NR focuses on relieving pinch-points to aid capacity

Network Rail would prefer tackling pinch-points over improving line speeds on the Great Eastern Main Line, Chris Rowley (NR’s principal strategic planner for London and the South East) told Ipswich MP Ben Gummer at the Rail Summit on September 7.

Gummer was highly critical of NR and its perceived lack of information regarding the improvements needed for the GEML.

He said: “This franchise is a model for the railways. It is lifechanging for all our constituents. We have an operator calling for economic growth. Network Rail talks of engineering and we have heard of the money release. Yet not £1 has been spent on the suggestions from the Taskforce.

“A premium of £3 billion is being spent and yet you discuss pinchpoints. Network Rail has to deliver. Getting a plan out of Network Rail is hard. If this is Network Rail’s current position, it cannot deliver what is needed.”

Rowley replied: “Investing in the gains via pinch-points is our view. That benefits capacity, rather than line speed.”

Earlier Rowley had spoken of NR’s plans, which he said for Control Period 5 was “renewing and replacing predominantly around the overhead line electrification south of Ipswich and Colchester.”

Looking beyond CP5, he said: “We have worked with the Taskforce plans. If we are to solve journey times, our view is to see where the improvements are. You need to improve capacity rather than line speed.”

He added that in CP6 NR will have upgraded the Felixstowe branch to be able to handle 45 freight trains per day, although he gave no details as to when and how this would be achieved.

On Ely North Junction, Rowley said: “One of the key things for the cross-country route is the passenger aspirations. Govia Thameslink Railway wants two trains per hour to Kings Lynn, 2tph Norwich to Cambridge is an aspiration, Cross Country wants more to Stansted Airport, and maybe there are trains to Wisbech.

“That adds to a major pinchpoint. We are liaising with Local Enterprise Partnerships and there is a clear view of what we want. We need to think of freight and passengers.”