Consultation on draft Warwickshire Rail Strategy 2019-2034

Closed 20 Sep 2019

Opened 27 Jul 2019

Contact

01926 412773

tpu@warwickshire.gov.uk

Feedback updated 6 May 2020

We asked

The Warwickshire Rail Strategy was consulted on in order to seek wider public views regarding the strategy and enable policy makers to reflect public opinion where appropriate in the final version of the strategy.

The consultation was open to the wider general public and responses from all were welcomed. Advice on how best to attract responses from hard to reach groups was sought from WCC Consultation advisers.

A range of methods were used to gather views during the consultation period. These included; an online survey on Ask Warwickshire using Citizen Space and a paper-based version of the standard online survey could be requested by telephone or email. Alternative formats and languages could also be requested. In addition, comments and full written responses relating to the proposed draft strategy could be sent directly to the County Council.

You said

167 responses were submitted via the online survey; in addition, the County Council received 43 written responses, predominately submitted via email. The written responses were primarily submitted by key partners and stakeholders, including Midlands Connect, West Midlands Rail Executive, Birmingham Airport and local Town and Parish Councils. Most respondents who completed the online survey did so in their own capacity; eleven respondents completed the survey on behalf of an organisation. These included a mix of public, private and voluntary sector agencies.

Responses to the online survey were received from across the County, with the highest number of respondents (31%) coming from North Warwickshire Borough, whilst only 8.4% came from Rugby Borough. From the responses received, over 80% identified themselves as ‘White British’.

The was generally support for the rail strategy, particularly around the wider objectives. Of particular note was concern regarding access to rail stations, especially in more rural communities. Detailed information can be found in the report prepared for Cabinet. Please click on this link to read this report.

We did

As a result of the consultation responses, the Rail Strategy was amended, where appropriate, to reflect the issues raised. The revised strategy, along with details as to how it has been amended was presented to WCC Cabinet for recommendation that it be presented to full Council for approval. This approval is still outstanding due to meeting cancellation as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The revised Rail Strategy will form part of the next Local Transport Plan and further revisions to the strategy will be made as part of the LTP process.

Results updated 4 Feb 2020

Warwickshire County Council Cabinet considered the Warwickshire Rail Strategy on 30th January. The papers for this meeting can be viewed by clickling on this link to the Cabinet meeting papers. The Cabinet 

  • Noted the results of the consultation and the resulting modifications made to the draft Passenger Rail Strategy.
  • Recommended that the Council endorse the Warwickshire Rail Strategy 2019-2034 and that the document is addended to the Warwickshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026.

Forthcoming Council meetings and papers can be viewed by clicking on this link to the Council meeting papers.

The following documents are available below:

  • Consultation Analysis Report
  • Comments made online and list of organisations responding online
  • Written responses to the consultation 

Files:

Links:

Overview

Rail services in Warwickshire make a significant contribution to the local economy, business and local communities, helping to make Warwickshire an attractive place in which to live and work. The County Council has an excellent track record in delivering rail infrastructure and helping to improve services. 

Warwickshire intends to continue this support and investment in the local rail network to help improve wider connectivity, contribute to the delivery of housing and employment opportunities and maximise the benefit of economic growth in Warwickshire over the next fifteen years and beyond. This draft strategy sets out Warwickshire County Council’s ambitious and challenging plans to improve the rail offer in Warwickshire and will form part of the County’s fourth Local Transport Plan (LTP4).

The draft rail strategy has been developed to maximise the economic, social and environmental benefits of the rail network to Warwickshire’s residents and businesses. 

Four key overarching objectives have been identified to support the delivery of Warwickshire’s Rail Strategy and policies have been developed to support the delivery of these objectives: 

  1. Maximise economic, social and environmental benefits of the rail network to Warwickshire residents and businesses; 
  2. Maximise opportunities for journeys within Warwickshire (and beyond) to be undertaken by rail, particularly for commuting purposes; 
  3. Maximise opportunities for travel demands of new developments to be met by rail;
  4. Support opportunities to transfer freight from road to rail.

More information is provided on the Public Information Document. This, together with the draft strategy and other supporting documents can be downloaded at the bottom of this webpage.

Anyone who is interested in local transport and the local rail offer can comment on the draft strategy. Responses are invited from a range of partners, stakeholders and people who live or work in Warwickshire.

How to respond

The main way to respond to the consultation is via the online questionnaire using link below. This questionnaire is anonymous and does not ask for any personal information.

If you require a paper copy of the questionnaire or an alternative format please contact us by phone or email using the contact details provided.

 If you would like to respond to this consultation in writing you can do this by emailing tpu@warwickshire.gov.uk or sending your written response to Transport Planning, Warwickshire County Council, Shire Hall, Warwick, Warwickshire CV34 4SX

What happens next?

The consultation will help inform and shape the final Warwickshire Rail Strategy and if approved by Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet, will replace the existing rail strategy from early 2020.

What happens next

This consultation has now closed. Many thanks to everyone who took the time to give us their views.

What happens next?

The consultation will help inform and shape the final Warwickshire Rail Strategy and if approved by Warwickshire County Council’s Cabinet, will replace the existing rail strategy from early 2020.

Areas

  • All Areas

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background
  • Service users (current or previous)
  • All ages
  • All Warwickshire residents
  • Community Groups
  • Partners
  • Providers
  • Businesses
  • Employees
  • Specialist staff
  • Professionals and professional bodies
  • Elected members

Interests

  • Environment and sustainability
  • Roads and travel
  • Policies, plans and strategies
  • Local plans and guidelines
  • Economy
  • Transport and economy
  • Consultations