RAIL MINISTER TOM HARRIS MP 'VERY IMPRESSED' BY PARRY PEOPLE MOVERS LIGHTWEIGHT RAIL TECHNOLOGY
Success of attractive environmentally-friendly public transport already demonstrated in West Midlands
The UK's Minister for Rail, Tom Harris MP, visited Stourbridge on 22nd January to experience lightweight rail at the invitation of local Member of Parliament Lynda Waltho. Mr Harris travelled on the PPM 50 lightweight railcar that operated Sunday services throughout 2006, and viewed the lightweight depot facility that has been constructed at Stourbridge Junction.
Also present were representatives from Centro (the West Midlands Passenger Transport Executive), Network Rail and the local media. Asked for his impressions of the Parry People Movers system, Mr Harris replied, "I'm very impressed".
Local MP Lynda Waltho said: “I have long been a champion for the Parry People Mover and was really keen to get the Minister up to Stourbridge to see it for himself. I think he was really impressed with what he saw. Light rail links such as this enable local transport solutions to be attractive, environmentally-friendly and affordable and I’m really pleased that this great innovation is being produced here in the Black Country and has a proven track record during its trials of 99% reliability and punctuality!”
The Minister called into Stourbridge Junction at Lynda’s request so that he could see the ground breaking technology for himself. He said: “Lynda tells me endlessly about how good and reliable the PPM is so I decided to take up her invitation to come along to experience it for myself. The recent year-long trial of the PPM has shown what can be achieved and I leave Stourbridge with a very favourable impression indeed.”
John Parry, Chairman of Parry People Movers, said: "What we're trying to achieve is attractive, environmentally-friendly technology that can solve a major transport problem. Our railcars are 'green' - they emit 80% less carbon dioxide than the smallest diesel train - and passengers like them: people compare them to modern trams. So we can reduce pollution from cars by attracting people to public transport, and at the same time cut the emissions from the railways.
The Minister was accompanied on his visit by David Hibbs, the leader for Community Rail at the Department for Transport, whose team is looking for innovative ways to make local railways, many of which currently carry few passengers and have high costs, into vital, “green” community transport links.
Click here read the press release issued by Lynda Waltho MP.
The pictures show John Parry, Lynda Waltho MP and Minister Tom Harris MP at Stourbridge Junction.
During public operation on the Stourbridge Town branch line, the PPM 50 vehicle ran more than 4,000 services and achieved punctuality and reliability of 99%. Calculations showed that emissions of carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gas, were reduced by 80% compared to the diesel train which is normally used on the line.
ends
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
Parry People Movers Ltd information
COMPANY: Parry People Movers Ltd (PPML) was founded in 1992 to develop rail transport based on a new innovation: the "Kinergetic" flywheel energy store, which allows vehicles to run extremely efficiently and to recapture their braking energy for reuse when accelerating. The company is owned by approximately 200 shareholders and is quoted on the OFEX market.
ADVANTAGES: PPML's rail vehicles offer the quality of modern light rail transport without the need for electrical power supply, giving excellent environmental performance and energy efficiency at lower cost than conventional technology. The same technology can be used on railways or urban tramways. PPML's vehicles are fully compliant with accessibility regulations.
ACHIEVEMENTS: Twelve PPML vehicles have been built, ranging in capacity from 2 to 50 passengers. Between them they have carried over 100,000 passengers. Previous vehicles have operated in Bristol, Brighton, Barking, Swansea, Birmingham, Oswestry and elsewhere. PPM 50 Light Railcar No. 999 900 has run on the Chasewater Railway, the Great Central Railway, the Severn Valley Railway and the Wensleydale Railway since it was built in 2001. From 11th December 2005 to 17th December 2006, the railcar operated passenger service between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town stations on Sundays, run by licensed train operator Pre Metro Operations Ltd.
TECHNOLOGY: The "Kinergetic" technology used in PPML's vehicles is licensed to the company by JPM Parry & Associates Ltd, a West Midlands engineering company specialising in overseas development, integrated transport, and energy/environmental issues.
PHOTOGRAPHS: A wide range of pictures of PPML vehicles can be obtained from Parry People Movers Ltd (contact details below).
FURTHER INFORMATION: Please contact -
John Parry MBE, Chairman, Parry People Movers Ltd
Overend Road, Cradley Heath, West Midlands, B64 7DD
Telephone: +44 (0)1384 569553
Fax: +44 (0)1384 637753
Email: info@parrypeoplemovers.com
Website: www.parrypeoplemovers.com
