We are pleased to have the support of Railfuture East Anglia, First Capital Connect, National Express, Network Rail and Passenger Focus, all of whom have taken an active interest in our campaign.

Campaign successes so far

• First Capital Connect has improved the 16-18 year-old student discount from 30% to 50% off the adult fare. This translates into a substantial saving for young people.
• Cycle racks at Foxton Station have been provided and installed by Cambridgeshire County Council on council-owned land.
• A less restrictive ban on full-sized cycles on trains than originally intended by FCC has been agreed, with only one train affected (Meldreth 8:10 to Cambridge).
• Following customer feedback, new ticket machine screens have been installed at Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Stations.
• British Transport Police data on criminal and anti-social behaviour at rail stations is now incorporated in police reports to the Neighbourhood Panel meetings, giving a more accurate picture of our villages and where police response is needed.
• Parking charges at Meldreth Station have been reduced from £3 per day to £1.50 per day, and charges at Shepreth Station abolished (previously £3 per day) – effective 1/1/2012.
• At Foxton Level Crossing, improved flashing light system on the vehicle barriers, significant steps toward safer pedestrian gates.

Continuing campaign

• Full disabled access at Meldreth Station.
• Maintaining the 50% 16-18 year-old student season pass discount.
• Keeping Meldreth’s manned booking office.
• Free parking at Meldreth Station.
• Better provision for cycles on trains, particularly in view of overcrowding.
• More cycle parking particularly at Meldreth and Foxton Stations where there is high demand.
• Improved safety at Foxton Level Crossing for cyclists and pedestrians.

Upcoming meetings

March 14, 8PM (AGM, Meldreth Manor School).

Minutes, agendas and more information at http://melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup/

Rail Station Gardens

In 2011, Meldreth and Shepreth Stations turned 160 years old, while Foxton Station turned 163 years old. In honour, we have initiated railway station gardens at all three stations.

The idea is to give our stations a village identity, and to encourage use of the sustainable transport network on our doorstep. The gardens are supported by local residents, schools and businesses and depend on continuing commitment.

Please support us.

To support the group in any small way,
contact Susan van de Ven, details above.

Dear Network Rail,

On December 14th, the Meldreth, Shepreth and Rail User Group, which I chair, held its quarterly meeting and a very useful and comprehensive discussion was held on the current state of play on the pedestrian gates.  We had the benefit of two FCC Station Managers (including the area’s group manager), as well as Railfuture East Anglia, and Fen Line Users Association who face a similar set of circumstances at Downham Market.

The major points of discussion:

1. The very frank and honest account concerning the installation of the new gates is greatly appreciated.
2. It is unfortunate that a not entirely accurate update was given to me in June when the gates went in – the message being that with the new gates installed at last, hopefully we’d have no more problems.  We didn’t know that the essential magnetic locking component was lacking and that the 1960s wiring and closing mechanism remained in place – this due to funding issues.  So, the new gates are no better than the old gates, and there have been even more failures with the new ones than with the old ones.
3. I understand from a local resident that there was a failure of one of the sets of gates last week, so I’m assuming that at least one of the sets of spare parts will have been used for repairs.
4. The proposal for the ‘contingency path’ was felt to be entirely foolish.  First, it will have no self-locking mechanism at all, and will depend on user judgement – which sets up exactly the wrong circumstances, given the number of children who use the crossing.  In effect it sets up another Elsenham.    Second, if there is a funding gap which is preventing the essential magnetic locking component from being installed into the new gates, it would be a waste of money to spend precious resources on a temporary measure, particularly if it is potentially unsafe.  The RUG was absolutely adamant about all of this, and furthermore, the representatives from FCC, FLUA and Railfuture were aghast that such a proposal was being considered.
5. We went over the detail of the vehicle level crossing barrier system.  The main assurance which seems to hold firm is that queuing traffic over the level crossing means that the signalling system to allow trains to proceed toward Foxton cannot be activated. It is very reassuring to have this absolutely confirmed.
6. With regard to abuses of the level crossing – vehicles crashing into the barriers – it was pointed out that if vehicles crash into the barriers after they have gone into lock position, there is still the chance of a collision with a train.  There also remains the potential for collisions on the highway between vehicles on the A10 and vehicles attempting to come out of Station Road Foxton, when the barrier lights begin to flash and two vehicles are looking to seize an opportunity to make headway.

