R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Route characteristics
DESCRIPTION This strategy covers the North Wales main line linking Anglesey
and towns in North Wales to Chester, Crewe and Manchester. The North
Wales branch lines are also included.
This route is primarily a two-track railway while some of the branch lines
are single track. Linespeed on the main line is 90mph Crewe–Chester and
Route vision
The route provides an important link between North Wales and the North We s t
of England, and London via the WCML. Access to the fe rry terminal at Holy h e a d
links communities and businesses in Ireland, Wales and England. For small
c o m munities, the routes provide an important public tra n s p o rt link.
Our vision is to provide the infrastructure to meet anticipated growth and
stimulate further growth through the provision of higher-quality passenger and
freight services. We will do this by investing in infrastructure to improve reliability
and performance with journey times maintained or improved, with an increase in
linespeed to 90mph along the North Wales coast.
It is anticipated that FNW and Virgin Trains will operate new rolling stock on
Route development and customer requirements
In the coming year, Greater Manchester PTE intends to commission a study to
help formulate its future rail investment strategy. This will incorporate a range of
issues and will produce a series of options to be developed with industry
partners, to provide for the transport needs of the area into the 21st century.
generally 75mph elsewhere with the branch lines at various speeds between 45
and 60mph. The routes are not electrified though there are areas which interface
with the Merseyside DC system and OLE on the West Coast Main Line
(WCML).
the route and, combined with WCML developments, this will further improve
s e rvice frequency and reduce journey times.
As tourism and business are both key elements of the economy of North
Wales, our strategy will help improve the quality of service for passengers and
provide the opportunity for additional freight services, alleviating congestion and
reducing pollution on the busy road network. Detailed studies have been carried
out into gauge enhancements to Holyhead and along the Chat Moss route. We
plan to enhance the Chat Moss route to carry W10 trains and will explore with
our partners the options for North Wales.
We will provide information and input to the study, and will work with the PTE
to help ensure the study’s success.
At Chester, we are constructing a new depot for First North Western, to a
high specification, to accommodate FNW’s new diesel fleet.
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