Police and rail operators redouble efforts to reduce football-related disorder

Gemma King
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British Transport Police and train companies are stepping up their efforts to tackle football-related disorder on the railways, ahead of the start of the football season.

Last year saw a 49% rise in the number of football-related offenders dealt with as BTP and operators worked together to target disorder proactively, and they are determined to do more and make trains even safer this season.

The vast majority of travelling fans are law-abiding and present no problems, but a small minority continues to cause disruption on some services.

In 2009/10, there were 68 serious football-related incidents, 21 assaults on police, and 582 anti-social behaviour incidents reported overall.

With rail crime falling this year for the sixth year running, trains are increasingly safe, but both BTP and operators want to send a message out to fans and passengers alike that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.

BTP, football clubs and operators will be using a number of measures to tackle football-related offences on rail this season:

  • Running “dry trains” on which alcohol is banned, when intelligence from BTP indicates that alcohol may contribute to disorder
  • Use of CCTV to spot potential problems
  • Sharing intelligence to identify potential hot spots
  • A code of conduct which sets out the expected behaviour of fans travelling on trains has been developed and adopted by a number of operators
  • A growing number of football clubs are working with BTP to help tackle anti-social behaviour, for instance by revoking season tickets.

Football Banning Orders remain a powerful weapon in combating football-related anti-social behaviour. Seventy six were obtained in 2009/10, 18 of which were ‘on complaint’ meaning that no criminal conviction had to be obtained. These orders last for a minimum of three years and often have conditions attached keeping potential troublemakers off the rail system.

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Thomas says: “It’s unacceptable that other passengers and rail staff should have to suffer disruption and abuse.

“I want to warn those who think they can behave badly with impunity that the number of offenders caught last year was up almost a half and our focus this year is on bringing even more to account, as well as continuing our work with the train operators and clubs to tackle the problem.  It is a small minority of fans that causes the problems and I would appeal to the vast majority of law abiding supporters to help us deal with them.”

Andy Odell, Police and Security Liaison Officer at the Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC), said: “The vast majority of football fans cause no problems whatsoever, but train companies will be redoubling efforts to ensure that a small minority is not able to cause disruption to other passengers.

“Train companies are committed to a railway that is safe and secure for passengers to use, and are investing heavily in measures to improve personal security for passengers.

“Crime on the rail network has been going steadily down, but operators are determined to do everything that we can to protect our staff and passengers.

“We are working closely with BTP to stamp out anti-social behaviour and disorder associated with travelling football fans.”

Dyan Crowther, Network Rail’s Director of Operational Service, said:  “Thousands of football fans rely on rail every week to follow their teams around the country.  The vast majority of these fans, as well as other passengers, expect to be able to pass through stations and make their journeys without being caught up in the anti-social behaviour of a minority.  We’ll continue to work with the police and train operators to help passengers get to and from the game whatever the result.”

Successes of last year’s proactive approach included:

–          Problems experienced in 2008/09 on the East Coast Mainline involving Middlesbrough, Sunderland and Newcastle United fans were not repeated in 2009/10, and proactive policing in Wales significantly diminished the risk posed by some Cardiff City fans

–          In Scotland, following incidents with fans chanting sectarian abuse, a series of formal information sharing protocols has been signed with clubs. These give BTP a mechanism for informing a club of any individuals who come to notice and allow free flow of information.  Most of the top Scottish clubs have signed up to the scheme.

Bombardier to Supply 14 Additional Light Rail Vehicles to Manchester Metrolink in the UK

Stewart Thorpe
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Bombardier Transportation, together with consortium partner, Vossloh Kiepe, have signed an option to supply an additional 14 Bombardier Flexity Swift light rail vehicles to Greater Manchester Passenger Transport Executive’s Metrolink system. This option forms part of the contract signed with GMPTE in April 2007 and is valued at £27 million (32 million euro, $ 43 million US) with Bombardier’s share amounting to approximately £20 million  (24million euro, $ 32 milllion US).

