Working Group

MINUTES FOR THE HOPE VALLEY AND HIGH PEAK TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP WORKING GROUP

Minutes will be posted on this page once they have approval from the Working Group

back to about us page

Minutes for 13th March 2007

Minutes for 16th January 2007

Minutes for 3rd October 2006
16th January 2007

Minutes of the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership Working Group Meeting held on 16th January 2007 at New Mills Town Hall

1. Present:
Mike Bishop (PO HVHPTP) (Chair) Gill Westall (CB & BPC)
Carol Taylor Bruce (HPCA) Jo Kent (HVHPTP)
Alex Walker (Northern Rail) Flo Slann (CB&BPC)
Tim Nicholson (PDNPA) Carol Evans (HPRDF)
Cllr. John Pritchard (Whaley Bridge TC) Tony Wills (GVRUA)
Cllr. John Booth (Outseats PC)

2. Apologies:
Spencer Cooke (PO HVHPTP) Martin Smith (DCC)
Cllr. Chris Furness (Bradwell PC) Emily Davies (PDNPA)
Rebecca Pennyfather (DCC) Mark Eastwood (Northern Rail)
Cllr. Margaret Dyson (Chapel PC) Cllr. Anne Young (Chapel PC)
Neil Roberts (CCC) Jo Bagnall (HPBC)
Mike Flynn (Disley PC) Chris Bell (SPITS)
Roy Chapman (GMPTE)

3. Minutes of the last meeting:
In the absence of Martin Smith, Mike Bishop took the Chair as there were no other Officers present who wished to.
The minutes of the WG meeting held on the 3rd October 2006 were agreed as correct record of the meeting, subject to the following amendments: Page 5 9. b) It was ‘hoped’ that the station adaptor would be willing.

4. Matters Arising:

a. Friends of Disley Station
Alex Walker attended the meeting on 18 October to propose a Friends of Disley Station group. The meeting was supported by Parish Councillors but there was little public interest. It was hoped that the forth-coming celebrations for the 150th years of the Stockport to Whaley Bridge line would encourage local interest.

b. Buxton and Chinley Seating
The seating is now in place and is painted in the Northern Colours.

c. Chinley ticketing
Ticket Pricing Anomaly Since the increase in rail fares it is felt that the difference between journey costs for regular commuters has increased. Many commuters buy a season ticket form New Mills to Manchester as the ticket is cheaper than buying a season ticket from Chinley. A Northern Rail ticket is then purchased from Chinley to New Mills at a cost of £2.75. However, the train that runs at a reasonable commuter time is a Central Train that does not make it’s first stop until Hazel Grove and therefore a cost of £7.35 is required as the commuter was unable to purchase a ticket to New Mills.
Alex Walker stated that it was national policy for train companies to only charge for station at which the trains stop.
Chinley Parish Transport group has written to Northern and awaits further comment.

5. Project Officers’ Report

a. EMT Project
A meeting of the EMT steering group had taken place on 15 January
There were concerns over the cost of waiting shelters as the figures quoted were far higher than the equivalent costs on the Derwent Valley Line. It was hoped that generally a like for like replacement would not involve any increased maintenance costs. If an enhancement, it was hoped a business case could be made by Northern for any such costs. Northern could not commit to this being the case. A report on the progress and envisaged expenditure of the EMT projects will be provided by Spencer, when he returns from sick leave.

b. Help Points
Waiting for progress report from Northern Rail Action M Barker

c. Stations
i) Chinley The relocation of the recycle bins in the car park has created an extra 3 car parking spaces but it was still noted that the car park was full and that a further 23 cars were parked on the road.
The community information board at the station is still waiting repair. Action AW
It was recommended that Level 1 station adopters should reside locally.

ii) Hathersage. Pay and Display. An update on progress has not yet been received from Northern Rail. Action M Barker

iii) Hope Station. The community information is still waiting repair. ISS to be reminded. Action AW

iv) Chapel Station. The John Axon event will take place on Friday 9th February. A folk train will depart from Manchester Piccadilly at 1137. The band will then play at the Railway Hotel in Buxton. Invited guests will attend a ceremony at Chapel Station with an unveiling of the plaque. The unveiling at Chapel is open to the public at 1100 hours. There is the opportunity to join the folk train at Chapel at 1220. The plaque will travel on this train for display at The Railway and will be permanently installed at Chapel later

v) Whaley Bridge. CCTV It is understood that Northern Rail are ready to proceed with this project., although there is a is a question as to where the images will be monitored. An update will be given at FoWBS’s AGM on 24 January. Friends of Glossop Station are to attend this meeting. Action M Barker AW will determine ownership of “disabled access” path across the car park Action AW
An outcome is awaited for a joint project between the community police and the BT police. This was set up because of the unique problems caused by the right of way access across both platforms.

