Aspect Winter 2011

Aspect p1

12/12/11

11:52

Page 1

The employee magazine of Arriva Trains Wales/Trenau Arriva Cymru

WINTER 2011

CENTRE PAGES

Top awards recognise

service and professionalism Proud to have you on board

Aspect p2

12/12/11

11:53

Page 1

An impressive commitment to service delivery

Saving rain and money

By Managing Director

Tim Bell

FIRSTLY, thanks to all of you who completed the bi-annual Arriva Staff Survey. Around 49 per cent replied meaning that we were able to donate £1,035 to the nominated charities.

The output from the survey will be available in the New Year.

Once we have evaluated the feedback we will publish it and initiate some appropriate actions.

We are coming to the end of another eventful year in the life of Arriva Trains Wales. Many issues have arisen that have impacted on the business or will affect it in the coming months and years.

Some of the main issues are the economy, change in Welsh Government, increased fuel prices, Network Rail devolution and the McNulty report, to name a few.

During the year we have continued to see positive growth for the business with more customers attracted by competitive advance fare promotions.

Maintaining our high level of Public Performance Measure (PPM) has been challenging this year with the introduction of European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS), continued cable theft incidents and increased infrastructure delays.

However, we are committed to working closely with Network Rail to continue to improve. At the same time we are working hard to improve the reliability and availability of our Class 158 fleet.

Finally, I would like to wish you and your families a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Also a personal thank you to all of you who have helped to run our bit of the railway – I continue to be impressed with how committed Arriva Trains Wales people are to delivering a good service.

2

ASPECT Winter 2011

Depot Infrastructure Manager Phil Morgan pictured by the rainwater harvesting facility at Canton.

C

ANTON Depot’s rainwater harvesting programme is making substantial savings.

Rain landing on the shed roof is channelled from the troughing through pipework and into a series of graduated filters before entering 16 storage tanks.

It is pumped from these into the main carriage cleaning shed and directed through retractable hose reels into toilet flushing roof tanks on the trains.

The harvested water is also used to wash the

shed floors and clean fronts and ends of berthed sets.

“We are saving money and at the same time reducing the amount of mains water needed for the toilets and cleaning processes,” said Phil Morgan, Depot Infrastructure Manager. “The scheme has also made a significant contribution towards our ISO 14001 environmental accreditation.”

Each of the 16 tanks can hold 20,000 litres although none is completely full at any given time.

Competition prizes A competition with a festive flavour has been launched to support the ongoing bRight Ideas suggestion scheme.

Arriva Trains Wales is looking for ideas covering areas like customer or employee safety,

performance and customer satisfaction, to help the company through the Christmas and Winter period.

Prizes on offer include a night away and a dinner for two at a top hotel, and a luxury hamper.

Entries can be made on a bRight Ideas form downloaded from the internet, until the end of December.

Valuable advice AROUND 50 staff were given valuable advice at the latest Health and Wellbeing Event at St David’s House in Cardiff.

Around 70 per cent of the employees who booked a cardiovascular test with Relaxa were advised that they could easily improve their fitness with some basic nutritional advice and more exercise in their daily lives.

Of the 38 employees who had their Body Mass Index (BMI), cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes tested, five employees discovered that their BMI was elevated slightly and six employees’ BMI was categorised as obese.

All were provided with dietary and exercise advice.

Aspect p3

12/12/11

12:51

Page 1

Front-line working proves a positive experience

ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL: pictured at Shrewsbury station with briquettes they have made from newspaper left on train are, left to right, Revenue Protection Assistant Mel Fulford, Conductor Paul Taylor and Conductor Dominic Eaton.

Today’s newspapers are

tomorrow’s fuel A

scheme to recycle left-over newspapers into paper bricks is catching on like wildfire.

Shrewsbury Conductor Paul Taylor began using papers left in trains to fuel the fires in his aptly-named home at Paper Mill Cottages in the Roden Valley near Shawbury.

To date three other Arriva Trains Wales employees are now also making the bricks in their houses using special hand moulds.

“It’s a great way of making use of the abandoned newspapers which litter the trains at the end of the day,” said Paul.

