R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Route characteristics
DESCRIPTION The route is predominantly 75mph. The new capacity created by
track doubling between Princes Risborough and Bicester North has enabled most
of that section to be uplifted to 90–100mph and has improved the route capacity.
Freight traffic is limited with the route capability allowing for RA7/8 axle loads only.
Route vision
The vision is to capitalise on the recent capacity increase and encourage market
growth and customer loyalty with the provision of a highly reliable commuting
service into London Marylebone successfully combined with a long-distance
network connecting London–Birmingham. The emphasis will be on robust and
continually improving performance to ensure delivery of the established
timetable. Improvements to linespeed will continue to be sought to gain full
benefit from new rolling stock, but only where they can be delivered at an
economical price.
Route development and customer requirements
We have consulted with our customers, the passenger and freight train
operators, to determine their needs and how we evaluate them. The proposals
set out in this Statement address these intentions to deliver their aspirations for
service frequency, journey-time reductions, station and depot facilities and new
rolling stock.
We will also examine the options to improve capacity and journey-time
improvements in line with current operator aspirations.
The increased capacity, together with new rolling stock has enabled serv i c e s
frequency north of Princes Risborough to be doubled with reduced journey times.
We are jointly developing, with Chiltern Railways, improved accessibility
to the route through a series of station, depot and car-park improvements.
This includes the concourse retail development of the London terminal at
Marylebone.
We will continue to work with industry partners, local authorities and 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.
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