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Political & Government Comment
This page contains political & government comment about, or relevant to, PPM technology and developments. See also Environmental Comment, Industry Comment, Passenger Comment and Media Comment.
| December 2007 |
"This is great news for Parry People Movers, Stourbridge and the Black Country. We have a great railway history in the town and now we can look forward to the prospect of a great future in light rail.
"The Black Country spirit of enterprise and innovation has come through and I would like to congratulate John Parry and his team for this great stride forward. Let's hope it's the start of many more orders to come from around the world once the technology can be seen up and down our line next year."
LYNDA WALTHO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR STROUBRIDGE, quoted in the Stourbridge Chronicle, 13th December 2007 |
| December 2007 |
"This is excellent news for Stourbridge and the Black Country. We have a great railway history and this has massive potential for the future. It ticks all the boxes."
LYNDA WALTHO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR STOURBRIDGE, quoted on www.stourbridgenews.co.uk following the announcement that two PPM 60 railcars had been ordered for the Stourbridge Town branch, 6th December 2007
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| June 2007 |
"It is a Black Country innovation and the right technology for this sort of line; it could make Stourbridge a centre for the next step in the railway industry. People from all over the world have come to see it - it's brilliant and everything about it is positive."
LYNDA WALTHO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR STOURBRIDGE, quoted in the Stourbridge News following the announcement that PPML railcars will run permanently on the local branch line under the new franchise, 22nd June 2007 |
| June 2007 |
"Meeting the environmental challenge means innovative thinking such as considering how tram-train lightweight vehicles could be used for some services and provide better links to town and city centres."
TOM HARRIS MP, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, speaking to the Modern Railways 'Fourth Friday' Club, 22nd June 2007 (the day after the West Midlands franchise was awarded to Govia with PPM railcars specified for the Stourbridge Town branch) |
| May 2007 |
"We should look at light rail schemes that utilise under-used or disused rail lines. The shortest amount of road running would find favour with me."
Question and answer session at Rail 2007 conference in Birmingham
"This [PPML lightweight technology] would be ideal for some branch lines."
During visit to see PPM 50 railcar at Stourbridge
STEPHEN HAMMOND MP, Shadow Rail Minister, 17th May 2007 |
| March 2007 |
"I recently invited Tom Harris MP, Trains Minister, to come to Stourbridge Junction and see the excellent Parry People Mover and discuss issues around the prospect for a permanent PPM link when the franchise is allocated later this year. I have long been a champion of the PPM and I think the Minister was really impressed with what he saw. Light rail links such as this one enable local transport solutions to be attractive, environmentally-friendly and affordable. I'm really pleased that this innovative light rail car is being produced here in the Black Country and has a proven track record during its trials of 99% reliability and punctuality."
LYNDA WALTHO MP, Member of Parliament for Stourbridge, report to constituents (distributed with Stourbridge News, 29th March 2007) |
| January 2007 |
"It's very impressive, it's very flexible, it's light on the rail network which is important as far as maintenance costs are concerned. I'm very optimistic that the bidders for the West Midlands franchise are taking the option of light rail very seriously."
TOM HARRIS MP, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, after riding on PPM 50 lightweight railcar at Stourbridge, 22nd January 2007 (quoted in Stourbridge News) |
| December 2006 |
"A key challenge over the coming decades will be to deliver sustainable development. The valuable recent reports by Sir Nicholas Stern into the economics of climate change, and Sir Rod Eddington into the effects of transport on economic growth, reinforce the message that these two issues cannot be considered in isolation. We need to deliver rail's share of carbon emissions reduction, primarily by making ourselves more energy efficient. Improvements of at least 20% in specific energy consumption are the kind of target we should be aiming for across the network. And, like it or not, pressure to reduce costs won't go away. Getting the best value for money will remain an important priority for Government.
"Technological change is both a major opportunity and a risk. It can help us achieve our aims if we grasp it firmly and plan for the changes it will bring - but the railway isn't always very good at change, and there is a danger that we will be left behind, somewhere in the second half of the 20th century.
"We need trains to be lighter and more efficient because this both reduces energy consumption and reduces track damage. We need track to be maintained to higher standards of precision to allow our light trains to run ...
"In dense urban areas we need to recognise that the highest capacity will be delivered by optimising the railway for high density traffic ... On rural and lightly used regional lines we will need to aim for much lower costs, with longer replacement cycles for infrastructure, no trackside signalling equipment and perhaps 'tram-train' style vehicles ...
