Doubts over location of GA’s new maintenance depot

A decision over the future of Greater Anglia’s planned Brantham depot, which is due to open in December to stable and maintain new trains, will be made in the first quarter of this year.

An internal newsletter, seen by RAIL, includes an update from Franchise and Programmes Director Mike Kean, who states: “I am conscious that there have been several rumours about the future of this site which can be damaging. I wanted to give an honest update on where we are.

“We have been working hard on it for over a year but still have issues with the landowner selling the land, delivery of the connection and achieving acceptance of how it will operate. Due to this we are looking at alternative stabling sites to accommodate the new trains as well as other locations for a wheel lathe. We are continuing to develop Brantham, but if we cannot solve the land issues we will need a plan B - this is well under way. A further review of Brantham will happen in Q1 of this year.”

Kean’s update was published on January 3. The day before, GA had told RAIL: “There is no change and no new developments. The project is currently still moving forward with no change to the plans, though we are still finalising the commercial agreement with the land owners. Major investment is taking place in Crown Point [Norwich] anyway because that’s the main base for the Stadler trains.”

The site is located next to the Down line north of Manningtree. An event in February last year ( RAIL 821) marked the start of work at the depot, which was to be built partly on the site of a former chemical facility.

RAIL also understands there is concern within GA regarding lack of stabling on the West Anglia route. Initial plans featured Chesterton Junction, north of Cambridge, but the land was sold before Abellio was announced as the new operator in August 2016 ( RAIL 807).

GA will take delivery of 1,043 new vehicles from this summer until 2020. Bombardier will deliver 665 Class 720 Aventra vehicles, while 24 12-car Class 745 electric multiple units are on order from Stadler for use on the Stansted Express (12 sets) and Great Eastern Main Line (12 sets). A further 14 three-car Class 755/3 and 24 fourcar ‘755/4 bi-mode units are also on order from Stadler.

RAIL understands that Taylor Woodrow, contractor for Brantham and also for the redevelopment of Norwich Crown Point, is now focusing on the Norfolk depot.