Delivering a better railway for a better Britain - Network Specification 2020 North West and Central (NW&C) region
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Delivering a better railway for a better Britain Network Specification 2020 North West and Central (NW&C) region
The information in this document is checked regularly and is as accurate as possible; however the railway is an ever changing environment: service patterns can change quickly, particularly in freight markets, and the exact details of investment spend may fluctuate over time. In particular, following the effects of Covid-19, the services on the railway network might be different from those that were originally planned. You are advised to seek advice from LNWNorthCMSP@networkrail.co.uk if you wish to check the accuracy of any information contained in this document.
Network Specification: • better address the region’s business needs
• feed refranchising by considering strategic
North West and Central questions at the right time in the franchising
cycle such that any choices presented can be
(NW&C) region considered before the invitation to tender stage
of future franchises
Incorporates Strategic Routes: • recognise and where appropriate influence
industry policy in other areas such as rolling stock
M: West Midlands and Chilterns strategy, technology strategy, and environmental
sustainability
N: West Coast Main Line
O: Merseyside • employ a more effective, focussed means of
H: Cross-Pennine, Yorkshire and Humber consultation
and North West (North West section) • provide more granular, targeted market insight
• develop a ‘service change’ pipeline for future
This Network Specification describes the geography
configuration states
of the North West and Central region, comprising
three subsidiary routes: North West, Central, and • demonstrably focus on incremental opportunities
West Coast Main Line (South). This document and service trade-offs.
outlines train service provision to meet current and
future passenger markets and traffic flows for the The outputs of the process will provide options to
freight business. It identifies infrastructure choices for funders which will inform the enhancement pipeline
funders to meet future growth for the medium to and upcoming franchise decisions.
long term over the next thirty years.
Figure 1 Continuous Modular Strategic Planning
The Network Specification refers to Strategic Route
Specifications (SRSs). SRSs cover specific sections
and/or corridors of the route and are published as
appendices to this document. They describe, in
greater detail, the current and future requirements of
each SRS to inform both internal and external
stakeholders of the strategy for the North West and
Central region.
Prior to Control Period six (CP6, which covers 2019 to
2024) the Long Term Planning Process produced a
number of market studies which forecast future
demand for each market. These studies informed the
development of route studies, which set out choices
for funders for ways to accommodate forecast level
of demand.
Whilst CMSP has been designed to enable strategic
In CP6 we have changed the way that Network Rail planning activity to be undertaken without the
undertakes long-term planning in response to constraint of regional boundaries, there are some
stakeholder feedback, moving away from producing planning activities where the network has to be
route studies (undertaken on a rolling basis in each considered as a whole. Further information is on
Control Period) to a more flexible and modular pages 13 and 14.
approach that develops options for funders.
These range from the application of wider
This is called Continuous Modular Strategic Planning government policies and consideration of how to
(CMSP), and is underpinned by the development of influence these environmental and sustainability
an annual plan of strategic questions which will: challenges, through changing population
demographics, to the introduction of new
• explicitly put passenger and freight users at the technologies both to the railway system itself and
heart of the process more widely.
1
Strategic Route context Strategic Route O: Merseyside
The North West and Central (NW&C) region is the The Merseyrail network is an entirely third rail Direct
biggest single region within Network Rail and covers Current (DC) electrified network spread over the
over 24 per cent of the national rail network. Wirral, Merseyside, north Cheshire and south-west
Lancashire. The network is split in two as the Northern
The NW&C region: Line and the Wirral Line. The Northern Line operates
from Hunts Cross in the south to Liverpool Central
• is 24 per cent of Britain’s railway and Moorfields, with northerly branches serving
• runs around 6,725 train services each weekday Southport, Kirkby and Ormskirk. There are four
• generates nearly 250 million annual passenger terminus stations on the Wirral Line: New Brighton,
journeys West Kirkby, Chester and Ellesmere Port. All stations
• moves 700,000 tonnes of freight each week on this route are connected to Hamilton Square in
• maintains 7,100 bridges Birkenhead, and the central Liverpool stations. There
• operates 712 level crossings is a one-way, clockwise loop line underneath Liverpool
• controls services from 150 signal boxes city centre which serves the central stations of James
• looks after 571 stations Street, Moorfields, Liverpool Lime Street and Liverpool
• covers 4,500 track miles Central. Liverpool Lime Street Low Level forms an
• employs nearly 8,000 people. important link to the mainline Liverpool Lime Street
station, redeveloped in 2018, for interchange with
There are four Network Rail Managed Stations: services to a wide range of destinations such as
London Euston, Birmingham New Street, Manchester London, Manchester, Glasgow, Newcastle and
Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street. Norwich. Due to an increase in demand at Liverpool
Central, especially on the Northern Line, mitigation
The NW&C region accommodates the operations of strategies are currently being developed to help
over six freight operators and fourteen passenger address the increased demand.
operators, and a small number of charter train
operators.
Strategic Route H: North West – Urban
The NW&C region follows the West Coast Main
The North West Urban rail area covers a wide
Line from London Euston to the Scottish Borders,
geographical spread which has a large number of city
and incorporates a number of major commuter,
conurbations offering opportunities for employment,
intercity and local routes linking London with:
leisure and education. The area includes routes into
Watford, Milton Keynes, Northampton, Coventry,
stations in the principal locations, such as central
Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Preston,
Manchester, central Liverpool and Manchester
Carlisle and Scotland. The region also covers the
Airport; with various radial routes extending into
Chilterns area from London Marylebone to
Blackpool, Cheshire, Lancashire and Derbyshire.
