03.12.14
Further study of new route via Okehampton as Dawlish alternative
The Department for Transport has confirmed Network Rail is to take forward an alternative route to the vulnerable Dawlish line, which collapsed in last winter’s storms.
Network Rail will conduct a further feasibility study into a route via the north side of Dartmoor, through Okehampton, at the government’s request – despite warning earlier this year that ‘Option 3’, as it was known, offered poor value for money, with a benefit-cost ratio of just 0.14. This is far below the usual criteria.
Details of the new study emerged in the government’s six-year National Infrastructure Plan. It stated funding will be provided to protect the Dawlish coastal route, which has previously been announced and could amount to a £350m injection.
It goes on to state that Network Rail will examine “alternatives to the current mainline route to the South West via Dawlish”.
As previously reported by RTM, Network Rail conducted a West of Exeter Route Resilience Study earlier this year, which looked at alternatives to the Dawlish route, including the one via Okehampton, however it found that none offered sufficient value for money. Instead the quango planned to look at options to further strengthen the existing railway.
Coming in at a cost of £875m the former London & South Western Railway route from Exeter to Plymouth via Okehampton was the most expensive option examined.
A DfT spokesman said: “We will be working with the local authorities and local enterprise partnership to undertake a feasibility study into re-opening that route.”
Chief secretary to the Treasury, Danny Alexander, added: “We're looking at two things - the first is how can we strengthen that railway line further and the second is, is there an alternative route? The idea of reopening the line through Okehampton for example – we have got Network Rail now doing a very detailed piece of work so we make sure we have got all the options on the table based on the next rail spending period .”
The new study is to be completed by spring and could form a part of CP6 spending plans.
Also in the new infrastructure plans it says bidders for the next Anglia rail franchise, which will start in October 2016, will be encouraged within the bidding process to submit plans for reducing journey times between Norwich and London to 90 minutes.
(Image: c. Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
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