R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Route characteristics
DESCRIPTION This route has two tracks with single-track sections at some of
the junctions. Linespeed is up to a maximum of 90mph for Class 158 units but
lower for other units and loco-hauled trains. The route is signalled through a
mixture of multiple-aspect signals controlled from Leicester, Nuneaton, Coventry
Route vision
Our vision for the Birmingham and Coventry to Peterborough Route is a high
performing East–West link providing long-distance passenger flows and a key
freight route, avoiding the London radial routes. This is a significant interurban
cross-country route, providing excellent interchange opportunities with
north–south arteries serving growth markets such as Stansted Airport. It will
continue to offer competitive journey times on the key Birmingham–Cambridge
services with East Midlands services joining the route at Leicester.
The strategic goals for the route are for its development as part of a
reliable cross-country network and for improved journey times to meet the
Franchising Director and customer requirements. The development of low-cost
Route vision
We have consulted with our customers, the passenger and freight train opera t o rs ,
to determine their needs and how we evaluate them. The proposals set out in
the previous pages address all these intentions to deliver their aspirations fo r
s e rvice frequency, customer- i n fo rmation systems and new rolling stock.
We will also examine the options to improve capacity and journey-time
improvements in line with current operator aspirations.
We will continue to work with industry partners, local authorities and
and Saltley PSB, with mechanical signalling controlled from some 17 signal and
level-crossing boxes. The infrastructure on this route is not used to capacity
except for the junctions with the West Coast and Midland Main Line.
replacement signalling for the route may have a possible application elsewhere,
using the signalling partnership project.
We aim to develop new services with industry stakeholders, including the
possibility of a new service from Melton Mowbray to Kettering via Corby, subject
to local authority funding, increasing the frequency of services on the
Birmingham–Peterborough route.
A variety of freight services use this route. By July, we will have concluded
our freight routeing strategy and the decision whether Felixstowe to Midlands
and North West England Freightliner services will be diverted over this route will
have been made. We will report on this in the 2000 NMS.
outside developers to improve our stations. In particular, we will address the ease
of interchange with other transport modes, provide better car parking, real-time
passenger-information systems and access for the disabled.
We look forward to working with train and freight operators, the public,
local authorities, the Franchising Director, the Rail Regulator and central
Government to ensure that our vision becomes a reality.
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