“I gather them up from the carriages myself and also ask the cleaners to let me have any they have collected. So far I have made 600 paper bricks by soaking the paper first and then putting it in the mould before drying. Each brick burns for up to an

hour and the ash goes on to the compost heap the following day.”

Other paper recyclers at Shrewsbury are Conductor Dominic Eaton and Revenue Protection Assistant Mel Fulford.

John Goldthorpe, Senior Driver Trainer at Chester– who initially inspired Paul to start the scheme – is also an enthusiast.

The paper saving is being welcomed because it chimes with a number of “green” initiatives which are ongoing at Arriva Trains Wales.

In addition to dry mixed recycling which has recently been announced, environmental accreditation by external audit is currently underway at St Mary’s House.

A wide variety of recycling and energy-saving schemes are in place throughout the company.

ARRIVA Trains Wales Directors and Senior Managers experienced for themselves the outstanding efforts of front-line staff during the “Walk in My Shoes” programme which takes place each year.

The programme, where participants leave their offices to “shadow” a variety of roles around the company, gives them a new – and sometimes unexpected – perspective on challenges faced on a daily basis.

Managing Director Tim Bell visited Hereford and was given a warm and helpful reception.

He said: “All activities on the station were busy throughout and the booking office flow was virtually nonstop. Generally the employees are pleased with the work that has been undertaken to make the window and concourse area a lot brighter.”

Amanda Furlong, Finance Director, who visited the Customer Information Pod at Cardiff Central, said: “All three of the employees whom I met were very friendly, helpful and had an excellent attitude in dealing with customers. Trying to assist customers as best I could while I visited really did make me appreciate the knowledge that has built up in the team!”

Human Resources Director Lynne Milligan, who visited the Pontypridd gate lines and booking office, said: “Station staff on both the gate lines and in the booking office were all immaculately presented in their new uniform. The booking office employees are very experienced and knowledgeable about their work. All in all, it’s a lovely team at Pontypridd who seem to work very well together. Their work areas are very well kept and they seem to take high pride in the station.”

ASPECT Winter 2011

3

Aspect p4-5

12/12/11

11:59

Page 1

S A F E T Y

matters

Welcome & Good Wishes

By Operations and Safety Director

IN the first of a regular new series, Aspect celebrates new arrivals alongside long servers and retirees.

Peter Leppard

WELCOME

Improving messages THE Operations Safety team began an initiative this year called Communications Review Group, to help employees get better at relaying safety messages.

The aim is to improve the quality of messages between all grades of safety-critical employee.

The group is attended by representatives from the driver, conductor, station, fleet and control functions. It reviews examples of actual communications, evaluates how they were carried out and seeks ways of improvement.

Representatives feed back directly to front-line employees on any areas where improvements can be made. If you would like any further information on this, please speak to Ian Reiffer, Operations Assurance Manager.

Finalists in the Exceptional Contribution Awards pictured at the presentation evening at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff.

Managing Director Tim Bell presents Matthew Barrow with the Gold Standard Exceptional Contribution Award.

went the extra mile S

ERTMS needs to be more reliable THOSE of you who work on the Cambrian know that the new ERTMS cab-signalling is becoming more reliable some of the time, though it still has its bad moments.

I am pleased to say that it has never done anything unsafe, but its reliability in other ways continues to cause us concern. Network Rail and I meet to discuss the situation regularly and we continue to press Ansaldo, Network Rail’s contractor, for improvements to be achieved more quickly.

Thank you for your continuing forbearance in the meantime.

Capturing a few memories is finalist Anthony Williams of Llandudno Junction.

Green themes BE Greener has now been enhanced as a separate “tile” on the Intranet, to promote sustainability themes and raise awareness of environmental schemes that we are undertaking.

Do take a look.

4

ASPECT Winter 2011

Tribute to employees who

Enjoying a chat with colleagues at the dinner is finalist Michelle Hanbury, Hostess on the North South Premier service.

HINING examples of bravery and professionalism by Arriva Trains Wales employees were honoured at the recent Exceptional Contribution Awards.

