The “Reform Book” of the railway system in Great Britain stipulates, apart from the optimisation of the railway freight and passenger transport, the infrastructure development by boosting connectivity, especially of conventional networks to high-speed networks and implementing line electrification projects.
Network Rail will have to identify new efficient paths for increasing the capacity of the network and for delivering a performing transport based on the continuity of railway investments, including their electrification, in the construction of high-speed lines and stations, “if projects provide added value to investments and support the sustainable development of industry and economy”, shows the official document.
“Network Rail changes its operating method and will prioritize the efficient development of the industry. Our commitment is to create not only an extended and quality infrastructure, but to add value to this infrastructure. Investments are crucial for supporting economic growth and it is clear that infrastructure capital investments have to be delivered as efficiently as possible”, declared Simon Kerby, Investment Manager of Network Rail.
Therefore, by July 2012, the Department for Transport (DfT) will publish the High Level Output Specification-HLOS2 setting the estimates for 2014-2019, a document to be included in the long-run strategy of DfT on the railway system to grant priority to passengers by preserving the reliability and safety of railways for improving railway services by optimising the connectivity and capacity of the network and for providing added value to financing.
From 2026 onwards, various services within the first two segments will include HS2 ser-vices running onto the existing network. The substantial amount of line capacity on the existing network released by HS2, initially on the West Coast Main Line between London and the West Midlands, and subsequently more widely, will allow a significant enhancement of commuter, regional and freight ser-vices. The complementary nature of the existing and high speed networks will also affect the way the existing network develops so that it is best placed to meet the future demands which will be placed on it. We will work with HS2 Ltd, Network Rail and others to ensure the optimal integration of the high speed and existing networks.
For inter-regional routes which are not directly served by high speed lines, we will seek to improve connectivity between key urban centres by increasing line speed and capabi-lity, and connections to high speed services. This will ensure communities are well connected with one another, unlocking jobs and economic growth. The recent announcement of the electrification of the north TransPennine route from Manchester to the East Coast Main Line via Leeds will provide significantly enhanced travel on the economically important axis extending from Liverpool to Newcastle.
Apart from these projects, the electrification of the network plays an important role in railway development, the authorities planning to implement projects for the electrification of TransPennine, Great Western Main Line, North-Western. The electrification is an important element for reducing long-run costs as it will permit the replacement of diesel trains, at the same time increasing the railway capacity and improving the environmental performance.
These benefits will progressively extend to freight as well as passenger services. With the decarbonisation of electricity generation, our electrification programme will be able to make a further contribution to meeting the UK’s carbon and air quality targets for transport, notwithstanding the substantial forecast growth in rail usage.
Share on:
