Dear Cat
It is simpler and cheaper to re-introduce commuter and freight trains on the principal mainline railway
between Stourbridge Jct and Brierley Hill (and, eventually to Burton on Trent/Derby). This will take the pressure off our overheating Climate and congested roads. The money saved, by keeping that section of line for heavy rail, should be used to extend regional Fare-Free Public Transport from my old crocks age group to you youngsters.
However, do use the Stourbridge Shuttle in a clockwise circuit from Town station to allow pedestrianisation of High Street and to link up with the large car park next to the Stourbridge Road Civic Amenity Site and then back to the Interchange. I have previously sent Pre-Metro Operations a plan for their support for this suggestion but I don't recall receiving a reply.
In the 1990s and 00s I was writing to PTA/Centro in full support of John Parry. We eventually got his PPM on the world's shortest branch line. SUCCESS!
Do you remember that the whole purpose of Metro trams on the Black Country Railway
was to get the former, 100 year old successful passenger and freight trains back on that 120 Kms line between Worcester and Derby? The constant mantra trotted out was:
THE LIE:
"Light rail investment provides the basis for restoring heavy rail services at the appropriate time."
Letter to Tim Weller from Tom Magrath, Passenger Services Director, Centro, 18th September 2000 (26 years ago!).
Andy Street, on one particular occasion when we met, was certainly wanting the reassurance from the officers at 16 Summer Lane, that trams would not stop the eventual full reopening of that railway "of national strategic significance". Therefore, heavy rail trains on that vital heavy rail line, NOT LR Metro or VLR/ULR Stourbridge Shuttle trams.
Do you agree with Andy Street and me that we must all urgently work towards that end?
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