The ceremony, held at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff, paid tribute to numerous employees who went the extra mile to deliver outstanding customer service in the course of their work.

The Gold Standard Exceptional Contribution Award was presented to Customer Services Advisor Matthew Barrow who gave life-saving resuscitation to a two-year-old girl who had stopped breathing on the way to hospital to be treated for a virus.

Matthew, backed up by Station Manager Stewart Keay, didn’t think twice about going into action at Neath station to give vital emergency CPR, massaging the chest of the little girl and breathing air through her nose. He has since been thanked by the girl’s mother for carrying out the life-giving procedures, which he had witnessed when nurses tended to his own 15 month-old son, who tragically died two years ago.

Prominent among the other Exceptional Contribution Award winners was Llanelli Booking Office Clerk Sonia Jones who risked her life to help a customer in danger from a person discharging an air rifle. While pot-shots rained down on the station, Sonia gave First Aid and called emergency services after the passenger was shot while waiting for a train at Llanelli station.

Customer Service Advisor Anthony Williams was praised for taking action when he realised an approaching train was in danger of striking a passenger who had fallen on the line at Llandudno.

He ran to the end of the platform waving his halo lamp, successfully alerting the driver to make an emergency stop.

Three staff were nominated for exceptional work

Co-host, Career and Talent Manager Liz Prince. during an incident at Balderton Level Crossing when a motor cyclist sustained fatal injuries as a result of a road traffic incident. Chester Conductor Paul Freeman impressed during the incident with his “calm and professional” manner; Chester Driver Team Manager David Wright was praised for “unselfish team working”; Chester Driver Team Manager Gary Jones was praised for going the extra mile and Chester Driver David Jones was praised for his “unselfish actions”.

Also in receipt of awards were Nigel Forrest, Llandudno Junction Driver, Graham Sadler, Conductor Team Manager and Rhys Lloyd, Chester Driver, who all worked tirelessly throughout the night despite freezing snowy conditions to ensure 100 stranded passengers were conveyed by road from Llandudno Junction to Holyhead; Cardiff Conductor Paul Collins who cancelled his annual leave to make sure that trains

were covered and Newport At-Seat Supervisor Robert Morgan, seconded as Conductor Manager, who turned in to carry out his duties despite a family bereavement.

The awards ceremony, which followed a meal, was hosted by Head of Conductors James Widdowson and Career and Talent Manager Liz Prince. After the presentations, during which finalists went up on stage to collect their awards from Managing Director Tim Bell, guests took the opportunity to socialise. The other finalists were Sonia Jones, Kevin Carpenter, Maria Preece, Ian Jones, Paul Francis, Steve Thomas, Paul Collins, Anthony Williams, Nigel Forrest, Rhys Lloyd, Graham Sadler, Matthew Barrow, Robert Morgan, Tina Rees, David Wright, David Jones, Paul Freeman, Gary Jones, Tim Leach and Alun Mathias.

Anthony Eveleigh and Michelle Hanbury represented the “Gerald of Wales” on board catering team of Emma Parry, Mel Lynch, Cath Williams and Scott Hanley.

Co-host, Head of Conductors James Widdowson.

Arriva Trains Wales welcomes the following new starters: Stephen Rees, Station Environmental Operative; Sarah Mann, Conductor; Gemma Morgan, Conductor; Roger Morris, Conductor; Gary Davies, Conductor; Emily Beatty, Conductor; David Thomas, Conductor; Sue Anzeze, Customer Relations Assistant; Philip Caldwell, Customer Service Advisor; Shane Cokayne, Station Environmental Operative; Jack Howarth, Station Environmental Operative; John Mulqueen, Team Leader Movements; Natalie Phillips, Customer Relations Assistant; Christopher McAndrew, Customer Service Advisor; Rachel Almit, Customer Service Advisor; Nicola Selfridge, Conductor.

LONG SERVICE Congratulations to the following who have achieved 40 years service: Kevyn Howells, Cardiff Control Manager; Terence Elliott, Cardiff Conductor; Norman Wynn, Llandudno Junction Conductor; David Roberts, Bridgend Customer Service Supervisor; Khimji Patel, Cardiff Valley Lines Driver.

