Ahead of any ministerial changes, the Keep Island Line in Franchise (KILF) Group has written to Rail Minister, Clare Perry, expressing their concern about what they see as an ‘apparent backtracking’ on a commitment she made last year.
The letter, sent by Chris Quirk on behalf of the group, relates to Island Line trains, the franchise of which is currently out to tender.
Backtracking of commitment
Mr Quirk says Clare Perry’s letter in the County Press in September 2015 was “a clear ministerial statement of intent as to the future role Network Rail would have in relation to Island Line”.
He goes on to say that it was in the context of that commitment that KILF and many other stakeholders shaped our responses to the consultation.
Urgent clarification
Mr Quirk is now asking for for urgent clarification from the minister on the matter following an email from the DfT’s Specification Manager for the South Western Rail Franchise which appeared to backtrack that commitment.
Majority say keep in franchise
Results from the consultation reveal the majority of respondents favoured keeping Island Line as part of the wider franchise, “believing that this approach would most likely result in a secured future for the services”.
KILF went on to say,
“In light of this, we remain disappointed at the continued franchise objective to see Island Line become a self-sustaining business during the course of the next franchise. We have seen nothing from the DfT or other interested parties to suggest that a self-sustaining business model would secure a long-term sustainable solution.
“To the contrary, we are concerned that this approach misses the opportunity to require the franchise bidders to develop a cost effective proposal, drawing on their expertise and economies of scale, that would deliver a long-term solution within the wider franchise model – as is being required for all other branch lines within the area.”
The Letter
You can read the letter in full below. Click on the full screen icon to see larger version.
Image: pagedooley under CC BY 2.0