(vi) Furness Vale,
Mike had met the head of Furness Vale primary schools and
opportunities were examined as to how the school curriculum could be linked to the station and the Friends of Furness Vale. Initial thoughts involved bird boxes and a shelter/viewing platform

d. Publicity. “Train Times” Partnership Profile. A reporter from the ACoRP publication, Train Times will be spending time with the Partnership staff and travelling on the Partnerships railway lines. Working Group members were asked to contact the office if they would like to be involved

e. Guided Walks. Transpeak Walks are currently not able to fund walks after April 2007 and asked for suggestions of where they could apply for funding. A bid has been made to Manchester Airport for equipment.. It was suggested that Lottery and Health funding sources could be pursued. (HVHPTP have subsequently submitted a bid to ACoRP)

6. Partnership Future A meeting of the RTP futures Steering Group will take
place 22nd January.

7. Any Other Business

a. Kinder Trespass. High Peak Community Arts have secured £29k to produce plays to be enacted in and around New Mills area to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Kinder Mass Trespass. As the railway played an important part in the trespass it was thought that the Partnership would like to be kept abreast of the event details when they are finalised.
b. WBTC station car park Issues have been raised regarding the use of the station car park. A letter will be received by the Partnership and Northern Rail outlining the problems of the joint ownership of the land and parked cars blocking access.
c. Chinley Station, accessibility improvement programme is being implemented by Network Rail on behalf of the DfT. Phase is already underway and on completion Phase 2 will begin. Chinley is not high in the pecking order. The remit will not give full DDA compliance but will be looking at accessibility from the station drop off points to all the platforms.
d. Hathersage train horns there is still concern over the noise level of train horns sounding at crossing. The ruling to sound horns, has been set by the Rail Safety & Standards Board. It is understood that this is also an issue in other areas of the country and the there is a process to address the issues. Northern Rail have to comply with the ruling as it stands. HVHPTP will request a formal response from Network Rail to include the suggestion that flashing lights replace the horns.
e. Voluntary Representation, Carol Evans represents the Voluntary Sector of the Working Group on the Partnerships Steering Group. The organisation that she represented (DRPF) has now disbanded but she is continuing with work for the CVS. It was unanimously, agreed that she should continue in her role on the Steering Group at least until the future of the Partnership is resolved.
f. Posters. Northern offered to print DR posters for which HVHPTP will provide information.

8. Date of Next Meeting
The next Working Group meeting will be held on-
Tuesday 13th March 2007
at New Mills Town Hall, 10:15 for a prompt start 10.30

The next Steering Group Meeting will also take place on 13th March 2007.

There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 12.02

3rd October 2006

Top of Page

3rd October 2006

Minutes of the Hope Valley and High Peak Transport Partnership Working Group Meeting held on 3rd October 2006 at New Mills Town Hall

1. Present:

Spencer Cooke (PO HVHPTP) (Chair)
Rebecca Pennyfather (DCC)
Cllr. David Hoskin (DDDC)
Carol Taylor Bruce (HPCA)
Mike Bishop (PO HVHPTP)
Mark Barker (Northern Rail)
Emily Davies (PDNPA)
Cllr. Chris Furness (Bradwell PC)
Jo Kent (HVHPTP)
Tim Nicholson (PDNPA)
Robert Morton (Stockport MBC)
Steve Magner (GMPTE)
Cllr. John Pritchard (Whaley Bridge TC)
Gill Westall (CB & BPC)
Flo Slann (CB&BPC)
Tony Wills (GVRUA)

2. Apologies:
Martin Smith (DCC)
Cllr.Margaret Dyson (Chapel PC)
Mark Eastwood (Northern Rail)
Alex Walker (Northern Rail)
Cllr. Anne Young (Chapel PC)
Cllr. John Booth (Outseats PC)

