Rail
The conurbation is served by a main rail-route running east-west across the area and serving all three towns. A fast and frequent service of cross boundary electric trains, run by South West Trains connect major stations in each of the towns. The railway has the potential to assist in the relief of through journeys in the East-West direction, although the poor siting of Bournemouth station in relation to its central area limits this capability. Poole station is located conveniently close to the town centre and bus station, whilst Bournemouth, although located some way from the town centre is adjacent to a relatively modern travel interchange with frequent bus services not only to the town centre, but to other areas of the Borough. A recently-introduced bus service links the interchange with Bournemouth International Airport. Christchurch railway station is less well served by bus services and there is potential here for improved interchange facilities, though not at the expense of reduced car parking.
It is acknowledged that the train can significantly contribute to the authorities' aims of reducing commuter traffic and some holiday traffic from the roads. The Councils consequently do not only support the retention of the existing network, but also seek expansion and improvement to both track and infrastructure. This would include, in the longer term, improvement to or provision of new rail stations and track, the development of a Light Rail System (DARTS), and the promotion of rail to serve Park and Ride Schemes and rural commuter areas.
Click for information on a Light Rail System (DARTS) proposal.
At present, only 1% of journeys in the LTP area are made by rail, and there is ample spare capacity to increase local passenger journeys. Increasing the use of the rail network will depend not only on improved services, but improved parking at stations, better bus/rail/cycle integration and improved passenger facilities at stations.
Strategy
The three authorities have agreed a common set of rail policies and a fifteen-year strategy for the development of passenger services, divided into three five-year periods. A light rapid transit system is being investigated, compared against an improved conventional rail service with additional stations. The main emphasis of projects in each five-year period is as follows:
| Period |
Main Objectives |
| 1998-2003 |
Market spare capacity on existing train services
Promote rail-based Park and Ride into Poole and Bournemouth
Improve station access, signing, cycle parking and interchange
Study of Dorset Area Rapid Transit System (DARTS) and comparison with enhanced conventional rail with additional stations |
| 2003-2008 |
Enhanced frequency train services, including new Swanage-Poole/Bournemouth service and Virgin Cross Country service from Poole |
| 2008-2013 |
DARTS Phase 1, New Milton-Bournemouth Square or enhanced local rail service with new stations at Westbourne, Boscombe and Staple Cross. (Subject to outcome of feasibility studies). |
"DARTS" (Dorset Area Rapid Transit System) is a project prepared by a number of local environmental groups including LA21. DARTS was presented to Councils and the public at a special launch and has been discussed by the Joint Member Transport Policy Group at which representatives of Railtrack and South West Trains were present. DARTS has been welcomed by each of the Councils as a realistic approach to maximise rail use but it is recognised that considerable work is required in developing the proposals, and in seeking ways of financing the project. Subject to the LTP financial settlement DARTS will be fully investigated during the course of the LTP period.
The objectives of the rail strategy can be summarised as follows:
| 0-5 years |
Market spare capacity on existing train service/local station car parks (Park and Ride). Improved integration with Bus Services. Fully investigate and develop the DARTS proposals. |
| 5-10 years |
Enhanced local train services and station infrastructure. Secure funding arrangements for DARTS. |
| 10-15 years |
DARTS I: New Milton-Bournemouth (+ new stations). Secure via Westbourne, with new stations at Staple Cross, Boscombe, Westbourne and Bournemouth Triangle. |
| 15+ years |
DARTS II and III: Possible extensions to Wareham, Hamworthy, Wimborne, Tower Park and Christchurch. |
Objectives and Targets
The Rail Sub-Group have set a number of targets to be achieved during the five-year LTP process. There are also longer-term aspirations where studies or partial achievement are envisaged during the LTP term. Separate targets for rail freight are included in the section on sustainable distribution.
A number of the regional or national scale projects are, or are likely to be, funded by the rail industry, and generally funding through the LTP is sought only for the local projects.
| |
Target |
Progress |
| 1. |
Rail-based Park and Ride into Bournemouth/Poole to increase by 50% by 2005. |
Study of stations and facilities completed. New Milton and Wareham identified for increased parking provision Partnership funding discussed with South West Trains (SWT). |
| 2. |
Secure cycle parking to be provided at all local stations by 2005. |
Secure cycle parking to be provided at all local stations by 2005. |
| 3. |
Use of rail for local journeys to increase by 30% by 2005. Holidaymakers' use to be specifically promoted. |
Use of rail for local journeys to increase by 30% by 2005. Holidaymakers' use to be specifically promoted. |
| 4. |
New rail service between Swanage and Bournemouth/Poole. |
Feasibility and preliminary engineering studies completed. Scheme promoted by Purbeck Rail Partnership, including SWT as prospective operator. Bid made to SRA. |
| 5. |
Local rail network to provide sufficient capacity for expanded local services balancing the needs of freight and passengers. |
Local rail network to provide sufficient capacity for expanded local services balancing the needs of freight and passengers: Railtrack £28m. Dorset Coast Resignalling Project to be completed by 2002. |
| 6. |
Enhanced hourly frequency Cross Country service, starting from Poole. |
Virgin Cross Country service enhancement proposals. Poole service proposed to increase from 2 to 13 trains a day in 2003. The authorities are concerned that the new hourly services proposed by Virgin Cross Country to Birmingham and the North only service Scotland and the West Coast of England. Existing through services to the East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East will now require change of trains at Birmingham. Discussion will take place with the operator to see if the concerns of the authorities can be addressed. |
| 7. |
New through services to Bristol and Exeter. |
Longer-term aspirations identified in S. W. Regional Rail Strategy. Bristol service could be an outcome of re-franchising and linking rolling stock requirements of Swanage and Chandlers Ford re-openings. |
| 8. |
DARTS system to be properly evaluated by 2001. |
Pre-feasibility study, with Railtrack, in progress. Results due October 2000. |
The authorities have deliberately avoided setting-up user groups to represent rail passengers. Firstly, there are existing commuter associations and the Rail Passenger Council (RPC) to look after passengers' interests. Secondly, and more fundamentally, the authorities seek to increase rail use by attracting new users. Thus opinions and awareness of rail travel from the general population is more critical and information has been sought from the established Citizens Panel and Road Users Forum. The authorities are working with S. W. Trains on two projects to improve awareness and market local rail travel.
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