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Update: 5th November
The AGM of the All Party Group on Southern Rail was held on the 24th November. The Rail Minister, Jo Johnson, addressed the meeting and was joined by GTR and Network Rail.
Southern Rail's performance (from a very low base) has improved markedly over the last few months but there's much further to go. The improvement has been reflected in my inbox but I remain keen to hear about specific issues and failings which I take up on behalf of constituents.
Following the May timetable introduction debacle our attention was primarily focussed on the planned further improvement in the timetable in December. It appears from the discussion that lessons have been learned. There are substantially more drivers now than in the spring, who are trained for the task ahead. The drivers were also made aware of the details of the new December timetable on 14th September - a vast improvement on one of the failings last time round.
If the process can be completed properly and without a hitch the overall changes in the timetable locally will have delivered a genuinely improved service for passengers.
Network Rail also ran through its longer term plans for the region. £200m of investment is planned in basic infrastructure improvements in the short term and delivering the final timetable improvements such as a Gatwick-Cambridge train every 30mins.
Beyond this the serious investment requirement is the remodelling of the Croydon area junctions. The Brighton Mainline network is the busiest in the UK carrying 300,000 passengers every weekday on 1,700 trains, these must all pass through the notorious bottle neck at Croydon - during rush hour approximately one train every 45 seconds.
Removing this bottle neck would be a hugely ambitious but important step. Planning has started with a view to a decision being signed off early/mid 2020s. The gain would be significant with the number of peak hour trains going through the junction increasing by 17 per cent and the whole region becoming more resilient and less prone to disruption.
It is the type of improvement which can significantly improve not only the capacity of the service but its performance metrics, the APPG will be taking a close interest in the development of the plans.
Update: 20th June 2018
I spoke yesterday in a Westminster Hall debate about the ongoing challenges being faced by commuting constituents and other rail users. This morning I met (again) with GTR and Network Rail. In fairness our last meeting did result in (relative) improvements to the emergency timetable. I am pursuing specific requests and will be reverting to constituents and posting on my website when we get progress on these points.
Update: 6th June 2018
Following the recent failures in implementing the new May timetable I was in immediate contact with the Department of Transport. I have raised concerns on the floor of the Commons, I met the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling and this morning met Charles Horton, Chief Executive of GTR. I will continue to make the strongest representations on this matter until we have the reliable train service passengers pay for.
Resolving the Current Problems
Following the failure of the new timetable's introduction the immediate aim has been to revert to a timetable under which advertised services run reliably and consistently from day-to day. Commuters need to know what trains will be running rather than there being an advertised service subject to random cancellations and delays. Restricting the service to a more limited number of trains as per the old timetable is the last thing I wanted to see but is the only way to ensure that the service can regain reliability: passengers need to have confidence that the trains will run as advertised and this has to be the priority.
This breathing space will allow GTR time to train drivers on the new routes they are operating, without which the new services simply cannot be delivered.
This process will take weeks but having done so they anticipate a steady increase in the number of train routes being provided until the new timetable, in its entirety, is reintroduced. I wish I could give a greater degree of confidence on timings and exactly what will be resumed when, at this stage I cannot. I do however think it is imperative that new services are only reintroduced as and when they can definitely be reliably maintained.
Specific Problems
Aside from the problems which are general across the area (but vary greatly in their intensity between stations) I have had some specific issues drawn to my attention:
1. Littlehaven
There have been numerous examples of "station skipping" at Littlehaven. This causes huge inconvenience to passengers and, adding to the frustration, produces only very limited operational benefit to the Operator given that the trains are already running slow on their approach to, or departure from, Horsham. I took this up with the Chief Executive of GTR, Charles Horton, this morning he sees no reason why this should continue and has promised to look into it immediately. I have asked for a response in writing.
2. Balcombe
The emergency timetable has a major and lengthy vacuum in the evening peak. This is particularly frustrating given our successful efforts to improve the station's peak morning service on the new timetable. Having explained the precise timing of trains to Balcombe in the evening Mr Horton and his team recognise the point. They have assured me that there is an ongoing process of going through the emergency timetable to address gaps in service. Balcombe appears to have an obvious and major gap. They have agreed to revert to me in writing, swiftly, as to how and when this will be addressed.
Other issues raised by constituents have also been flagged and if there are further specific concerns for me to raise with GTR please email and I will do so.
What went Wrong
I reluctantly anticipated some problems would transpire in what is the largest ever timetable change-over but nothing can excuse the scale of problems that was manifest on introduction and which no one anticipated: the industry experts responsible for the implementation of the new timetable were issuing assurances only weeks and days before it came in that all would be well.
I understand that Network Rail was very late in signing off and finalising the timetable changes (and concluding engineering works which contributed to the issues) but even so, after this, the operators believed they had sufficient trained drivers to take on the services being advertised. They didn't.
I have welcomed a full independent investigation into what went wrong which will look at Network Rail, the Operators and the Department for Transport itself. We need to know exactly who was to blame and what contributed to the failure so that effective action can be taken. Running the railways especially in the most congested railway network in Europe is complex which is why they are run by professional industry experts but there has been obvious and significant failure. The Government has powers that it can invoke in these circumstances and I am determined it should follow through the conclusions of the independent report and take appropriate and action.
Additional compensation should without doubt be paid where this is appropriate.
The Future and the New Timetable
I am very frustrated that what was meant to be the successful culmination of very significant investment: a better and more reliable service, has instead resulted in huge grief for passengers.
There are real benefits that should flow from the investment. Some of these are apparent from the new timetable such as more through trains and in some cases increased and faster services. However on our lines I was frankly more excited about the prospect of greater reliability and resilience as I was assured that the new investment, new rolling stock, rebuilding London Bridge, more through trains and the new timetable would all make the network easier to run and problems easier to isolate.
I believe all of this is still deliverable and I do not wish to see these management failures result in a reduction in the Government's commitment to continue to provide investment on de-bottlenecking and improving our service. For too long our network was deprived of investment and problems were allowed to escalate.
We need the ongoing investment but we these must be planned and run properly. For example I welcome the fact that the engineering works in Balcombe Tunnel which are absolutely necessary to reduce the problems faced on the London-Brighton line are being advertised already for specific times this autumn and February 2019 but these must be competently and effectively managed to ensure that the service resumes as promised and is not delayed by Network Rail.
I will continue to focus on this with the Department, Network Rail and the Operators and will keep constituents informed.
Meanwhile on the new timetable itself I have received both supportive and critical emails from constituents. Where problems were flagged in the consultation and even after the consultation was concluded (in the case of Balcombe) I raised issues, with success, with GTR.
There is no timetable change that will please every passenger. However I received an assurance from the Rail Minister last month on the floor of the Commons that the new timetable was not set in stone and following its introduction could be improved. I think it is important that the service is returned to reliability first but I am then very keen to look again at usage and see how the services can be upgraded to meet passenger requirements
Update: 1st May 2018
I will be contacting direct constituents who flagged their concerns with me but I have raised the issue of peak train services from Balcombe under the new timetable with both GTR and in the Commons. I was delighted to have confirmed today that a London Bridge Service will be put on from December at 7.26am and that in the meantime a temporary service will be stopping at Balcombe slightly earlier en route to Victoria.
Update: 20th April 2018
From May we will have a new Timetable running out of Horsham railway station and others across the constituency. No timetable change - and this change is the most significant in decades- will please everyone. However overall we have a net benefit and an increasing number of through trains and direct destinations. The final version was a marked improvement on that first published and I have had constituents writing to say that they have been pleased by the final outcome and the changes made during the consultation. Problems however remain and I used an Adjournment Debate on Wednesday (which was actually meant to focus on trains north of London) to both speak to the Minister privately and raise in the chamber the concerns of Balcombe ) commuters. The most significant benefit of the new timetable should be greater resilience and reliability. I have learned that no change in the railways runs as smoothly as it should....but we will be closely monitoring the impact.
My contribution to the Adjournment debate can be viewed on the Parliament website: https://goo.gl/EtDWUx
Update: 1st March 2018
The scenes at Redhill Station last weekend were completely unacceptable. I made the point to the Transport Secretary this morning, he is clearly equally concerned and gave a robust response to the question. This can be viewed on the Parliament website at https://goo.gl/Wt4U3t
Rail Update 21st July 2017
May I start by thanking various respondents for their feedback following my last update which enabled me to bring concerns to the attention of GTR (including for example in respect of the classification of overcrowded trains).
Clearly since then we have had good news. ASLEF and RMT have suspended all industrial action on Southern (this includes the current ASLEF overtime ban and projected August strikes). Southern will revert to operating their normal timetable from midnight tonight ie the full weekday timetable will be reintroduced from Monday 24 July.