Congratulations to the following who have achieved 25 years service: Kevin Ederle, Holyhead Driver; Thomas Wallace, Treherbert Conductor; Kenneth Hewitt, Chester Driver; Anthony Thomas, Cardiff Driver; Sharon Brand, Cardiff Conductor; Elaine Morgan, Holyhead Driver; James Elrick, Chester Conductor; Nigel Minhinick, Crewe Trainee Resource Controller; Steven Jones, Chester Driver Team Manager; Andrew Robins, Cardiff Driver; Geoffrey Phillips, Cardiff Driver; Gary Avison, Chester Driver; Steven Hughes, Chester Driver; Kenneth Harwood, Cardiff Control Manager; James Jones, Pwllheli Customer Service Advisor; Haydn Williams, Pwllheli Senior Conductor.

FAREWELL Best wishes for the future are being sent to the following on their retirement: John Moore, Cardiff Service Delivery Assistant; David Ruddock, Cardiff Driver; Roy Willis, Cardiff Revenue Protection Assistant Supervisor; Maldwyn Hughes, Cardiff Station Environmental Operative; John Francis, Canton Fleet Fitter; Kenneth Evans, Chester Customer Service Advisor; Brian Howells, Carmarthen Driver.

ASPECT Winter 2011

5

Aspect p4-5

12/12/11

11:59

Page 1

S A F E T Y

matters

Welcome & Good Wishes

By Operations and Safety Director

IN the first of a regular new series, Aspect celebrates new arrivals alongside long servers and retirees.

Peter Leppard

WELCOME

Improving messages THE Operations Safety team began an initiative this year called Communications Review Group, to help employees get better at relaying safety messages.

The aim is to improve the quality of messages between all grades of safety-critical employee.

The group is attended by representatives from the driver, conductor, station, fleet and control functions. It reviews examples of actual communications, evaluates how they were carried out and seeks ways of improvement.

Representatives feed back directly to front-line employees on any areas where improvements can be made. If you would like any further information on this, please speak to Ian Reiffer, Operations Assurance Manager.

Finalists in the Exceptional Contribution Awards pictured at the presentation evening at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff.

Managing Director Tim Bell presents Matthew Barrow with the Gold Standard Exceptional Contribution Award.

went the extra mile S

ERTMS needs to be more reliable THOSE of you who work on the Cambrian know that the new ERTMS cab-signalling is becoming more reliable some of the time, though it still has its bad moments.

I am pleased to say that it has never done anything unsafe, but its reliability in other ways continues to cause us concern. Network Rail and I meet to discuss the situation regularly and we continue to press Ansaldo, Network Rail’s contractor, for improvements to be achieved more quickly.

Thank you for your continuing forbearance in the meantime.

Capturing a few memories is finalist Anthony Williams of Llandudno Junction.

Green themes BE Greener has now been enhanced as a separate “tile” on the Intranet, to promote sustainability themes and raise awareness of environmental schemes that we are undertaking.

Do take a look.

4

ASPECT Winter 2011

Tribute to employees who

Enjoying a chat with colleagues at the dinner is finalist Michelle Hanbury, Hostess on the North South Premier service.

HINING examples of bravery and professionalism by Arriva Trains Wales employees were honoured at the recent Exceptional Contribution Awards.

The ceremony, held at the Park Inn Hotel, Cardiff, paid tribute to numerous employees who went the extra mile to deliver outstanding customer service in the course of their work.

The Gold Standard Exceptional Contribution Award was presented to Customer Services Advisor Matthew Barrow who gave life-saving resuscitation to a two-year-old girl who had stopped breathing on the way to hospital to be treated for a virus.

Matthew, backed up by Station Manager Stewart Keay, didn’t think twice about going into action at Neath station to give vital emergency CPR, massaging the chest of the little girl and breathing air through her nose. He has since been thanked by the girl’s mother for carrying out the life-giving procedures, which he had witnessed when nurses tended to his own 15 month-old son, who tragically died two years ago.

