Category: Press Releases

HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Separation of Wales and West Rail Franchises [September 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 13 September 2001.

The current Wales & West rail franchise is to be split into two managerial units, broadly covering its Welsh and English operations respectively, following agreement between the Strategic Rail Authority and National Express Group, owners of the franchise.

The Welsh services, along with the Valley Lines services, will be managed from Cardiff. They will operate under the ‘Wales & Borders’ branding.

The West Country services are to be managed from Exeter and will be operated under a ‘Wessex Trains’ branding. The ‘Wessex Trains’ HQ in Exeter is a new development, and staff are currently being recruited by National Express Group for positions there.

Passengers will begin to notice the new branding of services with the introduction of the Winter timetable on 30th September 2001.

January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : SRA Allocates £17.5 Million to Advance East Coast Upgrade [September 2001]
The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 14 September 2001.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today announced that it is funding £17.5 million of development work for phase two of the project to upgrade the East Coast Main Line between London, Leeds and Edinburgh.

Led by the SRA and carried out by Railtrack, the work, which should be completed by December, maintains the gathering momentum on this vital infrastructure project.

Over 20 different projects will be covered. Key elements include: –
- Peterborough area – Feasibility studies for remodelling track in the station area to increase capacity, including overhead line electrification, signalling and civil engineering design.
- Freight priority routes – Survey work to track and structures, assessment of gauge clearances and level crossings.
  - GN/GE ‘Joint Line’ (Peterborough – Spalding – Lincoln – Doncaster)
  - Doncaster – York
  - Northallerton – Ferryhill (via Yarm & Stockton)
  - Leamside Line (Ferryhill – Washington – Pelaw – Gateshead)
- Peterborough – Edinburgh additional track capacity – Feasibility studies to evaluate options for additional passing loops and improving existing ones at eleven locations.
This is the first major agreement between the SRA and Railtrack for the ECML Upgrade since the SRA announced in April 2001 that it would establish a Joint Venture to take forward funding for the project.

SRA Chief Executive, Mike Grant said,

” It is vital that the current and future capacity shortfalls on East Coast are tackled through the upgrade programme, overall responsibility for which has now transferred from Railtrack to the Authority.

” We are taking the lead on development work now to ensure that, once the Leeds work is finished, momentum is maintained towards bringing the other elements of this massive engineering project in on time”.

Railtrack’s Chief Executive, Steve Marshall said,

“We are delighted to be working with the SRA to develop this enhancement project that will, once complete, provide enormous benefits for the travelling public.”
January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : SRA’s TransPennine Express Moves Forward [September 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 14 September 2001.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has welcomed Transport Secretary Stephen Byer’s announcement today that it should move forward with proposals for a new TransPennine Express franchise.

The franchise has been developed by the SRA to provide fast, frequent and high quality intercity train services on this important freight and passenger route between major population centres in the North of England.

The SRA will now start formal consultation with five local Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) regarding the franchise. Once this process is completed, the three shortlisted parties for the franchise will be asked to resubmit their proposals, taking account of revised baseline requirements and potential additional passenger benefits identified during the consultation.

Mike Grant, SRA Chief Executive, said:

“We are pleased that the Minister has endorsed the TransPennine Express concept, which the SRA has been developing since June 2000. The franchise will deliver tangible benefits to travellers in the North of England, with fast and frequent services within the congested M62 corridor. We can now move forward to further refine the franchise proposition, following discussion with the Government and the Passenger Transport Executives.

“Today’s announcement will assist in the further development of the new Northern franchise, incorporating the regions’ rural and urban services”.

January 4, 2023

HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Passenger Rail Franchises – 2021 Update [December 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 19 December 2001.

