Written evidence submitted by Bangor University (WBR 03)
Submitted by: Professor David Shepherd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor
Executive summary:
1.1 The University has in excess of 10,000 students, drawn from Wales, the UK and from over 70 countries internationally. The University operates in a very competitive and commercial environment and therefore Student Recruitment is a key strategic priority. While our location offers many advantages, the University has a critical dependency on the availability of fast, frequent and affordable train services to and from Bangor in order to overcome the perception held by some applicants that Bangor is a difficult location to reach.
1.2 In total, approximately 80% of the students attending Bangor University come from destinations beyond the immediate hinterland of the University. Almost half of our students are from England, and a fifth are from Overseas. The availability of direct, frequent and comfortable train services to and from Bangor is a critical element in the University’s success in the highly competitive area of student recruitment with the UK Higher Education market.
2.1 The University makes a vital contribution to the local and regional economy in North-West Wales, with over 2,000 employees as well as over 10,000 students. In addition, the University brings large numbers of visitors to the city, on occasions such as Open Days and Graduation ceremonies. Accessibility via rail plays a crucial role in the success of Bangor University, and therefore in the continued positive economic impact of the University on the region.
2.2 Frequent services between Bangor and major centres in England are of critical importance to the University. Rapid, direct access to Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and London will enable the university to attract more students from key regions of England. Improved services from international airports at Manchester and Birmingham will also enhance the ability of the university to successfully recruit international students to Bangor.
2.3 Bangor University strongly supports the aim of improving services on the Wales and Borders rail franchise. The University continues to support calls for increased frequency of direct services to London, Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, and to Manchester and Birmingham airports (which are predominantly delivered by the Wales and Borders franchise and the Inter City West Coast franchise). The North Wales Economic Ambitions Board strategy of seeking investment in three key areas – namely Infrastructure, Services and Rolling Stock – is also fully supported by Bangor University.
3.1 According to published data for 2015 by the Office of Rail and Road Statistics, a total of 671,000 passengers commenced or ended their journey at Bangor station (greater than Llandudno Junction and Llandudno combined). These numbers illustrate the heavy demand for rail services to, and from Bangor, and given additional improvements in services this has the capacity to grow substantially. Bangor is the station that serves not only the city and the University itself but also the south of Anglesey and the majority of the population of Gwynedd.
3.2 A significant shift needs to occur in both attitude and desire in order to ensure that services begin and terminate at either Holyhead or Bangor, rather than the recently adopted approach which is focussed on Llandudno Junction and Llandudno. Terminating services half-way across north Wales is a major disservice to the populations of north west Wales as well as their businesses, many of whom are involved in the tourism industry and require rapid and regular access to the north-west of England and south Wales.
3.3 Bangor University also recognises the vital importance of fast, frequent and affordable train services to Holyhead station in Anglesey. The University therefore stresses the importance of upgrading and modernising the train services to and from Holyhead (enhancing the post-Brexit links to Ireland), encompassing the station at Bangor.
3.4 Major investment is planned on Anglesey, such as the new nuclear power station at Wylfa, the Orthios Biofuels in Holyhead and the new Science Park being developed by the University at Gaerwen. The result of these developments will be a major increase in road journeys to Anglesey along an already congested A55 whose journey times are already unpredictable. Improved rail services to Holyhead from Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham and London would have a major impact on reducing the congestion on the A55.
3.5 The Port of Holyhead plays a strategic role in the steadily increasing trade between Ireland and the UK and Ireland and the rest of the Europe and will also service as a conduit for increased tourism movement between Ireland and Wales. In 2014, approximately 1.88million passenger journeys between Ireland and Holyhead port were reported, which was a growth of 40% over a decade. For these reasons, it is essential that investment in improved rail services all the way to Holyhead are made now to facilitate this growth.
3.6 Anglesey Airport is located at Valley, near Holyhead. A daily commuter service operates from Holyhead to Cardiff. This small regional airport is located adjacent to the train line. In the interests of future integrated strategic transport planning, the option to develop future services from this airport would be greatly enhanced by investment in rail services to Holyhead station.
3.7 About 235,000 rail passenger journeys started/ended at Holyhead station in 2015. When this figure is added to the figure for Bangor station, together with the smaller stations on Anglesey, in the region of 1 million passenger journeys started or terminated at Bangor/Anglesey in 2015.
4.1 The cost and duration of train travel between North-West Wales and South Wales are major barriers to the effective engagement of institutions such as Bangor University in the national agenda of Wales. The University fully supports the call for greater investment to be made which reduces the travel time and which also provides more frequent services between North and South Wales.
5.1 In order to attract customers from road onto rail the level of service must be sufficiently attractive to succeed. This is more than the standard of the trains alone and will include the whole journey experience from buying a ticket, conditions on the station, the speed and quality of the train, and whether it departs and arrives on time.
5.2 Clearly, being able to get a seat on the train is essential under the new franchise. This is far from the case at the moment. Services are often grossly overcrowded and as a result drive passengers away from using the service.
5.3 There is also insufficient luggage space – a prerequisite for an economy such as north Wales where tourism is such an important factor and for us as a university where student mobility is vital.
5.4 The existing rolling stock is often dated and substandard and again needs radical improvement. Comfortable seating, free wi-fi connectivity, the availability of power sockets and clean toilet facilities should be considered a minimum requirement.
5.5 Passenger safety and reassurance is essential. With over 10,000 students and 2,000 staff travelling regularly along the north Wales coast, we take their welfare seriously. Passengers, especially those travelling alone, need to be reassured that their journey will be without harassment or intimidation and that if something does occur, that they can obtain immediate assistance from staff.
04 August 2016