Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce

TRANSPORT MEMBERS MEETING

Transport Members Meeting Minutes

12February 2014

Venue:Cavern Suite,

Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Time:10:00am – 12:00pm.

Attendance:

Chair: / Peter Brown
In Attendance: / Suzanne Cain, James Tune
Guests: / None.
Apologies: / Steve Cook, Francis Drew, Peter Evans, David Johnson, Jeff Marriott, Andrew McLaughlin, John Oates, Kevin Toye, Peter Webster
Name / Organisation
Peter Brown / University of Liverpool
John Chappelle / Chappelle Construction Solutions
Cedric Green / North Cheshire Rail Users Association
Tim Gresty / Cognitio
Phil Halewood / Merseytravel
Rob Jones / Stagecoach
Warren Marshall / Peel Ports
David Print / Merseyrail
Martin Taylor / Arriva
Robin Tudor / LiverpoolJohnLennonAirport
Sue Waller / St Helens Chamber of Commerce
Mark Willison / Reddbridge
Paul Winfield / Liverpool John Lennon Airport
Paul Young / British International Freight Association

1.Welcome, introductions and apologies

Chair of the Transport Members Group Peter Brownopened the meeting and invited introductions from the attendees.

2.Minutes of the last meeting and matters arising

The minutes of the last meeting were raised and discussed. Phil Halewood proposed an amendment to Item 6: the removal of the word ‘lukewarm’ from bullet point four. The amendment was agreed and enacted.

James Tune updated the group on the results of the bus lane survey, with 92 responses counted. Martin Taylor provided the operators perspective on the effects of the suspension particularly the increased congestion in the city centre. Buses currently have to be put over the flyover in the city centre to alleviate traffic. Journey times at peak times have increased on average by 5 to 7 minutes. Martin repeated his original position of city centre traffic management being a separate issue to bus lanes, and should therefore have been left out of the suspension.

Questions were posed about the activity of the North West Chambers Transport Committee. The group stated their opposition to the move to reduce the activity of the NW committee to being event based, and supports the re-introduction of regular meetings of the NW committee. The group believe there is a real need and desire for a North West wide voice on transport issues.

3.Consultations – HS2 and the Combined Authority

Both of the above consultations have been replied to by the Chamber since the last meeting of the Transport Members Group.

In terms of HS2, a letter of support for the city region response was submitted together with a covering letter setting out a business case for HS2 to come directly into Liverpool.

The reply to the Combined Authority consultation supported the response of the Liverpool City Region City councils.

Mark Willison explained how the HS2 business case support was formulated. Phil Halewood updated the group on the study being conducted into the feasibility of developments at Lime Street station to accommodatehigh speed trains.

The Combined Authority consultation reply was welcomed by the group as improving co-operation within the region. Cedric Green asked about the name of the group, as the name of ‘Greater Merseyside’, as proposed by central government, will not exploit the reputation of Liverpool. Suzanne Cain updated that there is still a concerted effort being made to lobby for the name ‘Liverpool City Region’. Warren Marshall expressed his support on behalf of Peel for the use of the name Liverpool City Region over Greater Merseyside due to the international recognition of Liverpool. (post meeting update: the bill to establish the CA has been laid before parliament under the name of the “Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral Combined Authority”. However, it has been established that the CA can adopt a more succinct working title if it chooses, and as such will go by the name of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.)

4.Rail North - The Long Term Rail Strategy report of the T&F group

The task and finish group looked at issues of rail strategy across the North. Issues arising included broken promises relating to new rolling stock, and the problems caused by a mixed use of diesel and electric trains on the network.

Suzanne Cain is going to summarise the position of the task and finish group before the next meeting on Tuesday 25th February at 2:30pm at the Chamber. The aim is to formulate a clear list of key issues before targeting lobbying at influential decision makers. Mark Willison emphasised the importance of informing the general public and media about the government’s lack of support for rail in the North.

5.Liverpool City Region Freight Study

Suzanne Cain introduced the study to the group, and updated on its progress. The group expressed interest in a presentation being given from the steering committee of the study. The group also expressed concern over the study being overly focused on the current situation to the detriment of planning for the future.

6.Liverpool JLA Update

Robin Tudor introduced Paul Winfield from LJLA to the group, and talked through the LJLA business report. There was an update on the Liverpool Echo piece on the airport finances where Robin allayed fears by expressing how LJLA finances are in a good state of affairs.

Paul Winfield explained how the Liverpool Echo piece had damaged the airport during important negotiations. Paul also briefed the group about the business development team at the airport.

The current aim is for the airport is to get back to having 5 million passengers every year. The lack of a Charter market is a challenge to the airport reaching this goal. 940,000 passengers in the Liverpool City Region are currently travelling using Manchester Airport.

Peter Brown asked Robin about what role the group and the Chamber as a whole could play in helping LJLA. Robin talked about a survey to be conducted later in the year, which the Chamber will support.

Tim Gresty asked about hub connectivity. Paul Winfield expressed concern that Liverpool was the largest city in the UK without a direct UK hub connection.

Paul Young asked about the future of freight at the airport. Paul Winfield and Robin Tudor stated that there are no current short term plans in place for the expansion of freight at the airport, but that this could change in the long term.

Mark Willison enquired about the lack of public transport access to the airport. Robin informed the group that a detailed airport access study is underway with Merseytravel.

7.Peel Update

Warren Marshall talked through his pre-submitted report. Peel hadresponded to the Transport Select Committee’s call for evidence on ‘Access to Ports’. In terms of rail freight strategy, Peel are focusing on the development of a number of trade flows, as outlined in the pre-submitted report. There was also an update on the work coming from HS2, including the proposed viaduct near Warrington and concerns raised over increased traffic on the Manchester Ship Canal.

8.National Rail and Road Network Policy – DfT Consultation

Suzanne Cain updated the group on the DfT’sproposed priorities within theconsultation, and asked for the group’s support for the Chamber’s response, a draft of which was provided. Warren Marshall emphasised the importance of referencing access to ports and airports by road and rail, and the work of the Transport Select Committee in this area. Paul Young highlighted the importance of emphasising exports when talking to government. John Chappelle proposed Holyhead being added to the list of passenger ferries within the response, which was agreed.

9.Any Other Urgent Business

The group agreed that Peel should be involved in the Liverpool City Region freight study.

Paul Young stated his support for a presentation to be given at a future meeting of the group by the Highways Agency, which was supported by the group.

Robin Tudor asked for the members of the group to write to Lufthansa in support of the proposed route to Frankfurt.

Date of Next Meeting: 9thApril 2014 at Liverpool Chamber

Other dates for 2014:

11th June at Liverpool Airport

10th September at Liverpool Chamber

12th November at Liverpool Airport

Chamber Transport Members Meeting12 February 2014