Bombardier received its first order from GMPTE in April 2007 for 12 trams and this contract included an option for GMPTE to order up to 97 vehicles. The first option order for a further 28 light rail vehicles followed in June 2008, with a second option for 8 vehicles announced in March 2010. Today’s order for 14 vehicles brings the total number of trams ordered from the consortium for Manchester to date up to 62 light rail vehicles.

The manufacture of these vehicles will follow straight on from the ones currently being built for Manchester and the first of these additional 14 vehicles (tram 49) is scheduled to be delivered to Manchester in October 2011.

As consortium leader, Bombardier designs and manufactures the vehicles at its sites in Bautzen, Germany and Vienna, Austria. Bombardier’s Siegen plant is responsible for delivering the bogies and the consortium partner Vossloh Kiepe is providing the electrical equipment.

Philip Purdy, GMPTE’s Metrolink Director, said: “We are pleased to be ordering a further 14 vehicles in addition to the trams already on order, and of course those that have now been delivered are successfully serving the existing Metrolink lines, playing an important part in making services more robust. This is a historic moment for Greater Manchester’s Metrolink network, as we’re expanding the system to be almost treble the size that it is today, and these new trams are a crucial part of delivering that project. I look forward to seeing our new vehicles arrive in due course.”

Colin S Walton, Chairman of Bombardier Transportation, UK, added: “We are delighted to continue our long and successful partnership with GMPTE, helping to improve the attractiveness of public transport services in and around Manchester.”

“The fact that the GMPTE has placed yet another order with us proves that they are satisfied with the quality and service provided by Bombardier and Vossloh Kiepe and underscores our capability as a provider of light rail solutions. We are proud to be able to deliver 14 more units and further speed up traffic in the busy conurbation of Greater Manchester,” commented Germar Wacker, President, Light Rail Vehicles, Bombardier Transportation.

More than 1,500 FLEXITY vehicles from Bombardier are already in successful revenue service. Overall Bombardier now has more than 2,800 trams and light rail vehicles operating or on order in cities across Europe, Australia and North America. The 28.4 metre long light rail vehicles with a width of 2.65 metres offer a capacity for 200 passengers. Wide double- door entrances ensure a rapid passenger flow and multi-purpose areas provide space for pushchairs and wheel-chair users.

Slam door unit saved for preservation

Jonathan Webb
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One of the last two slam door units that were in use on the national network has been saved for preservation.

Unit 1497 Freshwater has been purchased from South West Trains by the Freshwater Preservation Group and will be based at the Mid Norfolk Railway. Units 1497 and 1498 were withdrawn earlier this year after a farewell day on the Lymington branch, which saw thousands of enthusiasts turn out to travel on them for one last time.

1497 at Lymington on its last day in passenger service. Picture: www.upmain.com

RMT to renew fight to retain guards on Scotrail services through legal and political campaign

Gemma King
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RAIL UNION RMT confirmed this morning that it is re-focusing its campaign to retain Guards on Scotrail services, and its opposition to the extension of Driver Only Operation, through a renewed legal and political drive.

The legal challenge will be based on the failure of Scotrail to adhere to a binding agreement with RMT not to extend Driver Only Operations which was signed off back in 2001. The union has concrete legal opinion that the 2001 agreement is still absolutely valid.

RMT will also be stepping up the political campaign, targeted at the Scottish Government, to enforce the current franchise agreement on safe staffing levels on their services which are compromised by the profit-driven dash to Driver Only Operation. The political campaign will also address the on-going scandal of indemnities paid out from precious taxpayer funds to prop up Scotrail’s strike-breaking operations.

RMT has stood down the current campaign of industrial action to allow for a concentration of energies on the legal and political objectives.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“Our members on Scotrail have shown their determination to defend the safety-critical role of the Guard on their services and to stop the profit-driven dash to extend Driver Only Operation.

“Our campaign continues and at a time when we are entering a new phase of ConDem Government cuts it is right for us to regroup in light of the further attacks on rail safety and rail workers jobs that we know are being mapped out behind closed doors.

