Minutes of ETUG Meeting - 18th February 2025 at 19:00 hrs
Held in the D Block Ground Floor Room 3 of the Enfield Civic Centre
Chair’s Welcome
Chair Ray Knight welcomed everyone to the meeting
Apologies
Apologies from John Williams and Basil Clarke
Members Present: Dave Cockle, Peter Jeffrey, Faye Medcalf, Peter Smith, Ray Knight, Sean Cirillo, Cllr Peter Fallart, Paul Codd (GTR), Rickey Barnsley (Network Rail), Hugo (Network Rail), Sheila Spooner, John Prior and Phillip Ridley
Presentation by GTR and Network Rail
Hugo: Explains what ETCS is
Benefits: 42% reduction in signalling cost, 46% less track access to install digital signalling, up to 33% improvement in system capacity
The programme will include the Northern City Line, ECML and the Hertford Loop.
PJ: Asked to clarify if trains can run in the same signalling block.
Hugo: Explains there are different levels of ETCS, and ETCS allows blocks to permit more trains to run on the line.
PR: Asked regarding Automatic Signaling on the West Anglia Main Line between Hackney Downs and Bethnal Green.
Hugo: Unaware of other plans for ETCS Automatic Signalling.
Upgraded signalling of the Northern City Line to ETCS, landside signalling to be turned off in May 2025
The Welwyn to Hitchin section is taking place for work and testing.
Advertisements and drop-in sessions on the upgrades.
DC: Can the ECML be upgraded to 140mph on the ECML on some sections?
RB: Unaware of the answer, but has built-in capability to allow higher speeds.
PS: Asked if there is capacity for upgrades.
DC: Has asked if working bi-directionally is possible.
PC: Answered that mitigating disruption would be much easier and more flexible.
PJ: Asked if ETCS will be implemented for the entire UK network.
RB: ECML ETCS implementation due for completion in 2030. The Brighton Mainline is also in the pipeline for single renewals.
FM: Raised regarding both GTR and the Piccadilly Line closed at the same time.
DC: Raised the 2tph service and the possible implementation of 4tph between Gordon Hill and Moorgate in the Dec 2025 timetable.
PC: Factors play such as requiring funding from the DfT, the current strategy is to close the revenue gap for the 2026 financial year with possible implementation for 4tph on the Hertford Loop being explored to mitigate this, other factors such as drivers, staffing etc,
SC: Asked if this package for increasing the service frequency will also include reinstating the former peak 8tph pre-covid service.
PC: This package won’t include enhancements to the peak services, only enhancements to the off-peak service pattern.
SC: Asked further on if strategies as been explored to mitigate the performance risks for the Cambridge stopping services at Alexandra Palace.
PC: This change will come into effect in the December 2025 timetable with a new shorter service introduced involving less overtaking required to reduce the risks north of Welwyn.
Ray Knight thanked the GTR and Network Rail spokesmen for attending
AGM
Ray Knight was re-elected as Chair of ETUG
Matters arising from the previous meeting
No matters arise.
Train Operating Companies
Greater Anglia: 93.3% on-time, 3.4% cancellations and two new shelters for Brimsdown Station.
Great Northern: 93.4% on-time, 5.56% cancellations
London Overground: 90.6% and 3.1% cancellations
London Underground: Testing and construction of the new Piccadilly Line trains are still underway, with a target to introduce them by the end of 2025. Infrastructure works on upgrading the rails and stations to explain the repeated closures on parts of the line over some weekends.
SS: Raised on crowding on the Overground services on Saturdays.
DC: Mentioned it was at the time the Hertford Loop wasn’t operating for a possible reason.
PR: Suggested enquiring about timetabling posters, the upgrade to the 3 + 3 service option enquiring about timescales for implementation.
Secretary to add this to the ETUG Tracker.
SS: Raised regarding no benches or shelters at Silver Street Station for northbound platforms.
Secretary to add this to the tracker.
Update on Bus Services
Bus Network reviews in Enfield: Ongoing review of Meridian Water bus network; publication expected later in 2025. Delay due to discussions with the borough about bus network changes. The next phase of Superloop routes is in progress; no updates are currently available.
