Humber LEP Local Growth Deal

This week's Humber Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) Local Growth Deal announcement included two schemes which will impact on bus services.

Firstly there is funding for the Melton Ross Rail Bridge on the A18 in North Lincolnshire - this is currently single file with a weight restriction preventing use by buses. The Humber Flyer, 68 Wolds Villager and Saturday only 366 all have temporary timetable as a result of needing to divert via Croxton village. The Humber Flyer was nearly re-routed away from Humberside Airport entirely this month, and the temporary timetable has required an additional vehicle to maintain an hourly frequency.

Secondly there is funding to strengthen Park Street bridge in Hull City Centre, which will provide an alternative route for buses between Anlaby Road and Paragon Interchange, reducing traffic on the very busy Ferensway. Hopefully those services which currently use the city centre loop will continue to do so (i.e. some inbound and most outbound services). The few outbound services from Hull City Centre that do not use the city centre loop (National Express, Megabus Plus, X62, Humber Flyer, Evening and Sunday 350) will benefit from not needing to have a rather lengthy detour around Prospect Street, Brook Street and Ferensway. Inbound services not using the city centre loop will have a slightly quicker journey into the Interchange if they use Park Street, but the popular alighting stop on Anlaby Road would be lost. Strengthening Park Street Bridge would also provide the option of routing the Park and Ride Service via Paragon Interchange, should Stagecoach wish to do so.

A18: Strengthening or Replacing the Railway Bridge at Melton Ross - £1.75M
The A18 is a strategic link road between Scunthorpe and the Ports of Immingham and Grimsby and the bridge over the Scunthorpe to Grimsby railway line provides the primary access route into Humberside airport, a vital asset for the region’s economic growth. The bridge is currently in a weakened condition and the investment will return it to being fully functional thereby allowing all vehicles travelling on the A18 to use it instead of HGVs having to divert through the village.

Hull: Strengthening Park Street Bridge on Anlaby Road (A1105) - £0.76M
This section of Anlaby Road is part of the Inner City Strategic Diversion Route  which aims to  improve the traffic flow and reduce congestion on the A1105. Funding will be used to widen the carriage way outside Hull Royal Infirmary and strengthen the existing Park Street Bridge to remove an existing 7.5 ton weight restriction. The work will improve access from the west to the City Centre Strategic Development Sites and enable an alternative route for buses and coaches to access the Paragon Interchange taking traffic off the A63.

Stagecoach Kingswood and Bransholme February Changes

I will post full details of these changes when Stagecoach publish new timetables and further information on their website, but Hull City Council have issued a press release with regards to Stagecoach's forthcoming service changes in the Kingswood, Bransholme, Sutton and Garden Village areas of the city.

What is very interesting from this press release, is that a package of overall service reductions (albeit seemingly justified reductions) is being endorsed by a Labour councillor, at a time when the national Labour party is trying to promote a policy of bus re-regulation. It is good to see a partnership approach being taken here between Stagecoach and Hull City Council.

Changes to bus routes target demand for services - 28/01/2015

From Monday 23 February some bus services in Hull will be changing to improve the frequency of a number of bus routes in the Holderness Road area. Following a review of bus routes, Stagecoach has taken the decision to revise parts of the Kingswood and Bransholme network due to low passenger numbers on certain sections of some routes, whilst increasing the frequency of more popular services in the area. In addition, working in partnership with Hull City Council, one service will be re-routed as part of the route reconfiguration. The changes include: Service 31 will be withdrawn. However, Service 32, which covers a majority of the service 31 route, will continue and the frequency will be increased. Service 52 will be withdrawn. However, Service 51, which covers a majority of the service 52 route, will continue and the frequency will be increased. Service 110 will be rerouted along the full length of James Reckitt Avenue and Ings Rd to maintain access to a regular bus service. Residents who previously caught buses on Chamberlain Rd will need to use bus stops on Stoneferry Rd or James Reckitt Avenue. Councillor Martin Mancey, Portfolio Holder for Energy City, with the responsibility for highways and transport, said: "Recession and government cuts to council funding mean that both organisations are under significant pressure to reduce costs whilst improving services for bus passengers at the same time. "We have been and will continue to work closely with Stagecoach to identify ways to improve bus routes across the city to deliver an efficient and customer focussed service." "The changes to these bus routes will improve the provision on popular bus routes for passengers, reducing the travel time and duplication whilst increasing the frequency." Jon Donnelly, Commercial Manager for Stagecoach East Midlands with responsibility for planning local bus services in Hull, said: "The February changes to our bus services reflect the demand for bus travel, which is being influenced by the continuing redevelopment of the city particularly in East Hull. "Whilst we are disappointed that services 31 and 52 are to be withdrawn, passenger numbers have not matched expectations because most people have continued to use the well established Services 32 and 51. "Consequently, working with Hull City Council we have increased the frequency of these core routes to meet this growing demand whilst maintaining a sensible level of service along James Reckitt Avenue with Service 110." Removal of Service 31 The only elements of Service 31 that will not be covered by another service are: Kingswood Retail Park Wawne Road Kingswood Medical Centre Other bus services are provided for the Kingswood Retail Park and Stagecoach are currently looking at the potential of providing a service closer to the Kingswood Medical Centre when the Kingswood Link Road is completed later this year. Enhancement to Service 32 The frequency of the service has been increased during peak times of the day. Outbound Monday - Friday The frequency of the service will be increased from 20 minutes to every 15 minutes between 9.10am - 4.10pm and every 10mins from 4.10 to 6.10pm instead of every 20mins. Saturday Changed to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 9.10am to 6.10pm. Inbound Monday - Friday The frequency has been increased from every 20min to every 15 minutes between 6.15 to 7am and every 10 minutes instead of every 20 minutes between 7 to 8.30am Every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes between 8.30am to 2.20pm Every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 2.20 to 6pm Saturday Change to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 7.45am to 6.50pm and to every 20 minutes instead of every 30 minutes between 5.50 to 6.20pm Removal of 52 Service 52 will be deregistered and the service will no longer be provided. Service 51 will cover a majority of the route of service 52 with the exception of James Reckitt Avenue and Savoy Road. Enhancement to Service 51 The frequency of the service will be increased to compensate for the removal of service 52. Outbound Monday - Friday The frequency of the service has increased from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes between 9.03am to 4pm. From 4.03 to 6pm the frequency will be every 10 minutes instead of every 20 minutes. Saturday From 8.55am to 6.03pm the frequency changes to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Inbound Monday - Friday The frequency of the services have increased from every 10 minutes instead of every 20 minutes between 6.55 to 8.45am Between 8.45am to 2.30pm the service will run every 15 minutes instead of every 20 minutes. From 2.30 to 6pm the service will be every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Saturday From 8am to 6pm the frequency will change to every 15 minutes instead of every 30 minutes. Rerouting of Service 110 No changes to the frequency Service will be re-routed along James Reckitt Avenue and Ings Road

