R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

Route characteristics
DESCRIPTION This group of lines, together with the section of lines covered in
other Route Strategies, is the network for local trains serving the West Midlands
Conurbation.
These lines have two tracks with the exception of Barnt Green to Redditch,
the Stourbridge Town branch, and Bearley Junction to Hatton Station Junction
which are single track. Linespeeds are relatively low, but are in line with sprinter
and diesel multiple-unit traffic, normally 50–75mph, with lower restrictions at
junctions and through some stations.
Route vision
Our plan is to deliver high reliability and high performing suburban and longdistance
interurban services, and to develop the infrastructure in conjunction
with train operators and the PTE. We will continue to work with external
stakeholders to make the case for further investment in the route seeking to
maximise the socio-economic worth of Centro-supported services, through
specific initiatives. Performance, reliability and efficient timetabling are key
requirements.
There are opportunities to expand the current volume of freight through
the operation of new services on certain parts of the route, arising from a
concerted effort to search for new freight sites.
The possible extension of the Midlands Metro service in the Dudley area
would have a significant impact on the Walsall–Stourbridge freight route and
ultimately on this route. We will work closely with the PTE and our industry
partners to ensure the most appropriate scheme is developed.
Feasibility work has recently commenced on the electrification of the
Walsall–Rugeley route. Once developed, this will give our customers greater
flexibility and timetable opportunities.
Route development and customer requirements
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
this NMS address all these intentions to deliver their aspirations for serv i c e
f r e q u e n c y, 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.
The lines from Bescot Junction to Walsall, Aston to Lichfield Trent Valley, and
from Barnt Green to Redditch are electrified.
The line from Bescot Junction to Rugeley Town is controlled by mechanical
signalling, the lines from Aston to Lichfield Trent Valley and Barnt Green to
Redditch are controlled by colour-light signalling. All other lines are controlled by
a mixture of mechanical and colour-light signalling.
To achieve this vision we will:
• secure and, where possible, encourage income growth, and therefore
profitability, through high-performance delivery, the operation of new services,
or the extension of existing services, as well as through a consistently high
level of punctuality and reliability, achieved through specific performance
initiatives and initiatives to tackle key bottlenecks.
• optimise performance through improved asset reliability.
• improve linespeeds, if economically feasible and are not disruptive to deliver.
• reduce maintenance costs through efficient asset management and efficiencies
arising from renegotiated maintenance contracts and the consolidation of
signalling control at targeted locations.
• develop a series of station, depot and car-park improvements, where these
are commercially attractive.
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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