Chilterns Route Study to tackle capacity challenges

A new connection from the Chiltern Main Line to the planned interchange at Old Oak Common, to provide additional capacity and access to both Crossrail and HS2, is one of the recommendations put forward by Network Rail as it looks to tackle a predicted 49% increase in capacity in the West Midlands and Chilterns.

Other infrastructure plans NR suggests include the development of a ‘Midlands Rail Hub’ that could allow more trains to run every hour into central Birmingham.

This would feature: new infrastructure at Bordesley, allowing trains from the southwest, northeast and east Midlands to access Birmingham Moor Street; additional tracks at Water Orton, to provide capacity for additional passenger trains and more freight; upgrading Kings Norton station and introducing more platforms at Birmingham Snow Hill and Moor Street; upgrading the railway around Worcester; and introducing automatic train operation to control trains to provide more capacity.

NR also suggests longer trains on key commuter and long-distance routes by 2024, along with longer trains into London Marylebone by the same year.

It says that an additional 24 million passengers per year are expected to travel on the routes over the next seven years. Already the West Midlands and Chiltern routes carry more than 50 million passengers, and that is predicted to double by 2043.

The capacity challenges are outlined in the West Midlands and Chilterns Route Study. It takes into account the opening of HS2 and the capacity boost that will offer, but says there is a huge need to upgrade the existing network both for commuters and for better access to the new railway.

“It is vital that the rail industry continues to prepare for future challenges, not least how more people can access a vastly improved railway,” said NR Route Managing Director Martin Frobisher.

The publication of the study on July 4 started a 90-day consultation whereby interested parties can comment on the plans. The final version will be published later this year, and be used for help identify proposals to be taken forward.

Comments can be submitted via westmidlandsandchilternsroutestudy@networkrail.co.uk or at www.networkrail.co.uk/long-term-planning-process/WestMidlands-and-Chilterns-RouteStudy/