"There is considerable pressure to replace Pacers, and it is good to see an active discussion taking place about the need for a lightweight replacement."
TOM HARRIS MP, PARLIAMENTARY UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, writing in Modern Railways, January 2007 |
| December 2006 |
"I was very interested in the ... experimental railcar service at Stourbridge and the environmental benefits this has demonstrated. ... I very much welcome innovative approaches to minimising carbon emissions from transport."
The Rt Hon DAVID MILIBAND MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, FOOD & RURAL AFFAIRS, 6th December 2006 |
| November 2006 |
"The trial we have helped fund has shown how this new, locally-developed technology is able to provide a frequent, safe and reliable passenger service. When the new rail franchise takes over from Central Trains, we think there is real scope for the heavy rail service on the Stourbridge branch to be replaced by a more frequent seven-day shuttle using [Parry People Movers] lightweight railcars. We are urging the companies now bidding for the West Midlands franchise to make this a part of their plans."
Cllr KEITH CHAMBERS, Lead Member for Rail, West Midlands Passenger Transport Authority, 24th November 2006 |
| November 2006 |
"Perhaps the greatest challenges and crucially the greatest opportunities for the rail industry will come as we move towards a low carbon economy to tackle the effects of climate change. This will increasingly affect how rail, and indeed all forms of transport, operate and do business in the future. And rising to meet this green challenge is what I want to concentrate on in [this speech]. Demand for travel has increased and will continue to do so. It is our job to ensure that that growth does not come at the expense of environmental obligations.
"... It is now time for the rail network to face up to the economics of climate change, set out so compellingly by Sir Nicholas Stern in his Review ... Rail has to accept that, in future years, the carbon cost of travel will be far more important than today. The message from Stern is clear. Taking the effect of carbon emissions into account now will lead to substantial savings and underpin growth in the long term ...
"Rail needs to be making a positive contribution to our environmental agenda at a national and international level. But it also needs to be a 'good neighbour' to the five million people who live within half a mile of the railway and whose sensitivity to environmental concerns will be ever more acute in future ..."
"We know that more mass equals more energy consumption. Lighter trains are good for the environment, because they consume less energy. They hammer the track less hard."
"... Today's passengers want to know ... whether the railway will respond to the challenges of the environment and climate change ..."
"Environmental responsibility must drive everything you [the rail industry] do. It should run through the vision for the railway, the funding and finance decisions we make, and in the new focus on integrated and long term planning. That is our shared challenge, our shared obligation and I look forward to working with you in the months and years ahead to make it happen."
The Rt Hon DOUGLAS ALEXANDER MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, speaking to Transport 2000 conference, 14th November 2006 |
| August 2006 |
"The Parry People Mover has been working every Sunday between Stourbridge [Town] and Stourbridge Junction with a reliability that would make many passenger franchise operators green with envy ... PPMs would be the ideal vehicle for branch lines. Clearly, the Government is fed up with the leasing charges levied by the RoSCos for 'Pacers' and the like and, equally clearly, the continuing resistance to change from parts of the railway and safety industries is what is preventing innovations."
LORD TONY BERKELEY, the Railway Magazine, September 2006 |
| July 2006 |
"Climate change does not fit neatly into any one [Government] department. All departments must be departments for climate change - from transport ... to energy."
The Rt Hon DAVID MILIBAND MP, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE ENVIRONMENT, quoted in Energy, Resource, Environmental & Sustainable Management magazine, July-August 2006 |
| July 2006 |
"There's a clear need for this technology in locations all over Britain. I have thought for a long time that railway branch lines could be converted to a lighter form of rail to improve services ... I can see that there is potential for [PPM-style lightweight railcars] to provide suburban services on quite a few heritage railways too."
CHRIS GRAYLING MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Transport, during a visit to Stourbridge on 6th July 2006 |
| June 2006 |
"Stourbridge Town Branch
"This is the shortest line on the national rail network and does not
currently have a formal community rail partnership in place to support
development. It is recognised that the current operation provides a useful
link between Stourbridge Junction and the Town; however operating costs are
high and it is possible that alternative options for providing a rail-based
service would represent better value for money. The line currently hosts
the innovative 'Parry People Mover' light rail vehicle which operates an
experimental Sunday service. Light rail solutions such as this could
represent a way forward for the route."
DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT, West Midlands Franchise Consultation Document,
June 2006 |
| May 2006 |
"We ... need to demonstrate that we are addressing the fundamental challenges ahead for transport. As the population grows, and we become more wealthy, our demand for travel is increasing. Many parts or our road and rail network are already under severe pressure especially at peak times. While we have set out clear plans for future investment, constraints on public expenditure mean we cannot simply build our way out of these problems. And the benefits transport can deliver must also be measured against its impact on the environment; in particular transport will be critical to our long-term goal of reducing carbon emissions."
PRIME MINISTER The Rt Hon TONY BLAIR MP, in his letter of appointment to Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, May 2006 |
| May 2006 |
"Not only should DfT look again at its costing methods, but would-be
operators should look again at their costs. Is there a cheaper method for
renewing track as some claim? Could cheaper trams be used such as the Parry
People Mover or the Pullman T.P.L. design?"
Chairman's Chat, Conservative Transport News (the newsletter of the
Conservative Transport Group), May 2006 |
| March 2006 |
"I was delighted to visit the Stourbridge branch on Sunday 19 March, and experience the Parry People Mover at first hand. Many congratulations on restoring a Sunday service to a line which hasn't seen one for almost a century.
"The PPM is an impressive vehicle, which could provide a popular, cost-effective public transport solution in rural areas and conurbations - particularly where it's possible to reopen freight lines to passenger services.
"The very best of luck to you and your team."
LORD FAULKNER OF WORCESTER, after experiencing the PPM Light Railcar at Stourbridge on 19th March 2006 |
| February 2006 |
"It is a great pleasure to be asked to participate in today's events; the official launch of the revolutionary railcar service between the Junction and Town stations is yet another proud moment in Stourbridge's history - more so because the technology, as so often in the past, is a Black County innovation, this time from the Cradley Heath-based Parry People Movers.
"... It's that Black County spirit and tenacity that has won the day and brought us to this point today: the launch of a new generation of railcars using non-electric technology giving, passengers a new environment-friendly, cost-efficient and flexible service - ideal especially for the shuttle service between the Junction and the Town. ...
"Not for the first time in its history, there will be many pairs of eyes watching us here in Stourbridge: railway people, transport experts, local and national government, and environmentalists. Success is crucial not just for the development of this type of non-electric transport but, I believe, also for the development and possibilities for Stourbridge. Not to mention the possibility of manufacturing jobs and engineering right back here in the Black County where we have so much talent and skill. ...
"So, to conclude - congratulations with the venture, thank you for the hard work and ingenuity which I am very proud to support and very best wishes for resounding success!"
LYNDA WALTHO MP, Member of Parliament for Stourbridge, speaking at the official launch of the Stourbridge operation on 5th February 2006 |
| January 2006 |
"The town has a fine railway history and it gives me great pleasure to help launch Stourbridge into the future with this fine example of environmentally-friendly light rail transport. I hope that the line may be extended at some time in the future, possibly into a new transport hub."
LYNDA WALTHO, MEMBER OF PARLIAMENT FOR STOURBRIDGE, quoted in the Express & Star newspaper in advance of the official launch of PPM services,31st January 2006 |
| January 2006 |
"We are always keen to look at innovative ways of providing better public transport - and this new technology could prove to be just the answer for maintaining a vital link."
COUNCILLOR GARY CLARKE, CHAIRMAN, WEST MIDLANDS TRANSPORT AUTHORITY on 31st January 2006, announcing the official launch of PPM operations at Stourbridge |
| May 2005 |
"The railway industry has largely failed to recognise the potential for cleaner fuels, hybrid drivelines, regenerative braking or lightweight vehicles ... If community railways are to be segregated from the main network, and their lower speeds and perhaps lighter rolling stock are to be complemented by, we hope, less demanding regulatory standards, we need to look at new kinds of vehicles for our railway industry."
"... There is a company close to my former constituency, in Cradley Heath in the West Midlands, that produces something called a Parry People Mover, which it has been trying for 12 years to introduce on a branch line between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge. For various reasons, much of it the fault of the railway industry itself - obsessed as it is with conventional rolling stock - it has not been possible to introduce that vehicle. I should add that presently there is no Sunday service, so it is not as though we are replacing one kind of vehicle with another. But in 12 years we have not managed to introduce that particular vehicle.
