Network Rail has launched a consultation to give members of the public the opportunity to comment on plans to construct a second track between Ely and Soham.
This investment is part of a programme of work that will help to move lorries off the roads by providing additional capacity for freight trains on the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route, which goes through Ipswich, Ely and Peterborough. It will also help to increase capacity for future passenger services on this section of line.
The railway between Felixstowe and Nuneaton is a key freight route – and the additional capacity provided by this proposed upgrade would result in up to 114,000 return lorry journeys being removed from the roads every year by 2023. As part of the proposals, a number of level crossings would also be upgraded to improve safety and reliability.
Although most of the proposed work required to build the new section of railway between Ely and Soham can be carried out within Network Rail’s boundary, the company will need to acquire some additional land next to the rail line on which to construct and operate the new line. It is anticipated that an application will be submitted later this year and subject to consent, work could start in 2017 and be completed in 2019.
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