Birmingham Snow Hill, and the whole of the West
Transport for the North (TfN) is the voice for
Midlands area. The West Coast Main Line diverges
transport in the north of England and plays a key role
at Crewe, where the line runs to Chester. Chester
in driving the strategic growth of the rail network
acts as a gateway to north Wales.
supporting Local Transport Authorities to ensure
strategic transport decisions are informed by local
The Strategic Routes that make up the North West
requirements.
and Central region are defined as;
• Route O: Merseyside Strategic Route H: North West – Rural
• Route H: North West
• Route N: West Coast Main Line The North West Rural area broadly covers the
• Route M: West Midlands and Chilterns. railway north of the line between Preston and
Burnley as far as Carlisle, with the exception of the
These routes serve a variety of markets to tourist West Coast Main Line, and the lines east of
destinations, allowing leisure travel and serving vital Skipton. It encompasses the rail routes within the
commuting into the towns and cities of northern county of Cumbria and a number in north
England. Lancashire. The key routes run along the Cumbrian
coast, between Settle and Carlisle, between
Preston and Ormskirk, and between Preston and
Burnley via Blackburn.
2
Strategic Route N: West Coast Main Line Coventry stations are primary interchange stations
for longer-distance services on the West Coast Main
The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is nearly 600km Line and on the cross-country network, as well as
long and stretches from London Euston to Glasgow being termini for local commuter services.
Central. For strategic planning purposes, the route to
Carstairs South junction (although in Scotland) is There is one line classified as rural: the Stratford-
included in the North West and Central region, while upon-Avon line, which includes the single-track branch
the Carstairs to Glasgow Central section is included in line from Bearley junction to Hatton junctions.
Scotland’s Railway. The WCML connects London to
Birmingham and the Midlands, Manchester, the Strategic Route M: Chiltern Lines
North West, and Scotland.
The Chiltern Main Line runs from London Marylebone
The WCML is recognised as a strategic transport to Birmingham Snow Hill via High Wycombe, Princes
corridor linking Europe (through the Channel Tunnel) Risborough, Bicester, Banbury, Leamington Spa and
via London and south-east England to the West Solihull.
Midlands, north-west England and Scotland, and is
the UK’s busiest mixed traffic route. The European At Neasden South junction the line diverges towards
and international importance of the WCML is Aylesbury Vale Parkway so that services can run from
reflected in its designation as a priority Trans London Marylebone via the London Underground
European Network (TEN) route. (LUL) Metropolitan line between Harrow-on-the Hill
and Amersham towards Aylesbury.
The south end of the route is focussed on long-
distance and commuter services to and from London, A single-track branch line runs between Princes
together with key freight services and flows serving Risborough and Aylesbury. There are also two freight
more northerly destinations. The north-west section branches from Bicester Town to Claydon LNE junction
of the WCML provides vital connections between and Aylesbury to Claydon LNE junction. The route
major cities and towns such as Manchester, Liverpool, between Claydon LNE junction and Bletchley is
Preston and beyond. currently out of use. This line is being developed as
part of the plans known as East West Rail which will
Strategic Route M: West Midlands be described in more detail later in this document.
The West Midlands rail network is located at the Key passenger markets and traffic
centre of the national rail network and consists of flows
radial routes into the three central stations in
Birmingham (New Street, Snow Hill and Moor Street).
The routes in the West Midlands are predominantly
North West including Merseyside
two-track secondary routes which support the busy
local commuter markets into Birmingham and the There are a number of longer-distance through
metropolitan centres of Wolverhampton, Walsall, routes linking the north-west regional centres with
Coventry, Sandwell, Dudley and Solihull. There is an those in Scotland, the North East, East Midlands
increasingly wider spread of electrification but there and Anglia, together with interchange facilities
are still some local routes not electrified. Local services with the West Coast Main Line serving London, the
into Coventry, Walsall, and Wolverhampton are West Midlands and beyond.
electrified, as are services on the Birmingham cross-
city lines, with recent extensions to Bromsgrove and The north-west network is a mixed-use railway
Rugeley. with a substantial and growing commuter market
for rail services into the main centres of
The West Midlands network incorporates some Manchester, Liverpool and to a lesser degree
sections of primary route, including the West Coast Preston. There are strong leisure and business
Main Line between Rugby, Birmingham and Stafford, flows between Manchester and Liverpool, and
and the cross-country route between Wichnor from the region to London, Birmingham, north
junction and Stoke Works junction. Some of these Wales and Yorkshire. Manchester Airport and
routes are electrified and have higher line speeds of Liverpool John Lennon Airport (served by Liverpool
up to 125 mph, supporting high-speed, long-distance South Parkway) are significant destinations for
services to key locations throughout Britain. leisure and business rail passengers.
Birmingham New Street, Wolverhampton and
3
Northern Rail operates local commuter services on from the railway, making a valuable contribution to
the routes between Liverpool Lime Street and the visitor economy in the area. Although not
Blackpool North via Preston, and between considered commuter services in the way services into
Manchester Victoria and Blackpool North. They major cities are, they can still provide a key link for
also operate stopping services on the cross- workers in an area to important industry sites such as
Pennine routes to Leeds via the Calder Valley, via Sellafield Power Plant, with Sellafield station on the
Huddersfield and to Sheffield via the Hope Valley Cumbrian coast being busy at shift change times with
route. workers choosing to travel by train from neighbouring
towns.
Services on the third-rail DC lines in Merseyside are
operated by Merseyrail. These services serve West Coast Main Line
commuter and leisure markets and link Liverpool and
north Wales, Chester, Preston and Southport. Services The West Coast Main Line (WCML) is the busiest
on the Northern line operate on a number of mixed traffic route in the United Kingdom. It is
branches, serving Hunts Cross, Kirkby, Ormskirk and central to the business of many UK and international
Southport via Liverpool Central and Moorfields. On passenger and freight operators.
the Wirral lines there are branches to Chester,
Ellesmere Port, West Kirkby and New Brighton via The main passenger service flow on the WCML is
James Street, Moorfields, Liverpool Lime Street and long-distance, high-speed services operated by the
Liverpool Central. Avanti West Coast franchise. The key services are
operated between London Euston and Glasgow
Interurban services across the north-west link cities Central, Manchester Piccadilly (two services via
such as Manchester and Liverpool with cities further Stoke-on-Trent and one service via Crewe per
afield towards Scotland, with connections to hour), the West Midlands (Coventry, Birmingham
Edinburgh and Glasgow Central from Manchester as New Street and Wolverhampton), Liverpool Lime
well as a Liverpool to Glasgow service. There are Street and Chester (with some services extended
further services from Manchester to key cities in to north Wales, to Holyhead and to Bangor). Some
Yorkshire such as Leeds, Sheffield and York as well as services have additional stops during peak times
services towards Newcastle, Norwich via Nottingham to serve intermediate stations on the route
and Chester/north Wales. Most services connect between Rugby and Stafford.
through Manchester on the way to Manchester
Airport, providing connectivity throughout the north The Avanti West Coast franchise also operates fast
of England. services between Birmingham New Street and
Scotland, serving Glasgow Central and Edinburgh
East Midlands Railway operates services between Waverley in alternate hours.
