News from the East Anglian Branch of Railfuture, Edited by Martin Thorne and Jerry Alderson.
Railfuture News Snippets 318 - 30/09/2019
- ROLLING STOCK [all issues]
- STATIONS [all issues]
- Soham station construction could start in September 2020 and reinstatement of Snailwell curve is on the cards
- Greater Anglia introduces real-time station car park occupancy information to travellers
- RAIL ROUTES [all issues]
- East West Rail central section designated as a nationally significant project
- New bridleway bridge opens at Trimley on Felixstowe railway line provides safer route for pedestrians
- Norfolk County Council to commission study into the reopening of the railway line to Hunstanton
- Proposal to close Fen Road level crossing just south of Cambridge North station
- Conference in Newmarket hears calls for investment in rail infrastructure to provide new passenger services
- RAIL TIMETABLES [all issues]
- TRAIN OPERATORS [all issues]
Greater Anglia (GA) announced on 25th September that its services on the Ipswich-Lowestoft, Norwich-Lowestoft, and Ipswich Cambridge lines will be hourly on Sundays (currently two-hourly) from the timetable change on 15th December 2019. GA also announced that the timetable change will also see a brand-new direct service between Cambridge North and Stansted Airport, which is very useful as CrossCountry trains does not call at Cambridge North. The service is the existing Cambridge to Stansted service (seven trains in each direction on Mondays to Fridays, 15 on Saturdays and 13 on Sundays) but will be part of the extended Norwich to Stansted service from 2020.
As reported in [Snippets 317] a major power failure on the national grid saw many of GTR's Siemens trains shut down and unable to restart until an engineer arrived. An investigation has revealed that the stranded trains had all been using a later version of the Train Management software that would not allow a reset if the frequency fell too low and needed an engineer with a laptop to fix the problem. Siemens will address this with a further software change that will allow the train to recover automatically or by the driver performing a reset. The National Grid has published a detailed report which includes "Appendix F - Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) technical report". See: https://www.nationalgrideso.com/document/152351/download.
Further to the list of dates given in [Snippets 317] for the construction work to extend the platforms at Waterbeach and Littleport stations. On 26 September another four weekend closures were added, although actually for track renewals: 26th-27th October, 2nd-3rd, 9th-10th and 23rd-24th November 2019. Some of these see buses on King's Lynn to Ely and some on Ely to Cambridge.
During September the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority consulted the public on its developing Local Transport Plan (LTP), which will cover the period until 2050. Planned rail projects include new rail stations at Soham and Cambridge South and a new rail link at Wisbech, but the LTP also covers reforming the bus network, and dualling roads (the A47 and between Cambridge and Ely on the A10). The events took place in Peterborough (7th September), Buckden (10th), Bottisham (10th), Chatteris (11th), Ramsey (12th) and Cambridge (14th).
The Combined Authority Mayor, James Palmer, has announced that he backs rapid delivery of Cambridgeshire Autonomous Metro (CAM) extension to Alconbury Weald, a former airfield that is being transformed into a major centre for employment and housing with the development of 6,500 new homes and an Enterprise Campus that will create 8,000 new jobs. It would be delivered ahead of the rest of the CAM (due to be delivered between 2023-29), in order to provide fast and reliable public transport. Currently the area has just an hourly bus service. There had been proposals for a station but this required four tracking the East Coast Mainline north of Huntingdon station, and that project was cancelled by the Department for Transport and Network Rail.
ROLLING STOCK
Greater Anglia holds event to officially launch its new Class 755 bi-mode trains
Keywords: [GreaterAnglia]
People: [James Palmer] [Jamie Burles]
As reported in [Snippets 316] and [Snippets 317] the first of Greater Anglia's (GA) 38 new Class 755 bi-mode trains are now in service on two key routes (with Thursday 26th September seeing the run on the Felixstowe branch). On Wednesday 4th September, some five weeks after the first train carried passengers, Greater Anglia officially launched them in Norwich with representatives from manufacturer Stadler, financers Rock Rail East Anglia (which used money from pension funds and insurance companies) and guests from the local community and businesses. Railfuture East Anglia was also present having been invited. To capture the attention of the public and the media, GA had brought along a giant, animatronic version of its hare mascot, which signifies the speed of the new trains, and there was also a steel band.
The Norwich event was followed one at Cambridge station on Friday 27th September at which GA Managing Director Jamie Burles gave a speech watched by the Combined Authority Mayor James Palmer, local councillors and invited guests including Railfuture East Anglia.
