Accrington Railways - Robert Kenyon

accept when one considered that the overall average speed of this cross-country ‘express’ was at present a meagre 41mph. The Chairman of the SRA, himself educated at Queen Elizabeth’s Grammar School in Blackburn, has stated that they were, “Not interested in plans that can only result in a net deficit, but particularly ones which have the best potential for a return on the investment”. In its endeavours to prove or disprove certain theories, Hyndburn Council had commissioned surveys at various times, and some of these were of interest to the transport watcher, as they showed current trends and how they had altered over a fixed period of time. One such exercise, undertaken during 2003, was a repeat performance of one taken at the turn of the century. It was not clear how many people were sampled in 2000, but the figure for this latest survey was 584. It covered many other aspects of the social spectrum, but the figures directly relating to public transport, were worthy of recording in isolation from the rest of the data. ( A similar survey for buses appears in the book Accrington/Hyndburn On Wheels .) Category 2000 200 3 Shift Feeling safe travelling on trains during the day 78% 76% down 2% Feeling safe travelling on trains during the evening 41% 37% down 4% Feeling safe waiting for trains during the day 64% 72% up 4% Feeling safe waiting for trains during the evening 25% 22% down 3% The findings (with one exception) show that the public perception of travel during the day was that it is much safer than during the evening, or as one might conclude, after dark. Overall however, there had been a slight decrease in public confidence in the safety of using public transport in the Borough of Hyndburn. Although passenger numbers had increased by 1%, according to the Strategic Rail Authorities figures for 2002, passenger/Kilometres went up by 2%. Of the seventeen Train Operating Companies who had improved performances, two operated through East Lancashire. Both First North Western and Arriva Trains Northern had experienced better years with regard to punctuality. The Arriva Trans-Pennine ‘Express’ between Blackpool North, York and Scarborough went up from 83.8% of trains on time to 87%. First North Western services on the Blackpool South to Colne, and Bolton to Clitheroe services, showed an increase in punctuality from 83% to 85.7%. These figures, although a step in the right direction, still fell well short of the charter mark of 91%. The SRA Chairman, Richard Bowker, has said, “The schedules for the soon to be introduced winter timetable have been designed to assist in this current trend”. Did this mean that timings have been eased in order to promote attainability? The current definition of a train being ‘on time’, meant that it was no more than the (once accepted) ten minutes down on its booked schedule. All this was not yet clear, but one thing was for certain, the amount of complaints about rail travel had risen by 6% over the same period. September At a meeting of Rishton Area Council a resident reported that the steps up to the old railway line in Tottleworth were overgrown and strewn with loose gravel thereby constituting a danger to walkers. The Chairman reported that as this in essence was a ‘County Walk’, so it would be difficult and also expensive to improve this trail. But he agreed that the steps and handrail both required attention, whilst the Council stated that this did not fall within their normal schedule of maintenance. On the 6 th , commencing its journey in Preston, the St James Tripper, was to Norwich via Peterborough. The motive power on the section to and from Ely was provided by 31:129 and 31:459 in tandem, with 31:128 between Ely and Norwich. It was announced that Church & Oswaldtwistle Station was to receive help from nearby Ossy Mills, to help keeping up appearances by investing in a scheme to make it more attractive to visitors. These would include a thrice daily inspection of the platforms to pick up litter and tend to the planting. There would also be a closed circuit link to the system already in operation within the retail complex, and special promotions available to those customers who travelled there by train. An escort would be provided

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