Derby and Crewe and between Norwich,
Nottingham, Sheffield and Liverpool Lime Street Overnight sleeper services (operated by Serco
via Manchester Piccadilly. Caledonian Sleeper) run between London Euston
and Glasgow, Edinburgh, Inverness, Aberdeen and
Transport for Wales (TfW) operates services from Fort William.
north Wales, which serve Manchester via
Warrington Bank Quay, and from south Wales to Semi-fast services are operated on the WCML by
Manchester via Crewe. TfW also provides an West Midlands Trains (WMT) under the brands
hourly service on the Crewe to Chester line and West Midlands Railway and London Northwestern
services between Wrexham and Bidston, as well as Railway. The main services operated are between
over the recently reopened Halton Curve between London Euston and Tring, Milton Keynes Central,
Liverpool Lime Street and Chester via Runcorn. Northampton, Coventry, Birmingham New Street,
Whilst rural routes don’t see a spike in passenger Liverpool, Stoke on Trent and Crewe. These service
numbers during peak hours in the way commuter groups combine to provide at least three trains an
services do, they play a vital role in connecting local hour from London Euston to Northampton and at
communities throughout the day. It can also be vital least four trains an hour from London Euston to
for tourist traffic to the area, such as the Cumbrian Milton Keynes Central.
coast or Windermere branch line which serve tourist
traffic for the Lake District National Park year-round. Two branches feed the southern end of the WCML:
Other routes such as the Settle-Carlisle line provide the St. Albans Abbey line which joins the WCML at
alternative routes from Leeds to Carlisle via a rural Watford Junction, and the Bedford to Bletchley
route which is popular because of the scenic views line which joins the WCML at Bletchley. Both are
4
designated as ‘community rail’ lines with train and Birmingham Moor Street and Snow Hill, and six
services operated by WMT. trains per day between London Marylebone and
Stratford-upon-Avon. Chiltern Railways is proposing
GTR Southern operates an hourly service between to run an enhanced service between Stratford-
East Croydon and Milton Keynes Central via upon-Avon and London Marylebone to serve the
Kensington Olympia although in certain hours the tourist market. There are significant interurban
service begins at Clapham Junction and only flows serving the business, wider commuting and
operates as far as Watford Junction. leisure travel. The interurban market between
London and the surrounding areas has grown
Arriva Rail London operates services on the slower considerably in recent decades, and Chiltern
DC electrified third rail lines between Watford Railways offer services to Warwick, Banbury and
Junction and London Euston via Queens Park and Bicester, including the major retail outlet at
Harrow. London Underground Limited services also Bicester Village. Trains also serve smaller
operate on the DC lines between Harrow and commuter markets into other towns on the route,
Wealdstone and Queens Park and then into such as High Wycombe and Aylesbury.
Central London via the Bakerloo Line.
Chiltern Railways has been operating a service
West Midlands and Chilterns from London Marylebone to Oxford Parkway and
Oxford since 2016 utilising the first stretch of the
The rail network in the West Midlands and soon-to-be-completed East West Rail service.
Chilterns area supports a range of markets
including commuting into key employment and CrossCountry Trains operates a network of long-
leisure destinations, interurban travel between distance services which run through the West
major urban centres and long-distance travel. Due Midlands between cities outside London. These
to its central location, the West Midlands area acts include services between Plymouth and Penzance
as a hub for the national rail network with many and Edinburgh via Bristol Temple Meads, Leeds
long-distance services passing through and York, Bournemouth and Bristol Temple Meads
Birmingham New Street, which is a primary to Manchester Piccadilly, and between Reading
interchange station for many destinations across and Newcastle. All CrossCountry services call at
the network. Birmingham New Street, offering interchange
opportunities for passengers to link from local and
Local commuting in the West Midlands has grown interurban services. These regional links include to
substantially in recent years. The local rail network Derby, Nuneaton, Leicester, Nottingham, Stansted
is extensive and busy with services on some Airport, Cheltenham, and Cardiff.
corridors now operating at a ten-minute
frequency. The commuter network is operated West Midlands Trains also supports interurban
primarily by the West Midlands franchise, and the flows from the West Midlands including between
majority of local services are supported by West Birmingham New Street and Liverpool Lime Street,
Midlands Rail Executive. Services support commuter, and between Birmingham New Street and London
shopping and leisure needs with key flows Euston via Rugby and Northampton.
operating from across the West Midlands into
Birmingham city centre and other key Transport for Wales Rail offers interurban service
employment and urban centres such as opportunities between north Wales, mid Wales,
Wolverhampton, Coventry, Solihull, Dudley and Shropshire and the West Midlands. These services
Walsall. Frequent services are also offered to operate to Birmingham International station
Birmingham International to support passengers offering passengers connectivity with Birmingham
accessing Birmingham Airport and activities at the Airport, which is one of the busiest airports outside
National Exhibition Centre and the Resorts World London, and to the National Exhibition Centre.
Arena.
Key freight markets and traffic
Chiltern Railways serves the long-distance market flows
between Birmingham Snow Hill and London
Marylebone. This market has grown significantly
Rail freight plays a vital role in the UK economy
over recent years and is an attractive high-speed
and its growth is encouraged by the Government
alternative to services on the West Coast Main
in the light of its significant economic and
Line to London in the peak hours. Services operate
environmental benefits. The rail freight market is
on a half-hourly basis between London Marylebone
5
dependent on the general performance of the the Channel Tunnel has been low in recent years,
economy, and to varying levels on the type of rail driven partly by security concerns. Future demand
flow. There are several major freight flows in the remains uncertain and may depend on the UK’s
North West and Central region operating to future relationship with the European Union;
terminals within the route as well as to locations however, a scheme to clear W12 routes between
outside the area. the Tunnel and Wembley in order to unlock
demand is in the early stages of development.