Franchise	Franchise Termination Date	Descriptions	Proposal
Anglia Railways	April 2004	Anglia Railways operate main line trains between London, Colchester, Ipswich and Norwich, London Crosslink, local trains across Norfolk, Suffolk and parts of Cambridgeshire. Its trains mainly serve business and leisure travellers, as well as daily commuters into London.	To form part of the ‘Greater Anglia (East Anglia) franchise from 2004. Local management unit for Norfolk and Suffolk to be based in Norwich.
Arriva Trains Merseyside	February 2003	Arriva Trains Merseyside operate passenger rail services between Liverpool and Southport, Ormskirk, Kirkby, Hunts Cross, New Brighton, West Kirby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. The greater part of Arriva Trains Merseyside’s services are supported by, and operate to, the specification of, Merseytravel (Merseyside PTE).	Discussions are under way regarding a potential transfer of responsibility to Merseyside PTE. Tendering process for new franchise to run in parallel with the transfer process.
Arriva Trains Northern	February 2003	Arriva Trains Northern operates rural and inter-urban services throughout North East England, between destinations stretching from Chathill to Chesterfield and from Blackpool to Cleethorpes. Some of these services are supported by, and operate to the specification of, the West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Greater Manchester, Merseyside and Tyne and Wear (Nexus) PTEs.	Regional services to form part of the Northern franchise. Tendering process expected to start early in 2002. Local management units to be established for PTE areas. Transpennine services to be transferred to a new TransPennine Express franchise (franchising in progress).
Cardiff Railway Company	April 2004	Cardiff Railway operates between Cardiff and the Valleys to the North and Barry and Penarth to the South. From October 2001, services within the Cardiff Railway franchise transferred to the new ‘Wales and Borders Trains’ operation (ownership unchanged).	Now part of the new Wales & Borders franchise. Tendering process to start early in 2002.
C2C	May 2011	c2c operates an intensive, mainly commuter, service into London Fenchurch Street from south east Essex.	No change proposed.
Central Trains	April 2004	Central Trains operates an extensive network of rural, urban and inter-urban services right across the Midlands, as well as into Central and South Wales and East Anglia. In the West Midlands local services are supported by Centro (West Midlands PTE).	Possible two year extension to be negotiated, aimed at achieving early increases in capacity.
Chiltern Railways	July 2003	Chiltern Railways operate passenger train services throughout the M40 corridor between Birmingham and London. Their passengers are a mix of commuters, business and leisure travellers.	Heads of Terms agreed on new 20 year franchise. Variation of existing franchise already agreed to underpin new train orders.
South Central	May 2003	South Central operates predominantly commuter services to London from Surrey and Sussex, as well as services to Gatwick and Brighton and South Coast services between Bournemouth, Brighton, Hastings and Ashford.	Heads of Terms agreed for new 20 year franchise. Residual term of existing franchise transferred from Connex to Go-Via. SPV being developed for major infrastructure work.
Connex South Eastern	October 2011	Connex South Eastern operates predominantly commuter services between central London and the south east London suburbs, the whole of Kent and part of Sussex.	Possible two year extension to be negotiated, aimed at providing longer (12-car) trains on routes to Dartford to cater for growth.
CrossCountry	March 2012	CrossCountry operates long distance services from Scotland, the North West and North East through Birmingham to the South Coast and South West of England.	No change proposed.
Gatwick Express	May 2011	Gatwick Express operates frequent, high speed, non-stop services between London Victoria and Gatwick Airport.	No change proposed.
Great Eastern Railway	April 2004	Great Eastern operates predominately commuter services from the Ilford, Romford, Southend, Chelmsford, Colchester, Clacton and Ipswich areas to London.	To form part of the ‘Greater Anglia’ ( East Anglia) franchise from 2004.
Great North Eastern Railway	April 2003	Great North Eastern Railway operates a fast, frequent service linking London Kings Cross with parts of East Anglia and the East Midlands, Yorkshire, Humberside, the North East of England and Scotland.	Two year extension being negotiated.
Great Western Trains	February 2006	Great Western operates high speed train services between London Paddington, South Wales, the Cotswolds and the West Country. These routes serve a mix of commuting, business and leisure customers.	Will look at joining with Thames to tender as a single franchise from 2006. In the meantime, will look at new rolling stock requirement.
Island Line	Sep 2003	Island Line operates trains on the Isle of Wight between Ryde Pier Head and Shanklin, and links with the ferries to Portsmouth.	Refranchising proposed to include replacement rolling stock and upgrade of infrastructure in this unique vertically integrated franchise.