Prior to the announcement I met, this week, alongside other MPs, the General Secretary of ASLEF, Mick Whelan and separately the Chief Executive of Southern, Charles Horton.
Throughout the 18 month dispute the Secretary of State for Transport has offered to meet the Unions provided that they suspend their industrial action. I am delighted that they have done so and that they are now meeting.
I sincerely hope that a lasting resolution can be secured between the Operator and the Unions. The Government is I know determined to help facilitate such an outcome.
It is worth remembering that twice in the last year ASLEF's leadership has recommended agreed proposals to its members that were not supported (albeit in the second case very narrowly) in the relevant ballots. I have to believe therefore that there is a basis of an agreement. The trains that are subject to the "second person" dispute currently only account for 2.75 per cent of trains that previously operated with a guard and this number is being reduced through additional GTR recruitment. Likewise on pay, while ASLEF's leadership and members have rejected the proposal for drivers on some lines, the same proposal has been accepted it in respect of ASLEF members on the Thameslink line.
Whilst meeting with ASLEF was helpful in better understanding their position I do not think, given what I heard, it will be easy to secure a lasting deal.
However I do think the groundwork has been put in place to achieve one, given sufficient goodwill.
I spent considerable time with GTR discussing contingency plans had the ASLEF strike proceeded, which happily now may not be relevant.
Separately I am pleased that Southern's driver recruitment and training programme is proving successful and that they are being more realistic in the number of trained drivers they are likely to lose through individuals choosing, post training, to pursue their career on the network in other, less costly, parts of the country. The impact of the additional driver recruitment will be to reduce Southern's reliance on overtime: a goal that is shared by the Transport Department, GTR and the Unions!
Let us hope that the outcome of the talks are positive.
Rail Update 5th July 2017
No one will have wanted to receive another Rail Update. I am sorry that it is necessary.
Earlier this year with industrial action suspended and responsible, collaborative talks ongoing between the leadership of the drivers' union, ASLEF and GTR it looked like we could be heading to a sensible resolution. Twice ASLEF and GTR came to agreements, twice these were rejected, albeit narrowly, by ASLEF members.
While ASLEF continued to work normally through these talks the service provided to passengers significantly improved. Albeit from an exceptionally low base Southern saw a 23 percentage point improvement in performance and in my experience (and, judging by my inbox, that of most passengers) services were markedly more reliable.
Unfortunately as you know last Thursday ASLEF recommenced its overtime ban (the standard drivers' working week is 4 days) and is intent on further industrial action over a pay.
ASLEF has accepted a 24 per cent pay rise, based on productivity improvements, over 4 years for its drivers on the Thameslink line. This is worth £70,000 for a five day week. It has rejected the same offer on the Horsham lines.
Although it has less immediate impact on passengers the RMT continue to be in dispute and this clearly influences ASLEF members. Yesterday with other MPs, on a cross-party basis, I met Mick Cash, RMT General Secretary, prior to a Parliamentary debate on Southern Rail. They are against not only the most recent extension of Driver Controlled Doors but also in principle opposed to it where it has been in operation for over 30 years.
100 extra on board supervisors have been appointed by GTR and, from figures provide by the RMT 97.25 per cent of trains which used to have a "second person" have continued to operate with one - a proportion GTR expects to increase. I want 100 per cent of these trains to have a "second person" on board, so does GTR, so do the RMT. But if, in exceptional circumstances, the OBS can't get there I want the train to run. It is safe for it to do so and cancellation causes not only immediate problems for passengers but a significant knock-on impact. The RMT demand cancellation. That appears to be the crux of their dispute.
What can be done?
325 new drivers have been recruited. Under the training protocols put in place many years previously most training has to be done "in cab" and takes a required 18 months on local lines. This is underway. As the new drivers finish their training this will reduce the dependence on drivers voluntarily working a 5th day a week as overtime. It will increase resilience on the line.
We will not however see the benefit of this until training is complete.
In the immediate term GTR had hoped to run this week a full timetable from our local stations notwithstanding the overtime ban. As you will be aware this is not a timetable they have been able to achieve and there have been service cancellations. While encouraging GTR to do all they can to maintain the maximum service provision I have also urged them to consider declassifying trains. Where services have been cancelled GTR needs to do its utmost to mitigate the effects of overcrowding.
Debate on the Gibb Report
The Gibb Report was commissioned by the Government to investigate how we could improve resilience on Southern's services. After being held back under election rules it was released immediately post election and Parliament debated its contents yesterday.
The full debate can be viewed at http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/68a280f0-821d-4f75-a329-bb5954d9d13a?in=16:08:31&out=19:01:24 my contribution was made at 17:33:36. By way of explanation after an earlier exchange I did invite the Labour Transport spokesman to "intervene" on me to say whether he felt it was reasonable to strike over the offered 24 per cent pay settlement but he preferred not to do so.
Unsurprisingly the Gibb Report into Southern Rail concluded that industrial action was the primary cause of the nightmare passengers were out through last year.
However there was more to the report than that. The lines needed a minimum £300m cash investment - which the Government immediately committed. He recommended better means of management co-ordination - which has been implemented. GTR it is clear needs more drivers - they are, as set out above, in training.
Rail update 1st May 2017
On Tuesday 26th April I attended the last meeting of the Southern Rail All Party Parliamentary Group before Parliament dissolves. Fellow MPs and I quizzed Charles Horton, the Chief Executive of Southern Rail. Without doubt, from a very low base, Southern's performance has improved in the last couple of months – which comes through not only in their statistics but in my inbox and personal experience!
However all MPs are determined to maintain the pressure: Southern know that far as we are concerned no option is "off the table" on future structure and governance. They still have ongoing issues to resolve, not least industrial relations. We also need to build, at every level, on Chris Gibbs' work on improving linkage between Network Rail and the Operator – putting the passenger first. I also shared concerns on disabled access (which I have previously raised earlier this year in the Commons) and recent changes to ticketing. A reliable, safe, efficient rail service is critical for Horsham, we will continue to keep up the pressure.
Rail update 3rd March 2017
I took advantage of Transport Questions to ask the Rail Minister to confirm that disabled passengers should expect an improvement in service on Southern Rail. His response is below. This is an issue on which Paul Maynard (a former Disabilities Minister) I know feels strongly and its one that in my view needs to be kept closely monitored.
Rail update 24th February 2017
I have over the last few weeks been contacted by a number of passengers regarding the 2016 Compensation payments, about which they haven't been notified though they believe they are eligible.
I have taken this up with Southern Rail. Please see their comment below.
I would encourage everyone who is eligible to apply as set out (I have checked the website and it seems to be live).
With best wishes
Jeremy Quin
Comment from GTR on Compensation Payments
We have now completed the process of contacting people that we know to be eligible for compensation, and are now inviting other Southern customers to check their eligibility and claim where they believe they may be entitled.
The one-off scheme, announced last December by the Government solely for Southern's passengers, recognises the severe disruption on the Southern network during 2016 and offers season ticket holders compensation equivalent to a month's travel. To qualify, Southern customers must have held at least 12 weeks' worth of season tickets between 1 April and 31 December 2016. Passengers are being advised to check online at www.southernrailway.com/2016compensation, where they will be asked to provide evidence to support their claim. The scheme will close on 30 April 2017.
We acknowledge that last year was very difficult for Southern passengers and we are glad the scheme recognises this. I ask you to encourage those season ticket holders you represent to go online and claim if they believe they are eligible for compensation.
Rail update 2nd February 2017
I am delighted to be able to share with you a letter (see at the bottom of this page) from Charles Horton, CEO of GTR.
GTR and ASLEF have today reached an agreement to settle their dispute. No further ASLEF industrial action is planned but the agreement is subject to securing the support of ASLEF members over the next couple of weeks
This dispute has caused huge problems for so many passengers and we will all be concerned that it ever came to this - but for today I am simply relieved and delighted that an agreement has finally been secured.
The RMT continue to be in dispute with GTR and I hope for the sake of both staff and passengers that this too can now be brought to an agreed conclusion.
I don't for one moment believe that if this agreement gains the support of ASLEF members and a deal is subsequently agreed with the RMT that this will mark the end of problems on our railway. Sadly it won't. In common with my colleagues from across the county, direct and through the All Party Parliamentary Group for Southern Rail we will continue to battle on behalf of passengers and hold GTR to account. I am also keen to ensure that the extra money identified to progress the upgrading of our line is delivered.
Lastly may I share with you an update I received last week from GTR on progress being made on the delivery of the compensation payment for those eligible.
