HS2

26.08.16

East West Rail ‘no longer third most important project in country’

Council leaders along the proposed East West Rail route are seeking a meeting with Sir Peter Hendy to discuss concerns that the project may be postponed beyond 2024.

The much-delayed project was originally due to open in 2017, then 2019, before being pushed back until the end of CP6.

There were signs of progress at the end of March when Network Rail announced its preferred route for the central section, through the Bedford-Sandy-Cambridge corridor.

However, Cllr Rodney Rose, deputy leader of Oxfordshire County Council and chair of the East West Rail Consortium, which represents the councils involved, told RTM: “It’s already going up to 2024 and that might slip a bit now. I’m getting very concerned about it. It’s a bit of a blow to the local authorities that have put money in.”

The East West Rail link has been described as the third most important rail project in the country, after HS2 and Crossrail.

When asked if it was still being treated as such, Cllr Rose answered bluntly: “No.”

Cllr Rose said the issue will be discussed with Network Rail at the next meeting of the East West Rail Joint Delivery Board the week after next, and that he is seeking an additional meeting with Sir Peter Hendy, the chair of Network Rail, to discuss it.

He said he had previously asked Sir Peter about the delays when they met at the opening of Oxford Parkway station, pointing out that local authorities risk losing money they’ve invested in the project.

Cllr Rose said Hendy had promised to address the issue at the time but that it seemed “to have slipped again”.

He added that he thought the main causes of the delays were a “knock-on effect” from delays in electrification, which is intended to be introduced along key routes of the project such as Oxford-Paddington.

He said that the project could be at risk because of financial uncertainty following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. However, he said such concerns make the project more important in order to generate growth, not less.

Phase 1 of the project between Bicester and Oxford is due to be completed in December 2016, once the line between Oxford and Oxford Parkway station is re-opened.

However, funding for Phase 2 – between Bicester to Bedford and Milton Keynes to Princes Risborough – must be sought and granted approval by the DfT if it is to be complete in CP6.

Network Rail’s senior sponsor for the project Tony Walker told the Oxford Mail that pooling the funding would be a “challenge” in the current economic climate, “but it would be good to complete in CP6”.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said: “We’re continuing our work to develop and consult on our plans to upgrade the railway line between Bicester and Bedford and Milton Keynes and Princes Risborough. By the start of the five-year funding period from 2019, this will be among the best-planned schemes in our Railway Upgrade Plan.”

Have you got a story to tell? Would you like to become an RTM columnist? If so, click here.

 

Comments

David   26/08/2016 at 12:49

Oh fantastic. Worst-case austerity scenario. And Brexit was supposed to prop us up on our own two feet was it?

John Grant   26/08/2016 at 13:01

The road project (championed by Lord Wolfson of Aspley Guise, and passing close to Aspley Guise) seems to be getting priority; is this a re-run of the Marples/Beeching era? An upgrade of the A428 between Caxton Gibbet and the Black Cat is already scheduled; when that's built there will be dual carriageway from Cambridge to the M1, and rail from Bedford to Oxford -- not exactly what you'd call joined-up thinking.

Graham Nalty   26/08/2016 at 14:24

We have seen how well our athletes did in the Olympics due to targeted funding for all sports. Surely it is about time the railway sets its most urgent targets and funds them properly. Certainly this should be given priority over all London based investments including HS2 (which is known to benefit London more than other cities on the route) and Crossrail 2.This is the only rail route east - west between London and Melton Mowbray. Not only should Oxford to Cambridge be speeded up, but other east-west routes need to be added to the list.

Malcolm Dymott   26/08/2016 at 17:11

Bicester to Oxford upgrade happened because it was driven by Chiltern Railways. They had the willpower to find partners, find funds, take the lead, appoint project managers, and get things done. Where is the leadership for east-west? I think there are four county councils, a unified authority and Network Rail . . . none of whom actually run trains and all of whom have many other priorities. Possibly start by finding someone who knows how to run trains to take a lead . . . otherwise we might only get the section from Calvert Junction to Bletchley done - possibly by Chiltern Railways who seem keen to get beyond Aylesbury Vale Parkway to Bletchley and Milton Keynes.

Lutz   26/08/2016 at 18:50

Not unexpected, and probably more such delays to come. Simply; the numbers are not adding up, the problem will grow until some gets control.