Midland Mainline	April 2008	Midland Mainline operates High Speed and Turbostar Train services along the M1 corridor between London, the East Midlands and South Yorkshire. There is a mixture of leisure, business and commuter travel.	Two year extension has been negotiated.
North Western Trains	April 2004	North Western Trains operate local and regional passenger rail services in North Western England and North Wales. In addition to inter-urban services between some of the larger towns and cities in the region, North Western Trains provides urban services around Manchester and Liverpool, and rural services in North Wales, Lancashire and Cumbria. Most services are supported by, and operate to the specification of, one or more of the relevant PTEs – Merseytravel, West Yorkshire, and Greater Manchester.	North Wales services to form part of the Wales & Borders franchise. Regional services to form part of the Northern franchise. Both to be tendered early in 2002. Some inter-urban services to be transferred to TransPennine Express.
ScotRail	April 2004	ScotRail operates the vast majority of the passenger rail services in Scotland, and its services extend across the border to Carlisle. It also provides certain through services between Stranraer and Newcastle, and the Sleeper services between London Euston and Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and Fort William. In the Glasgow area, ScotRail operates passenger rail services on behalf of Strathclyde PTE	Refranchising under discussion with Scottish Executive who both specify and fund the franchise.
Silverlink	October 2004	Silverlink County operates between London Euston, Milton Keynes and Birmingham New Street via Northampton, together with a branch to Bedford. Silverlink Metro services operate between Richmond and North Woolwich via Willesden and Stratford, together with branches linking Willesden Junction with Clapham Junction and Gospel Oak with Barking. Also local services from Watford Junction to London Euston with branch service between Watford Junction and St Albans Abbey.	Possible two year extension, with the aim of providing additional capacity, particularly on North London Line. Possible future link of County services with West Coast franchise to be reviewed and consulted; Metro services may be combined with the East London Line (Orbirail).
South West Trains	February 2003	South West Trains operate trains from London Waterloo to Woking, Basingstoke, Guildford, Southampton, Weymouth, Portsmouth, Exeter, Plymouth, Paignton and Reading, serving a mixture of longer distance and shorter distance travellers, with a high percentage of commuters.	Heads of Terms reached on 20 year franchise, and order for new trains to replace Mark I rolling stock placed. SPV being set up to provide platform extensions and station improvements.
Thames Trains	April 2004	Thames Trains operate services throughout the Thames Valley, the Kennet Valley, the Cotswolds, up to Stratford-upon-Avon, and on the North Downs line between Reading and Gatwick Airport. Passengers are a broad mix of commuters, business and leisure travellers (including tourists).	Possible two year extension with passenger benefits including increased capacity. Franchise could then be grouped with Great Western for replacement in 2006.
Thameslink Rail	April 2004	Thameslink Rail Ltd operates trains between Bedford and Brighton via central London and also between Luton and Sutton via Wimbledon. Its north/south route serves five major stations in central London and two airports – Gatwick and Luton.	Possible two year extension, aimed at securing additional capacity to meet rapid growth. Extended franchise could include Great Northern services. Longer term development awaits the outcome of the Thameslink 2000 inquiry.
Wales & West	April 2004	Wales & West operates on many routes in South Wales and the West Country, providing a mix of long distance services between large centres and rural services. From October 2001, much of the Wales and West franchise transferred to the new ‘Wales and Borders Trains’ operation. The remainder of the franchise became the new ‘Wessex Trains’ operation. (Ownership of the franchise unchanged).	Wales & Borders franchise to be tendered early in 2002. Wessex Trains to be tendered in mid-2002, after Wales & Borders and Northern.
West Anglia Great Northern	April 2004	WAGN serves the routes into London from Peterborough, Kings Lynn and Cambridge including a non-stop service between Cambridge and Kings Cross, plus frequent services from Hertford, Enfield and Chingford. It also operates the Liverpool Street to Stansted Airport services. It operates into three London termini – Kings Cross, Moorgate and Liverpool Street.	West Anglia services (from Liverpool Street) to form part of the ‘Greater Anglia’ franchise from 2004. Great Northern services could be joined with Thameslink for franchise extension.
West Coast Trains	March 2012	West Coast Trains operate services between Glasgow, North West England, North Wales, the Midlands and London Euston.	No change to franchise length proposed. (Second phase of Passenger Upgrade requirements being reviewed.)

