STRATEGY IN QUEST FOR DIGGLE STATION

I went to the S.T.O.R.M. meeting on Tuesday 3rd July, 2007 on behalf of the Diggle Community Association.  Arrangements had been made with the Secretary, Peter Dawson, for me to attend and I was made to feel extremely welcome.  I was impressed with the level of expertise in the meeting which was attended by about 15 people.

Initially S.T.O.R.M. was formed when the Rochdale – Oldham loop line was threatened with closure probably about 20 years ago now.  Save The Oldham and Rochdale Mainline became their acronym.  I was given a prime spot on the agenda.  Peter Dawson has promised to forward several contacts which I need to follow up.

I gave the meeting a resume of the point where we are at the moment which was largely a reiteration of the paper I have already produced in ‘Quest for Diggle Station’.

The immediate reaction of the meeting was we were fighting a lost cause.  They were nonetheless advising we should develop a short and long term strategy and the long term could very well present a changing scene which we could exploit.

Those present confirmed that 6 trains per hour in each direction was the capacity of the line.  The emphasis is on long distance speedy trains rather than local and currently the system seems to be working satisfactory and there is therefore no demand to modify the signalling system.  In any event changing signalling is extremely expensive and any such change would have to be incorporated into a Business Plan and that would have to be financially viable. 

There is a plan which, admittedly is in its embryonic state, by Grand Central Railways to have trains running along the line from Huddersfield directly to Euston.  The plan involves a Parkway facility at Guide Bridge Station.  This could be the catalyst which prompts some modernising of the signalling system with a greater capacity for trains each hour.

 A former member of the G.M.P.T.E, Bernard (sorry he went before I could ask him his surname) was especially helpful.  I said the possible location of the station would be adjacent to Ward Lane.  The point about its being on a bend was not an issue it was felt.  However, the station could cost £2.000.000.  Disability Access from Ward Lane bridge, for example, would be necessary under recent legislation.  Access alone could cost about £700.000 for lifts etc.  The emphasis is on longer trains – 4 instead of 2 carriages and a platform in each direction measuring about 100 metres would be necessary.  There would also have to be an adaptation of the signalling system which again would add to the cost.  I felt that any Section 106 moneys available from Shaw’s development would be too costly and is therefore a non-starter on its own. It could however contribute to the total sum but I doubt whether any developer would have £2.000.000 to spare. Even the certain increase in the population arising from Shaw’s it was felt it would be unlikely to be sufficiently attractive to persuade the railway authorities any station would be economically attractive as part of any Business Plan.

I mentioned the possible opening up of the currently disused Micklehurst Loop line tunnels.  I was told whilst this maybe possible the impact would be a slowing down of the current mainline by as much as 1 to 1 minute 20 seconds because of the danger created by adjacent tunnels.  This it was felt would prove unacceptable to the railway authorities because of the emphasis on speed for the express trains.

Proposed Short Term Strategy

I propose we consider the adoption of the following strategy which embraces both long and short term goals.

• Get all Borough and Parish Councillors to support the long term quest for a railway station. (John Dillon – Borough Councillor was at the meeting and confirmed this was already the case in the borough but it does need reinvestment and endorsement through publicity that the support exists.)
• Create a Friends of Greenfield Station Group. (This is something about which we have already made preliminary enquiries with Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents’ Association and they are likely to agree.  Involvement of both Delph and Dobcross groups would also be advisable.  Denshaw may also want involvement.  This group would need a delegate from each of these community groups)
• Refurbishment of Greenfield Station with added Car Park facilities. (Currently there is £500.000 on offer from G.M.P.T.E.  for the refurbishment but Network Rail have refused to pay any subsequent upkeep costs. Hence the lack of action.  A deal was reached with Northern (train providers) and GM.P.T.E. for Ashton Station which has given the station a much needed uplift.  Greenfield Station is now used by 300 people per day and is second in the increase league table throughout Greater Manchester. With the emergence of Tesco’s will the station be used even more?
• Find an example where there has been a successful quest for a station.  Handforth was suggested at the meeting.
• Make contact with Ruth Kelly, new Transport Minister and M.P. for one of the Bolton Constituencies and I am told a marginal seat. 

• Most importantly keep in touch with S.T.O.R.M. and consider possible membership  if acceptable to them.  If we form a Friends of Greenfield Station Group we could consider membership of this learned group and send a delegate from the Friends’ group on a rota basis. They meet monthly.

 
Other issues Identified at the Meeting

I went to the meeting with the impression the group dealt solely with the Oldham and Rochdale loop line.  That is not the case.  They are a well-established group and clearly have a standing in the area or even nationally.  For example,   several members went free by First Class Virgin Express to London during the last month at the invitation of Sir Richard Branson’s group.  They were shown round Euston and were lorded.  Similarly 12 members have been given tickets to go to Morecambe on 22.7.07 again free of charge.

The group have meetings with G.M.P.T.E. They monitor the performance of trains on the loop line largely through members who happen to witness any shortcomings.  They will follow up with Northern any issues as and when necessary.   They give an annual S.T.O.R.M. Trouper award to any railway employee who, they feel, warrants the award.  Press publicity follows.

Metrolink track is currently being replaced and the trams are running for part of the time only between Victoria and Cornbrook.  Various parts of the route are out of use until late August. The members are far from convinced about the wisdom of expanding Metrolink.  They feel the refurbishment of stations, better park and ride facilities and more rolling stock would be a more viable way economically.  I could not help but agree.

5th  July, 2007                          Royce G. Franklin
                                                Secretary of the Diggle Community Association.