At the 2019 AGM on 11th November, Harborough Rail Users reviewed the past year’s activities and set the scene for campaign topics for the next year.
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A busy year
The past year has particularly busy, dominated by the major reconstruction of the station and the franchise changeover from Stagecoach East Midlands Trains (EMT) to Abellio East Midlands Railway (EMR).  Debate has continued about electrification, though we now have greater clarity about future rolling stock for the line.  HRU has also dealt both with day-to-day matters concerning the train service, and much longer-term matters such as the recent proposal to reopen the line to Northampton. 
Again, HRU has played a full part in consultations and has maintained contact with relevant organisations including the rail industry, local authorities, local elected representatives, and transport user representative groups.  The willingness of EMT, EMR, Network Rail and others to meet and discuss various matters was noted, as was the continued support of the local MP and councillors in pressing for further improvements.  The HRU Committee were thanked for all their help and support throughout the year.
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Campaign priorities for the year ahead

1. Market Harborough station.  Though the rebuild associated with the new track alignment is substantially complete, we shall continue to press for enhancements to the new station including accessibility arrangements; toilets on the southbound platform; better shelter and waiting rooms; cycle parking; and short-stay parking in the new car park.  We await news from EMR of plans they already have for some of these.  EMR and Network Rail are planning an opening event in December 2019 when the full length of platform 2 is due to open, along with the car park extension and the refurbished subway, and we discussed ideas for related commemorative activities.
2. Train services.  We shall continue to press for improvements to the timetable including, but not limited to, earlier northbound first trains and later last southbound trains.  We shall take part in consultations about future timetables, especially for the major re-cast planned for December 2020, when the Corby electric service is due to start.
3. Rolling stock.  Rolling stock plans for the short- and longer-term have now been published.  We shall take part in any consultations on the interior fit-out of the new Hitachi bi-mode trains that are due to enter service from 2022. 
4. Electrification.  Associated with the Corby line electrification and its planned power substation at Braybrooke, we support the intended ‘last mile’ electrification into Market Harborough.  We support extension of Midland Main Line electrification northwards as well; a decision on this may become associated with decisions on whether the eastern branch of HS2 proceeds.
5. Northampton Line.  We support the recent proposal for the reopening of the Northampton Line, noting that a short section of new route would be needed around the outskirts of Market Harborough. We note that the proposal includes ‘compensatory provision’ for the Brampton Valley Way cycle track along the route. 

Harborough Rail Users are holding their Annual General Meeting on Monday 11th November 2019 in Room 5 at the Roman Way Community Centre, Market Harborough.  The meeting starts at 8:00 pm. 
As well as electing officers for the group for the forthcoming year, the meeting will consider relevant topics including: 

• Reviewing the past year, which has been dominated by the station rebuild and the franchise changeover to EMR
• Determining campaign priorities for the forthcoming year.

Anyone who cares about the local rail service, including timetables, train service quality and reliability, fares, access to the station and platforms and the quality of the facilities available, is invited to come along and get involved.

Harborough Rail Users held an open Committee meeting at The Oat Hill bar on Kettering Road on Tuesday evening, 24th September 2019.
Topics covered included the new Abellio EMR franchise; the rebuilding of Market Harborough station and related work on the line; future rolling-stock plans for both the main line and the Corby electric services; forthcoming weekend engineering work including the planned replacement bus services; and the HRU AGM in November, date to be arranged.
Though HRU has an elected Committee, our meetings are open to all with an interest in the station and train service at Market Harborough.

The next Committee meeting of HRU has been arranged for Monday 29th April, starting at 18:00, in the front bar of the Oat Hill pub restaurant on Kettering Road, Little Bowden.  On the agenda are the new East Midlands franchise announcement plus the rebuilding of Market Harborough station and the associated forthcoming line closure from 28th May to 2nd June.  Anyone with an interest in the train service from Market Harborough is welcome to attend.

Representatives from HRU and local cycling groups met East Midlands Trains at the station on Monday 1st April, to discuss cycling facilities at the rebuilt station.  Cycle parking at the station has been of fairly low quality for a long time and EMT have been working on designs and funding sources for much improved provision, such as a cycle hub.  EMT undertook to take account of the comments and suggestions made in drawing up the plans for enhancements, subject to a favourable funding decision.  We anticipate that decisions will be made within the next few weeks.