3. Minutes of the last meeting:
In the absence of Martin Smith, SC took the Chair as there were no other Officers present who wished to.
The minutes of the WG meeting held on the 14th July 2006 were agreed as correct record of the meeting, subject to the following amendments: Page 2 GMPTE Presentation should read ‘four digit code’ not three digit. Page 4 Staffing Issues spelling correction should read ‘their ’not there

a) Sleepers on bridge approach at Thornhill
DCC Highways surveyed this bridge on behalf of Northern Rail. It was discovered to have under strength bridge girders. The sleepers were place in position as a temporary measure. DCC is responsible for maintaining the sleepers and vegetation removal and painting will take place this financial year.
The design work for strengthening the bridge is set to take place next year and structural work is set to take place in 2008/9 subject to funding.

b) Transpeak Bus
There has not yet been a response from Trent Barton. However it is highly unlikely that a stop in Chapel will be incorporated on the bus journey as the route is looking to save journey time. Whaley Bridge Town council have had a definite negative response to the bus stopping in Whaley Bridge.
Future issues regarding the routing of the Transpeak bus need to be taken up directly with Trent Barton.
c) Disley Parish Council
An open meeting to look into launching a Friends of Disley Station will take place on 18th October in the Parish Hall, Disley.
Work has already taken place to tidy up the station.

d) Furness Vale Station
The follow up open meeting did not get a great response. The meeting was combined with a visit to the station and enthusiasm was show to improve the garden area. Therefore, there will be a clearing up and bulb planting session taking place on the weekend of 18th & 19th November both at 10am. Steps to forming a formal group will be taken after the clean up event.

f) GMPTE
i) ‘How is my Train running?’
Recording of the station names on the Hope Valley line have already been made but there is no recording of the sentence ‘in the direction of Sheffield’ however, this sentence could but put together but it may sound automated as it would not flow. It was agreed that to record a sentence would be costly and that this cheaper option would be followed. It could always be changed if, when it is up and running, it was felt to be inadequate.
Detailed costings are due within ten days. The cost ought not to be high as the GMPTE will be saving money on the scheme by discontinuing with some of the thirty telephone lines that are not needed.
Action SM
ii) Fares Structure
GMPTE and Northern Rail have been in talks to look at these issues and have made changes to the fares structure. SM to email a summary of changes to the Partnership.
Action SM
Iii) Sale of GMPTE Wayfarers
Whaley Bridge Town Council noted that the Post Office in Whaley Bridge had stopped selling Wayfarer tickets. A solution to not being able to obtain Wayfarers after the ticket office closed at 1310 would be to allow the public house, Jodrell Arms, to sell tickets as happens at Northwich Café. SM will look into the possibilities and report back to the Partnership. In may involve the Partnership having to by Wayfarers tickets up front. A scheme to door drop leaflets to increase the sales of Wayfarer tickets is being trailed tested in Atherton. It is unlikely that the TOC will be able to issue Wayfarers on board trains as the industry is moving towards more standard tickets. There is also issues with issuing multi modal tickets, which beyond the scope of this Partnership.
Action SM
g) Chapel Information Board
The Town Council have still not received any train timetables to place in their new notice boards.
There have been problems with the production of the GMPTE timetables which have not yet been resolved. It was suggested that the Partnership send a letter to GMPTE asking for clarity on the future of these timetables.
Action SC/MB
h) National Trust – Children by Train
The is a problem in bringing schools out to National Trust events by train in that the destinations are usually away from the railway station and so transportation is needed to relay children to and from the station. Notes on minutes taken from the NT meeting on this issue will be distributed with these minutes.
This is also an issue for the Whaley Bridge/Inner city school exchange project, as Taxal school is over a mile away from Whaley Bridge Station.

i)Glossop Station
Glossop Vision have designs to remodel the front of the station. A meeting will be held on 4th October and the Partnership will raise issues on CCTV/ safe interchange between station and Henry Street bus stops.
Action MB
j) Train Whistle noise nuisance
The train whistle problem is becoming more of an issue for local residence, as it is now having an effect on local businesses and house sales.
A local farmer is happy to look into diverting the Grindleford end footpath under his access tunnel if appropriate, but that still leaves whistle sounding at the Hathersage end crossing.
Local residence feel that they are not being listen to. So far they have taken this issue up with DDDC who have had no response from Network Rail/
The Partnership will liaise with Jerry Swift as this has become a community issue. This issue will also be raised at DCC.
Action MB/RP
k) Dore Curve
his proposal has been ‘hibernated’ by Network Rail, rather than cancelled. This decision was cost driven.

