LOROL Stakeholder Forum

20 May 2008

The first LOROL Stakeholder Forum was held on 8th May 2008 and attended by 30 stakeholders with representation from Local Authorities, business groups, rail industry, Olympic Delivery Authority, Wembley Stadium, London TravelWatch and Passenger Focus.

Following presentations on progress with station and rolling stock investment and the timetable development process, by LOROL Directors, a number of issues were raised or highlighted by attendees –

  • The frequency of train services is important for businesses, particularly in south London. A 10/15 minute turn up and go frequency is seen as an attractor whereas a half-hourly service a detractor.
  • Security at railway stations and on train is an important issue.  Stakeholders were pleased at the investment planned to address and improve personal security whilst travelling, particularly at night.
  • The importance of staff training and ‘upskilling’ to meet the investment planned.
  • The importance of a firm commitment to the East London line extension to Clapham Junction was expressed by a number of stakeholders.
  • Addressing station investment and improvement issues, particularly where a station is Listed, and working with the Local Authorities concerned is crucial.
  • Business groups were particularly interested in ensuring that small and medium sized companies were involved in the competitive tendering process for station and track investment work.
  • Full consultation on station investment is necessary to ensure the improvements planned are beneficial to users i.e. new shelters in appropriate locations. It would also be useful for LOROL to work closely with East London Line contractors to ensure briefings and updates on progress are provided to local people.
  • The importance of maintaining current freight paths both during the autumn 2008 engineering works and permanently was expressed.
  • Concern was expressed that passengers could end up paying the price for improvements to the London orbital network through increases in fares.
  • Concern was also expressed that the introduction of Oyster on LOROL services has led to rail fares undercutting local bus fares, particularly in Hertfordshire where commercial bus operators may decide to withdraw bus services leaving the provision of such to the County Council. This will have impacts on the County budget. Improved consultation on these matters with Local Authorities is needed for the future.
  • LOROL should ensure that all timetables produced cover information on other train services i.e. Southern, particularly where planned engineering works only affect LOROL services but other train services are still available.
  • An update was provided on progress with the planned Shepherds Bush and Imperial Wharf stations by representatives from Network Rail.  The Stakeholder Forum concluded that a six-monthly frequency of meetings was appropriate; meetings to be timed at useful progress update points.

LOROL is to organise the next meeting in approximately six months time.

LOROL
May 2008

Steve Murphy's presentation Stakeholder Forum 8 May (PDF 1.32mb)

Stakeholder Presentation May 2008 (PDF 4.85mb)

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