Published by the Strategic Rail Authority on 19 Dec 2001.

January 4, 2023

PRESS RELEASE : DLUHC Lead Non-Executive Director Announcement – Alison Nimmo [January 2023]

The press release issued by the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities on 4 January 2023.

Dame Alison, who has been a DLUHC Non-Executive Director since April 2021, will step into this role for a full three-year term ending on 8 December 2025.

Speaking on her new appointment, Alison said:

I’m delighted to accept this role in helping support the Department, and its skilled team, to deliver such an important, challenging and exciting agenda.

DLUHC Permanent Secretary, Jeremy Pocklington, said:

I am delighted that Alison has been appointed as DLUHC’s Lead NED. I would like to thank Alison for her interim leadership over the past nine months, during which time she has provided invaluable insight and support. I look forward to continuing our work together on the department’s top priorities.

Alison is an experienced property professional and business leader with over 30 years of delivering sustainable urban regeneration and transformation across many parts of the UK. She is an independent Non-Executive at Cadogan and Thomas White Oxford, a commissioner of The Royal Commission 1851, Chair of MACE group’s Advisory Board and a member of Imperial College London’s Property Committee.

Previous public sector roles include: Chief Executive of The Crown Estate; 8 years helping to win and subsequently deliver London 2012 as a Director in the Olympic Delivery Authority; and leading major city centre regeneration projects in Manchester and Sheffield. She has also been on the Boards of the UK Green Building Council, Berkeley Group Plc, St Modwen Properties, Imperial College London, and the CBI.

She was made a Dame in 2019 for services to the public sector and services to the Exchequer.

January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : New Franchising Plan To Bring Forward Benefits For Passengers [December 2001]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 19 December 2001.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today gave the green light to re-starting the refranchising programme for passenger rail services, and at the same time invited expressions of interest for three new franchises.

SRA Chairman Richard Bowker said:

“Today’s announcement breaks the logjam and will help to stabilise and restore confidence within the rail industry. This ‘horses for courses’ approach means we can move forward quickly and secure some early benefits for passengers, while also putting in place plans for the medium to long term. The new policy has been extensively discussed with the industry and with Government, and is both practical and deliverable”.

The new programme provides clarity for train operators competing for franchises and is fully aligned with the Government’s new policy issued today. Designed to deliver the Government’s objectives of 50% growth and a reduction in overcrowding, the plans reflect the different needs of each franchise.

The policy provides a balance between short-term extensions and long-term commitments. Details are set out, franchise by franchise, in the Annex to this release. Clear guidance will be given to parties on the core requirements of a franchise, whilst leaving scope for innovation. Wherever franchises are replaced or extended, new contract terms will target provision of better facilities, higher performance incentives for operators and better compensation arrangements for passengers when things go wrong. Further details on the franchising programme will be set out in the SRA’s Strategic Plan, to be published on 14 January 2002.

The length of new franchises will depend, amongst other things, on the investment needs of the franchise and the level of risk to be borne by the franchisee. It is also very important to establish structures which allow good quality operators to take a longer term view of their business and the needs of their customers. Where long-term franchises are appropriate these are likely to be up to 15 years (in line with emerging EU requirements) but, crucially, will be dependent upon delivering operational performance targets. Because this represents a considerable development in franchising policy the SRA will be consulting with passenger committees and key stakeholders on the proposed franchise term. Franchises would end after five or ten years if the conditions were not met.

The SRA is also looking at the longer-term benefits of combining franchises and a simpler structure. In particular, where two or more franchises share access to a London terminal, combination might produce benefits for passengers. It may allow better use to be made of available capacity, and would simplify the timetable planning process and contractual relationships, with the aim of producing a more reliable, cohesive and attractive service for passengers. Over the next two months, the SRA will be consulting train operators, passenger committees, TfL and regional and local authorities on the value of combining franchises in such a way.
As a first step towards simplification, the franchise plan includes the creation of a ‘Greater Anglia’ franchise from 2004, through the grouping of Anglia, Great Eastern, and the “West Anglia” part of WAGN (Liverpool Street – Cambridge/Hertford/Enfield/Chingford) franchises. A separate management unit will be established in Norwich to ensure local accountability and focus on local services in Norfolk and Suffolk. Work will also start next year on drawing up plans for new trains for the Norwich – London service, to be procured once the new franchise is created in 2004.

Details of all the franchises are set out in the Annex below and in the attached list of franchised services. The Annex lists franchises for replacement and those for possible two-year extension, subject to negotiation of satisfactory terms which provide benefits for passengers and value for money for the taxpayer.

Also listed are the franchises moving to expiry, but short-term improvements here may be sought through the Rail Passenger Partnership fund or through contractual agreement with the franchisee.

The SRA is also restarting the new Wales & Borders franchise as a matter of priority, following discussions with the Welsh Assembly Government. Expressions of interest are being invited today. The Authority hopes to announce a preferred bidder by Autumn 2002, and to have a new franchise in place by early 2003.

