Acceleratedeliveryfor MMLelectrification? NRseeks designsfor the future of smaller stations
COMPLETIOoNf electrification on the MidlandMain Line(MML) betweenMarketHarborough and Sheffieldis one of six majorupgradeschemesbeing consideredby NetworkRailfor accelerated elivery.
NRhasidentifiedsixprojects whereit isaimingto halve the time and slashthe costof delivery.Thisis in responseto the Government'sProjectSpeed challengeto reducethe leadtime for infrastructureimprovements acrossthe UK.
Themajorprogrammes identifiedby NRarethe Croydon AreaRemodellingt;rans-Pennine RouteUpgradebetween ManchesterL, eedsandYork; improvementsto unblockthe congestedCastlefieldcorridor through Manchestert;he reintroductionof passenger servicesfrom Newcastle to BlythandAshingtonin Northumberlandt;he planned remodellingat Oxfordto increase capacity;and a revivalof the full MMLelectrification,cancelledby ChrisGraylingin 2017.
Studiesby NRinto how the schemescan be deliveredmore quicklyand cost-effectivelywere dueto concludeat the endof July,and plansarenow being developedfurther beforefinal proposalsarepresentedto the Departmentfor Transport.
■ NetworkRailcontinuesto press on with MidlandMainLine(MML) electrificationwork despitethe recentlyannouncedsix-month delayto electricserviceson the Corbyroute(RMAugust).
Twonew electricitysub-stations betweenBedfordand Ampthill weretestedand commissioned overthe weekendsof July4/5 and 11/12.
Theequipment is required to boostthe 25kVACpower supplyon the southernend of the MMLin preparationfor the introductionof EastMidlands RailwayLondonto CorbyEMUs and,from 2022,HitachiClass810 bi-modeintercitytrains.
NETWORKRailand the RoyalInstitute ofBritish Architects(RIBA)have launchedan international competition to shapethe future of morethan 2,000 small-to-medium railway stations.
Architects,engineers and designersnow have the chanceto improve the travel experiencefor millions of passengers, taking into accountthe changing demandsof rail passengersacrossthe country.
Entrantsare being asked to considerenvironmental issuesand sustainability, modificationsto existing stations or new-build projects,and the need to caterfor growing demand over the coming decades.