Prominent among the other Exceptional Contribution Award winners was Llanelli Booking Office Clerk Sonia Jones who risked her life to help a customer in danger from a person discharging an air rifle. While pot-shots rained down on the station, Sonia gave First Aid and called emergency services after the passenger was shot while waiting for a train at Llanelli station.

Customer Service Advisor Anthony Williams was praised for taking action when he realised an approaching train was in danger of striking a passenger who had fallen on the line at Llandudno.

He ran to the end of the platform waving his halo lamp, successfully alerting the driver to make an emergency stop.

Three staff were nominated for exceptional work

Co-host, Career and Talent Manager Liz Prince. during an incident at Balderton Level Crossing when a motor cyclist sustained fatal injuries as a result of a road traffic incident. Chester Conductor Paul Freeman impressed during the incident with his “calm and professional” manner; Chester Driver Team Manager David Wright was praised for “unselfish team working”; Chester Driver Team Manager Gary Jones was praised for going the extra mile and Chester Driver David Jones was praised for his “unselfish actions”.

Also in receipt of awards were Nigel Forrest, Llandudno Junction Driver, Graham Sadler, Conductor Team Manager and Rhys Lloyd, Chester Driver, who all worked tirelessly throughout the night despite freezing snowy conditions to ensure 100 stranded passengers were conveyed by road from Llandudno Junction to Holyhead; Cardiff Conductor Paul Collins who cancelled his annual leave to make sure that trains

were covered and Newport At-Seat Supervisor Robert Morgan, seconded as Conductor Manager, who turned in to carry out his duties despite a family bereavement.

The awards ceremony, which followed a meal, was hosted by Head of Conductors James Widdowson and Career and Talent Manager Liz Prince. After the presentations, during which finalists went up on stage to collect their awards from Managing Director Tim Bell, guests took the opportunity to socialise. The other finalists were Sonia Jones, Kevin Carpenter, Maria Preece, Ian Jones, Paul Francis, Steve Thomas, Paul Collins, Anthony Williams, Nigel Forrest, Rhys Lloyd, Graham Sadler, Matthew Barrow, Robert Morgan, Tina Rees, David Wright, David Jones, Paul Freeman, Gary Jones, Tim Leach and Alun Mathias.

Anthony Eveleigh and Michelle Hanbury represented the “Gerald of Wales” on board catering team of Emma Parry, Mel Lynch, Cath Williams and Scott Hanley.

Co-host, Head of Conductors James Widdowson.

Arriva Trains Wales welcomes the following new starters: Stephen Rees, Station Environmental Operative; Sarah Mann, Conductor; Gemma Morgan, Conductor; Roger Morris, Conductor; Gary Davies, Conductor; Emily Beatty, Conductor; David Thomas, Conductor; Sue Anzeze, Customer Relations Assistant; Philip Caldwell, Customer Service Advisor; Shane Cokayne, Station Environmental Operative; Jack Howarth, Station Environmental Operative; John Mulqueen, Team Leader Movements; Natalie Phillips, Customer Relations Assistant; Christopher McAndrew, Customer Service Advisor; Rachel Almit, Customer Service Advisor; Nicola Selfridge, Conductor.

LONG SERVICE Congratulations to the following who have achieved 40 years service: Kevyn Howells, Cardiff Control Manager; Terence Elliott, Cardiff Conductor; Norman Wynn, Llandudno Junction Conductor; David Roberts, Bridgend Customer Service Supervisor; Khimji Patel, Cardiff Valley Lines Driver.

Congratulations to the following who have achieved 25 years service: Kevin Ederle, Holyhead Driver; Thomas Wallace, Treherbert Conductor; Kenneth Hewitt, Chester Driver; Anthony Thomas, Cardiff Driver; Sharon Brand, Cardiff Conductor; Elaine Morgan, Holyhead Driver; James Elrick, Chester Conductor; Nigel Minhinick, Crewe Trainee Resource Controller; Steven Jones, Chester Driver Team Manager; Andrew Robins, Cardiff Driver; Geoffrey Phillips, Cardiff Driver; Gary Avison, Chester Driver; Steven Hughes, Chester Driver; Kenneth Harwood, Cardiff Control Manager; James Jones, Pwllheli Customer Service Advisor; Haydn Williams, Pwllheli Senior Conductor.