Freight operators on the route include DB Cargo,
which is the largest freight operator in the UK, and The major flows on the West Coast Main Line
Freightliner Limited, which is the largest rail (WCML) from Southampton are to the Midlands
haulier of containerised traffic on the route, terminals at Birch Coppice, Hams Hall, Lawley Street
predominantly for the deep sea market. Other and Daventry; to the North West terminals at
operators running services on the route include GB Garston, Trafford Park and Ditton; and to further
Railfreight, Direct Rail Services and Colas Rail. destinations in the North East and Scotland. The
flows from Felixstowe to the Midlands and North
The main freight markets in the North West and West terminals operate via the North London Line
Central region are: joining the WCML at Willesden junction or via
Peterborough joining the WCML at Nuneaton.
Intermodal
The Channel Tunnel intermodal market offers
There is a high demand for container and opportunities for traffic from Spain, Italy, France,
intermodal freight transport, and rail is increasing Belgium, Germany and other EU countries. In 2011,
its modal share of this market. Intermodal traffic freight started to use the High Speed One line, and
includes domestic intermodal (containerised goods this has brought the prospect of larger loading-gauge
moved within Great Britain), maritime intermodal traffic into Britain for onward movement via the
(intermodal traffic moved to and from the ports) WCML.
and Channel Tunnel intermodal (intermodal traffic
from mainland Europe which is moved via the Domestic intermodal
Channel Tunnel).
Domestic intermodal traffic is the movement of
There are many intermodal terminals within the containerised consumer goods within Great Britain.
North West and Central region, including Garston, Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT)
Trafford Park, Ditton, Daventry (Daventry is the national hub of Anglo-Scottish intermodal
International Rail Freight Terminal), Lawley Street, traffic and a high proportion of traffic at DIRFT is
Hams Hall, and Birch Coppice (Birmingham domestic traffic. Key flows include the time-
International Freight Terminal). Much of the sensitive supermarket traffic which operates
traffic at these terminals originates from deep sea between Daventry and Mossend and
ports, especially the East Coast ports and Grangemouth and Coatbridge. Expansion plans
Southampton, and from mainland Europe via the for DIRFT 3 are currently ongoing.
Channel Tunnel. Two new Strategic Railfreight
Interchanges (SRFIs) have been granted planning Automotive
permission on the WCML south of Northampton and
north of Wolverhampton, with other schemes being Automotive flows transport time-sensitive high
developed. value products, for which the transit time forms
part of the production process. Within the West
Maritime and Channel Tunnel Midlands, automotive services that provide
intermodal finished products operate from the Jaguar car
plant at Castle Bromwich. There is an automobile
Maritime intermodal flows are container flows to and terminal at Speke (Liverpool) which forms a key
from ports. The main import locations into Britain are location for imported cars as well as those
Southampton and East Coast ports, especially produced for export, via Washwood Heath and
Felixstowe. Since the completion of the loading Southampton. There are also automotive flows
gauge clearance to W10 from Southampton to originating in the North West from Halewood near
the West Midlands in March 2011, further Liverpool (three trains a day) to Southampton and a
increases in freight traffic have been stimulated. regular flow from Dagenham to Garston carrying
Volumes of freight carried on through-trains via Ford vehicles.
6
Metals Network Rail Route Services
The West Midlands remains the principal UK Network Rail Route Services operates freight services
centre for metal processing and consumption, and to supply infrastructure materials throughout the
as a result there are significant flows of products country to meet the needs of railway engineering and
both into and out of the region. Large volumes of construction projects. There are locations at both
semi-finished and finished steel products both Crewe Basford Hall and Carlisle Kingmoor which are
from British manufacturing sites and from ports key nodes for the traffic that services the many
around the country are moved into terminals at requirements of Route Services. The operation at
Round Oak and Wolverhampton. Bescot in the West Midlands provides services to and
from the West Coast Main Line.
There are also flows of scrap metal within the
region from Mossend (Glasgow) to Liverpool, and of Other freight flows
metals for recycling which are despatched to a
range of British destinations from terminals at Other flows within the NW&C region include Royal
Handsworth, Saltley and Kingsbury. There are Mail, china clay, oil and petroleum, and other
significant flows of steel from south Wales to the power station traffic. Royal Mail operates daily
North East and to Corby, and from the North East, between Willesden and Shieldmuir in Scotland.
and into south Wales and Washwood Heath. China clay trains operate over the West Coast
Main Line; some of these originate in the South
Coal West, with destinations of Stoke-on-Trent and
Irvine in Scotland. Within the West Midlands oil
UK energy policy is for the cessation of coal and petroleum is transported to the Kingsbury
fuelled power by 2025. The power station at terminal near Tamworth and the Murco terminal
Fiddlers Ferry has now closed. There are only three at Bedworth. On the West Coast Main Line there
coal fired power stations left open in England, are also flows of timber from Carlisle to Chirk.
none of which are in the region; the supply of coal
to these power stations varies both in volume and There are regular flows of biomass from Portbury
originating port. It is unclear what the future is for
and Liverpool to Drax power station.
coal fired generation in the UK until 2025.
Waste Performance
For Control Period six the Public Performance
Within the North West and Central region,
Measure (PPM) targets for NW&C Lead Operators are
domestic and industrial waste traffic is
as follows:
transported to the waste processing site at Calvert
from Cricklewood, Willesden, Bristol and Northolt.
2019/20 2020/21 2021/22 2022/23 2023/24
Traffic has now commenced for waste flows on
the route to Folly Lane (Runcorn).