In summary, I must concur with the view of the RUG that the contingency path should NOT go ahead on the grounds that it would be inherently unsafe, could attract use even when the pedestrian gates for the correct path are in order, and would divert much needed funding away from the correct solution, which is the magnetic locking components.  It is also worth pointing out that every failure of the present gates is costing at least £1400K in spare parts, and this too is wasteful.

So the question that remains is, when do you expect that the new gates can be ‘completed’?

Sorry for the rather blunt account; I’m sure you will appreciate the level of local concern about putting all available resources into the optimum solution.

All the best,
Susan

Rail User Group

Launched in February 2010, this group is comprised of rail users dedicated to improving access to rail service at these small but essential stations.  Our Rail Operator is First Capital Connect and our service links the villages to Cambridge, Royston and London King’s Cross.

We are pleased to have the support of Railfuture, First Capital Connect, Network Rail and Passenger Focus, all of whom have taken an active interest in our campaign.

CAMPAIGN SUCCESSES SO FAR

• First Capital Connect has improved the 16-18 year-old student discount fare from 30% to 50% off the adult fare.  This translates into a substantial saving for young people.
• Cycle racks at Foxton Station have been provided and installed by Cambridgeshire County Council on council-owned land.
• A less restrictive ban on full-sized cycles on trains than originally intended by FCC has been agreed, with only one train affected (Meldreth 8:10 to Cambridge).
• Following customer feedback, new ticket machine screens have been installed at Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Stations.
• British Transport Police data on criminal and anti-social behaviour at rail stations is now incorporated in police reports to the Neighbourhood Panel meetings, giving a more accurate picture of our villages and where police response is needed.
• Parking charges at Meldreth Station have been reduced from £3 per day to £1.50 per day, and charges at Shepreth Station  abolished (previously £3 per day) – effective January 1^st, 2012.
• At Foxton Level Crossing, improved  flashing light system on the vehicle barriers, significant steps toward safer pedestrian gates.

JOIN US TO HELP WITH OUR CONTINUING CAMPAIGN

• Full disabled access at Meldreth Station.
• Maintaining the 50% 16-18 year-old student season pass discount.
• Maintaining Meldreth’s staffed booking office.
• Free parking at Meldreth Station.
• Better provision for cycles on trains, particularly in view of overcrowding.
• More cycle parking particularly at Meldreth and Foxton where there is high demand.
• Improved safety at Foxton Level Crossing.

Upcoming meetings

March 14, 8PM  (AGM, Meldreth Manor School).

Minutes, agendas and more information at http://melbourn.org.uk/railusergroup/

Rail Station Gardens

In 2011, Meldreth and Shepreth Stations turned 160 years old, while Foxton Station turned 163 years old.  In honour, we have initiated railway station gardens at all three stations.
The idea is to give our stations a village identity, and to encourage use of the sustainable transport network on our doorstep.
The gardens are supported by local residents, schools and businesses and depend on continuing commitment.
To support the gardens in any small way, contact Susan van de Ven, chair, at Tel 01763 261833 or susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

HELP US TO KEEP MELDRETH, SHEPRETH AND FOXTON STATIONS ON THE MAP

Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton – Rail User Group

Membership Application

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Please send cheque to:
Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group, 95 North End, Meldreth, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6NU

Subscription Year runs from 1 January to 31 December each year
Members’ names, addresses and contact details are held on computer. If you do not want these details to be so recorded then please let us know.

Published by Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group
95 North End, Meldreth, Cambridgeshire, SG8 6NU

Affiliated to Railfuture
www.railfuture.org.uk

Committee Officers

Chairman and Membership Secretary
Susan van de Ven
95 North End,
Meldreth, Cambs, SG8 6NU
Tel 01763 262056
susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk

Secretary

Brian Farmer
3 Edieham Cottages
Shepreth, Cambs, SG8 6JQ
Treasurer

Sue Hanson
Elin Way,
Meldreth, Cambs, SG8 6LT

March 14 2012 (AGM, Meldreth Manor School) – all at 7:30PM.