"Our customer portal for the compensation package for season ticket holders went live on 20 January at http://www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/customer-services/season-ticket-compensation
We have a list of customers who we believe are entitled to the compensation package, and emails are being sent out at the rate of 1500 per day to maintain a steady flow of contacts and ensure people are paid promptly...A claim portal for customers not on our own list will open in 7-10 days time following training for our customer services staff handling the claims.
Given the sums of money involved this needs to be a rigorous and thorough process and it will take time to process all claims. However.... we are determined to ensure that all of our customers entitled to compensation receive the amount they are due, in as short a timeframe as is possible.
I hope this provides reassurance that we are making progress with this important scheme to provide some recompense for the disruption to passengers on Southern over many months."
Rail update 9th January 2017
I wanted to write to you in light of the strikes which are taking place tomorrow, Tuesday 10th January, Wednesday 11th January and Friday 13th January, in addition to the ongoing overtime ban.
As you know strike action by ASLEF will effectively close down Southern. I recognise that the efforts being made to provide some service into London will simply not manage to replace the trains – which serve half a million people a day - and delays and overcrowding are I am afraid inevitable. However for those who can get to Gatwick, trains will operate every 30minutes from 5am into London Victoria. Buses are being provided from Horsham to Dorking to connect with South Western services which will be running. All the details are on the Southern Rail website. In addition there are details of car share schemes – which came from a suggestion from a Horsham constituent which I passed on and for which I am grateful.
As you know the expressed rationale for the ongoing strikes are "safety concerns". Ian Prosser, who is the lead executive director within the independent rail regulator responsible for safety on Britain's railways, has had undertaken a safety audit on the extension of DOO by Southern, specifically in relation to the Horsham-Bognor Regis service. His report, which was published on 5th January has concluded that there are no significant safety issues. He does suggest some further minor improvements at a small number of stations, for example improvements to station lighting. GTR have provided Ian Prosser with categorical assurances that trains will either not operate under DOO conditions at these stations until they meet the necessary lighting standards – or, where this is not immediately possible they will put in place alternative dispatch arrangements, for example station staff dispatch. Taken together, Ian Prosser's report and the commitments made I believe means there is no possible justification for the strike action to continue. I attach a copy of the report.
There have been a number of sets of talks and regular informal contact. Depressingly one of the Union's has stated that they are not even in the "same universe" as management. The official basis for the dispute is extremely limited and the Government is prepared to underwrite an agreement which takes practical steps to assuage remaining concerns the Unions have while implementing the ongoing modernisation of the railways – which is critical to improve the reliability of the service and capacity. I am sorry that commuters reaching London today faced a strike on the Underground called by the RMT.
Southern has I understand already recruited an additional 100 on-board supervisors – underlining their commitment to have a second person on board trains in all but exceptional circumstances. You may also have read this week of the Government's initiative to recruit additional drivers to reduce the historic dependence of every train company, over many years, on overtime. Although this has historically worked well on a co-operative basis between management and employees it appears to have run its course.
I am acutely aware of the devastating impact the rail service is having on your lives and for this I am very sorry
Rail Update 20th December 2016
Yesterday evening with other local MPs I met the Prime Minister to discuss ongoing actions to address the Rail dispute.
It is clear from every source I have spoken to that the management put forward constructive proposals at ACAS and did so over two and half days of talks. Ultimately they got nowhere.
RMT members have overwhelmingly accepted their new contracts which commence from 1st January. We know the ASLEF strike isn't about jobs or wages. They claim it is about a system of working – one which they have endorsed since the early 1980s and which their drivers are already using every day on 30 per cent of the network. It is a system used commonly around Europe. The system works safely and well.
The stations within the Horsham constituency include Balcombe Station on the Brighton Mainline (which is receiving the new class of trains first) and stations on route to Horsham itself.
I appreciate fully that the "Arun Valley" line has older lay-out, more rural, stations and is currently served by Class 377s with older cameras. However every station has been checked for safe DOO operation and the Director of Safety at the Office of Rail and Road Regulation has confirmed that the correct procedures have been followed. Where drivers identify concerns or ideas as to how to improve DOO operations on the Arun Valley line I am clearly all in favour of these being raised by them and if appropriate addressed by Southern - via ACAS if that is really required. DOO is safe but if there are genuine specific safety concerns these should be addressed directly.
I am sure I am not alone on having been on a Horsham train which has been delayed due to reported problems with the DOO cameras. This concerned me from a safety perspective. I tabled the written Parliamentary Question below and received a response this morning. The clear implication is that when trains are affected by reported camera failure these failures are not apparent when subsequently checked.
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what reports he has received on Southern trains (a) being taken out of service and (b) skipping stations or suffering delays due to cameras on driver-only operation trains failing. (56969)
Tabled on: 12 December 2016
Paul Maynard:
Govia Thameslink Railway is not required to provide the Department with detailed information on the causes of train failures. Officials have discussed camera failures with Southern, who confirmed that there has been a noticeable increase in camera defects reported. However, when investigated, no faults have been found by technical teams.
The answer was submitted on 20 Dec 2016 at 11:44."
I am increasingly convinced that the strikes are for deeper reasons, which may be impossible to address to the Unions' satisfaction. The Sunday Times front page ran a story this week alleging that the President of the RMT (a union that has balloted for industrial action 56 times in 2016) declared that "the "No 1 rule" for his union…was to "strive to replace the capitalist system with a socialist order" " The article also made a series of other similar allegations.
I am all for concerns being addressed through ACAS, agreements being made and railways returning to normal.
However if the heart of the complaint isn't about working practices but is political this may be impossible to achieve.
I have pushed hard for the Department for Transport to do far more to enable commuters to get to work if these strikes persist. There are huge logistical and practical issues with trying to transport up to 500,000 people across the South East in these circumstances but I believe that more could and should be done.
I have expressed my particular concern about those who are self-employed and only get paid in the event of them being able to get to their place of work and I have asked the Department to look urgently as to how these passengers could be assisted. Government also has a role in taking up the cause of passengers with employers: they have to recognise that commuters are suffering through absolutely no fault of their own.
I have always believed that there is a valuable role for Trade Unions and I personally have always been reluctant to legislate, especially in circumstances when it could be perceived to be in reaction to a particular strike. However many have contacted me to urge just such a course of action. In other major economies (most of which are far less dependent than we are on rail travel) there is legislation restricting strike action on transport networks to what is proportionate or requiring a minimum level of service even on strike days. If this action continues without any prospect of resolution this will have to come on to the agenda.
Rail Update 16th December 2016
First, I want to express how disappointed I am that talks at ACAS between GTR and ASLEF have broken down.
It is particularly disappointing that the talks broke down having been going two days, especially as from what I had heard they were going well with both parties actively engaged. Given that no jobs are being lost and given how much grief the dispute is causing I very much hope that the talks can be resumed and concluded swiftly.
In addition the Secretary of State has reiterated his offer for direct talks with the unions if they call-off the strike action.
There is much speculation, including in the national press, as to what might be done next to resolve this dispute if the talks cannot be resumed. I hope you will forgive me for not adding to that speculation at this stage as I think it would not be helpful to our common objective of just getting the trains running again. It would be far better if the two sides can resolve the issue. There appears to be a very narrow difference - as you would expect given that ASLEF has operated DOO on thousands of trains over the last 30 years.
Rail Update 7th December 2016
1. Transport Select Committee
I met Tuesday with Huw Merriman who is also an MP in a constituency within Southern Region (Bexhill and Battle). He serves in the Transport Select Committee and has been particularly focussed on the safety issues on the roll-out of DOO. He has shared with us a letter requested by the Select Committee from the Director of Railway Safety at the Office of Rail and Road whose job it is to determine safety issues on our railways. Please find this in the attachment at the bottom of this page. The key extract is as follows:
DOO can be operated safely, provided that as with all forms of train dispatch. Suitably maintained equipment, proper procedures and competent, trained staff are in place;
DOO operations have been used on British railway network for over thirty years;
Given the level of public interest, my inspectors have carried out a detailed inspection and review of Southern's proposals. We concluded that Southern has carried out the appropriate risk assessment for this method of dispatch and there was no evidence of any breach of Health and Safety regulation."
This is not an issue over safety - DOO has operated on British railways for over 30 years and is currently employed in approximately 30 per cent of the network.