5. 10th Anniversary Celebrations
We are expecting a good turn out on the Folk Train. It is thought that if this event is a great success then future open meetings could be run on similar lines.

a) Community Rail Awards
This was the 2nd time this event has taken place 250 people attended the presentations in Darlington. Three awards were given in our area.
Friends of Whaley Bridge Station – 3rd Prize in the Community Arts Schemes category for the artwork they did with Whaley Bridge and Taxel & Fernilee schools
Friends of Glossop Station – 2nd Prize in the Best Heritage/ Conservation awards.
Northern Rail – Branding of the Buxton Festival Train –2nd. Prize in the Rolling Stock Awards

b) Buxton Station
Minutes of the meeting of the Buxton Gateway Partnership, the group leading Buxton Station re. development, are appended below.

d) National Trust Leaflet
The Three Estates of the South Pennines NT leaflet is now available.

e) Whaley Bridge Station
The grille work is now complete.
CCTV – This project is still ongoing. Northern Rail is still looking in to the cost of the project and hope to have a quote from the contractors soon.
Action M Barker

e) Hathersage Pay & Display
Northern Rail is still waiting for steer on this project.
Hathersage residences still have concerns about displaced parking causing problems in the village. The Partnership and DCC need to meet to look into these issues.
DS stated that support for this scheme was not a decision of the Parish Council or the Joint Traffic Management Committee, although it was noted that the original request for the scheme was put in by the Parish Council and the Joint Traffic Management Committee. It was agreed that the car park should strictly be there for use of rail users, but a solution to the problem would be to allow free parking at the weekends.
Action SC/MB
f) Folk Trains
i) Buxton Line Folk Train
Friends of Whaley Bridge Station are looking into possibility of holding a regular Folk Train on the Buxton Line. Trail dates have been set for 28th October and 25th November. (However, the October date has now had to be cancelled due to engineering works and has been rescheduled for the 27th January 2007)
ii) John Axon/Thomas Creamer
Northern Rail are progressing a commemorative event. It is thought that a train will go through to a venue in Buxton as the Brief Encounter restaurant does not have the require capacity.
Details of a witness of the events and the first person on the scene are to be passed to Paul Salveson.

8. RTP Futures - Consultant Review
The DCC/RAZ consultancy report is awaited, a date for issue has not yet been announced. As soon as any information is received the Working and Steering Group members will be informed.

a) Moors for the Future
A request has been made from the Moors for the Futures Team to be able to use the Edale Station Car Park as there is no parking at the Moorland Centre and the cost of the HPBC car park is very high. A vote was taken and it was agreed that the team could use the car park on weekdays only on a three month trail basis. The Working Group are happy for the Partnership Officers to negotiate a deal with MftF as to a level of compensation to be paid to mitigate against the loss of capacity. This will be look at on a quarterly basis and the effects on rail user vehicles will be noted.

b) Chinley Station
Possibility of starting a Friends Group, more details at the next meeting. The station adopter would be willing to take on management of an information board, if it were to be provided.

Friends of Furness Vale. The group has not yet formed a constitutional group and so therefore cannot apply for the fund. The group needs to see things happening before commitment to a formal group is made. I t was proposed that the Partnership apply for the grant on behalf of the group. The details of the fund will be looked into to see if this is possible.
Action MB/SC

d) Visit to Handforth Station
Saturday 21st October GMPTE and Northern Rail are sponsoring a visit to Handforth Station. Visitors will be arriving on the 11.05 from Piccadilly to Crewe.

e) Northern Rail Station Adoption Meeting
Monday 16th October 1800 at the Thistle Hotel in Manchester

at New Mills Town Hall, 10:15 for a prompt start 10.30
There being no other business, the meeting was closed.