First Doncaster-Goole changes

Starting tomorrow (Sunday 24th), First South Yorkshire are making major changes to their services in the Thorne/Stainforth/Barnby Dun/Clay Lane/Wheatley areas, which includes a Monday to Saturday daytime link between Doncaster and Goole. Until today that link had been provided by service 88, operating via Edenthorpe, Dunsville, Hatfield, Hatfield Woodhouse, Thorne, Moorends and Rawcliffe. From Monday service 87 shall provide the Doncaster to Goole service, operating via Stainforth instead off Hatfield and Hatfield Woodhouse. A more direct route will also be taken in Moorends. The frequency of the Goole journeys remains hourly with some longer gaps, and interestingly the new timetable has a weekday only Goole-Rawcliffe and return journey to partially fill one of these gaps. Times of first and last buses remain similar to those provided on the 88.

Humber Flyer Potential Re-routing Not Happening

The temporary potential re-routing to the Humber Flyer between Hull, Barton. Grimsby and Cleethorpes away from Humberside Airport, that was at one point planned from 5th January, and then from 19th January, is not now happening. Traveline East Midlands is displaying this message:

Removal of changes to Humber Flyer timetable
Valid from 0000 on Monday 5th January until 2359 on Monday 19th January

Affected Services

Stagecoach Grimsby service CF

Stagecoach Grimsby service Humber Flyer

Traveline timetables show a service change for the Humber Flyer from 5 Jan 2015 - please continue to use the current printed timetable times when journey planning - there will be no change to the timetable in the near future.

 

This will mean the current temporary timetable due to a bridge weight restriction near Humberside Airport will continue, with the service diverted via Croxton. While only a small diversion, it has increased the resources needed to maintain an hourly service as a roundtrip can no longer be completed in four hours.

EYMS March Changes

EYMS will be changing their Hull-Hedon and route 66 Hull-Hessle services in March. From the VOSA website:

PB0000328/5 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull and Hessle given service number 66/66B effective from 08-Mar-2015. To amend Route and Timetable.

 

PB0000328/38 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull and Hedon given service number 277H/277P/78/78P/79/80 effective from 09-Mar-2015. To amend Timetable.

Don't let it be the 'thin end of the wedge'

Today an announcement was made by the Department for Transport, TransPennine Express and Northern Rail regarding trains and timetables across the North of England from May 2015. There could have been fairly significant cuts to services and train lengths but this has largely been avoided. However there is one disappointing change in the Humber region:

"An hourly service will be maintained between Manchester Airport, Sheffield, Doncaster and Cleethorpes. The vast majority of these will remain as direct services. Limited amends are planned, with customers for the 3:55pm between Manchester Airport and Cleethorpes and the 4:26pm Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport needing to change at Doncaster."

The 1555 from Manchester Airport departs Sheffield at 1716 and Doncaster at 1747 (1742 Sat, 1737 Sun) and therefore provides the main peak time service from South Yorkshire to the South Humber area. Both the 1555 and 1626 serve Grimsby Town, Barnetby and Scunthorpe en-route, and apart from the 1626 on Sunday's also serve Habrough. For Habrough it will mean no through departure from Manchester Airport between 1355 and 1855, and no through departure to Manchester Airport between 1444 and 1744. It's not clear if the proposed changes affect just weekdays, Monday to Saturdays, or every day.