2. Meeting with Transport Secretary
Southern Region MPs met this morning with Chris Grayling. As you know ASLEF, after a ballot of 937 members has, announced strike action (as set out below)
"ASLEF members on Southern Railways have voted overwhelmingly for strike action in a trade dispute over the company's decision to force through driver only operation on the franchise. We say there should be no introduction and/or extension of new driver-only operated routes on Southern without the agreement of ASLEF. In a ballot conducted by Electoral Reform Services drivers were asked two questions: Are you prepared to take part in a strike? Yes 630 [87.3%] No 92 [12.7%] Are you prepared to take part in industrial action short of a strike? Yes 690 [95.6%] No 32 4.4%] Turnout was 77% [937 papers issued; 722 returned]"
GTR are in court on Wednesday, 7th December seeking an injunction to prevent ASLEF's strike action.
Minimising the impact on passengers is the Transport Secretary's number one aim. The impact of a strike or indeed the impact of "industrial action short of a strike" cannot be under-estimated. He has made clear (including on the radio Tuesday morning) his willingness to meet with the Unions if they end their industrial action.
I raised with the Transport Secretary, as I did in the Commons Monday, my concern that drivers on the Horsham line are delaying trains/skipping stations due to reported problems with the DOO cameras (see also below). He confirmed that this is being investigated.
I expressed support for the Compensation Package announced as a step in the right direction. No one believes that it compensates for appalling service received over the last year - but to get it was an important principle.
3. Network Rail/Operators Working Together
Chris Grayling attended the Commons to answer questions about his plans for Network Rail and the Operators to work closer together. This to me is common sense. Network Rail may be nationalised but it seems woefully unresponsive to passenger needs - when issues go wrong effecting passenger service these must be addressed immediately - this has not always been the case. Prior to the industrial action the main source of disruption on our lines were the responsibility of Network Rail not Southern.
A clip of the statement can be viewed here: http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/12d31834-cf53-4841-9546-ab1c7108a042?in=12:36:38&out=13:17:30
I have reported before (and please see below) on Chris Gibb and his Project Board's work on our region (at the request of Chris Grayling) on how it can improve mutual working and clarity between Network Rail and GTR and how services should be improved. In the statement I supported the work of Chris Gibb - in replying Grayling referred specifically to the issues in Balcombe Tunnel which he and I have discussed (Balcombe Station and Tunnel lie within the Horsham constituency).
(The Balcombe Tunnel, incidentally, is a classic example of the issues we face in upgrading and modernising the railway to make it fit (after years of under-investment) to meet the needs of a vastly increased number of passengers. It is a critical piece of infrastructure on the Brighton mainline but is a kilometre long and was constructed between 1838 and 1841. Despite many improvements over the years the tunnel leaks causing problems for the rails and Network Rail - given the extensive usage of the track only have a few hours every night - as elsewhere on the network - to effect repairs. A maintenance train breaking down in the tunnel overnight caused massive problems across the network last month)
4. Meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Southern Rail
This group (Chaired by Peter Kyle, Labour MP for Hove and Sir Nicholas Soames) met this afternoon to quiz Chris Gibb on his forthcoming report to the Transport Secretary on improvements to Southern. Unusually for an APPG the Rail Minister also attended. Mr Gibb produced a short summary of what is and should be underway which can be found in the attachment at the bottom of this page. The £20m investment in Gibb and his immediate recommendations has been money well spent. For those who read the summary the "Horsham MMT" is a Mobile Maintenance Train. Apparently this is a very impressive piece of kit which enables technicians to work beneath the MMT on the line in safety. There are only 8 in the country and one will shortly be based in Horsham.
I took the opportunity to ask Chris Gibb
(a) about the numbers of staff employed by Southern. He believes they have sufficient and is aware that in the New Year the intention is to have more rather than fewer people on trains - this will apparently include "On Board Supervisors" on trains where a guard has not been present for many years. He also believes there are sufficient drivers - though this of course depends on the amount of overtime/rest day working for which the Operator budgets. This has traditionally been used by all Operators (and BR) and is as I understand it is popular with drivers as a means of topping up earnings.
(b) about the number of trains having to be delayed/stations skipped on the Horsham line by drivers due to the DOO cameras apparently not working. Mr Gibb is careful not to get involved in the current dispute however he was aware of the issue. He also said that the technology involved is very well established and has worked perfectly well elsewhere for many years.
I will advise you if GTR is granted its injunction tomorrow.
Rail update 5th December 2016
The Rail Minister, Paul Maynard, came to the Commons yesterday afternoon to answer questions on Southern Rail, a clip of which can be viewed here: http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/26dfa844-89a3-4211-9f05-3ae4f6bf95e2?in=15:38:14&out=16:10:00
I particularly raised (at around 15.58) the huge number of incidences on the Horsham Line in which the cameras being used for DOO are apparently failing – either this is a technical fault or if not it has some other cause (there are apparently more than twice number of problems on the Horsham line where this practice has been newly introduced than elsewhere). Either way GTR need to get a grip on it as it is causing cancellations and delays on non-strike days. The Minister has promised to revert to me in writing urgently.
I will be asking him more about this tomorrow at the cross-party group on Southern Rail. I will also be asking further on compensation, I welcome the package as it establishes the principle but no one wants compensation – they want a reliable service.
I am grateful for all the comments I have received back on these emails – they are all read and many passed on to the Department.
Rail update – 2nd Dember 2016
The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, this morning announced that tens of thousands of Southern rail passengers are to be repaid the equivalent of a month's travel. In addition the 15 minute delay repay will begin on 11th December.
His statement reads:
"I understand how important it is to have a train service you can depend upon.
In recent months..that is not what Govia Thameslink Railway's (GTR) Southern passengers have received. Instead, due to a combination of RMT strike action, track failures, engineering works and operator poor performance they have endured extraordinary, sustained disruption.
In recognition of everything Southern's passengers have suffered, I have today announced special compensation payment for season ticket holders on the Southern network. While nothing can truly make up for what you and your constituents have had to endure, I hope this goes some way to showing that the government is on their side.
Passengers with a Brighton to London annual season ticket, for example, will get £371 back. Quarterly, regular monthly and weekly ticket holders will also qualify for compensation. GTR will contact passengers setting out what they are owed and how to have it paid directly into their bank accounts. For those passengers who do not wish to have money paid into their bank accounts evouchers will be available.
From 11 December, all Southern passengers will be eligible for compensation for any train delayed for 15 minutes or longer, rather than the current 30 minutes. We will introduce this change across the whole country in future, but we will start next Sunday with all routes operated by GTR, including Thameslink, Southern, Gatwick Express and Great Northern. The extra compensation I have set out above comes on top of the £6.5 million GTR has already paid out since the strikes began in April this year.
The disruption to Southern's services has been due to a number of Network Rail and operator causes aside from RMT Union strike action. These factors taken together warrant this one-off compensation payment. But it must also be recognised that the majority of the disruption has been caused by the actions of the RMT.
To be clear, the union's dispute with Southern is over plans to allow drivers to be in full control of the doors on state of the art trains being introduced for passengers. But while the trains are new, this method of operating the doors is not. It is already in use on over 60% of trains on GTR routes, including Southern, and has been operating for more than 30 years on a third of the UK rail network. Importantly, the independent safety regulators have repeatedly ruled that driver-operated doors are safe.
The RMT Union has helped bring chaos into the lives of millions of commuters. And now.. the drivers' union, ASLEF, has decided to increase pressure on passengers by announcing its own coordinated strikes in the run-up to Christmas. Following this news, GTR wrote to ASLEF earlier this week asking them to withdraw strike action. Unfortunately, the union rejected their request on Thursday 1 December. GTR subsequently issued proceedings at the High Court seeking an injunction to stop ASLEF's strike action and simultaneously wrote to the union. If the application goes ahead, the expectation is that GTR and ASLEF potentially could be in Court at some point next week.
If these unions were to have their way in future, Southern trains would needlessly not run whenever a conductor is unavailable to operate the doors. That cannot be right. I want to see on-board staff doing what they do best - helping passengers, not preventing them from travelling. Under Southern's proposals, no one will lose their job. I urge the RMT Union to engage with that offer, put passengers first, and let staff go back to work. And I urge ASLEF to stop trying to capitalise on RMT's chaos.
I know from my own years of experience that to be a rail commuter in this country often requires patience - especially when upgrades are taking place. What rail passengers ... should not have to tolerate is unions treating them as bargaining chips in a pointless and irrelevant disagreement over changing staff roles. While I am clear that the dispute is between GTR and the unions, it is time for the unions to stop their damaging action now and give passengers what they want - a predictable, uneventful commute."
Rail update 1st December 2016
GTR launches legal bid to stop ASLEF industrial action
Govia Thameslink Railway, parent company of Southern Railway, has today issued proceedings at the High Court to seek an injunction to stop ASLEF's industrial action.