Minutes of the Working Group Meeting held on 13th March 2007 at New Mills Town Hall
1. Present:
Spencer Cooke (PO HVHPTP) (Chair) Tony Wills (GVRUA)
Mike Bishop (PO HVHPTP) Chris Bell (SPITS)
Carol Taylor Bruce (HPCA) Jo Kent (HVHPTP)
Rebecca Pennyfather (DCC) Mike Lazenby (PDNPA)
Robert Morton (StockportMBC) Carol Evans (PDRDF)
Cllr. John Pritchard (Whaley Bridge TC) Margaret Dyson (Chapel PC)
Cllr. Anne Young (Chapel PC)

2. Apologies:
Martin Smith (DCC) Alex Walker (Northern Rail)
Cllr. Chris Furness (Bradwell PC) Emily Davies (PDNPA)
Mark Eastwood (Northern Rail) Flo Slann (CB&BPC)
Neil Roberts (CCC) Gill Westall (CB & BPC)
Peter Fox (HVRUG) Mike Flynn (Disley Parish Council)

3. Minutes of the last meeting:
In the absence of Martin Smith, Spencer Cooke took the Chair as there were no other Officers present who wished to.
The minutes of the WG meeting held on the 13th January 2007 were agreed as correct record of the meeting, subject to the following amendments: Carol Evans represents (PDRDF)

a. Axon/Creamer Commemoration
Cllr. Anne Young praised the Partnership for helping to create a very successful event that was well received in Chapel-en-le-Frith community. Disappointment was noted as the event produced a lot of publicity that was released via Northern Rail but HVHPTP was not mentioned. This issue is to be addressed for future events. It was noted that the press do not always use material that is sent to them. The event was covered on all the Granada TV News slots for the day.

b. Kinder Mass Trespass 75th Anniversary Celebrations
High Peak Community Arts have now appointed a director for the Trespass events. Workshops are currently being held on Tuesday evenings. A play over 3 nights will be held in the Hayfield disused quarry during the week 25th June. £29k was received for the project from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
Extra capacity on bus route between New Mills and Hayfield are being sort with local bus operators. Stage Coach have agreed to use double decker buses on the route during the event. Northern Rail are looking into strengthening the services to New Mills.

c. Partnership Rail information boards
The DR community information board at Hope station is still broken, and still coming away from its mountings. Northern Rail maintains our boards, but some now need replacing. The Partnership may have to pay for replacements. This will need to be incorporated into next year’s budget. The condition of the Hope board could pose a health and safety risk. The Partnership needs to check who is liable for any damage / injury resultant from any failure or misuse of the DR boards we have paid for, both in the past and in future.
Action SC/MB
4. Project Officers’ Report

i Waiting Shelters – The upgrading of station waiting shelters is progressing. It is thought that where they will fit the 3 bay shelter is preferable and it has been agreed to purchase extra glass panels for maintenance purposes. Tenders have been sent out.

ii Northern Rail station signs –Station identity signs are being replaced across the Northern franchise area, branded in the Northern colours. In addition the signs we will be paying for extra text saying (Alight here) For… e.g. Edale for Start of the Pennine Way Kinder Scout, Moorlands Centre. Apart from Edale other stations will have up to 2 destinations to ensure there is not an overload of text. These signs should be out in the next 2-3 months. Full text of the signs is to be sent to WG.
Action SC

iii Transpeak Real Time Passenger Information – Real time information displays for Transpeak bus service will be introduced for Buxton. It was felt that this would be appropriate at the Swan Hotel bus stop in New Mills Newtown, but as this is outside the EMT spend area the costs will be met by Cheshire County Council.
The information is received via mobile phone technology monitoring the path of the bus and so is fairly reliable. A full list of the locations to be fitted with RTPI is to be sent to WG members.
Action SC

b. Buxton Gateway
The University of Derby, Buxton have offered development work from a post-graduate student who would conduct surveys and an initial viability study for the Buxton Gateway development. This will have no cost or human resource implications for the Partnership and so is welcomed. The legal status of the completed work is being clarified. The study will be completed in May 2007 and as part of the student brief a presentation will be made to the Buxton Vision Group. SC would seek out the possibility of a presentation to the Working Group members but this would be dependant on the students’ movements.
We have had an input into the brief that is being put to the student.

