A public consultation has been launched by Network Rail on proposals to renew the railway’s signalling system and upgrade seven level crossings across the Cambridge area.
Network Rail is proposing to replace hundreds of signalling assets across an area of 125 miles of track, stretching from Meldreth and Elsenham to the south, through Cambridge, up to Ely to the north and Thurston to the east, as well as Croxton level crossing, in Norfolk, on the cross-country line to Norwich.
The public is being asked to comment on the tenders that will be presented as part of a virtual consultation that will run for six weeks from 1 March.
The signalling systems around Cambridge were installed in the 1980s and are reaching the end of their expected operational life. Modernising these systems will allow for improved reliability, performance, and efficiency of the railway, better safety for all rail users in the Cambridge area and greater safety at seven level crossings.
Updating the existing signalling systems in the Cambridge area will also help to support the national strategy to create a Digital Railway.
The proposals include:
• Upgrade of signalling control equipment at Cambridge power signal box (PSB)
• Upgrade of signalling systems with a modern, computer-based digital system
• Upgrade of seven level crossings to the full barrier with obstacle detection or CCTV technology
• Relocation of signalling control from the Bury St Edmunds, Dullingham and Chippenham signal boxes to the Cambridge PSB
• Upgrade of telecommunications and power supplies to support the new systems
Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s Route Director for Anglia said: “This is an exciting time for the Cambridge area as we embark on a huge project to renew the signalling systems across a large area of the railway. We’ve been working on the early stages but now would like to ask the public for their views.
“We’re keen to hear from those who live next to the railway, specifically around the level crossings which we are looking to upgrade. These views will help us to make the best possible decisions and I would encourage everyone in those communities to have your say.”
Image: Network Rail