"I hope that my noble friend will relay to his fellow Ministers the need for innovation so far as our local railway services are concerned. If we are to save money - and I understand the Government's need to save money in some local railway services - then innovation is surely essential."
LORD SNAPE OF WEDNESBURY, 24th May 2005
"We are not seeing our community railways developed here in England. That is partly a question of research but also ... of not burdening those railways with masses of regulations. The fact that the Parry People Mover has not been allowed on the Stourbridge Junction line, as referred to by the noble Lord [Snape], is a monument to the regulatory constipation we have in this country. I should think that the amount of paper that has been generated weighs more than the train itself. It is as bad as that."
LORD BRADSHAW
Contributions to the House of Lords debate on the Queen's Speech relating to transport and rural affairs, 24th May 2005
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| March 2005 |
"Community railways are paying high costs to lease old trains. This alone is a serious impediment to their development. Some innovative thinking about the rolling stock market is urgently needed. In the longer term the Department for Transport must start planning for new trains for community railways, possibly building on light rail technology."
Conclusion/Recommendation 7, House of Commons Select Committee on Transport Fifth Report "Rural Railways" |
| March 2005 |
"If you have a service where, for example, only four passengers are using the service, then we need to ask questions about whether maintaining the existing rail service is the right way forward - or whether buses or light rail could provide a better and more flexible alternative for passengers"
ALISTAIR DARLING, SECRETARY OF STATE FOR TRANSPORT, 9th March 2005
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| January 2005 |
"The Black Country has always been a centre for technological innovation. In particular, Parry People Movers, which is mentioned in paragraph 2.5 of the document [the Community Rail Development Strategy], has been developing rolling stock for versions of light rail in recent years. I should declare an interest, as several close friends and members of my family have small investments in [PPM] ... The forms of light rail carriages that have been developed have great advantages. They cause less pollution, use less energy and have high-performance acceleration and braking systems. They do not have to be segregated from the surrounding environment with, for example, fencing and are less costly to run."
Mr ROSS CRANSTON QC, MP, member of parliament for Dudley North, speaking during the Parliamentary Debate on Community Railways, recorded in Hansard,11th January 2005 .
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| January
2003 |
''In
considering the range of technologies that are available to the network
I was able to appreciate very easily the role that lightweight technology
can play in supporting the main network. The Parry People Mover would appear
to fit the need for economical, light transit very well without many of
the onerous power supply requirements of heavier electric traction systems''.
HAMPSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL, ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT, 15 January
2003 |
| November
2002 |
''As you are
aware, a study of 'Metro' for Hereford has been carried out by consultants
for the Council. Their conclusion was that an Ultra Light Rail system might
be economically justifiable and it was in connection with this that officers
visited Parry Associates to see the technology''
FROM: TERRY JAMES, LEADER OF THE COUNCIL, HEREFORD COUNCIL, 28 November
2002 |
| September 2002 |
''My Visit
has convinced me even more that the Parry People Mover could be the solution
for moving people along the existing track between Newcastle Central Station,
International Centre for Life, the new multi-storey car park which will
be used particulary by GNER and the Telewest Arena''
MICHAEL J PARKER, DIRECTOR GENERAL, NEXUS TYNE AND WEAR PTE, 6
September 2002 |
| March 2002 |
''The Council
remains committed to securing transport solutions that are environmentally
sustainable and believes that the Parry People Mover has potential within
the borough to form part of a park and ride system which could also be extended
to serve the seafront area in due course''
RICHARD PACKHAM, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, TOWN HALL, GREAT YARMOUTH, 12 March 2002 |
| April
2001 |
''The hoped
for trial of the PPM on the Stourbridge Branch could represent the breakthrough
for yourselves and WMPTA in demonstrating the potential for Ultra Light
Rail, using a real operational rail line and having to deal with very real
rail industry organisations, in particular, Railtrack''.
''We working with yourselves, have identified a number of
locations in the West Midlands conurbation where a PPM link might be the
most appropriate system to meet local public transport requirements, and
these have been reported to the appropriate PTA committee : given a successful
outcome along the lines. Then expansion at such locations would be the next
logical step''.
COUNCILLOR RICHARD WORRALL, CHAIR, WEST MIDLANDS PASSENGER TRANSPORT
AUTHORITY, 9 April
2001 |
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