Agenda item

In response to Councillor Baxter-Payne, Margaret Smith noted that there was already an hourly service between Coventry and Nuneaton, and it had been planned to be every 30 minutes for a long time. However, this would only be possible with another platform. Several reviews had been done and the costs of the scheme increased. Coventry City Council are the scheme lead and they were looking at bringing it forward as part of the wider master plan proposal for the City Centre. This was not done because of the cost increases. Another problem was the commitment for that second train per hour came as part of the West Midlands trains franchise. Post-Covid, it was unknown what support rail operators would get from central government. They needed to make savings which included cutting existing services; therefore, they were unable to commit to a new train service. WCC is very limited by what it could o as it was in Coventry and due to the state of train services at present, nothing would happen in the short term.

Midlands Connect were leading a piece of work, looking at a new direct connection between Coventry and Leicester. This would be twice an hour so WCC were looking at how they could work with partners across the wider rail industry to keep this on the agenda and move it forward.

In response to Councillor Bhagwant Singh Pandher, Margaret Smith said that they had not actively looked at reopening a train station in Exhall in the train strategy plan, but this will be looked at to see if it is possible. There may be constraints though as there were already two new stations at Coventry Arena and Bermuda in Nuneaton.

Following a question from Councillor Chilvers, Margaret Smith stated that when there were franchises, they would be able to speak to prospective bidders and they would be able to barter for two trains per hour. This system of franchising will not continue, and Great British Rail would come in. WCC is part of the West Midlands Railway Executive who speak to the DfT on behalf of local authorities.

In response to the Chair, Margaret Smith stated that WCC works with Coventry but as Coventry are the lead authority, they, and the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) oversee contractual arrangements and funding. WCC officers attend the Project Board meetings and WMCA financed it with some private investors for a car park. There was an outstanding residual amount which it was agreed that this would be put towards a bay platform. However, there was now not enough money for a bay platform. It was clarified that this project would not go ahead anytime soon. 

In response to Councillor Baxter-Payne, Margaret Smith stated that conversation would be needed with Coventry to see if this money could be used to increase the current line to two trains per hour. However, this was limited by a lack of driver availability.

Margaret Smith clarified that the contracts would be renewed in 2026.