TransPennine Express have provided justification as follows:

 

"We  and  Government  recognises  the  importance  of  direct  trains  to  Manchester Airport from Cleethorpes, Grimsby and other communities in the area. However, by splitting  one  service  per day at  Doncaster,  we  can  better  match  train  capacity  to demand,  by  using  a  longer  train  West  of  Doncaster  and  a  shorter  train  East  of Doncaster. We have been able to protect all other through services.  The key reason for  this  is  to  ensure  that  we  do  not  have  a  two -car  170  turning  up  at  Sheffield  or Manchester in the peaks."

 

When you are in a tricky situation difficult decisions have to made, and a connection will be available at Doncaster. However what needs to be ensured is that this is not the 'thin end of the wedge'. There was recently a very strong, and successful, campaign to stop all through services between the South Humber Area and Manchester being withdrawn. Plan B shouldn't be to try again to do this, but this time one service at a time. Plan B should be to focus on providing an hourly Cleethorpes-Manchester Airport through services 7 days a week (and give Habrough a consistent two hourly or better stopping pattern).

York Proposed Bus Cuts Rejected

Last week I covered proposed cuts to supported bus services by City of York Council. These were rejected by councillors at a meeting last night, though changes are still possible. Transdev York cross boundary services 10 and 36, which extend into the East Riding of Yorkshire, were amongst the services that could have been affected.

Decision:

Resolved:  That Cabinet agree:

(i)           Not to make the recommended budget savings in relation to the withdrawal/reduction of bus routes;

(ii)          To undertake consultation on the criteria used for the funding of subsidised bus services;

(iii)         That the Director of City and Environmental Services, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning & Economic Development, be delegated authority to make the necessary efficiencies in services which does not involve the withdrawal of any bus routes.

Reason:     In order to retain existing services and provide transport for residents in areas where local bus operators are unable or unwilling to provide bus services commercially.

EYMS March Changes

EYMS are making changes to three services in March. From the VOSA website:

PB0000328/114 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS

Variation Accepted: Operating between Scarborough and Bridlington given service number 120 effective from 07-Mar-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0000328/384 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Scarborough and Filey Bus Station given service number X20 effective from 07-Mar-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0000328/435 - EAST YORKSHIRE MOTOR SERVICES LTD, 252 ANLABY ROAD, HULL, HU3 2RS           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull and Morrisons Supermarket given service number 50 effective from 09-Mar-2015. To amend Route and Timetable.

Stagecoach plan February Hull Changes

Stagecoach are planning to make changes to services 10, 15, 16, 30, 32, 51 and 52 in Hull from 23rd February, as well as to the X62 service between Hull, Brough, Goole, Glasshoughton and Leeds. From the VOSA website:

PB0001484/241 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and Hull Interchange given service number 10/10A/10B effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0001484/243 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and Kingswood Asda given service number 15/16 effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable

 

PB0001484/245 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and North Bransholme Wawne given service number 30X/30/30A effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0001484/246 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and Bransholme given service number 32/40F effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Route and Timetable.

 

PB0001484/250 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and Kingswood given service number 51/51F/N51 effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0001484/266 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and Goole Airmyn Road given service number X62 effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0001484/267 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Goole Airmyn Road and Freeport Glasshoughton given service number X62 effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0001484/268 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Variation Accepted: Operating between Freeport Glasshoughton and Leeds Coach Station given service number X62 effective from 23-Feb-2015. To amend Timetable.

 

PB0001484/310 - LINCOLNSHIRE ROAD CAR CO LTD, PO BOX 15, DEACON ROAD, LINCOLN, LN2 4JB           

Cancellation Accepted: Operating between Hull Interchange and Kingswood given service number 52 effective from 23-Feb-2015.

EYMS 18 Weekday Evening Peak Improvements

EYMS are making some improvements to service 18 between Market Weighton, Holme Upon Spalding Moor and York on Mondays to Fridays from Monday 26th January. The 1640 from York to North Duffield is extended to Holme on Spalding Moor and the 1731 from North Duffield to York is replaced by a 1705 from Market Weighton operating the full route to York. The 1820 from York to Holme on Spalding Moor will operate 10 minutes later to aid workers in York City Centre who finish at 1800. There are also some other minor timetable changes to improve punctuality.

EYMS Bridlngton Changes

From Monday 5th January, EYMS are making some minor reductions to weekday services in Bridlington. The 0750 service 517 to New Pasture Lane, will no longer operate on weekdays (Saturday journey remains) with the first service now at 0850. Service 507 provides a partial alternative in the morning peak.

Meanwhile the 1430 service 504 from Bempton to Bridlington will no longer operate on schooldays (Saturday and School Holidays journey remains). On schooldays there will now be a gap in departures from Bempton between 1330 and 1650.

Extra service 5 to Cleethorpes

From Monday 5th January, Stagecoach are extending the Monday to Saturday service 5 at 1830 between Immingham and Grimsby to Cleethorpes Pier. This means the first through evening service from Immingham to Cleethorpes will be an hour earlier.