Harrogate Line Trains

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HARROGATE LINE - bid for “metro” trains!

Proposed new scheme to electrify and upgrade the Harrogate Line

(click to picture enlarge proposed route map)

Following their recent success in persuading East Coast Trains to bring back the first direct services from London to Harrogate for 25 years, Harrogate Chamber of Trade & Commerce is now bidding for a complete upgrading of the Harrogate Line train services between Leeds, Harrogate, Knaresborough and York. Thanks to the technical expertise of Mark Leving, the former MD of First Hull Trains, they have found a potentially affordable solution to the recurring complaints of overcrowding, poor quality and inadequate frequency of trains on our local line.
Click here for full Press Briefing document

l to r: Brian Dunsby, Andrew Jones MP and Mark Leving

Chamber Chief Executive Brian Dunsby said that this project also responds to the recent report by Sir Roy McNulty entitled “Realising the potential of GB Rail” which challenges the high cost of the traditional ways of running a railway. The full McNulty Report Section 19 envisages lower-cost regional railways operating on segregated lines with lower-cost lighter-weight trains that can stop and start quicker than conventional heavy rail. It suggests that such services could be managed locally with timetables and fares set in response to passenger demand and recommends that these principles should be further developed and piloted in a number of locations so that they can be refined before wider roll-out. “This is just what we are proposing – a McNulty pilot on the Harrogate Line” said Brian, who personally presented a summary of the Pilot Proposal to the Minister of State for Transport Theresa Villiers in London on Tuesday 12^th July.

The Chamber’s solution is a modern low-cost ground-level electrification system, similar to that used on the Docklands Light Railway. This should be more reliable and much simpler and quicker to install than the conventional overhead electrical systems used on the East Coast and West Coast mainlines. It would also be less technically challenging in the Bramhope Tunnel and easier to install on the high-level viaducts along the route, including the Wharfedale and Crimple Valleys and the Knaresborough viaduct, where overhead cables would be an eyesore on what are now Grade 2 listed structures.

The proposed rolling stock is a fleet of around 20 six-car light rapid transit electric trains, originally built by Metro-Cammell in Birmingham, which have been totally refurbished within the past few years, with 280 seats per train and lots of proper standing room as well. They have been used on the mainly above ground services in Surrey from Ealing, Richmond and Wimbledon and in Essex from Upminster and Barking into London but they are all due to be replaced by 2014 as part of a major Transport for London standardisation programme. We understand we can acquire them very affordably indeed compared with the cost of building similar new trains. Also, much of the UK’s newer rolling stock is already dual voltage (overhead and ground level systems) and so could operate over the Harrogate line in the future with minor modifications. Brian Dunsby says that what the Chamber is proposing is proven technology using conventional rolling stock and simple electrification. These lighter weight “metro” style trains are a ready made, tried and tested lower cost variant of the Tram-Trains that have been under consideration for the Yorkshire Region for several years. We would not have to wait several more years for the outcome of the planned trials with electric Tram-Trains on the Rotherham-Sheffield line. Even then we would have to wait for the development of a diesel version for the Harrogate line that would be prohibitively expensive to buy and to operate.

Project Director Mark Leving says that “Metro” trains on the Harrogate Line should enable all these key objectives – and potentially at a far lower cost than new trains or tram-trains with normal overhead electrification:

Around 40% higher seating capacity plus significant proper standing room for short journeys
Some further platform extensions to suit longer trains
Higher performance trains (better acceleration/braking) so a 12% improvement should be possible on current schedules.
Potential for more frequent services – aiming for walk-up frequency
Potential uplift from 30 to 15 minute frequency Leeds-Harrogate-Knaresborough
Potential uplift from 60 to 30 minute frequency York-Harrogate
More car parking at all Stations plus several with Park & Ride facilities
Extra stations to allow access to the services by a much wider audience
Leeds Bradford International Airport Parkway station
Significant improvement in reliability and in connectivity
Lower operating costs and more environment friendly trains

Mark added that “we’ve had constructive dialogue with some of the key industry bodies including London Underground, Network Rail, the Rail Safety & Standards Board and the Office of Rail Regulation. This has helped us to inform the proposals as authoritatively as possible.”

The superior performance and capacity of the Metro LRT electric trains proposed for the Harrogate Line would enable the construction of several new stations along the line. Mark says that this is simply not possible with the existing heavy diesel trains that are intensively deployed and already hard-pressed to maintain the current timetable with very short turn-around times at the end of the line.

Of particular interest to residents and businesses in Harrogate and Knaresborough are the following suggested new Stations – subject to a business case for each one to justify the investment plus the necessary Planning Permission:

Leeds Bradford International Airport Parkway + Park and Ride for Bramhope/Yeadon
Buttersyke Bar – A658 (Harrogate southern by-pass) /A61 intersection – Park & Ride
Bilton – near A59 Skipton Road for schools, sports and business park
Belmont – large residential area near existing level crossing
Knaresborough East – proposed new housing development at Manse Farm
Cattal or Hammerton – upgrade to a large Park and Ride site close to A1(M)
Nether Poppleton – redevelopment of the British Sugar Corp. site for housing etc
A number of possible locations in West Yorkshire are also being considered by WYPTE

Brian Dunsby says that the Harrogate “Metro” Line is ideal as a McNulty pilot for the following reasons:

Short-term deliverable – a quick win “in our lifetime”
Segregated line – no freight and no side routes
High Impact – alleviates overcrowding, improves frequency
Great value for money, affordable with proven demand growth
Tried and tested technology – as used across London
Will provide improved seating with punctuality and reliability
Efficient operation and environmentally sound.
Will stimulate modal shift from car to train for commuters and visitors
Private enterprise partnership with local Councils & Chamber
“Can do” and “deliverable” approach – driven by local partners

The project is being strongly supported by the Harrogate’s politicians, with Council Leader Don Mackenzie making personal presentations to the Leaders of Leeds City Region, North Yorkshire County Council, City of York Council and the two new Local Enterprise Partnerships. Barry Dodd OBE, Chairman of the York & North Yorkshire LEP said that the scheme was “A very worthwhile project which the LEP will be delighted to support.” Neil McLean, Chair of the Leeds City Region LEP said “This looks to be an exciting and innovative proposal to meet a considerable need.”

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Any issues of concern raised have been addressed in FAQs

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