Expressions of interest are also being invited today in the Northern and Merseyside franchises. Discussions are in hand with the Merseyside PTE and DTLR on the possible future transfer of responsibility for the Merseyside franchise to the PTE.

Interested parties should write to Nick Newton, SRA, 55 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0EU, by 11 January 2002 (regarding Wales and Borders) and by 15 February 2002 (regarding the Northern and Merseyside franchises).

January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Two-Year GNER Extension Agreed – £100m Private Sector Investment Committed [January 2002]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 16 January 2002.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today announced that it had concluded negotiations with GNER Holdings Ltd and its subsidiary Great North Eastern Railways Ltd for a two-year extension of its existing Inter City East Coast franchise, which links London to key cities in Scotland and the North East via the East Midlands and Yorkshire.

Some £100m of investment is being committed by GNER and its partners, delivering a number of significant ‘quick wins’ for passengers. Improvements include a planned 11 additional services between London and Leeds; £10m for station and passenger information improvements; better facilities for disabled passengers; improved performance, compensation & customer satisfaction regimes; and a minimum £16m contribution from GNER to infrastructure improvements. More than £50m is being committed by GNER to rolling stock, including the leasing of two additional train sets and six new recovery locomotives; refurbishment of all passenger carriages and the lengthening of the diesel High Speed Trains, expected to provide an additional 70 seats per train by the end of 2003. In addition, the investment package includes £20m to improve the reliability of the electric locomotives.

Today’s agreement extends the existing seven-year franchise by two years to April 2005, and follows the Transport Secretary’s invitation to the SRA in July 2001 to negotiate an extension.

Richard Bowker, Chairman of the SRA, said: “This deal requires no extra subsidy and is being funded entirely within the private sector. The improvements agreed today for delivery over the next three years will make a real difference to passengers along the whole of GNER’s route – with more comfortable, more reliable, more frequent and more spacious trains.

“This is the second piece of good news for passengers on this route, following the publication of our Strategic Plan on Monday, which confirmed that the SRA is prioritising the upgrade of the Line to provide a major increase in its capacity.”

GNER Commitments

Additional Leeds services from June 2002
GNER propose to divert and supplement its White Rose service to provide eleven extra one-way trains on the Leeds to London route each day. This has been a longstanding ambition for GNER and has been made possible by the ‘Leeds First’ engineering work and additional funding from the SRA.

£10m investment in station improvements by end 2003
Includes upgraded passenger lounges at York, Doncaster & Peterborough; refurbished subways at Doncaster, York & Darlington; additional customer information systems & ticket office windows, accessibility improvements, refurbished toilets, 450 additional car parking spaces and improved cycle storage facilities. All GNER stations will be brought up to DTLR ‘Secure Station’ standard, and most station car parks to AA ‘Gold Standard’ status.

Lengthening & improvements to all High Speed Trains (HSTs) by end 2003
Includes a number of alterations to locomotives to improve reliability and increase luggage and cycle space; some refurbishment of carriage interiors including seats, catering facilities and toilets; and improved facilities for the disabled. These trains are principally used on non-electrified routes to, Bradford, Harrogate, Hull, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Refurbishment of all Intercity 225 carriages by April 2005
Includes complete renewal of carriage interiors; improvement of ride comfort; rebuilding of all toilets; modernisation of restaurant cars; and improved facilities for the disabled.

Additional trains and recovery locomotives
GNER will lease two additional train sets – one from May 2002 and another in May 2003 – to maintain services during refurbishment and to replace the train lost at Great Heck. It will also replace its five recovery locomotives with six new or rebuilt locomotives, to ensure more rapid recovery of failed trains and the swift restoration of subsequent services.

Improved performance, compensation & customer satisfaction regimes
GNER is the first long distance high speed operator to commit to these new SRA standards. An improved incentive regime will require at least 81% of trains on time from April 2003, rising to 83% from April 2004. From April 2003 the company will introduce passenger refunds of 50% for lateness of 45-89 minutes, and full refunds for 90 minutes upwards. The SRA’s National Passenger Survey will be built into the contract from April 2003, which could require up to an additional £3.5m to be spent on customer satisfaction improvements.