“The fight to defend the Guards on Scotrail services was always about putting public safety above private profit and that fight is right at the heart of RMT’s national Keep the Guard – Keep the Train Safe campaign as we move into an autumn of unprecedented spending cuts”.

RMT demands investigation as Euston escalator fire exposes lethal consequences of axing tube station staff

Gemma King
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TUBE UNION RMT today demanded a full external investigation into an escalator fire at Euston station four weeks ago where smoke detection systems failed and the station was only safely evacuated through the experience and vigilance of station-based staff. RMT have this morning referred the matter to the safety regulator the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR).

The Euston fire, which has close parallels with the Kings Cross disaster in 1987 one stop up the line, was caused by mechanical friction in the closed chamber underneath an escalator igniting accumulated dust. The incident happened on the 6th July.

Fire detection systems failed and the smoke was spotted by staff members who activated the manual evacuation procedure and closed the station averting a potential disaster. RMT is pointing out that it’s those very staff who are among the 800 jobs that are currently under threat from Boris Johnson’s cuts and which are subject to a current ballot for industrial action.

London Fire Brigade have formally raised the failure of fire detection systems to activate in an internal incident report.

RMT General Secretary Bob Crow said:

“Anyone who is in any doubt as to why we are balloting for action over the threat to safety-critical tube station jobs only needs to look at the incident report into the Euston escalator fire four weeks ago. Fire detection systems failed and it was only the vigilance and experience of station-based staff that averted what could have been a major disaster.

“Not only should Mayor Boris Johnson now call an immediate halt to the station job cuts programme but there should also be a full, external investigation into the fire detection systems on escalators across the tube network which failed at Euston on the 6th of July.

“RMT will tolerate no cover-ups when it comes to tube safety and we are wholly opposed to those responsible for these failures effectively investigating themselves. 23 years after the Kings Cross fire we should have learnt the lesson that there can be no compromise when it comes to safety across London Underground.”

FirstGroup publishes CSR Report

Gemma King
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Sir Moir Lockhead with FirstGroup's CSR report.

FirstGroup, the leading transport operator in the UK and North America, has published its 2009/10 CSR Report.

The Aberdeen based company revealed that it has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions, increased lifelong learning opportunities for staff and improved safety performance across its operations.

Sir Moir Lockhead, Chief Executive of FirstGroup, said: “Our business is built around our core values of safety and customer service with CSR at the heart.  CSR issues guide our successful delivery of public transport services today and ensure they start to meet society’s future needs.

“Despite a challenging economic environment in the last 12 months, I am very pleased that we can point to such a positive CSR Report and one that demonstrates our improving performance.”

First’s five key CSR areas are:

1.        Safety – Injury Prevention
2.        Customer service; delivering the promise
3.        Valuing employees
4.        Minimising environmental impact
5.        Community engagement

Sir Moir Lockhead added:  “I am particularly proud of our progress and commitment to reducing our carbon footprint.”

Since the introduction of its carbon reduction programme in 2006, First has reduced its carbon dioxide emissions per kilometre in its UK Rail Division by an average of 6%.  Its UK Bus division has achieved a 5.8% reduction in emissions per passenger kilometre in the last two years.  First has fitted its UK bus fleet with DriveGreen, driver advisory systems to help drivers drive more safely and fuel efficiently.  First was also the first train operator to introduce equivalent systems.

Energy usage in First’s buildings has reduced by 4.3% in UK Bus and 2.3% in Rail, whilst across the UK, waste recycling levels have improved by 7%.  During the last 12 months in the UK, First has reduced its total water usage by more than 50,000m3 and the carbon emissions associated with business air travel by 57%.

“The achievements highlighted in the CSR Report are testament to the quality and commitment of our staff right across the Group.  We will always strive for improvement and look forward to reporting further successes in 2011,” Sir Moir Lockhead added.

