Croydon’s deputy mayor Mary Walker reminded RDS that it had taken 26 years to get the London borough’s tram system up and running. Welcoming RDS members to the society’s annual meeting, she said she was an enthusiastic supporter of the trams. But she said her enthusiasm had been dented from time to time since the idea of a people mover to New Addington was first mooted 26 years ago.
She also pointed out what a great effect Thameslink had had on Croydon and how much better it would be if Thameslink put extra coaches on.
Tramlink director Peter Hendy admitted he was no railway person but said, after a lifetime on the buses, he was now committed to a multi-modal transport system. “Tramlink will be successful because it is not a traditional street tram,” he said. “Its essentials are speed, frequency and regularity.” He said only 150 yards of it were shared with road traffic while most was built on former rail lines.
Traditional tram services had been undermined because road traffic blocked them. He added: “We believe this system will be extended. Once we demonstrate it works, it will be easier to expand.”
Uxbridge Road in West London and King’s Cross-Waterloo were prime candidates for trams.
Yorkshire member Rowland Dale also said it was a politically opportune moment to get the Government to look at developing the rail network. He said: “Passenger numbers are at their highest level since the Second World War. The Leeds (Midland) route is expanding already and could take a lot more,” he said. “But the Government is still planning for the short term.”
The meeting passed a vote of thanks to Dave Finch who has successfully run the RDS monthly lottery for several years and welcomed Edgar Locke who is taking over.
RDS treasurer Tony Sheward pointed out that subscriptions and donations were the mainstay of the society and that both were up during the past year.
The new national executive is: Alan Bevan, Ken Cropley, Mike Crowhurst, Andrew MacFarlane, Donald MacPhee, Charles Niven, Malcolm Parker, Richard Pout, David Redgewell, Clara Zilahi.
Chairman is Peter Lawrence, vice chairman Ray King, general secretary Trevor Garrod, treasurer Tony Sheward, membership secretary Elisabeth Jordan, sales officer Phil Morris.
Two new vice presidents were appointed: Steve Wilkinson and David Bertram.
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