Line. So far we are unaware of TfGM doing this outside GM. The national Tram Train pilot project involving these vehicles is due to start in 2016 between Sheffield and Rotherham. Your comments / thoughts welcomed!! Read the full Press Release here (PDF file - relevant section from page 41)

Comments
    Picture

    Archives

    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.