Other highlights of the CSR report include:

  • First has reduced its Lost Time Injury rate by 18% and its passenger injury rate by 9% and has almost halved in the last four years.
  • Despite the winter’s severe weather conditions, which affected performance in many areas, First is delivering long-term improvements in its punctuality and reliability across most services.
  • In the UK, First continues to lead the industry in providing lifelong learning and Skills for Life programmes for its employees. 85% of First UK Bus employees have access to learning centres, while the company has implemented an online basic skills assessment programme for its employees, which offers learning tools to help staff achieve national test levels in adult literacy or numeracy. More than 1,000 employees are working toward these standards and in the last 12 months 632 have achieved Level 2 in adult numeracy or literacy.
  • First continues to be recognised for its industry leading rewards and pensions programmes.  The UK Bus scheme won ‘Pension Scheme of the Year’ at both the Professional Pension Awards and FT Business Awards in 2009.
  • In the UK First led the establishment of Greener Journeys, a collaborative initiative involving the major UK bus and coach operators.  Through Greener Journeys First is campaigning for policy measures that facilitate better public transport systems and promote bus and coach travel.
  • All FirstGroup’s UK companies are accredited with the ISO 14001 environment standard.
  • First’s group-wide contribution to local communities this year totals £1,847,807 as measured by the London Benchmarking Group.

Benefit bike ride to Belgium

Gemma King
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An employee from FirstGroup, Britain’s biggest transport operator is itching to get back in the saddle after an adventurous charity bike ride to Brussels left him battered and bruised.

Alastair Sexton Jones, Rail IS Programme Manager cycled 310 miles from London to Brussels as part of a 20-bike convoy all raising money for different charities.

On day three, Alastair suffered an unfortunate 25mph crash as he checked on the fortunes of another rider.  He sustained deep tissue leg injuries, a frozen shoulder and whip-lash.  Luckily there was a qualified doctor with the group but even so Alastair had difficulty in walking for a couple of days.  Despite the pain, he courageously carried on cycling, determined not to let down his charity; the Railway Children, for whom he has raised £2,500 including a generous donation from First’s Charity Committee.

Even before the accident, it was not all plain sailing.  Alastair unfortunately over-shot one of the signposts at speed and got lost in the middle of the Belgian countryside.  Fortunately, he managed to find his way and make up the time (unlike one rider who went missing for four hours after failing to follow directions.)

Alastair commented: “It was a great adventure and tougher than expected –Holland and Belgium are flat, but riding against the wind and rain was a struggle at times.

“My injuries are healing well – but the pain of spending 35 hours in the saddle is still fresh in my memory!

“I will definitely do it again, perhaps the year after next, so as to give my sponsors the chance to save up!”.

Kate Lamb, the North West representative on First’s Charity Committee, congratulated Alastair and said; “we are always pleased when we can support our staff in their fund-raising efforts especially when they are helping the community.  Well done to Alastair.  The Railway Children does a fantastic job in helping children who unfortunately risk their lives living around the world’s railways.”

Alastair, 50,  is married with one 10 year old son and lives in Glossop.  He has worked for First for almost six years.  He has always been a keen cyclist but lost his father-in-law to Alzheimers in 2009 and decided to do something useful with his holidays and so rode to Paris to raise awareness of the disease.   He is always riding one of his five bikes and continuously trains to keep fit.

The Railway Children provides help to children in need, hardship or distress and in particular to those living on railway stations in the UK and across three continents.  Donations can be made at www.justgiving.com/railwaychildren.

Alastair was awarded funding to donate to The Railway Children by FirstGroup’s Sponsorship and Charity Committee.  The Committee comprises 12 members of staff based throughout Britain and considers requests for funding and gifts from groups and organisations across the country. For further information on the Committee please visit www.firstgroup.com

Contractors appointed for Metrolink extensions

Gemma King
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from left - Kevin Ford (Thales), Gerard van de Aast (Volker Wessels), Andy Crompton (Laing O'Rourke), and David Leather (Chief Executive, GMPTE)

This week has been a landmark for Manchester’s Metrolink system as contractors were appointed to construct new Metrolink lines to Oldham and Rochdale town centres and to Manchester Airport via Wythenshawe.

GMPTE has appointed MPact-Thales (MPT) to design, construct and maintain the three new tram lines.