The union is planning drivers' strikes for the run-up to Christmas (a 48-hour strike on 13-14 December and a 24-hour strike on 16 December) and a week-long walkout in the New Year (9-14 January). It will also begin a continuous overtime ban beginning next Tuesday, 6 December.
The train operator has lodged a court application citing its belief the union's industrial action breaches customers' rights under EU law.
In a statement, Charles Horton, Chief Executive of GTR, said:
"We launch legal action reluctantly but now without any other choice. Obviously we would prefer to resolve this directly with ASLEF. We asked the union to withdraw the industrial action and to re-enter discussions but they refused to do so, which means that we now have no choice but to go to court.
"We have a responsibility to our customers to do all we can to protect their interests and maintain services for them. Passengers now face the prospect of 40 days of continuous industrial action by ASLEF, and, on top of months of travel misery they've already suffered, it is totally unacceptable. The proposed industrial action called by ASLEF is unjustified, unnecessary and we believe unlawful. It will severely disrupt all our customers, including the tens of thousands of customers a day who use our services for travelling to and from Gatwick Airport. We believe that the industrial action breaches our and our customers' rights under EU law and so we are seeking an injunction to stop the industrial action.
"It's perfectly safe for the driver to have sole responsibility for the operation of a modern train, and that's how a third of the trains up and down the country - with the full agreement and support of ASLEF - already operate today."
Following the application to the High Court, this matter is likely to be considered at a hearing in the coming days.
Until the legal action is concluded GTR will make no further comment.
Rail update 7th November 2016
You may be aware that GTR are currently running a consultation on their plans to introduce a new timetable from 2018 and as part of these plans, GTR had scheduled 'Meet the Manager' sessions at specific stations on the line. I insisted that they hold one at Horsham Station and I can now confirm that a session is due to take place on the evening of Thursday, 17th November between 5pm and 7pm. This consultation is early days and the messages I am receiving from Southern are reassuring but I do want to ensure that GTR are fully aware of our desire to benefit from the new service and not to see in reduction trains on any of the local lines.
Notwithstanding all the issues with which it has to contend I believe the new project board headed by Chris Gibb is doing a good job getting Southern Rail and Network Rail to work better together and be better focussed on passengers. The Secretary of State has put two passenger representatives on this board to ensure that they are aware first-hand of the concerns of those who use the line on a regular basis and you will be pleased to learn that one of these, Alexander Prosser-Snelling, is a regular user of the Horsham line. I am delighted to have an ally in ensuring the department is very much aware of the ongoing issues in our area.
Rail update 21st October 2016
First, I want to let you know how sorry I am that passengers on Southern are continuing to receive an abysmal service - I am under no illusion of the destructive impact this is having on people's lives.
Conductors have now accepted the new contracts and as I understand it there have been no job losses whatsoever. I spoke to the Union picket outside Horsham Station and as I understand it the RMT continues to strike primarily because of their desire to ensure that no train should operate without an On Board Supervisor and over the depth of safety training that an OBS should be required to undertake.
Southern wants to retain a second person on the train but in exceptional circumstances wants to be able to run a train without an OBS in order to maintain the service. Southern believe that their safety training in absolutely what is required for the new role.
Talks seem incapable of producing an agreement. Southern report that more conductors are working on strike days - but clearly as we know the service continues to be hard hit.
The weakness of performance on Southern trains is only in part related to industrial action.
There have already been too many false dawns but I was impressed with Chris Gibb when he presented to the All Party Group on Southern Rail last week. He is heading the new project board to oversee improvement measures in Southern Region. He is not there as an employee of Southern. He is in place at the behest of the Department to knock heads together between Southern and Network Rail and make it work.
Not before time he and his small project board are injecting common sense into how the railway operates. He has introduced a real focus on delivering the morning and evening peak in which the vast majority of passengers travel. There are now routine conference calls twice a day in advance of the peaks to ensure that every problem is spotted and dealt with between Southern and Network Rail. He is ensuring that there is de facto 1 control centre with one manager respected by both "sides" at Three Bridges rather than 2 control centres. Likewise one overall manager at Victoria and at London Bridge rather than three each.
I pushed him hard on the chaos caused by the maintenance breakdown inside Balcombe Tunnel on a strike day. He insisted that maintenance must continue every night on the lines in the brief space when they are clear - it is the failure to constantly maintain track that has created part of the problem. However he also added that he is trying to change a culture. If a breakdown happens at 1am the sole priority of the railway must be to get the kit off the line and do so before it is needed for the commuter service. It is clear this has not been the case.
I have been meeting the Rail Minister twice a week and flag with him immediately issues raised by constituents. I have particular voiced concerns over the crowding on a number of stations and especially East Croydon. I am very concerned about this situation. I am assured that more resources are being directed to help on the platforms.
I am very aware of the cynicism around "Delay Repay". Every issue raised I pass on to both Southern and the Minister - most recently the "non-automatic population" of claim forms for season ticket holders, it is at present the only system we have - though I hope to see improvements. I am pleased that the Government has formally announced that rail passengers will be able to claim compensation if their train is more than 15 minutes late. This will be introduced first on GTR services and then rolled out across the country. Passengers will now be able to claim 25% of the cost of the single fare for delays between 15 and 29 minutes and the existing compensation thresholds will apply for delays from 30 minutes with passengers able to apply for compensation. In addition to this, the introduction of the Consumer Rights Act for rail passengers on 1st October strengthened the right of passengers to claim compensation for poor service.
In addition to prospective compensation I want to see a financial recognition of what local train users have gone through over the last 6 months in particular and continue to press this case.
As I mentioned in my previous update, GTR are currently running a consultation on their plans to introduce a new timetable from 2018; you can view the details of these plans and respond to the consultation here: www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/timetable-consultation. As part of these plans, GTR had scheduled 'Meet the Manager' sessions at specific stations on the line. I insisted that they hold one at Horsham Station and I am pleased that a session is now due to take place on the evening of Thursday, 17th November. I will let you know the exact timing as soon as this is confirmed. Southern have yet to restore their full timetable and have been assured that a further 63 services will be running across the network from next Monday, and a further 46 from 31st October.
I appreciate that the trains remain nowhere near the level at which they should be operating, my local colleagues and I will continue to apply pressure.
Rail update 21st September 2016
As you know West Sussex MPs are working closely together on the issue and last week Henry Smith secured an "adjournment" debate specifically on Govia Thameslink Railway. It was well attended by West Sussex MPs. I intervened on the new Rail Minister, Paul Maynard, to remind him of David Cameron's pledge on compensation in response to my question at PMQs and his predecessor's commitment on Delay Repay in the debate I had called back in the Spring. I asked for a rapid announcement on compensation plans. A copy of the Hansard of this debate can be viewed here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2016-09-12/debates/1609131000002/GoviaThameslinkRailService . A video clip is available at http://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/3d664090-5337-4174-a0f5-a55c12048770?in=22:09:06&out=22:37:20 . My intervention is at 10.34pm - in response to which the Minister volunteered that David Cameron had been "quite categoric" in his response to me and he hoped we will hear on compensation "soon".
I pressed him again on the issue at a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Southern Rail which the Minister attended last Wednesday. We also heard more about the details of the new appointment of Chris Gibb. This appointment and the new board will, I believe, strengthen the accountability of both the operator and Network Rail (which is responsible for some 57 per cent of delays). No one denies the complexity of Southern Rail or the woeful levels of historic investment. However clarity on who exactly is responsible for all delays and why is the critical starting point for getting the proper resolution which the new board is tasked to deliver. I am sorry that action is still required to get that clarity in all cases but I am glad steps are being taken to secure it.
I also met last week with GTR who are launching a consultation on their plans to introduce a new timetable from 2018. With London Bridge resolved and Thameslink through-trains running, services from Horsham should improve. However we all need to go through this consultation in detail before it closes on Thursday 8th December; full details can be viewed at: www.southernrailway.com/your-journey/timetable-consultation. (I have been informed that members of the 2018 Timetable Planning team will attend a series of 'Meet the Manager' events at stations during the consultation period and I will keep you updated when these are due to be held). As part of the process I have asked Southern to ensure that there isn't a reduction in service levels at other stations (such as Faygate and Littlehaven) which will be increasingly important as the local population continues to expand, I have stressed that post London Bridge becoming fully operational there must still be regular services to Victoria (for example from Balcombe) and that efforts should be made to reduce the delay incurred at Horsham by commuters from stations further down the line including Christs Hospital and Billingshurst.
Rail update 2nd August 2016
I wanted to make you aware of the letter I have received from GTR concerning the RMT strike that is due to take place from 8th to 12th August. I was hoping that by now sense would have prevailed but it appears this action will be proceeding.
