Transport bodies argue for more local autonomy


by Katie Silvester


Integrated transport authorities are lobbying to get more control of local rail services, as part of a government consultation on whether to allow more local decision making on the funding of rail schemes. Councillor Mick Jameson, chairman of South Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority (SYITA), said: ‘No one knows the local rail network better than the people who live in the area and use the services day-in, day-out. ‘Over the past few years more


and more people have been turning to rail. Now is the time to build on this success story by giving the ITAs, and their local authority partners,


the responsibility for the planning, oversight and development of those networks.


‘That means making us, rather


than Whitehall, responsible for networks in the West Midlands and Northern rail networks.’ SYITA, together with the


other five largest urban transport authorities outside London, is calling on the government to transfer key responsibilities over local rail services to local representatives. ITAs in Greater Manchester,


Tyne and Wear, Merseyside, West Yorkshire and the West Midlands argue that taking decisions more locally would see improved accountability, helping to ensure


that trains, trams and buses are better integrated. They have agreed common principles on the way forward on devolution in the north of England and the West Midlands. Jameson added: ‘The ITAs


working together on local solutions will mean we will be able to pool funding and use our local knowledge to make sure that the rail network meets our local passenger and business needs.’ But an acceptable funding


formula would need to be found, he warned. ‘We will not sign up to any deal on devolution which will leave passengers worse off than they would have been without devolution.’


Rotherham Central’s new ticket office opens n


New passenger facilities at Rotherham Central station are now open to the public, more than


a year after work was originally expected to be completed. Improvement work to one of the platforms and


the car park has still to be finished, but passengers can now use the new ticketing office, waiting room and entrance, as well as taking advantage of improved access to platforms as part of an £8.5m redevelopment. David Young, South Yorkshire Passenger Transport


Executive (SYPTE) director of customer experience, said: ‘We apologise that the works at Rotherham Central Station have taken longer than expected. ‘We are confident that customers will be impressed


with the significant improvements in the station’s facilities, which we hope will contribute to making the town a much more vibrant, successful and healthy place for people to live, work, visit and invest in.’ Investment in the station’s redevelopment has come


from a number of sources including SYPTE, Network Rail, the Department for Transport, and the European Regional Development Fund.


‘We are confident that customers will be impressed with the significant improvements in the station’s facilities’


PAGE 12 APRIL 2012


Tocs warn that regulation by ORR could see costs rise


Atoc is objecting strongly to proposals for the Office of Rail Regulation to regulate passenger franchises in its response to a government consultation on extending the role of the ORR. The association believes that


the plans are ‘deeply flawed’ as the move would ‘confuse accountabilities’ because the ORR has no financial responsibility for franchises. Michael Roberts, chief


executive of Atoc said: ‘It is absolutely right that operators be held to account in providing passengers with the service that they expect and deserve. But the proposed extended role of the ORR will not help to deliver better services at a lower cost. ‘The oversight of operators should remain with the franchising authority as part of longer, less prescriptive franchise agreements. The main challenge for the ORR is to focus on regulating the infrastructure provider at a time when Network Rail is changing significantly the way that it operates.’


Finishing touches are added to the interior of Rotherham Central


Billericay and Balham stations get upgrades


Upgrades to two stations on routes into London are complete. The first is Southern’s


Balham, where the 11-month £1m scheme includes relocation of the main gate line, a new gated entrance, step free access, improved ticket availability, two new ticket windows, improved information screens and signage. The second is Billericay


on Greater Anglia’s route between Southminster/ Southend Victoria and London Liverpool Street. This £1.4m upgrade


includes a new booking hall and ticket office with additional ticket window, adjustable height counter for disabled passengers, self- service ticket machines, CCTV and improved cycle parking.


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