Gb   26/08/2016 at 18:56

If HS2 were scrapped (as it should be), would this not release enough funding to complete the E-W route and several other worthy schemes?

David   26/08/2016 at 19:11

Gb, no that won't be the case. HS2 investment is coming from a totally different business case, money which won't be "released" otherwise. In any case, scrapping it will not happen.

Martin Borrett   26/08/2016 at 22:30

South curve at Manton would connect Peterborough and lines east to cross country route via Kettering, Bedford and Bletchley.

John Grant   27/08/2016 at 11:40

That looks do-able; they've done their favourite trick at South Luffenham of building on the trackbed but it looks as if there's an alternative route. And the levels would need to be changed at the Welland viaduct because currently it goes under the line to Corby.

Andrew Gwilt   27/08/2016 at 23:00

So Phase 2 could be planned with Phase 3 from Bedford to Cambridge is also to be planned with the preferred route passing through Sandy and a new bridge at Sandy to be built over the ECML with Sandy railway station having 2 new platforms being built for the East-West rail route to connect with the 2 current platforms where Great Northern trains stop at on the ECML (King's Cross-Peterborough Great Northern route) and Bedford St. John's which is on the East-West route (Bedford-Bletchley line) will be the station that will be having a link already going to Bedford Midland (Thameslink) station as London Midland trains from Bletchley terminates & starts at Bedford.

Peter Storey   28/08/2016 at 12:00

Malcolm made the very good point that there doesn't seem to be a lead promoter for the complete route, or if there is they are not doing a very good job. With the electrification of the Oxford - Paddington route and the existing electrified West Coast and East Coast routes, and future Midland electrification, it would make sense to use this new line an alternative diversionary electric route in the event of disruptions. HS2 is vital and must go ahead as it serves so many cities and people but so too should these infill routes which are also vital and affordable in these days of rock bottom interest rates. The huge unknown is Brexit which could hit our economy so badly over the next few years that all much needed major investment could be hit. Such an unnecessary act.

Richard Wills-Woodward   29/08/2016 at 16:00

People need to really stop bleating on about Brexit here. 1) It's nothing to do with it 2) Brexit is about democratic control over socialist state control so if you think the EU is so wonderful, go and ask Europeans without jobs and sky high taxes what the reality of life is there. Some of you may like dependemcy and despise democracy, but the majority do not and we have a foundation in this nation that makes us very dofferent to continental Europe - it's called Magna Carta and the Bill of Rights. Every child should know this, sadly they don't and the result is a love for dictatorship and autocracy which is totally illogical. Our success is becasue of these foundations and not the EU. East West Rail has been delayed due to Network Rail incompetence and lack of manpower/resources.

Peter Jarvis   29/08/2016 at 19:20

Road works adjacent to the east side of Bletchley Station and reputedly in advance of the East-West line, are three-quarters done. Where does this leave us?

Huguenot   30/08/2016 at 13:33

Bad news indeed. Highways England is pressing on with the OxCam expressway -- the railway should get there first, otherwise users will get into the car habit and not take to rail when that eventrually does arrive. Building EWR Western Section Phase 2 (Bicester-Bletchley) is so easy (it's less than 19 miles and the trackbed is all there), why not get on with that? Electrification can wait. Perhaps Chiltern should lead on this too -- the trouble is that their franchise only goes up to 2021.

Tothehills   30/08/2016 at 14:06

Is this really the 3rd most important rail project in the country given: HS2, HS3, electrification of the MML, GWML electrification, Modernisation of the ECML? Seems to me a lot of money to spend on moving a small amount of the UK population from a whole bunch of moderate places. May be important to locals but nationally its irrelevant.

Transtraxman   02/09/2016 at 11:22

I do not see how this project is considered the third most important in the country. I would consider a longer list before this was even looked at. The government published in March 2015 a report listing 12 Tier One Priority lines, and this East-West line was not on the list. http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-31753447 Most refer to different parts of the Transpennine system and are of paramount importance.To this list I would add the electrification of the Midland Main Line from London to Sheffield and Leeds, plus the Chiltern Line from London to Birmingham. All these are essential a very long way before the said East-West line is even looked at.