I also want to let you know that one of the first meetings the new Rail Minister undertook was with me on the issues that are confronting us on the local rail service. It won't surprise you to hear that Paul Maynard confirmed that this remains the biggest single concern for the Department for Transport. I am hoping to meet him and the new Secretary of State, Chris Grayling, later this month.
Rail update 15th June 2016
Following my meeting with the GTR CEO and management team last Wednesday, I requested that they provide me as soon as possible and by Monday close latest with an explanation of the ongoing disruption that I could pass on to my constituents. I felt (and feel) that GTR are failing to keep customers informed as to the underlying issues that are causing the chaotic service. I have now received the letter (naturally it arrived late) which I attach.
I also attach a recent letter I received from the Rail Minister.
Although, as the GTR letter states, there have been underlying service issues with Southern, it is clear that the abysmal service of late is a result of the ongoing dispute between the management and Unions in response to GTR's proposed changes to the role of on-board conductors.
There has been a massive increase in "sickness" with 1 in 6 conductors off for at least one day and ultimately, it is passengers who have suffered.
I have been reassured by GTR that there will be no pay cuts nor job losses as a result of their proposed changes.
We need the dispute ended and ended quickly but in the meantime GTR owe it to the passengers to keep them informed as to what is happening and why. I have told GTR that they should be conducting public meetings in Horsham to at least give their passengers, who pay so much the opportunity to hear first hand what is going on and ask questions direct.
I have also asked the Transport Secretary what powers he and the company have to ensure the service is maintained. I am yet to call for GTR to lose the franchise because I don't want more disruption added to an already dire situation but clearly this cannot carry on.
Rail update 18th March 2016
The service on our local rail lines is completely unacceptable, a reflection of deep fundamental problems which are being addressed but also of Network Rail and the operator. I have taken every opportunity to raise this issue in the House of Commons and direct with those responsible and will continue to apply pressure until the good level of service that we all pay for is restored.
With regard to the further problems in recent weeks as a result of industrial action, I have received a statement from the Southern Rail concerning the recent episode of strike action (enclosed). I have heard "explanations" from both sides but I am acutely aware that it is those of us who use the service and pay for it that are suffering.
In March this year, I secured a Westminster Hall debate in the House of Commons concerning the performance of Govia Thameslink Railway and Network Rail. The 90 minute debate was well attended by local MPs. The Rail Minister Claire Perry attended the entirety of the debate and spoke at its conclusion.
I made clear to the Minister that all we want to see is a rail service on which passengers can get a seat and can travel reliably. I pointed out that the franchise held by "Govia Thameslink" is the largest in the network and that 'if the Minister believes it is simply too large to be efficiently managed she should not be afraid to take action'.
In replying to the debate the Rail Minister, who meets GTR and Network Rail every week for progress updates on the lines pledged to continue to bring pressure to bear. Not only is she aware of the human cost and misery associated with these rail failures but fixing Southern is the highest priority for her department as the single most effective means of improving transport productivity - a sign of how bad the situation has become. She also pledged to look again at "delay repay" and electronic ticketing as a matter of urgency. Although compensation does not make up for the lost time and inconvenience incurred as a result of the delay, she did commit to bring forward plans to ensure passengers can be compensated for any delays in excess of 15 minutes rather than 30 minutes as at present.
In January, I attended a Rail Summit in the House of Commons with the Rail Minister following the abysmal service over the Christmas period where we demanded that GTR and Network Rail produce definitive plans and timetables for improvement on which they can be held accountable. In addition, I have written to and met with representatives from GTR on numerous occasions and will continue to represent the views of my constituents direct with the train operator.
I acknowledge that a huge amount of investment (£6bn) is being put in to the line and London Bridge Station in particular and that the new Class 700 trains are coming in to service and over 250 new drivers are in training. However, we need to hear less about inputs and more about output. Huge pressure is being placed on all of those responsible to deliver improvements not just in the longer term but for today's customers. I cannot promise that all will be fixed in short-order because previous assurances have not been met but those responsible are in no doubt that there will be consequences if they fail to secure rapid improvements in the service.
Original Article
There are thousands of people, using not only Horsham station itself but also, among others, Billingshurst, Warnham and Balcombe stations for whom a regular, reliable rail service is absolutely critical.
Due to a combination of the London Bridge upgrade (which will be a marked improvement on completion), poor performance by Southern and Network Rail, rail users have not been receiving the service they deserve or should expect. Cancellations, timetable changes, poor communication and inadequate compensation have all led to significant frustration.
Post election the Government has confirmed that regulated fares will be frozen in real terms. This is to be welcomed but will not compensate for poor performance.
One of the first meetings Jeremy attended as a new MP was with Rail Minister Clare Perry. Clare is determined to improve the performance of the local service and is a formidable operator. Jeremy has maintained the pressure on the Government through asking questions of the Secretary of State in the House of Commons and applying for a specific debate to address problems on our network.
He has confidence that Clare Perry will help the companies concerned get a grip and looks forward to reporting to constituents.
|Rail Update 7th December 2016
|Rail update 2nd February.pdf

subset: commoncrawl


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A Jeep crashed into a FedEx store in Delray Beach, and not walls, boxes or copiers could halt its momentum. The vehicle carved a path all the way inside the store before it came to a stop under a ceiling-mounted Self Service Copy & Print sign.
The Thursday afternoon crash at the 1911 S. Federal Hwy. branch injured two people who were inside the store — and a medium-sized black dog that somehow found itself trapped under the Jeep.
Delray Beach Fire Rescue treated one of the victims on the scene and transported another to a nearby hospital. The injuries were not life-threatening.
According to the department's Facebook and Instagram posts, rescue crews freed the dog from under the Jeep, and the animal is expected to survive.
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No word yet on whom the dog belonged to or how it came to be in the path of the Jeep. The unidentified driver was not injured and Delray Beach police are investigating the accident that happened around noon.
Follow @HowardCohen on Twitter.


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- Home
- First day of 2018 at Grootfontein
First day of 2018 at Grootfontein for Students from all over SA and Namibia!
Students from all over South Africa and even Namibia came to enrol for 2018 at Grootfontein College of Agriculture...
During the welcoming ceremony at Grootfontein College of Agriculture on Friday 19 January 2018, Principal Themba Cebani, addressed the new the first years and their parents with these encouraging words… "Today onwards you will be called Grooties and I wish to assure you that you will not regret the decision of choosing Grootfontein College of Agriculture as an institution of choice. We always strive to be a leading Agricultural Training Institute in Southern Africa by producing capable and competent professionals in the sector. This is achieved mainly through the commitment that is always demonstrated by the team of dedicated lecturing and support staff.
You are required to repay your family and the community by doing what is expected of you at the college; get as much knowledge and skills that will add value not only to your life but to those around you as well. Students are also encouraged to be actively involved in activities that are beneficial to the body and mind. As they say, a healthy mind comes from a healthy body. Our training approach focuses on three aspects of student development mainly: Technical skills, Knowledge and Attitude. You can have all the skills and knowledge of this world but with bad attitude, you are doomed. Parents have taken a decision to invest in you by bringing you to Grootfontein. It is up to you to make use of this opportunity by getting as much knowledge from Grootfontein as possible so that you may become relevant in the society. Thank you parents once again for showing confidence in Grootfontein. You will not regret your decision."
The FOURTH generation Weyer-Henderson from the Somerset-East district joined Grootfontein College of Agriculture last week. Bertram Weyer-Henderson, who is now a first year student at the college was joined by his father Bertram (Boytjie) who was a student here in 1988 – 1989. Grandpa Patrick Weyer-Henderson was a student at the college in 1963 and the first generation Bertram Weyer-Henderson graduated in the 1940's at the College!
People from all over South Africa and even Namibia came to enrol at the College. Left is Lothar Cloete with his mother Maryna van Zyl and Chané Coffee, right is Henri Mostert with his parents Elaine en Pieter Mostert from Outjo. Both Lothar and Henri matriculated in Outjo, Namibia.
Damon Rubidge, son of Paul and Lorana Rubidge from Graaff-Reinet, enrolled as a first year student at Grootfontein College of Agriculture. Damon matriculated in 2016 at Union High School after which he went to Israel in January 2017 where he worked on the Kibbutz in Israel for 4 months. When he got back he started farming on Finchley Farm in Willowmore district with Mike and Joanne Kroon.


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14 Aug New System May Reduce Energy Consumption of Denver HVAC Units
[UC Berkeley News Center, August 27, 2013]
BERKELEY — Researchers at the University of California, Berkeley, are working to take research innovations from their labs into the real world to cut commercial building energy consumption by close to a third, and give office workers an unprecedented sense of control over their thermal environments.