c. Hathersage pay and Display
Northern Rail need to progress this project and in the absence of Mark Eastwood this will be passed to Mark Barker. It is felt that this is a good way of getting revenue for community work.

i CCTV – This scheme is going for final Northern Rail Board approval on 15th March 2007. Due to a change of specification from the original scheme, the project is cheaper to install than has been budgeted for. As the money is dedicated for CCTV, the scheme will include CCTV for Glossop station with extended coverage to include access to the bus stops on Henry Street and a scheme for Buxton. If there is still excess money then CCTV could additionally be installed at New Mills New Town.
The car sale showroom below Whaley Bridge station has CCTV, but the police and DCC are unable to use the footage unless the garage displays the statutory notices. The garage owner is looking into the feasibility purchasing such signs.

ii Car Park – A site meeting has been held to try to resolve issues with the car park ownership. As Northern Rail were not represented at the meeting, it was agreed that HPBC would offer their contractor to work on behalf of Northern Rail to repair the sets that need attention. The issues of the pathway through the car park were not resolved. There is no consensus on the way forward and no funding to progress an ideas.

iii Graffiti – The incidence of graffiti at the station has been less although a swastika has appeared on the side of the Balti Cottage that neighbours the station. The incident has been reported to the race relations council. The local council are willing to remove the graffiti and are waiting for an indemnity to be signed by the Balti Cottage as it is private property.

5. Hope & Edale Station
It was noted that new grit bins had been placed at Hope and Edale, and thus presumably all the other HVL stations, and that they were padlocked. The old bins had not been removed

6. Help Points Stations
A quote has been given for £38k for help points to be installed at Edale, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Whaley Bridge and Dinting Stations. Our budget is for £30k and therefore funding needs to be sort. If now funding avenues are sort by the next meeting of the Working Group then a decision will have to be made for dropping one of the stations. POs are to look into the possibility of securing extra funds from DCC or from the EMT PMG.
Action SC/MB
7. Folk Trains
All the folk trains are now self-supporting with the venues all agreeing to pay for the bands and refreshments for band members and volunteers. The new Buxton Line folk train will be trialled for six months with the venue paying 50% of the band costs and Northern Rail paying 50%. In September the future of the folk train will be dependant on the venue taking on the full costs.

8. Guided Walks
The Transpeak Walk group have secured funding from ACoRP for £2000 which means they will be able to continue with a programme of events for the coming financial year. The group is holding a meeting at the Moorland Centre in Edale on the 24th March.

9. 150th Anniversary Stockport to Whaley Bridge Line
The Partnership will coordinate with Northern Rail on the events along the line and it was requested that a list of events form FoWBS be sent to the office. The next FoWBS meeting is on the 31st March.

10. Community Rail Week (19th – 26th May)
Folk trains will be running on 19th, 22nd, 24th & 26th May and there will be a guided walk on 19th May. FoWBS will be holding a coffee morning.

11. Marketing and Publicity
Mike and Spence attended a DFT seminar last week and will attend an ACoRP run seminar on how to link outputs and marketing.
LENNON data is now available. It was agreed that the data is extremely crude.

12. Partnership Future
No communication has been received from the RTP Futures Steering. The Steering Group have considered the Scott Wilson final report and are in the process of taking recommendations for member approval. As soon as approval has been gained from the various bodies a copy will be sent to the Partnership and circulated. Hopefully this should be within 2-3 weeks.

13. Community Rail Development Fund
Neither of the proposed bids put forward on the agenda are required at present.

a. Partnership Public Open Meeting – October 2007. A number of dates are being pursued with the University of Derby at Buxton to secure the use of the Dome for our annual open event.

b. Parish Councils - Local Council elections, including those for Parishes, take place 3rd May. It was suggested that the Partnership make contact with all its Parish Councils in order that HVHPTP representation can be placed on the agenda of the first meeting of the new councils.

c. Peak Connections A Peak Connections officer, Carol Lavell, is now in post at PDNPA.

d. Rubbish on the line – we need to get the Network Rail schedule for line litter clearance.
Action SC/MB
8. Date of Next Meeting
The next Working Group meetings will be held on-

New Mills Town Hall, 10:15 for a prompt start at 10.30 (Unless otherwise advised)