Chiltern 93.8% 93.9% 93.9% 94.2% 94.3%
Aggregates
Merseyrail 94.4% 94.4% 94.9% 95.4% 95.6%
Aggregate flows are highly dependent on the health
Avanti 86.4% 86.8% 86.5% 85.9% 86.1%
of the construction industry and demand tends to be
West
project driven. Aggregate flows within the region
Coast
operate to terminals at Northampton, Bletchley,
Watford, Willesden, Walsall, Castle Bromwich,
TPE 82.4% 84.5% 84.9% 85.5% 86.2%
Bordesley and Banbury. There are also flows from
Leicestershire to Neasden and from Peak Forest to
West 88.4% 88.8% 88.4% 88.7% 89.1%
the North East and South East. At the north end of
Midlands
the West Coast Main Line aggregates are
Trains
conveyed from the Shap quarries to Teesside,
Manchester and Sheffield.
New flows to serve the construction of High Speed
Two are likely to start in 2020-21 and increase as
construction accelerates.
7Proposed infrastructure The project is split into two main packages of work:
investment in Control Period six Phase 1: between Bicester and Oxford delivered both
(2019 to 2024) the infrastructure required for Chiltern’s ‘evergreen’
services to London and the incremental works
The Final Determination for funding for Control required for the later introduction of East West Rail
Period six (CP6) was announced by the Office of Rail services.
and Road in October 2018.
Phase 2: which is at a much earlier stage of
In CP6 enhancement funding from the development, will deliver the East West Rail works
government will be funded in accordance with the east of Bicester to Bletchley and Bedford (including
Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline (RNEP). This the Aylesbury to Claydon junction line).
means that enhancement projects being
developed in CP6 will only be committed following The Northern Hub
a decision to deliver, which requires an approved
business case. The conditional outputs of the Northern Hub have
been designed to enhance the capability of the
Chiltern Main Line train lengthening network across the north of England, specifically to
provide:
Platform lengthening has been identified by
• capacity for forecast passenger growth
operators on a number of routes in the West
Midlands and Chilterns area, in order to deliver the • faster and more frequent inter-regional services,
requirements of the High Level Output with increased direct links between northern
Specification (HLOS). cities
Train lengthening is proposed by Chiltern Railways • improved services on key commuter corridors to
in order to support their operational plans in CP6. support sustainability of the cities
Plans involve train lengthening from 7-car to 9-car • direct journeys from a wider range of towns/
trains, resulting in the need to lengthen platforms cities to Manchester Airport
at five stations: Bicester North, Haddenham and
Thame Parkway, Beaconsfield, High Wycombe, • freight capacity required to 2030.
and Princes Risborough. Further development of
these options is being undertaken. The project was split into two phases of work
based upon delivery of increased network
capability. Some elements of the Northern Hub
East West Rail
are to be reviewed and assessed as to their
suitability to deliver the conditional outputs as
The HLOS confirmed government commitment to
was originally intended.
fund the East West Rail project in CP6, identifying the
initial routes as Oxford to Bedford, Aylesbury to
The Northern Hub interfaces with a number of
Calvert and links. The primary objective of this
other key projects in the North West and across the
initiative is to improve east-west connectivity,
North.
providing additional capacity to accommodate
growth in freight and passenger numbers.
Coventry to Leamington Spa capacity
Service patterns and rolling stock strategy is still to be upgrade
defined; however the enhanced scope of the project
as announced in the HLOS provides a significant This scheme proposes to increase capacity on the
opportunity for additional and extended services. The line between Coventry and Leamington Spa. The
question of whether additional capacity will be industry recommendation is to address the
required on the West Coast Main Line to connectivity gap between Derbyshire, Yorkshire
accommodate East West Rail services to Milton and the North East to Coventry and Birmingham
Keynes Central will be examined during development International and further south-west. This
of the project. increased capacity will also help to address
crowding issues. Early analysis has indicated that
to increase capacity on the line, the single line
constraints must be addressed. This enhancement
will also accommodate the new hourly local
8passenger train service between Coventry and Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR)
Leamington Spa supporting the third-party funded
new passenger station at Kenilworth. Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) is a programme to
deliver a transformed rail network in the north of
West Midlands – New stations England and bring new opportunities to millions of
people and businesses and thereby drive economic
Grand Junction stations growth. Featuring a mix of new and significantly
upgraded railway lines, it will increase the capacity,
Two new stations are proposed on the line speed and resilience of the North’s rail network. In
between Walsall and Wolverhampton at Willenhall doing so, passengers will experience faster and far
and Darlaston. The route is currently used for more reliable journeys between the North’s
freight traffic and diverted passenger services at economies and its largest international airport. The
times of disruption. These plans are being Northern Powerhouse Rail proposals represent a
developed by West Midlands Rail Executive. coherent network that will transform rail services
across the North, providing a world class investment
Camp Hill stations and infrastructure for seamless rail travel across the
North as part of the Long-Term Rail Strategy.
West Midlands Rail Executive are also proposing three
new stations on the Camp Hill Line connecting south Depot and stabling enhancement for
Birmingham with the city centre. These stations extra trains
would serve Kings Heath, Moseley, and Hazelwell. The
route is currently used for freight traffic and With future passenger demand expected to grow,
CrossCountry services. there will be a need to increase train operator fleet
sizes which will in turn increase stabling demand. We
Coventry station upgrade expect additional depots to be built to fulfil this
increased demand.
There are third-party funded plans (Coventry City
Council) to enhance the transport links between North West area re-signalling
Nuneaton, Bedworth and Coventry. Proposals include
the upgrade of the line between Coventry and
During CP6 there are numerous projects to renew
Nuneaton, a new bay platform at Coventry station,
signalling infrastructure throughout the region. This
and complete redevelopment of the station and
includes work to renew and refurbish signal structures,
surrounding area.
and increase safety at level crossings.