FAREWELL Best wishes for the future are being sent to the following on their retirement: John Moore, Cardiff Service Delivery Assistant; David Ruddock, Cardiff Driver; Roy Willis, Cardiff Revenue Protection Assistant Supervisor; Maldwyn Hughes, Cardiff Station Environmental Operative; John Francis, Canton Fleet Fitter; Kenneth Evans, Chester Customer Service Advisor; Brian Howells, Carmarthen Driver.

ASPECT Winter 2011

5

Aspect p6

12/12/11

13:00

Page 1

five minutes with Gerald Plant Revenue Protection Assistant Gerald is well known at Arriva Trains Wales as a man who has never had a day off work in his life.

Here, Gerald, who still lives in the same house where he was born in Hereford, tells us about himself.

What is the most interesting thing about your job?

I have always enjoyed meeting people.

I began on the railways at the age of 15 as a lad porter in the goods department at Hereford station and progressed through the grades to motor driver before moving to the platforms and then the ticket office, where I worked for 10 years.

What is the biggest challenge in your work?

I have just started working on the barriers at Hereford, so I am busy learning the new routine.

What’s the most unusual thing that has happened to you in work?

I drove the last three-wheel Scammell lorry in Hereford, to deliver railway parcels.

It was known as the “Townsman” and it was made of fibreglass, with automatic carriage coupling.

Which famous people alive or dead would you invite to a dinner party?

I have always been impressed by the achievements of the civil engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. He would be able to talk about building the Great Western Railway and the Clifton Suspension Bridge.

How do you relax?

If I am not working I enjoy a train ride! I am also Treasurer of the Hereford railway club of the Great Western Railway Staff Association. I was previously secretary – it’s good to keep the tradition of the club going and help to ensure that we remain profit making.

Favourite entertainment?

I enjoy well-crafted shows on the TV such as Foyle’s War, Dad’s Army and Only Fools and Horses. My favourite film is The Sound of Music – an all-time classic.

What is your favourite place in the world?

I have never travelled far but I have always been impressed by the island of Jersey – it’s a very pleasant place with wonderful sea views. I won’t hear a word said against my

birthplace, Hereford, which has a fine Cathedral and is surrounded by beautiful countryside.

If you had a time machine what period would you visit?

I would like to go back to the 1920s and 1930s so that I could watch steam engines being built at Swindon works.

Your favourite possession?

A treasured watch that my mother gave me for my 21st birthday. I still wear it.

Best bit of advice you have ever been given?

“Nobody is indispensable” – a saying that was given to me many years ago by a railway colleague.

Driver completes peaks challenge for ‘heroes’ charity NATHAN Britton was especially motivated to take part in a UK Three Peaks Challenge in aid of Help for Heroes. The Cardiff Valleys driver is an ex-Royal Engineer and he believes strongly in the value of the charity.

After six months of training, including taking part in the Welsh Three Peaks Challenge, Nathan and seven others – including former Valleys

6

ASPECT Winter 2011

Driver Mike Gronow – conquered Ben Nevis, Scafell and Snowdon in under 24 hours.

Nathan, pictured left with Mike at the Snowdon summit, said:“As a former soldier Help for Heroes means a lot to me and is close to my heart.

“I would like to thank all my Arriva Trains Wales colleagues who helped me on the way to raise a personal total of £1,525.”

Aspect p7

12/12/11

12:02

Page 1

By Human Resources Director LYNNE MILLIGAN

Continuous progress is recurring theme TIM has already mentioned our Employee Survey results with a good 49 per cent response rate. The results will be available soon and we will be reviewing and developing some improvement actions from them.

Continuous improvement is a recurring theme within our business as each year we develop action plans, all of which aim to deliver some improvement. During some benchmarking which we have recently been doing with other parts of the Group, I was reminded of how far we have travelled.

When you look back at our targets and improvements, you can see how each year we have been making small and steady steps which have translated into better results.