Kev Smith   02/09/2016 at 14:38

get the bletchley - oxford branch reopened first, its trackbed is there, get some steel laid down, some Track circuits and run it in slowly its single line for majority of it anyway, throw in couple of passing loops at the designated stations. there are plenty of spare diesel units than can operate over it, turbos, sprinters, etc..just give the tocs some sweetners to see what happens first the Oxford branch is a handy diversion link...i fail to see how NR & the DFT cant be accelerating the first phase of reopening, long term it will make break even, eventually start making money again...

Andrew Long   04/09/2016 at 14:12

EWR was intended to serve the HS2 infrastructure depot at Claydon. The section of line from Claydon LNE Junction to Bletchley is "disused" so is easier to work on & upgrade as presumably no "engineering possessions" are required. Shouldn't the "Chiltern model" be being used for Bicester - Claydon - Bletchley? Are Network Rail so short of skilled staff that their other schemes now receive greater priority? If the resource is not available internally, why is it not seeking external consultancy support to help deliver EWR in a timely manner?

Melvyn   04/09/2016 at 18:31

The main effect of the BREXIT vote has been the loss of one of the most pro rail chancellors we have ever had and perhaps we are now back to old days of roads before rail ? In addition funding for rail projects like South Wales electrification was due to come from eu funding and so now either this project will not be funded or money will have to come from elsewhere . And before anyone goes on about money we pay to the eu well the treasury won't necessarily allocate money not spent on say the eu for projects that the eu was down to fund . As fie east west rail well Buckinghamshire Council has spent large sums on opposing HS2 money that would have been better directed at East West rail which they support. As for Chiltern Rail well that is operated by German Statevrailway DB and we don't know yet whether EU state railways will be interested in our railways post BREXIT especially if we are no longer part of the single market ! In fact other rail projects like doubling the Felixstowe branch could have a higher priority if freight trains generate more revenue for railways .

Tim   12/09/2016 at 17:24

Melvyn, worth noting that the new chancellor was transport secretary not that long ago...the fact that he therefore presumably knows a little more than the average minister about rail investment could be seen as either a positive or a negative...!

Fred   11/12/2017 at 23:22

We can help facilitate the financial service bank instrument SBLC /BG, We remain the best financial consulting company with years of experience in the international and local finance market. We have become the hallmark of excellent service in this industry with trusted and genuine FCA registered SBLC Providers who have truly succeeded in creating significant value for all clients and brokers involved in leasing or purchasing sblc . We issue from Top rated world Banks and also work with brokers and agents with 100% healthy commissions paid on every deal. Leasing SBLC : 4% +2% Purchasing SBLC : 32% +2% DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS: 1. Instrument: Bank Guarantee (BG/SBLC) 2. Total Face Value : Please inform us 3. Issuing Bank: HSBC, Barclays London or Deutsche Bank Frankfurt or any Top 25 WEB 4. Age: One Year, One Day 5. Leasing / Selling SBLC / BG 6. Delivery: SWIFT MT799/MT760. 7. Payment: MT-103. 8. Hard Copy: Bonded Courier within 7 banking days. All relevant business information will be provided upon request and we are ready to forward to you the DOA/CONTRACT of work once you inform us if you will be Leasing or Purchasing. Best Regards NAME;Fred Stones E MAIL;[email protected] .skype:fredforrealasurance403

Sandy   12/12/2017 at 13:01

Welcome to the Northern Poorhouse! This goes to illustrate again that magic proposals to keep the Electorate happy don't often come to anything.

Burtorail   19/12/2017 at 17:35

If true, this is possibly because feeding such a service into Cambridge without four tracks north of Shepreth Branch Junction through to Cambridge will be unworkable. The new station at Addenbrooke's Hospital also demands these four tracks, which aside from station building cost, makes four-tracking more justifiable, but still very pricey. However, I'm utterly certain that this east-west project will be an enormous success commercially, even though it might interfere with the business case of several current London focused franchises. But I'm no expert, of course.