North Trans-Pennine Electrification: Some of the projects include:
West
• Crewe Main Line re-signalling (phased over
TransPennine Route Upgrade (TRU) is a programme Control Periods six and seven)
of enhancements to increase capacity, improve • Macclesfield, Trafford Park, Basford Hall and
performance and deliver journey time improvements Crewe Independent Lines re-signalling
on the core TransPennine route between Manchester
Victoria, Leeds and York (via Huddersfield and • Signalling life extensions on the Cumbrian coast;
the Settle – Carlisle line; in the Liverpool area
Micklefield). This includes proposals to remodel
including Hunts Cross and Green Bank; Trafford
Stalybridge, Huddersfield and provide selective four Park; and the Hope Valley line
tracking. For further information about the
TransPennine Route Upgrade, please view the • Level Crossing renewals including Woodsmoor,
following link: https://www.networkrail.co.uk/our- Ince & Elton, Barthomley, Pool Hey, Wyke Cop,
railway-upgrade-plan/key-projects/transpennine- Shaws, Crabtree, Chapel Lane, Wraysholme, and
route-upgrade Saltcoats
• Level Crossing improvements or life extensions at
Bare Lane, Astley and Bromley Cross, Haverigg,
Bush-on-Esk No2, Chaffers, Black Dyke, and
Drigg.
9.Freight terminal plans scheme also supports the electric spine proposals
and the Coventry to Nuneaton Upgrade project.
There is a proposal for a new multi-modal freight
terminal at Port Salford in the North West. The site is Depot and stabling
planned to be connected to the Manchester to Liverpool
line (Chat Moss route), which joins the West Coast Main With the expansion of the electrification network
Line at Newton-le-Willows, enabling freight services to during Control Period five, there will be additional
access the terminal. It will be the only inland water- electric rolling stock vehicles that will need to be
served distribution park in Great Britain, using the maintained both in the North West and Midlands
Manchester Ship Canal as well as the major local areas. Development work to identify future options
motorway network in the North West. for depot and stabling is ongoing.
There is planned to be a major expansion of Daventry In the Midlands area, the current EMU maintenance
International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) to provide depot at Soho is at maximum capacity and a further
more storage and distribution facilities and rail location will need to be identified. There will also need
infrastructure. In the same area two new terminals are to be additional stabling facilities in the area.
being considered by the planning authorities in south Development work to identify options is ongoing
Northamptonshire: Rail Central and Northampton
Gateway. New intermodal freight terminals are also Chiltern Trains have introduced a new maintenance
planned at Four Ashes (between Wolverhampton and and stabling facility at Banbury to cater for their
Stafford), and at Parkside (Newton-le-Willows) which expanding fleet of vehicles.
could result in significantly increased traffic into the West
Midlands area and along the West Coast Main Line. West Midlands re-signalling programme
In addition to the re-signalling scheme at Stafford, there Plans are advancing to renew the life-expired
are re-signalling works planned for several parts of the signalling equipment in the Birmingham New
route including the Watford area. Street area and transfer control to the West
Midlands Signalling Centre at Saltley. As part of
Water Orton capacity enhancements and the scheme development, potential enhancements
Midlands Rail Hub to line speeds, junction layouts and improved
performance are being investigated.
This project plans to address capacity issues on the
Derby to Birmingham corridor in order to support Operations Strategy
passenger and freight service growth on the route.
Midlands Rail Hub will be looking at ten additional NW&C regional operating strategy is to progressively
trains into and outside of Birmingham an hour, which migrate signalling control to three locations:
includes plans to address capacity issues on the Derby Manchester Rail Operating Centre, Rugby Rail
to Birmingham corridor in order to support passenger Operating Centre, and the West Midlands Signalling
and freight growth on the route. New hourly local Centre. Opportunities will be taken when network
services between Tamworth/Nuneaton and enhancements require significant changes to
Birmingham New Street, as well as improved access to signalling, or when renewal is necessary.
Kingsbury Freight Terminal, are being assessed. The Consolidation solely to reduce operating costs will not
plans include two additional trains per hour from be possible until the cost of such work reduces to
Birmingham to Leicester via Nuneaton, to Kings levels that can support a business case to attract the
Norton via Camp Hill, and to Burton-on-Trent/Derby; required funding.
and one additional train per hour from Birmingham to
Nottingham/Lincoln via Derby, to Bristol, to Cardiff, Traffic management systems will be introduced to
and to Hereford via Worcester. automate the execution of the required plan, taking
into account disruption due to incidents on the
Line speed improvements network. Inputs from Train Operating Company stock
and crew management systems will be used to
On the Coventry to Nuneaton line it is proposed to update plans in real time. Outputs to onboard train
increase the line speed between Coventry and systems will enable optimum running speeds to be
Nuneaton from the current 45 mph to 60 mph, implemented. Together these systems will improve
which will provide journey time benefits. The performance, increase capacity and reduce energy
consumption.
10In May 2018, the Department for Transport and High Speed Two
Network Rail announced that future re-signalling
schemes would use the digital European Train Control The next phase in implementation of a national high-
System, which transfers signalling functionality from speed rail network will be construction of a new
the trackside to train cabs. Until sufficient rolling stock railway to alleviate capacity issues on the West Coast
has been fitted with the in-cab equipment, new Main Line (WCML) between London and the West
signalling will be implemented as ‘Digital Ready’. In Midlands. This route, which is proposed to be in
some areas, it may be possible to justify the provision operation by 2031, is known as High Speed Two
of overlay or underlay systems to provide dual (HS2). Following Phase 1 services running on HS2 will
functionality to support the transition. operate over the existing WCML to Manchester,
Liverpool and Scotland.