Armed with a recently announced $1.6 million grant from the California Energy Commission, researchers from UC Berkeley's Center for the Built Environment (CBE) are refining, testing and promoting a new set of tools to enable more efficient temperature control in buildings by using input from building occupants, a network of web-based applications, and a user-responsive Personal Comfort System (PCS).
In Denver and other parts of the country, this news comes as a welcome development for office workers who have long been suffering through either too hot or too cold temperatures at the workplace. Commercial buildings usually just set temperatures to one level, so the amount of heat or cooling provided is rarely is to everyone's satisfaction. Moreover, this practice also expends a lot in terms of energy; there's waste where efficient consumption would have translated into more cost savings.
At the University of California, Berkeley, researchers are currently looking into the Personal Comfort System (PCS) that will focus heating and cooling on certain parts of the body like the face, torso, and feet. A simple fan on the work desk and foot warmer on the floor will be wired to software in a PC or phone app to allow adjustment of the temperature accordingly. The result should be a significant drop in heating and cooling costs.
Despite the personalized nature of this system, by no means will it totally replace current HVAC systems (at least for now). While fans draw air from the surroundings and blast it to the target, current Denver HVAC systems, as well as systems throughout the country, for that matter, will still be responsible for providing heating and cooling for the upper half of the body. However, it will now be possible to adjust the thermostat to a more efficient setting; UC Berkeley estimates that natural gas consumption can be cut by almost 40 percent and electricity use by 30 percent.
The PCS, when perfected, will be a welcome addition to any Denver heating and cooling system. Bigger modifications to general HVAC systems will certainly be needed sometime in the future, but not just yet. When the time comes, it would be best if you entrust those services to established and trusted HVAC service providers like Total Plumbing.


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My favorite of this musée impressionante was a South African artist named Kendell Geers. As almost everything I like, he is EPIC. Graphic and textual, he references other oeuvres of modern art in his own. My favorite, for example, is quite simple: black ink background with sharp typewritten-style text, "THISISNOTAFUCKINGPIPE." Clearly a reference to Magritte's infamous "Ceci n'est pas une pipe," something I was excited to point out to my Lyon homestay family. Kendell Geers uses the word 'fuck' to such an extent that it loses its power. For example, there is a drawing of him replacing the infamous late 20th-century "Love" sculpture with the word 'fuck.' Is this a treatise on the treachery of words? Is he following the illogical logic of René Magritte or in direct opposition to him? Hard to say. An example:
Other themes: America. Geers hates it, of course with good reason. Which of course caused me to like Geers that much more. And another theme, tying with the former: sexuality. An oversexed woman in ink, nude, probably masturbating, is displayed with the words, "THISISNOTAMERICA." Also: Religion. Religious symbols are covered in red and white tape (everything from Jesus on the cross to Buddha to Brahma to African fertility sculptures to Lara Croft), giving them a look of raw muscle.
Crosses and stars of david are produced on the wall with objects of police brutality, hitting sticks and such. A cathedral is reproduced with the sharpest barbed wire I have ever seen, with a mirror as the floor and a guard telling you, in full seriousness, to keep your hands to yourself lest you be pricked. And then a room in blacklight, with the seven deadly sins written on the wall in strange graphic patterns, a cartesian graph of sorts forming out of the letters of each. Etonnant, bien sur!


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Business Report
Astrology can be vastly useful in business operations. Your horoscope can tell a lot about you whether business will suit you or not. It's better to have a clear reading of horoscope before entering into a business. Or to know will type of business will suits you.
If you are already into a business than this report will tell you about the future prospects, financial gains, about new assignments, loans etc.
Here is a brief insight of this report:
This product shall contain answers to the following questions:
- Will you go for a business or employment will be the best option.
- If business suit you than which business.
- Will do business all alone or take a partner.
- What will be the auspicious time to start off the business?
- What kind of financial growth will be there in the horoscope?
- What are the Enhancement/Betterment guidelines and remedies?


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|Message view
|« Date » · « Thread »
|« Date » · « Thread »
|"Geir Magnusson Jr." <ge...@apache.org>
|Website page for community members building on Geronimo or providing support and services around Geronimo
|Fri, 01 Jul 2005 15:04:45 GMT
This came up in a previous thread. Does anyone have a problem with a page as described above in the Subject line? Many projects have this (e.g. http:// jakarta.apache.org/velocity/powered.html) and in my experience, it's a great help in building community, both to show people are proud to be using the software, as well as give info for people looking to use. I'd suggest that : a) Categories : - Open-source projects powered by Geronimo - Commercial offerings related geronimo - products - support and services - etc b) names are in alpha order to promote fairness and make things easier to find (because we all hope this list grows really, really long... :) c) We have some link either to the project, product and/or service offering I'll go forward with this assuming silent consensus as there were no protests to the suggestion when Aaron brought it up, but would like to see explicit support and candidates for inclusion on the list (e.g. IBM is obvious, BEA sorta, and would like everyone that does consulting and is willing to advertise that fact to step forward as well :) geir -- Geir Magnusson Jr +1-203-665-6437 firstname.lastname@example.com
|View raw message


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Factors Influencing Establishment Of Indigenous Chicken Value Chain In Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County, Kenya
|Sungu, Lincoln J.
|Master Of Arts In Project Planning And Management ,University of Nairobi, 2014
|The value chain approach embraces the full range of activities which are required to bring a product or service from conception, through the intermediary phases of production, delivery to final consumers, and final disposal after use. Traditionally extension agents have concentrated their efforts on technology transfer that targeted production aspects of a poultry and ignored other factors of the value chain. Most farmers specialize in production and may be excluded from decision making about issues that affect them outside their farms. There exists a knowledge gap of what potential there is for income generation and employment creation in the indigenous chicken value chain. Despite their hard work farmers continue to have low incomes resulting into low living standards. There are several factors that influence the Indigenous Chicken Value Chain. This study aimed to explore how factors of credit, disease control, extension services and market infrastructure influences the establishment of the indigenous chicken value chain in Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County. The study employed a descriptive survey research design. The target population consisted of 302 farmers who were members of 23 chicken farmers' groups, 13 Agrovet attendants, 15 Indigenous Chicken Traders and one agricultural extension officer assigned to the study area. A random sample of 169 farmers was drawn from the 302 farmers using simple random sampling, with the guide of research randomizer generator. All the Agrovet attendants, extension service provider and IC traders were included in the study, as their number was small to sample. The reliability coefficient for the farmers' instrument obtained was 0.811(see appendix I). This was considered adequate for the study. Data was analyzed using frequencies, means, median, mode, variance and correlations. Results from the study indicated that control of NCD had significant influence (r=0.588) on the establishment of the indigenous chicken value chain in Hamisi Constituency. The correlation between the establishment of ICVC and Extension services was of r=0.33, Market access at r=0.117 and that with Credit access was low at r=0.016. Market facilities for slaughter, cold storage and dedicated sell outlets for birds were completely lacking in all the major market centers in the study area. Local authorities in consultation with relevant technical departments should invest in market infrastructure that will enhance sales of chicken and other chicken products. Extension Officers should be increased from the current 1 to at least 7 in order to adequately meet the demand of the services. They should embrace the value chain approach and provide information on credit. Credit providers should educate the masses on accessibility and types of credit they offer, being clear on terms and conditions so as to eliminate the negative perception on loans. The thermal stable NCD vaccine should be made available in rural areas where electricity is not available. Local leaders should educate and encourage farmers to commercialize indigenous chicken production as a means of poverty reduction.
|University of Nairobi
|Factors Influencing Establishment Of Indigenous Chicken Value Chain In Hamisi Constituency, Vihiga County, Kenya


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The French Government announced the results of its latest solar tender, CR3 800 MW, at the start of the month. Under it, Urbasolar has been awarded a total of 80 MW, which will be spread across 15 projects, including rooftops, parking shade structures and ground-mount systems.
The French solar company has said it will invest around 100 million (approx. US$108.5 million) in rolling out the projects. The necessary solar PV modules are expected to come from France-based manufacturer, Sillia.
Overall, 810 MW of projects over 250 kW have been awarded to 22 bidders. Originally, the government tendered just 400 MW, however responding to a large volume of bids at low prices, it doubled this to 800 MW in August. The next tender is scheduled for early next year.
Tariffs for the winning projects under the latest tender have fallen between 15% and 23% on the previous one, to an average of 0.082/kWh for ground mounted arrays, 0.129/kWh for large rooftop arrays and 0.124/kWh for solar shade structures. The tender was dominated by ground mounted projects up to 12 MWp in size.
