Strategic Planning, Sustainability and Transportation Committee

08/01/19

External Board/Outside Body

External Board/Outside Body

Kent Community Railway Partnership Steering Group

Councillor(s) represented on the Outside Body/External Board

Clive English

Report Author

Clive English

Date of External Board/Outside Body Meeting Attended

05/01/19

Purpose of the External Board/Outside Body:

The body acts as the co-ordinating body for the Community Rail Partnerships in Kent. The Committee currently has 2 such lines the Medway Valley Line and Swale Line.

Update:

The last meeting was re-scheduled and will not take place until 5^th January, so this report is written in anticipation.

The main item for discussion is the new Department for Transport Rail Strategy, which has 4 Pillars:

1) Delivering growth, which includes significant educational work with schools, including advice on transport plans and smarter travel.

2) Contributing to cost savings, which includes station improvements and encouraging station adoptions.

3) Increasing Community Involvement, which includes collaborating with local voluntary groups and building relationships with Local Planning authorities.

4) Supporting Social and Economic Development by promoting community events and tourism.

Other issues for discussion include ongoing concerns around the delivery of the new franchise and ticketing issues such as whether customers using high speed services on the non-high speed part of the line will or will not have to pay the higher tariff.