12 February 2010

The Future of the Abbeyline: Response from St Albans Civic Society

Thank you for the opportunity to respond to the consultation paper on the proposals for a tram service on The Watford – St Albans Abbey Line.

We are the Civic Society for St Albans with approximately 500 members. A small number of them use the line and we have come to the following comments after discussion of the subject in our Committee.

1. We support the proposals outlined in the consultation paper to convert the line to the concept of a light railway operation using potentially ‘high floor’ trams and the current track and infrastructure, including the overhead electric supply. We note that should circumstances change this could enable the route to be returned to its current method of operation.

2. The installation of passing facilities at Bricket Wood, similar to the one at Penryn on the Truro – Falmouth branchline is ideal for this station is, fortunately, eight minutes a journey time from both St Albans Abbey and Watford Junction.

Assuming the electric trams will be able to travel at, at least, a similar speed as the current electric trains, it is envisaged the trams will pass at Bricket Wood at 08/09 minutes into their journey. This thus easily facilitates a service interval of every thirty minutes and, we suggest, in the peak periods, Monday Friday, of, say, 07.30 - 09.00 hours and 17.00 – 19.30 hours it should be possible to operate a 20 minute interval service. This would mean 3 and 4 minute turn rounds which given proper operational discipline, could work. Please note there have been some 3 minute turnarounds on this line in the past with no problems. As the trams are likely to be 2 vehicle formations, this should facilitate the driver in walking to the other end quickly and is far easier than transferring as at present along the length of a 4 coach train.

We feel the enhanced frequency being offered is a key factor in realizing the real potential of this line. Equally a later service from Watford Junction is essential to tap into the evening/theatre/leisure market and steps will need to be taken to ensure that any anti-social behaviour that results from the excesses of the night economy is robustly dealt with so as not to deter would be passengers as has happened in the past. Equally the safety of the staff needs to be assured.

3. Because of the importance of ensuring the current 16 minute journey time from St Albans to Watford is adhered to we do not envisage any new stops and thus agree with the sentiments of the report. However we suggest that at St Albans Abbey a short platform is installed on the south side of the terminus so as to enable passengers to ALSO exit onto Everard Close and thus gain an easier access to the nearby houses, Sainsburys and the nearby Retail Park.

We note there are currently plans for new developments by the Retail Park and Sainsburys. It is suggested that should these plans be deemed acceptable the applicants should be asked through a form of Section 106 to contribute towards the platform as part of their green transport credentials.

4. In coming to our conclusions we have noted the desire of some that the current electric trains should go through to Euston. We do not feel that the necessary points infrastructure that would be required at Watford Junction and the loop at Bricket Wood is likely to receive funding. Nor is there sufficient capacity on the WCML to take the trains into Euston.

5. The suggestion that the current Clapham Junction – Watford Junction service could be extended over onto the Abbey Line is not only unrealistic because of the above points infrastructure required but also will not deliver the enhances frequency, cost benefits and indeed reliability.

Therefore, we conclude that the tram proposals will offer not only a quick fix solution to providing better local transport facilities and possibly lead to other associated improvements.

Eric Roberts (St Albans Civic Society)