The Rail User Group has been lobbying First Capital Connect for a new ticket vending machine for the London-bound platform.  The situation now is such that someone arriving from the Melbourn footpath must climb the stairs over and back in order to purchase a ticket from the vending machine, the permit to travel machine, or the booking office.  For most people this is not a problem, but for anyone with small children, or other mobility constraints, this is a big problem.

We have asked FCC for a second ticket vending machine but these are apparently difficult to come by.  We are still asking because we think we should have a ticket vending machine on both platforms.

In the meantime we have been offered the compromise of moving the present ticket machine over to the London-bound platform.  There are obvious positives and negatives to such a proposal and we would like to know what you think.

It is legal to get on a train without a full ticket, but with a ‘permit to travel’ from the Permit to Travel Machine.  A permit can be bought with a coin of any value and the difference is paid upon arrival at your destination.  So, if the proposal to move the main ticket machine over to the other platform were to be implemented, passengers on both platforms would be able to board a train legally without necessarily needing to climb over the pedestrian bridge.

We are asking residents in both Meldreth and Melbourn for their views. Please can you drop us a line?  Contact details are below. Thanks.

Meanwhile, a footfall count has been arranged by Railfuture East Anglia for November 10th, to help understand travel patterns and level of usage generally.

The next Rail User Group meeting is December 14th, 7:30, at Shepreth Village Hall.  Please come and support the meeting if you can:  we are a small number of regulars but are always attended by First Capital Connect and the rail watchdog group Railfuture.

We would be very pleased to hear from anybody who might be interested to help with a few admin tasks – putting up posters at the station, doing membership forms, and helping with minute taking.  It is all interesting and rewarding and we hope to make a positive difference.

Susan van de Ven and Roger Gale
Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group

To comment on this matter please contact Susan:
95 North End, Meldreth , SG8 6NU
susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk
Tel 01763 261833

10 October 2011

Dear Network Rail,

The pedestrian gates on the station side at Foxton are still chained shut, following the latest incident on September 16th.

THERE IS NO ATTENDANT TO GUIDE PASSENGERS ACROSS THE LEVEL CROSSING. Network Rail assured us last spring, when I queried about the present contingency, that an attendant would be provided to ensure safe crossing for pedestrians.

A sample of the concerns reported to or witnessed by me just in the past few days:
1.  A visually impaired resident in Foxton needs to use the pedestrian crossing three times per week.  She must enter the A10 with 50MPH traffic to get from one side to the other.  SHE CANNOT SEE VERY WELL.

2.  Yesterday I encountered at the level crossing a young mother with two children on foot (she also has two other children in a double pushchair) attempting to cross over the level crossing; I tried to help them negotiate the 50MPH traffic hurtling down the A10. The two children on foot got excited while in the middle of the level crossing and wanted to explore.

3.  A disabled resident of Foxton has to use the pedestrian crossing several times a week; he is worried that he is too slow and that his walking stick will get stuck.

I wrote to you last week to request that you now provide a member of staff to water the flower tubs on the Cambridge-bound platform, since the Rail User Group cannot ask its volunteers to use a completely unsafe level crossing.   I have had no response to this request.

Please can you tell me: Is the current situation legal?

Clearly, for whatever reason, the new gates are not working (this includes the system for repairing them).

Foxton level crossing needs an attendant now to escort pedestrians through the correct pedestrian route, please.

I’m sorry to be so blunt but I don’t want an accident on my conscience.  This letter will be posted on the Rail User Group poster board at Foxton Station and will be sent to the local press.

Sincerely yours,
Susan van de Ven,
Chairman, Meldreth, Shepreth and Foxton Rail User Group
Cambridgeshire County Councillor, Foxton

CONCERNED PEDESTRIANS: PLEASE WRITE TO NETWORK RAIL crsouth@networkrail.co.uk. It would be helpful if you could copy me in so I can help to follow up: susanvandeven@yahoo.co.uk.

Or ring me on 01763 261833.

Susan van de Ven

County Councillor for Foxton, Heydon, Melbourn, Meldreth, Shepreth and the Chishills.