North East Mayor Kim McGuinness today said greater local control over rail is the key to better services, more affordable fares and safer more accessible stations.
Mayor Kim has made devolution the cornerstone of her vision for rail as part of a world class integrated transport network for North East people, alongside ambitious plans to create a new rail route in County Durham and build Metro to Washington.
Mayor Kim said: “Devolution is our chance to finally transform how the rail system is run and to make it far more affordable for local people. I have been clear I want to see more powers given to regions so the needs of local people are at the heart of every decision – that's how it should be, and that’s what I'm fighting for. Devolution of rail powers such as more control over our local stations will allow us to take quicker action to improve stations and trains, delivering improvements everyone can see when they travel. We know now is the time to act – with the Prime Minister championing further devolution for our regions and the formation of the new rail body Great British Railways.
“We need to be at the forefront of this, setting out what we want for rail – reversing decades of under investment and failures to deliver the transformation that people expect to see. I know what’s needed and it is a big task, people tell me too often that things will ‘never happen’ when it comes to our rail plans but I'll prove them wrong – I will deliver change for the people of the North East.
“Getting a train should be affordable, accessible and safe, with a good choice of routes, frequent services and simple fares. Smart, integrated tickets should make travel easy and guarantee you get the cheapest price available – other parts of the country have this already so it’s time the North East does too – our Rail Vision is just the start.”
The Mayor’s Rail Vision document is set to be discussed at the North East cabinet next week, sets out a plan to deliver:
- Affordable, simple fares
- Local rail as part of a fully integrated transport network – the Angel Network
- More frequent and reliable rail services
- Modern, accessible stations
- Improved safety measures across rail
It sets out a rail roadmap up to 2040 with projects including but not limited to:
- Lowering transport costs by rolling out affordable Mayor’s Fares across all local rail services.
- Delivering the Metro to Washington with three new stations.
- Bringing Northern Powerhouse Rail trains to the region by delivering the Leamside Line – releasing capacity on the East Coast Main Line.
- Expanding local rail to new locations – such as the Northumberland Line extension to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and accelerate the development of rail schemes through a new dedicated Rail Development Fund.
- Greater devolution for rail with more decisions taken locally with residents in mind.
- Futureproofing the Metro with a new modern signalling system – improving reliability system-wide.
- Better reliability and punctuality of local rail and more modern, electric and battery powered trains.
- Smart ticketing on local rail services for seamless journeys by rail and local Metro and Bus.
- A new programme to improve safety of women and girls and measures to improve accessibility.
- More later and earlier rail services in and out of city centres.
- A target timetable for services and an infrastructure plan to achieve it.
- Increase stations with services every 30 minutes.
- More seats for passengers on the Northumberland Line.
- Freight growth and expanded national connectivity on the East Coast Main Line.
- Improvements to stations including upgrading Sunderland Station by opening the northern entrance to the Riverside development, a long-term plan to improve Newcastle Central Station and upgraded Metrocentre station.
Alongside the formation of the new rail vision, the Mayor has also signed a new landmark agreement with the rail industry, committing to driving forward improvements for passengers.
An agreement signed today at Sunderland Station by the Mayor signals a commitment to the introduction of a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and the rail industry, which will see all parties working in close partnership to deliver the Rail Vision.
The North East Rail Vision is set to be discussed later this month at the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority Cabinet.