Rail Operating Centres
Phase 2 will extend this initial route, with the creation
Rail Operating Centres (ROC) are a key component of a ‘Y’ network to Manchester and Leeds by 2040.
of the longer term operating strategy for Network Phase 2a will link HS2 to the WCML north of Crewe
Rail. with services to Scotland continuing to operate on the
classic network. Phase 2b will link HS2 with
The buildings are designed to be a secure and Manchester, Sheffield and Leeds, again with services
resilient base for the vital systems contained to Scotland continuing on the classic network.
inside. They also provide the opportunity to work
more closely with Train Operating Company There are several significant workstreams currently
colleagues, providing a collaborative working being undertaken on high-speed rail development
environment for all staff. that affect the NW&C region:
• continued development following successful
Longer-term strategy (Control completion of the Hybrid Bill, which provide
Period seven and beyond) powers to construct the new route
• the London Euston Station re-construction and
Introduction staging works
Government policy has determined the strategy • two new HS2 stations at Birmingham Curzon
for creating additional capacity on the West Coast Street and Birmingham Interchange
Main Line is the delivery of a high-speed line, • a new HS2 maintenance depot at Washwood
which aligns with the recommendations of the Heath in Birmingham
West Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy
(RUS). Network Rail is working closely with HS2 • HS2 compatible trains running onto the existing
Ltd, particularly where the high-speed line WCML (and joining near Lichfield at a new
interfaces with the existing network. junction called Handsacre junction)
• utilising the spare capacity released at the south
Network Rail must plan for the seamless end of the WCML
integration of High Speed Two (HS2) services and
other franchised, freight and open access • aligning planned renewals with HS2 known
passenger services where HS2 services are running interventions
on the existing network. • HS2 maintenance depot proposals for Calvert
(near Aylesbury) and a service connection to East
Decarbonisation West Rail
• Further development of the ‘Y’ network, including
Network Rail are working closely with the industry
a new station at Manchester Piccadilly, and a
to recommend and inform decisions required to
connection to the existing WCML at Golborne
remove diesel trains from the network and identify
Junction (near Wigan).
the capital works programme required to achieve
this. This is in line with the wider government
decarbonisation agenda.
11Modular Network Planning Strategic Freight Network schemes
The North West and Central region will continue Southampton to West Coast Main Line – train
to review and develop the recommendations set lengthening
out in previous sets of geographical Rail Utilisation
Strategies (RUSs) and take forward the conditional Feasibility work is being undertaken to assess the
outputs being set by market and route studies, as further options to facilitate freight trains up to 775
part of the Long-Term Planning Process. metres long to run on this corridor. Assessments are
being undertaken on the Leamington to Coventry line
Network Rail has updated its approach to Long-Term to increase speeds and of possible additional looping
Planning and is now targeting smaller pieces of work arrangements around the Bordesley junction area
under the heading of Continuous Modular Strategic just outside Birmingham. Options include Fenny
Planning. Such an approach aims to include Compton Down Loop, Hatton Down loop, Dorridge
stakeholder views and priorities both in deciding Down Loop and Washwood Heath. Increasing the
which areas to tackle and also in delivering the entry and exit speeds of these loops is also under
workstreams. consideration. Enhancements to enable 775 metre-
long intermodal trains between Southampton and
Areas currently under discussion include: the West Midlands have been completed in
Control Period five, with the remaining works on
• the Bolton corridor into Manchester Wessex route required to unlock these benefits
• the Stockport corridor into Manchester planned for Control Period six.
• the Liverpool to Manchester corridor via
Warrington Central Accessing the network
• depot and stabling capacity in the North West
• released capacity on the West Coast Main Line The Network RUS: Stations recognised that each
(WCML) South following HS2 station may have its own issues and bespoke
• WCML North requirements following HS2 solutions. The NW&C stations specifically
• WCML traction power planning including HS2 highlighted where interventions may be required
• the Liverpool metropolitan area in the medium to long-term are:
In consultation with stakeholders, a study is • Birmingham Snow Hill
underway to determine the extent to which • Liverpool Central
traction power supplies will support forecast • Liverpool Lime Street
requirements on WCML. Where this identifies • Preston
anticipated shortfalls, this will lead to the • Manchester Piccadilly
identification of options for traction power supply • Manchester Victoria
improvements. As an example of the sort of work • Manchester Oxford Road
we will undertake, we will assess capacity north of • Watford Junction.
Preston on the WCML. This work will need to look at
what options may be appropriate to cater for the Freight capacity to 2043
forecast increase in freight and passenger traffic
between Preston and Mossend, in the period between Freight demand forecasts have been developed
2019 and 2030. Options will not be restricted to nationally to 2043 to support the development of
infrastructure enhancements but may include the Strategic Freight Network, which will enable
timetabling solutions and routeing solutions. rail freight to grow without having a detrimental
impact on network capacity and reliability. The
Note. Traction power system capability is limited, requirement to support rail’s role in delivering a
and any proposals to change demand should be sustainable distribution system will continue to be
shared early to enable assessment. It may be that a key planning objective, and longer-term
significant demand changes would not be investment in the Strategic Freight Network will be
supportable without changes to the system; and necessary to deliver this. The forecasts in the
some of those would have long lead times and Freight Market Study for freight growth up to
require funding. 2043 are currently being refreshed and the
updated versions will be established later in 2019.
Schemes beyond Control Period five will be
developed as part of the network planning process
12and will focus on the need to support longer and economic rolling stock. The intention is to continue
heavier freight trains, improve efficient operating to improve journey times, connectivity and travel
characteristics, increase network availability, and opportunities within the wider north-west area.
on electrification of key freight routes. Where
appropriate, W12 gauge will be implemented as In Cumbria, Network Rail is developing proposals
the standard loading gauge for all strategic with the County Council to cater for increased
container routes including diversionary routes, as it freight traffic and passenger growth.
caters for both short and deep sea container
traffic. The completion of High Speed Two is expected to
improve journey times for trains connecting major
Network Availability northern conurbations with the Midlands and
London. The links between HS2 and NPR will be
Network Rail will continue to explore initiatives to vital in forming new connectivity links between
best optimise network availability across the whole towns and cities and allowing released capacity on
of the North West and Central region for both the conventional rail network to be used to
passengers and freight operators. This will focus support new markets and add more capacity to
on shorter possessions, appropriately timed existing ones.
possessions, productivity and efficiency gains
through changes to the technology and processes West Coast Main Line Long Term Strategy
used to maintain, renew and enhance the network.
The West Coast Partnership franchise will work
NW&C region: Planning ahead with the Government, High Speed Two (HS2) and
industry parties to develop the detailed timetable
Improving local and regional journeys will form an proposition for HS2 and HS2-released capacity as
important part of future strategy. Network Rail is well as running the existing services on the West
ensuring future strategy will align national Coast Main Line (WCML) before and after HS2
workstreams with local requirements, working opens.
collaboratively with partners including sub
national and local transport authorities, Local Beyond committed interventions there is little
Enterprise Partnerships, and Local Authorities. scope to run additional or longer trains on the
WCML at the time they are most needed.