East Coast Main Line Infrastructure
As part of today’s agreement, GNER will contribute £16m to be spent on East Coast Main Line (ECML) infrastructure works to improve performance and/or capacity. The detail of these works will be agreed in due course. The deal also includes a ‘benefit share’ of any excess profits from the franchise, which the SRA has committed to invest in ECML infrastructure improvements.

Driver Recruitment
The agreement commits GNER to a programme of driver recruitment to help overcome the current driver shortage within the rail industry.

January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Eight Pre-Qualify for Wales & Borders Franchise [January 2002]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 30 January 2002.

Steps to establish a new Wales & Borders rail franchise were resumed today with the announcement by the Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) of eight pre-qualified parties, listed below:

Arriva Trains Ltd
Connex Transport UK Ltd
FirstGroup plc
GB Railways Group plc
National Express Group plc
NS / Dutch Railways
Serco Ltd
Keolis SA

The franchise comprises local and regional passenger rail services in Wales and in the border counties.

Pre-qualified companies will have 60 days from mid-February to prepare detailed proposals, from which a shortlist will be chosen. These shortlisted counterparties will then be invited to submit their best and final offers, from which a preferred counterparty will be selected.

The SRA expects to announce its preferred counterparty in Autumn 2002 and to have a new franchise in place by early 2003.

Richard Bowker, SRA Chairman, said:

“I am delighted by the strong field that has assembled to bid for the franchise, which, yet again, illustrates the keen private sector interest in the railway. Having formed much of the Wales & Borders franchise in interim form last year from existing franchises, it is now for the SRA to deliver a new, long-term, all-Wales rail franchise. We are pleased to have the strong support of the Welsh Assembly Government and the Rail Passengers Committee for Wales in making this a reality. This long-term franchise will provide a new focus and identity for the railway in Wales.”

January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Merseytravel to Assume Responsibility for Region’s Local Train Network [January 2002]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 31 January 2002.

A significant step has been taken towards achieving the goal, outlined in the Strategic Plan, of transferring the responsibility for the future management of the Merseyrail Electrics franchise to Merseytravel, the Merseyside Passenger Transport Authority and Executive.

John Spellar, the Minister for Transport, announced in Parliament today that he would take forward the proposal to exempt the Merseyrail Electrics franchise from the SRA franchising process, allowing Merseytravel to let the services as a local concession. The move provides the opportunity to gain the benefits of closer integration with other transport modes in Merseyside whilst retaining national rail network advantages, such as through ticketing and access to the National Rail Enquiry Scheme (NRES).

Subject to the successful passage of a Parliamentary Order, it is anticipated the successful bidder for the concession let by Merseytravel will assume control from the end of the current franchise on 2nd February 2003. The SRA is working closely with Merseytravel on the letting process.

Richard Bowker, Chairman of the SRA, said:

“The Merseyrail Electrics franchise is Merseyside’s commuter rail system. Its self-contained nature makes it uniquely suited to greater local control and accountability. It therefore makes sense that Merseytravel should take greater responsibility in order to facilitate better integration with their overall transport portfolio.”

Mark Dowd, Chair of Merseytravel, welcomed the announcement saying:

“This is great news for the travelling public on Merseyside. We can now move forward in delivering a first class railway system as part of our integrated public transport network which will be accessible to everyone.”

January 4, 2023
HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : SRA’s Northern Rail Moves Ahead [February 2002]

The press release issued by the Strategic Rail Authority on 7 February 2002.

The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) today announced the start of formal consultations with Passenger Transport Executives (PTEs) on the specification for the new 15 year Northern Rail franchise, developed to provide a better pattern of regional and local services for passengers in the North of England.

The franchise has been structured by the SRA to focus on urban and rural services serving the whole of the North of England including the major population centres of Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, York, Leeds and Newcastle.

The SRA will now start formal consultation with the seven PTEs concerned on the detail and scope of the franchise. Once this process is completed, the pre-qualified counterparties will be asked to prepare proposals, taking account of the core franchise proposition and potential enhancement options identified during the consultation.

Welcoming the start of the process, Richard Bowker, SRA Chairman, said:

“We are pleased to be moving ahead with the Northern Rail concept, which the SRA has developed in tandem with its new TransPennine Express franchise. Northern Rail will deliver significant benefits to travellers in the North of England, with its focus firmly on the provision of urban and rural services. We are now moving forward to further refine the franchise proposition with the Passenger Transport Executives before inviting counterparties to compete to run this important new franchise”.

January 4, 2023