Luan Mora Esther   08/02/2018 at 08:16

Dear Sir/Madam, We are direct providers of Fresh Cut BG, SBLC and MTN which are specifically for lease, our bank instrument can be engage in PPP Trading, Discounting, signature project (s) such as Aviation, Agriculture, Petroleum, Telecommunication, construction of Dams, Bridges, Real Estate and all kind of projects. We do not have any broker chain in our offer or get involved in chauffer driven offers. We deliver with time and precision as sethforth in the agreement. Our terms and Conditions are reasonable. below is our instrument description. The procedure is very simple; the instrument will be reserved on Euro clear to be verified by your bank, after verification an arrangement will be made for necessary bank documents and stock testing expenses, the cost of the Bank Guarantee will be paid after the delivery of MT760. DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS: 1. Instrument: Bank Guarantee (BG/SBLC) (Appendix A) 2. Total Face Value: Eur 5M MIN and Eur 10B MAX (Ten Billion USD). 3. Issuing Bank: HSBC Bank London, Barclays, Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank Frankfurt. 4. Age: One Year, One Month 5. Purchasing Price: 32% of Face Value plus 2% commission fees to brokers. 6. Leasing Price: 4% of Face Value plus 2% commission fees to brokers. 7. Delivery: Bank to Bank swift. 8. Payment: MT-103 or MT760 9. Hard Copy: Bonded Courier within 7 banking days. We are ready to close leasing with any interested client in few banking days, if interested do not hesitate to contact me direct. Email: [email protected] Skype: [email protected] Regards, Mrs Luna Mora Esther

Muhammed Emir Harun   12/02/2018 at 17:14

We Facilitate Bank instruments SBLC for Lease and Purchase. Whether you are a new startup, medium or large establishment that needs a financial solution to fund/get your project off the ground or business looking for extra capital to expand your operation,our company renders credible and trusted bank guarantee provider who are willing to fund and give financing solutions that suits your specific business needs. We help you secure and issue sblc and bank guarantee for your trade, projects and investment from top AA rated world Banks like HSBC, Barclays, Dutch Ing Bank, Llyods e.t.c because that’s the best and safest strategy for our clients.e.t.c DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS 1. Instrument: Funds backed Bank Guarantee(BG) ICC-600 2. Currency : USD/EURO 3. Age of Issue: Fresh Cut 4. Term: One year and One day 5. Contract Amount: United State Dollars/Euros (Buyers Face Value) 6. Price : Buy:32%+1, Lease: 4%+2 7. Subsequent tranches: To be mutually agreed between both parties 8. Issuing Bank: Top RATED world banks like HSBC, Barclays, ING Dutch Bank, Llyods e.t.c 9. Delivery Term: Pre advise MT199 or MT799 first. Followed By SWIFT MT760 10. Payment Term: MT799 & Settlement via MT103 11. Hard Copy: By Bank Bonded Courier Interested Agents,Brokers, Investors and Individual proposing international project funding should contact us for directives.We will be glad to share our working procedures with you upon request. Name: Muhammed Emir Harun Contact Mail :[email protected] Skype: [email protected]

Michelle Huxford   14/02/2018 at 03:40

ALL THANKS TO UPSTART LOAN AM NOW FINANCIALLY STABLE . [email protected] I am Michelle Huxford from Casper, Wyoming. I was in a very chronic financial issue and terminal health situation some few weeks back. After all my search for assistance from friends and neighbors proved abortive, I feel there was no one who truly cares. I became so emaciated due to lack of good food and my 2 kids age 5 and 8 were not also good looking due to lack of proper care as a result of finance. One faithful morning I saw an old time friend of my late husband and I told him all I have been going through and he said the only way he could help was to direct me to a good loan agency that also helped him, He explained to me on how he was financially down and how he got boosted by this loan agency UPSTART LOAN INC ( [email protected] ) who grant him 245,000 USD loan at an affordable rate. He further assured me that they were the only legit loan firm he found in the quest of seeking for loan after been scammed by various fake loan lenders online. He gave me their email: [email protected] or text/call (574) 301-1639, That was how i applied and was also granted a loan and my life changed for the good. CONTACT THE ONLY GENUINE LENDERS( UPSTART LOAN INC) VIA email: [email protected] or call +1 (574) 301-1639 to resolve your financial mess.

Colin Brown   24/02/2018 at 23:48

Why can't the editors of the website stop miscreant post, which aren't interested in the subject matter, and are excuse to fleece the unwary of their cash.