The NW&C strategy is broken down into Passenger growth forecasts on the route suggest
geographic sections as follows: that there will be unacceptable levels of crowding
on an ever-increasing number of trains, with high
Merseyside Long Term Strategy levels of freight growth forecast.
The Liverpool City Region Strategic Rail Study, The WCML is expected to be at capacity and
published in 2020, sets out the direction of the future become increasingly constrained in its ability to
of the Merseyrail network towards 2043. The strategy support the economy (through commuter and
recommends enhancements to rolling stock depots, business travel) and to generate revenue for the
power supply, the platform-train interface and industry. The most effective and best value for
stations to accommodate longer trains as a priority to money way to create additional capacity will be
facilitate and support the introduction of the new through building a new high-speed line, aligned
rolling stock fleet from 2020. Other recommendations with government policy and the recommendations
include progressing the development of a solution to of the West Coast Main Line RUS.
increase capacity at Liverpool Central. The study also
considered potential extension to the Merseyrail The provision of a high-speed line will help to
network to Wrexham, Preston and Wigan but further relieve both track and rolling stock capacity, which
work is required before a business case can be will enable additional services to operate on the
assessed. existing network.
North West Long-Term Strategy HS2 Ltd, in conjunction with Network Rail, is
working with key industry stakeholders to explore
During this Control Period, many of the busiest options to make best use of the released capacity
routes in the North West are intended to be on the existing WCML. This work will help the rail
provided with modern, reliable, efficient and more industry shape the future of the WCML.
13West Midlands Long Term Strategy Chiltern Main Line Long Term Strategy
Network Rail is working closely with West Midlands The strategy for the Chiltern Main Line is for
Rail Executive and Midlands Connect to better electrification of the route from Birmingham to
understand the link between transport and London. The electrification of the route is being
economic growth. This work will seek to produce considered as part of any future capacity
an evidence base to inform key outputs for the enhancements of the Chiltern Main Line including
region. This work will feed into the Long-Term potential connections to Old Oak Common.
Planning Process, as well as influencing the Local Network Rail is working closely with England’s
Enterprise Partnership’s economic strategies. Economic Heartland, who are a Sub-national
Transport Body being the voice for their region to
The Midlands Strategy has identified increasing guide and support a Rail Strategy to benefit the
extra seats to 3,300 on key commuter routes and ever-growing growth of population and
2,900 extra seats on long-distance services by employment of the EEH region. By 2024 there is a
2024. Midlands Rail Hub aims to better connect view to have upgraded London Marylebone
the region with an extra ten trains per hour into station, with longer platforms at key stations with
and out of Birmingham. 1000 extra seats into London in peak hours.
Towards 2043 there is a view to upgrade the route
There is an aspiration to electrify the Snow Hill between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury which
Lines and this could align with potential would increase journey times on that line.
electrification to the Chiltern Main Line.
14Strategic Route Section Index
[ ] Indicates an SRS which interfaces with another Region
Strategic Route H: North West
H.05 [North Transpennine: Leeds – Guide Bridge] Eastern region
H.10 [Manchester Victoria – Mirfield via Rochdale/Stalybridge] Eastern region
H.17 [South Transpennine: Dore – Hazel Grove] Eastern region
H.22 Manchester Piccadilly – Crewe
H.23 Manchester Piccadilly – Deansgate
H.24 Deansgate – Liverpool South Parkway
H.25 Liverpool Lime Street – Liverpool South Parkway
H.26 North Transpennine: Manchester Piccadilly – Guide Bridge
H.27 Deansgate – Euxton Junction
H.28 Ashburys/Hyde North – New Milles Central/Rose Hill
H.29 Guide Bridge – Glossop/Hadfield
H.30 Guide Bridge – Chester (via Stockport)
H.31 Manchester Airport – Wilmslow/Slade Lane Junction
H.32 Blackpool North Branch
H.33 Edge Hill – Manchester Victoria (via Earlestown)/Wigan
H.34 Southport/Kirkby – Wigan Wallgate
H.35 Wigan Wallgate – Manchester Victoria
H.36 Buxton Branch
H.37 Bolton – Blackburn
H.38 Hazel Grove – Edgeley Junction
H.39 Cumbrian Coast
H.40 Settle and Carlisle Line
H.41 Windermere Branch
H.42 Carnforth – Long Preston
H.43 Morecambe/Heysham Port Branch
H.44 Roses Line and Branches (including Preston – Ormskirk and Blackburn – Hellifield)
15H.45 Chester/Ellesmere Port – Warrington Bank Quay
H.46 Blackpool South Branch
H.91 [Freight through routes] Eastern region
H.98 [Freight trunk routes] Eastern region
H.99 [Other freight lines] Eastern region
Strategic Route M: West Midlands and Chilterns
M1 London Marylebone – Aynho Jn
M2 Neasden South Junction – Harrow-on-the-Hill
M3 Amersham – Aylesbury Vale
M4 Aylesbury – Princes Risborough
M5 Rugby – Birmingham New Street
M6 Birmingham New Street – Wolverhampton
M7 Wolverhampton – Stafford
M8 Birmingham New Street – Barnt Green
M9 [Barnt Green – Stoke Works Junction] Wales & Western region
M10 [Birmingham – Wichnor Junction] Eastern region
M11 [Oxford – Coventry South] Wales & Western region
M12 Leamington Spa – Birmingham Snow Hill
M13 Stechford – Wolverhampton via Aston
M14 Birmingham Snow Hill – Stourbridge Junction
M15 [Stourbridge Junction – Hereford] Wales & Western region
M16 Stratford-upon-Avon lines
M17 Cross City North
M18 Rugeley – Bescot
M19 Redditch – Barnt Green
M20 [Wolverhampton – Shrewsbury] Wales & Western region
M21 Camp Hill line
M22 Water Orton – Nuneaton
M23 Nuneaton – Coventry
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