Expectations are that France will install over 1 GW of solar PV in 2015. Recently, it realized the completion of Europes biggest PV plant to date, the 300 MW Cestas plant, located near Bordeaux.


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Energetab 2012 – power industry fair
In mid September the city of Bielsko Biała was home to International Power Industry Fair. It was a jubilee 25th edition of the fair during which ZPAS managing director received thanks from Fair Director for his continued engagement throughout years. The four day long event attracted many Read more
Welcome on our new website!
Dear customer, it is our utmost pleasure to launch new web-site of ZPAS group company. Our objectives in designing the new website were to provide customers with maximum ability of exploring, delivering full and complete information on our products and facilitating contact with ZPAS group Read more
40 year of ZPAS
It is only months away from a great event of celebrating round anniversary of 40 years of the company. What should we wish to the company ? No doubt we should wish a 140th anniversary. Owing to efforts of employees, management, local authorities and all those co-operating with us we are a Read more


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Goodbye Norton, Hello Avast
My subscription for Norton Anti-Virus is almost up. It costs almost $40 to renew which may not seem like a big deal, but really starts to add up year after year. This year, I'm opting for the free avast! antivirus. I've posted about free anti-viruses before, and now it's time to take the plunge. If you ever get sick or renewing your Norton or McAfee subscription, you might want to switch to a free solution.


text: Cyprus, LifeOctober morning in Cyprus October 10, 2013May 8, 2015 Lyubava Crochet October morning in Cyprus, today, as I saw it. It was so beautiful and peaceful and I wanted to share with you… 34.936022 33.624833 Share this:TwitterFacebookGooglePinterestLinkedInLike this:Like Loading... Published by Lyubava Crochet I have a big passion for crocheting. Lyubava Crochet Patterns original crochet designs on Etsy and Ravelry. Thank you for visiting. View all posts by Lyubava Crochet


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P1001 Ben Franklin Key Box
Copyright 1997 David Jansen
3 Color Photos
Complete Lesson with Acrylic Conversion Chart
Full Size pattern. Main design is 11" tall
Click the button below to add the P1001 Ben Franklin Key Box $5.95 to your wish list.
Copyright 2019 Jansen Art Store. All Rights Reserved. | Sitemap |
All prices are in USD


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my thirty-third birthday was a few weeks ago, which means a few days after that, this blog turned six.
sharing a birthday/blogiversary post is kindof a tradition around here, and though I've been slow to get back in the swing of regular posting, I couldn't let the occasion drift by unmarked.
so here are six facts about this blog, and thirty-three randoms bits about me:
1-- I came up with the name "ink and adventure" as we were driving back to Princeton from the job fair in Boston where Luke was first hired to teach in Taiwan. I actually launched with the name "hello, adventure" because I was nervous about the ink part implying I was a writer. [yeah, I know.] it lasted for maybe a month before I changed it to this title -- the one that just felt right in my heart.
2-- there have been 493 posts published on this blog. [16 have been reverted back to drafts. anyone remember the nail files?] the hands down most popular post of all time: 10 days in Bali packing list. it's definitely not the most minimal or useful packing post I've done, but Pinterest just loves this one.
3-- ink and adventure has had too many design changes to count, but I'm proud to say that I've created them all myself. I'd like to think as I went through phases in life and grew as a person, my blog also changed to reflect that.
4-- I shared the highest number of posts in 2014, but earned the most pageviews in 2016 [with a third of the posts.] 2017 wins for annoying marketing emails and unrelated guest post offers received. November 2012 was my most prolific month thanks to scoot crash recovery, with 16 posts published.
5-- of all the thousands of photos that I've shared on this blog, there have maybe been 5 that I have not taken myself. [this doesn't count those from the random month of guest posts I did, or the hundreds of photos my poor husband has been subjected to taking of me -- several included here --but I still think that's pretty impressive.]
6-- I have debated deleting this blog a hundred thousand times. I have thought for hours about changing the content I share [and, actually, have changed it.] I'm not sure where the future will lead us, but at the end of six years I am so happy to have all these memories to look back on.
1-- this birthday post feels weird compared to last year's. but as I'm writing this from Starbucks two weeks belated, I'm just going to roll with it.
2-- I love lists. I love making them, and I love checking them off. sometimes I will add something I've already done to my to-do list, just so I can have the joy of crossing it out.
3-- next month I get to go back to Tokyo Disney and I am so.freaking.excited.
4-- but aside from that, I will be spending this summer in Taiwan. for the first time. it's going to be really sticky and hot, but I'm also looking forward to exploring this island in a new way.
5-- BUT. so long as our savings plan stays on track, we are hoping to take some really exciting adventures in the year ahead.
6-- I write almost every day. it's usually just in my journal, but it's become such a habit that I hardly consider it writing anymore. [also, I get really cranky if I don't write.]
7-- of the twenty countries that I've traveled to, New Zealand is my favorite. and probably always will be. I would move there in a heartbeat, even if it meant living in a campervan forever. [actually... that would be awesome.]
8-- despite gardening skills running in my mom's side of the family, the only plants I can manage to keep alive are ceramic cacti.
9-- I still wear my hair in braided pigtails. those are cool again, right?
10-- it [usually] takes me a long time to make a decision, but once I've weighed all my options, done the research and made my choice -- I go all in.
11-- my mom mailed me a letterboard for my birthday and I'm kindof obsessed. also, half the messages I have put on it thus far have to do with wine.
12-- I've always been a writer. I can't remember a time when I wasn't making up stories, scribbling secrets in notebooks, or in search of the perfect writing implement.
13-- the book I'm currently writing has been a huge source of joy in my life. revising and editing aren't actually fun, but I've been known to squeal and jump up and down when I think of a new plot point. and sometimes leap out of bed in the middle of the night to run into my office and scribble down a thought before it escapes.
14-- related: the wall of my office is plastered in a mess post-it notes. half of them are in latin or french. the other half have been re-written after I deciphered my 4am in the dark handwriting
15-- my biggest pet peeve about living in Asia is the difference in how personal space is perceived. basically: you get the amount of space that your body physically occupies, and not a millimeter more. and actually, sometimes less.
16-- IKEA has become my new Target. [since there is no Target in Taiwan.] the only thing that reigns me in is that I have to hand carry all of my purchases home.
17-- I still use an actual planner, because the glide of ink on paper makes me happy.
18-- I hate facebook, but it's a necessary evil as an expat. I go through phases of trying to use it in a way that's less distasteful. but mostly, I'd rather have actual conversations with people to be updated on their lives.
19-- I would almost always rather be wearing pajamas.
20-- and if I can't wear pajamas or workout clothes, then a dress.
21-- I'm a video game nerd. husband bought me a Nintendo DS for my birthday, and it is designed to look like Pikachu's face. and I love it.
22-- as much as I'm enjoying Pokemon Ultra Sun, the Legend of Zelda series is still my all time favorite video game franchise. [BUT I am still dreaming of the day they release a game where Zelda is the main player.]
23-- even though I am gluten and lactose intolerant, pizza is still my favorite food.
24-- oddly enough, moving closer to the MRT has gotten me out to explore more of our own neighborhood instead of the rest of the [now easily accessible] city.
25-- washi tape is the solution to 80% of my problems.
26-- I'd rather stay in and split a bottle of wine with a friend or two, sitting on someone's couch than go out and have a fancy drink at a bar.
27-- turquoise is apparently my favorite color. I've been working on decorating our apartment and nearly everything I put up is some shade of blue or green or in between.
28-- instead of feeling guilty that I haven't blogged about so many of my adventures these past few years, I've decided that time has been a good way to winnow through and let me pick the best things to share. [sometimes us travel bloggers can be obsessed about posting every small thing we saw or did.]
29-- three really simple things that make me happy: kittens, sunshine, and wine.
30-- when I get food cravings, they are 80% for something salty and crunchy [potato chips] 15% for something green and leafy [no really, I crave salad] and only 5% for chocolate or sweets.
31-- I've started going to bed at 9pm and waking up at 6 or 7. I don't care if it makes me a grandma, I love it. I get so much more done with my day.
32-- the past two years have been the hardest of my life. I've struggled with both my physical and mental health, and had to fight every day to do anything beyond just taking care of myself. it was hell, and I would never want to relive it, but I know it's made me so much stronger.
33- I'm relying on that strength to help me make 33 a better year. I'm hoping that it brings fierce self-love, heaps of creative energy, peace of mind, and of course -- lots of adventure.
[and a few more happy but blurry moments like this, please.]