R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

We will raise linespeed between London and South Wales
by 2003.Additional platforms at Reading,Swindon and
Bristol,and layout alterations at Reading will increase capacity
for services from South Wales to London and to the south
coast during 2001–06. We will create an additional signal
section in the Severn Tunnel in 2000/01 to increase capacity,
subject to Her Majesty’s Railway Inspectorate approval. We
will programme this Severn Tunnel work in phases,along
with track and other signalling improvements,to avoid a long
period of closure.
We will modernise existing signalling between London
and Swansea in 2007–09.This will improve flexibility and
reliability and will further increase capacity.
Links between Manchester and North Wales have
recently been strengthened by the improvement of signalling
in the Eccles area.
On the Wrexham–Bidston Line, we have been working
successfully with First North Western to improve the
punctuality and reliability of the passenger services,and this
joint approach has heralded a significant improvement in
Passenger’s Charter performance . First North Western have
also expressed an interest in improving line speeds on this
route, and we are currently exploring the options to enable
us to meet this aspiration.
We have begun work on behalf of First North Western
on a major new light maintenance depot at Chester to
service the company’s new rolling stock used on routes in
North Wales and elsewhere.This facility will be completed in
December this year.
On the Newport–Crewe route , we plan to carry out
improvements in 2000–04 to increase reliability, in particular,
through relocation of crossover points and,subject to
funding,provision of additional capacity for freight.
Within Wales
We have completed a feasibility study into improving
linespeeds in North Wales to 90mph and will start work in
2000.Funding comes jointly from the Welsh Office and
Railtrack.When we have implemented this scheme, journey
times will improve, giving a possible time of under one hour
from Chester to Bangor when First North Western and
Virgin Trains introduce their new stock on the route. As well
as meeting local needs,this will benefit longer-distance flows
including the link between Ireland and the UK and the rest
of Europe.
For the Cardiff Valleys Route, in conjunction with SWIFT, the
following schemes will progress:
• In 2000–03,track and signalling alterations between
Cardiff Queen Street and Cardiff Central to improve
capacity and reliability in the hub of the Valleys network.
• Taff Vale North upgrade to provide additional capacity
and higher linespeeds between Abercynon,Merthyr Tydfil
and Aberdare and combined stations at Abercynon in
2000–02.
• Station relocation and passing loop at Mountain Ash in
2000–02 to improve capacity.
• Upgrade of the Rhymney Valley Line in1999–2002,to
improve capacity, reliability and linespeed.
• An additional platform at Bargoed station in 1999/2000.
In addition, we will complete linespeed improvements
currently under way north of Cardiff this year.We will also
install improved facilities to ensure security of passengers at
many Valleys stations during 1999/2000.
Together with the local authority we are considering
new stations at Brackla and Llanharan in 2000/01,and at
Magor once future development of the theme park is clear.
We will carry out improvements to the Vale of
Glamorgan Line in 1999–2002 to accommodate a passenger
service and additional freight trains, and we are evaluating
new stations at Rhoose and Llantwit Major in partnership
with SWIFT.
The Taff Vale North
upgrade will provide
additional capacity and
higher linespeeds
between Abercynon,
Merthyr Tydfil and
Aberdare and combined
stations at Abercynon in
2000–02
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