This is also the time of the year when we celebrate the achievements of colleagues through our Long Service and Exceptional Contribution Awards.

These events have been a whole load of fun as seen in the photos in this issue. Our business is successful because of all of our contributions and I’m hoping that 2012 brings some good opportunities for us all.

I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and for anyone who finds this time of year more difficult, don’t forget the services of our employee assistance programme which is there to help 24/7 on 0800 072 7 072.

Canton Depot Operations Manager Malcolm Phillips pictured by the structure which will house the new carriage washer.

S

INGLE line working and weekend blockades have proved necessary during a Network Rail project to install a new carriage wash at Canton Depot.

The complex initiative has involved the demolition of the old wash, pouring of almost 400 tonnes of concrete and installation of a temporary wash plant.

Single line working, which was introduced in May, will remain until completion of the works scheduled for early next year. The main steel structures for the new wash are now in place after being transported through the carriage shed from a storage area by a road rail vehicle.

The new plant will be eco-friendly, recycling

High speed wash the water, and will speed up train movements through the wash.

In an advance on previous practice, it will wash the skirt panels on the Class 175 units and will clean roofs with specialised brushes.

“We have been keen to minimise service delivery disruption during the project,” said Malcolm Phillips, Depot Operations Manager.

“Weekly pre-planning meetings with the contractors Murphy and Son meant we could work together in partnership to ensure a smooth operation was in place.”

Extensive track repairs and renewal have been carried out in the carriage sidings where the track had worn down.

Extra services boost transport links FIVE extra Arriva Train Wales services are now running between Fishguard and Carmarthen, boosting transport links to the region.

The initiative is backed by £1.4 million annual investment from the Welsh Assembly Government.

Hatti Woakes, Secretary of the North Pembrokeshire Traffic Forum, which has campaigned for 11 years for better services to Fishguard Harbour, said: “These services were the missing piece of the jigsaw for transport provision in North Pembrokeshire. We can now look forward to a brighter future.”

Welsh Assembly Minister for Social Justice and Local Government Carl Sargeant speaking at the launch of the new services at Fishguard.

ASPECT Winter 2011

7

Aspect p8

12/12/11

12:02

Page 1

Cycle challenge raises

£1,000 for charity Drivers Glen Mercer, left, and Ian Mair on their bikes at Shrewsbury station.

T

WO Arriva Trains Wales Drivers took part in a gruelling cycle ride across mid-Wales to raise money for charity. Ian Mair and Glen Mercer joined a group of railway colleagues and friends in the bike trip from Shrewsbury to Machynlleth.

The seven-strong team raised more than £1,000 in aid of the cancer ward at Bronglais Hospital, Aberystwyth, where a

colleague from Machynlleth has received treatment. Super-fit Ian, based in Shrewsbury, was well prepared for the challenge since he cycles up to 150 miles a week as a matter of course.

“I used to cycle as part of the triathlon when I was in the Army,” he said.“It took us about four hours to complete the charity ride with the route taking us

Good call for children’s hospital A children’s hospital benefited when mobile phones were recycled following the provision of BlackBerrys to employees.

A £500 cheque was donated to the Children’s Hospital of Wales, in a presentation at the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff.

Pictured at the presentation are, Denise Henderson, General Manager, LATCH Welsh Children’s Cancer Charity, Judge Philip Price QC, Chairman of LATCH and Colin Harris, Arriva Trains Wales’ IT Manager.

8

ASPECT Winter 2011

through Montgomery, Caersws and Talerddig.”

Ian’s Shrewsbury colleague Glen said: “The route was challenging, especially the climb out of Caersws.

“I found the ride fulfilling – it was a great way to keep fit while helping a good cause at the same time.”

Crewe hot shot bags a brace RESOURCE Controller Chris Dixon, who was on the books at Crewe Alexandra when younger, scored both goals in Crewe depot’s 2-1 defeat of Shrewsbury in the annual Steve Buckley Memorial Match.

Have you got news for us?

IF you have a story for Aspect please contact Community Affairs Manager Geraint Morgan on 02920-720521.

You can also contact him via email: geraint.morgan@ arrivatw.co.uk