Keat Cheng   05/03/2018 at 15:15

We are Ireland based major/Direct providers of Fresh Cut BG, SBLC, POF, MTN, Bonds and CDs and this financial instruments are specifically for lease and sale.We are one of the leading Financial instrument providers with offices all over Europe. we always deliver on time and precision as Set forth in the agreement. You are at liberty to engage our leased facilities into trade programs, project financing, Credit line enhancement, Corporate Loans (Business Start-up Loans or Business Expansion Loans), Equipment Procurement Loans (Industrial Equipment, Air crafts, Ships, etc.) as well as other financial instruments issued from AAA Rated bank such as HSBC Bank Hong Kong, HSBC Bank London, Deutsche Bank AG Frankfurt, Barclays Bank , Standard Chartered Bank and others on lease at the lowest available rates depending on the face value of the instrument needed, Our Terms and Conditions are reasonable. DESCRIPTION OF INSTRUMENTS: 1. Instrument: Bank Guarantee (BG)/SBLC (Appendix A) 2. Total Face Value: 10M MIN to 50B MAX USD or Euro 3. Issuing Bank: HSBC, Deutsche Bank Frankfurt, UBS or any Top 25 . 4. Age: One Year, One Day 5. Leasing Price: 4+ 1% 6. Sale Price: 32+2% 7. Delivery by SWIFT . 8. Payment: MT103-23 9. Hard Copy: Bonded Courier within 7 banking days. If you have need for Corporate loans, International project funding, etc. or if you have a client that requires funding for his project or business, We are also affiliated with lenders who specialize on funding against financial instruments, such as BG, SBLC, POF or MTN, we fund 100% of the face value of the financial instrument. Inquiries from agents/ brokers/ intermediaries are also welcomed; do get back to us if you are interested in any of our services and for quality service. Name : Keat Cheng E-mail : [email protected] Skype id :[email protected]

Add your comment

related

rail technology magazine tv

more videos >

latest rail news

HS2 Ltd: Five tech firms join Innovation Accelerator initiative

11/09/2020HS2 Ltd: Five tech firms join Innovation Accelerator initiative

HS2 Ltd have announced today (11 Sept) the first five revolutionary tech firms that will join HS2 Ltd’s Innovation Accelerator programme. ... more >
Network Rail publish Decarbonisation Plan

11/09/2020Network Rail publish Decarbonisation Plan

Network Rail have released their interim Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy, illustrating its preliminary recommendations for decarbonisin... more >
Trains kept moving by AWC despite damaged overhead wires

11/09/2020Trains kept moving by AWC despite damaged overhead wires

Avanti West Coast have taken an unlikely option to allow their timetable to run, without delays, despite damaged overhead wires. The operato... more >

last word

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

Encouraging youngsters to be safe on the railway

This summer, Arriva Group's CrossCountry and the Scout Association joined to launch a new partnership to promote rail safety among young people. Chris Leech MBE, business community manager at the... more > more last word articles >

'the sleepers' daily blog

On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

29/06/2020On the right track, Sulzer is awarded RISAS accreditation for Nottingham Service Centre

Following an independent audit, Sulzer’s Nottingham Service Centre has been accepted as part of the rail industry supplier approval scheme (RISAS). The accreditation reinforces the high-quality standards that are maintained by Sulzer’s network of independent repair facilities across the UK and further afield in its global network. ... more >
read more blog posts from 'the sleeper' >

comment

The challenge of completing Crossrail

05/07/2019The challenge of completing Crossrail

With a new plan now in place to deliver Crossrail, Hedley Ayres, National Audit Office manager, major projects and programmes, takes a look at ho... more >
Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

04/07/2019Preparing the industry to deliver trains for the future

The move to decarbonise the rail network involves shifting to cleaner modes of traction by 2050. David Clarke, technical director at the Railway ... more >
Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

02/07/2019Sunshine future beckons for South Wales Railways, says 10:10 Climate Action’s Leo Murray

Smart electrification is the way to boost clean energy resources, argues Leo Murray, director at 10:10 Climate Action. Contractors are clear... more >
Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

02/07/2019Ambition doesn’t have to be expensive, says Midland Connect's Maria Machancoses

The TCR Midlands conference is only days away and tickets are going fast for the sector event of the year at the Vox Conference Centre in Birming... more >

rail industry focus

View all News

interviews

Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

24/06/2019Andrew Haines, CE of Network Rail, tells BBC News his organisation could issue future rail franchises

Andrew Haines, the Chief Executive of Network Rail, has told the Today programme on Radio 4's BBC’s flagship news programme that he wo... more >