In addition to the 48 new trams ordered for Greater Manchester’s expanding Metrolink network, 14 new trams are being procured to serve the extensions to Manchester Airport and Oldham and Rochdale town centres, bringing the total number of trams on order with Bombardier to 62.

David Leather, Chief Executive of GMPTE, said: “Following the approval of funding support from AGMA and GMITA, we have concluded negotiations for the delivery of the long awaited expansion of the Metrolink network.

“Contracts have now been signed for new lines to Manchester Airport and the town centres of Oldham and Rochdale, adding to the construction that is already underway from Manchester through Droylsden to Ashton, from Manchester through Chorlton to East Didsbury and the conversion of the former heavy rail line to Rochdale via Oldham.

“This milestone in Metrolink history will see the system almost treble compared to today’s network.

“With the support of our Delivery Partner, Parsons Brinckerhoff, and the experience of MPT, we are confident of successful delivery of the new lines.”

MPT, a consortium of Laing O’Rourke, VolkerRail and Thales UK, has already begun work on the three new lines and it is anticipated that trams will be running to Oldham and Rochdale town centres during spring 2014 and to Manchester Airport during mid 2016.

Bryan Diggins, MPT Project Director, said: “It is a great achievement for the consortium to continue working together on this critical project.  This award will allow us to complete the original vision for Manchester, providing the vital link from the urban areas of the city to the Airport, and essential town centre links for both Oldham and Rochdale.”

Nick Flew, Managing Director of Parsons Brinckerhoff Europe, said: “We are very proud to be integral to the expansion of Greater Manchester’s iconic Metrolink network and this latest landmark, further improving transport facilities for the region.“

Summer Celebration for ETS

Gemma King
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Burton-on-Trent based, ETS Workforce Ltd, is celebrating its  20th year in business, this summer. From a standing start the company now supplies engineering, commercial and industrial staff around the UK and globally.  Success is all down to the quality of the people ETS attracts, says General Manager, Mark Heathcote.  ‘We owe our success to the invaluable support of our clients and especially to all of the people who we have found work for over the years.  They really are a cut above the competition and many return to us when they are in need of our services.  We are looking forward to working with them over the next 20 years.’

The company was established in 1990 to provide a bespoke engineering recruitment, design and project management to the rail and power industries.  Mark and his team have expanded their portfolio to include commercial and industrial recruitment as well as maintaining their origins in engineering. ETS now provides staff on both a temporary and permanent basis to clients from all market sectors in the UK and world-wide. ‘In 2003 we started an ETS On Site Service,’ says Mark.  ‘We provide and staff up an ETS office on your premises and our people there work solely for that client. Talk about a seamless service – we really are only an open door away. This has proved very popular.’

ETS has always provided an all round recruitment service to its clients.  Types of staff provided include both skilled and semi-skilled blue collar technical and industrial staff and office workers together with more senior level positions, providing a complete recruitment package – a ‘one stop shop’ for all recruitment needs.

The company prides itself on the skills and experience of its staff which is borne out by the fact that the collective industry experience of its in house team is well over one hundred years. Adds Mark, ‘We are really very proud of fact that we have been operating for as long as we have.  To be in business for 20 years, especially in an industry as competitive as recruitment is a real achievement and I’d like to thank all our people who made it possible and continue to deliver every day.  We may be having a bit of a wet summer– but the sun shining at ETS all right.’

Whether you are a company looking for staff or an individual looking for work please contact the team on (01283) 515511

New wash plant opens at Tyseley

Jonathan Webb
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A new £1.6m wash plant has opened at London Midland’s Tyseley depot. The new facility replaces a much older washer that was coming to the end of its working life, and compliments the depot’s underframe washer that was commissioned in 2007.

Network Rail has funded the new  wash plant and it is leased back to London Midland.

The washer has 3 settings: no wash, wash-detergent and wash-acid. Each Tyseley based train will pass through the washer at least once every 48 hours.

London Midland 170510 passes through the wash plant. Picture: Jonathan Webb
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