30.03.16
NR publishes East Midlands route study
Network Rail has laid out its new route study for East Midlands railway to meet rapidly growing passenger and freight demand.
Passenger numbers are estimated to increase by 31-40% by 2023 and by 53-114% by 2043, and freight tonne kilometres by 65% by 2023 and 350% by 2043.
The study recommends improving capacity, especially to allow increased Felixstowe to West Midlands freight services by 2023, through additional platforms at Leicester Station, more running lines between Syston and Kilby Bridge Junction, grade separation of Wigston Junction, improvements to the Syston North and South Chords and resignalling between Syston and Peterborough.
It also says there is a value for money case for the lengthening of trains on the Birmingham – Leicester – Stansted Airport/Cambridge, Norwich – Nottingham – Sheffield – Liverpool, Southampton/Reading – Newcastle via Derby and Plymouth – Edinburgh/Glasgow via Derby corridors, in order to deliver Network Rail’s CP6 development goals, which include improving capacity and access to HS2, airports, higher education establishments and social infrastructure.
A new East Midlands Gateway Rail Freight Interchange has already received the green light for development.
Network Rail also announced today that the preferred route for East West Rail is through the Bedford-Sandy-Cambridge corridor.
There are current issues with congestion on the railway, with the line from Leicester to Cricklewood being declared ‘congested infrastructure’.
The study warns that Leicester, Derby and Nottingham are all expected to see capacity constraints on some railway routes by 2023 and significant overcrowding by 2043.
Network Rail is also working to maximise benefits from HS2, with Toton being confirmed as the preferred location for the East Midlands Hub station.
Funders have also asked that Network Rail develop the case for the extension of the East West Rail link from the East Midlands area to Cambridge, and work with the Midlands Connect partnership to deliver options for improvements in connectivity and journey time across East-West Midlands corridors.
A recent Transport Select Committee report said that improved railway access to airports is needed.
The London North Eastern and East Midlands Route has also developed a Weather Resilience and Climate Change Adaptation Plan to increase the network’s preparedness for extreme weather events such as last winter’s storms.