Fenchurch Street expansion proposed to meet demand

NETWORK Rail says London Fenchurch Street station may have to be replaced with a new six-platform facility on the site of the Tower Gateway Docklands Light Railway station, to meet forecast demand.

The current four-platform station is expected to exceed NR’s station capacity planning guidance around the mid-platform stairs by 2025, irrespective of any changes to how the train service operates. It is among the key findings in the Essex Thameside Capacity study.

Early installation of European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 signalling on the route is also being considered, in a bid to provide a consistent two-minute planning headway between Upminster and Fenchurch Street by 2025. This proposal was developed by the route’s passenger operator c2c and recommends operating 24 trains per hour in the high peak.

Wider use of ETCS across the whole of the Essex Thameside corridor could increase freight capacity, in addition to improving safety and enhancing operational flexibility.

Additional carriages are expected to be required to ensure standing levels do not breach the density threshold in the high peak period.

Another 22 vehicles are expected to be needed by 2025, with some trains lengthened. Bay platforms at Grays and Shoeburyness would also need to be extended to accommodate 12-car trains.

A decade later, a further 22 vehicles are predicted to be needed, as demand continues to rise.

By 2050, if the trend continues, the total number of extra coaches needed compared with today is 70. Should the vehicles be acquired, consideration would need to be given to depot and power supply upgrades.

Further stations identified as needing upgrades to meet future demand are West Ham and Barking.

The existing infrastructure is expected to be able to accommodate likely freight growth, but some enhancement in the form of infill electrification may be possible.

Network Rail is now considering options raised in the study. One option is to install ETCS early and increase train frequency as required, with the other seeking to lengthen trains in the short term and defer ETCS deployment until around 2030.