Rail freight

Network Rail halts Ely to Soham freight line plans

Network Rail has shelved plans to double a section of track between Ely and Soham until sufficient funding can be identified.

The plans are part of the Felixstowe and Nuneaton freight capacity enhancement scheme called F2N.

Designers and engineers have been carrying out a “feasibility study” and site surveys since April to determine the possibility of double the track, since this would require buying extra land and changing level crossings.

They have now determined that the project would cost more than the available budget.

Network Rail would need to submit a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) to the transport secretary in order to progress with the scheme, stating that they have sufficient funding. This will now be “put on hold” until this funding can be located.

GB Railfreight managing director, John Smith, said the decision is “disappointing” but sheds light on the need to understand what F2N will look like once it is completed.

He added: “This includes recognising the capacity it can offer and the individual investments needed to deliver such capacity, including that at Soham. These can then be planned and funded through CP6.

“With regards to CP5, double tracking of the Felixstowe branch line remains the best value for money of all schemes on the route and it’s vital that the government completes the project in this control period. Double tracking will also ensure that benefits from other investments by Network Rail, such as the Nuneaton Chord and the Bacon Factory Curve, are fully exploited.”

A Network Rail statement on the decision said the scheme was being considered as part of the DfT’s Investment Framework Fund.

“The scheme is now on hold while we identify the funding available for the scheme in order to submit our TWAO, and therefore the ongoing consultation with landowners, businesses and other impacted parties will recommence when a revised date for submission is established,” it added.