Updates on the business case looking at increasing the Sunday frequency of the 456 bus route: There are no updates at present.
Enquiry on the bridge restriction on Farm Road: TfL confirms Farm Road is suitable for current bus operations. Despite the narrow carriageway at the bridge, no frequency increase for the 456 bus route due to low demand. A recent review of Route 456 shows that current service levels meet passenger needs.
Rerouting the 456 clockwise at North Middlesex Hospital: TfL has no plans to reroute the 456 bus through the private road within hospital grounds. The 456 bus uses a west-facing stand on Bridport Road, making it impractical to run on the hospital road.
PR: Suggested enquiring about the 456 using the hospital’s private road why isn't it possible physically?
Secretary to add this to the ETUG Tracker.
PS: The bus stop isn't in the right place where the route terminates as to why it can’t use the road.
Route 491’s frequency: TfL recently reviewed route 491 and decided against increasing peak frequency due to inadequate demand. Resources will be allocated more effectively elsewhere. Off-peak frequency increases, including evening and Sunday services from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes, will commence with the new contract in Summer 2025.
Route 377 Sunday Service: TfL regularly reviews bus routes during the tendering process for contract renewals. A recent review of Route 377 showed no need for frequency increases; current service levels meet demand.
SS: Suggested raising a further enquiry for increasing the 377 frequency increase on a Sunday.
Secretary to add this to the ETUG Tracker.
Hail & Ride conversion to fixed stops updates: Four out of nine Hail & Ride (H&R) stops on the 456 route have been converted to fixed stops. Progress on the remaining five stops is slow due to resource capacity issues in Enfield. Four pairs of H&R stop conversions on route 377 are planned for this fiscal year, located in the Bush Hill Park area between Trinity Ave and Village Rd.
PR: Suggested Lincoln Road for a Hail & Ride conversion.
Secretary to add this to the ETUG Tracker.
Temporary bus stop arrangements at Enfield Chase Station: There is no suitable location for a temporary dolly stop near bus stop 16800(CA). During the closure of bus stop 16800, all routes serving it (121, 307, 313, 377, 456) will use stop BP1997(CB), located a short walk away.
Enfield Chase Station announcements on the 191 bus route: Announcements were implemented on the 1st of February
Route 329’s Reliability: Route 329 experiences high traffic disruption, mainly due to its proximity to the A406 North Circular and frequent serious incidents. Additional disruptions are caused by issues with traffic light phasing at the Great Cambridge Roundabout and ongoing road works around Wood Green High Road and Turnpike Lane. A new reliability schedule for Route 329 will be implemented on Saturday, February 1, 2025. A lead driver at Wood Green garage prioritizes Route 329, manages substitutions for disruptions and mechanical issues, and ensures even service headways through back plating at changeover points. Daily morning meetings are held between Performance, Operating, and Engineering Managers to address and plan for mechanical, staffing, and road work issues to enhance route performance
PR: Suggested enquiring scoot for Great Camebridge Roundabout.
8. Update on Transport Accessibility
Disability London Transport Forum: 7th March and the Step-Free access at Palmers Green Station has been delayed.
9. Update on ETUG’s Website and Subscription
139 views total on the website within the last three months. ETUG continues to retain an average open rate of 64.7% for emails. We also retain a total of 44 members, including the committee.
10. AOB
ETUG has agreed to enquire the Enfield Dispatch Newspaper regarding advertisements.
ETUG has agreed to close the private Facebook Group. JP has agreed to this.
ETUG has agreed to enquire about the Old Charitable Group Trust for a list of charities in Enfield.
PR: Asked if there are hybrid meeting rooms in the council.
SC: Raised on adding updating activities and proposed as an agenda.
ETUG has agreed on a survey to question the Enfield users, possibly via Enfield Dispatch and a press release announcing ETUG.
The secretary has agreed to email residential associations.
Ray Knight ended the meeting by thanking everyone for attending.
Next Meeting 22nd May 2025