The bi-mode trains had entered service just three years after the contract was signed with Stadler. Its group chief executive Dr Thomas Ahlburg said at the launch "We put in 2.5 years of hard, dedicated work to make the best trains ... and today we see the ideas we put into those trains become reality." GA's managing director, Jamie Burles, said "Our customers tell us they think our new trains are amazing. Feedback has been brilliant. Customers love the USB and plug points, the improved accessibility, the longer trains with more seats, the smooth, quiet ride and the comfortable seats."
News: https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/transformation-of-the-railway-celebration-launch-event/.
STATIONS
Soham station construction could start in September 2020 and reinstatement of Snailwell curve is on the cards
Keywords: [SohamStation]
Mayor James Palmer announced is backing for a recommendation at the Combined Authority's board meeting on Wednesday 25th September 25 to provide funding and approvals to bring Soham station to completion, which should ensure that construction on the station can start in September 2020.
The first stage of construction will include a platform, footbridge, car park, waiting shelters, information screens and ticket machines. But this is just the start of a series of huge opportunities for rail in the area in which the Snailwell curve could be reinstated to provide a direct service from Ely to Soham and Cambridge, via Newmarket. The embankment for the short curve survives in-tact although a bridge will need to be built where there is a gap. The Combined Authority would seek funding from central government for this.
At the moment a train passes the Soham site just once every two hours. It is the Greater Anglia Ipswich to Peterborough service, which it has a commitment to become hourly although Network Rail needs to upgrade Ely North Junction to enable this. A new Ely to Cambridge via Newmarket service would fill the gap and would not need capacity enhancements north of Ely although the single-track section between Ely and Soham would limit what service could be provided. The Combined Authority Board meeting was presented with a proposal to continue work on a phase 2 of Soham station, which would include a second platform when the 'double tracking' of the line to Ely is complete.
News: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/soham-train-station-cambridge-ely-16975611/.
Greater Anglia introduces real-time station car park occupancy information to travellers
Keywords: [GreaterAnglia]
Greater Anglia (GA) has introduced real-time current occupancy information at some of its railway station car parks. The aim is to avoid travellers having a wasted journey driving to the station and finding that there is no space to park, which the likely result that the person abandons not just that rail journey but future ones as well. If this system works well and can be used to encourage drivers to park at another station, or even take a park-and-ride bus to the station, then it could encourage more rail travel.
The Great Anglia Parking Portal, gaparking.co.uk, shows information for 14 stations (including Audley End, Cambridge, Colchester, Diss, Ipswich, Whittlesford) but the number will increase, with Bishop's Stortford, Manningtree, Marks Tey among the next stations for introduction. As station car parks do not normally have barriers, it relies upon Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) having been set-up to count cars in and out. As well as the number of free spaces at that moment, it also shows average occupancy levels for any given time or day of the week based on historical trend data.
RAIL ROUTES
East West Rail central section designated as a nationally significant project
Keywords: [EastWestRail]
In mid-September 2019, following a public consultation process, the government designated the Bedford-Cambridge section of the Oxford-Cambridge railway scheme as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP). Giving it this official status allows the government's East West Railway Company, the project promoter, to apply to the Secretary of State for Transport for a Development Consent Order (DCO) authorising the project, rather than to the various local councils on the route, for a new alignment between Bedford and Cambridge. The EWR Company had shortlisted five options for this section, and having completed the public consultation in early 2019, expects to publish a full report and reveal its preferred route in late 2020.
Apart for the 'nationally significant' designation enabling the DCO process to be followed (rather than the Transport and Works Act Order process), there is little direct benefit, However, it does keep the scheme in the public eye and crucially makes it very difficult for a future government to backtrack on the scheme, hence the subsequent positive press releases by local business welcoming the announcement.
The scheme was also mentioned in the 2019 Autumn Spending Review when Chancellor Sajid Javid last set out the government's spending plans for 2020-21. The Treasury report references its continued support for the development of major transport projects including: "driving forward East West Rail links in the Oxford to Cambridge Arc".
New bridleway bridge opens at Trimley on Felixstowe railway line provides safer route for pedestrians
Keywords: [FelixstoweBranch]
At the beginning of September 2019, a new, step-free route across the Felixstowe branch line was opened at Trimley St Martin, so that pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders no longer need to cross the track. The new bridleway bridge was the last major part of the £65m investment to upgrade the branch line, which include 1.4km of second track between Trimley station and the bridge located at Gun Lane along with the upgrading of four level crossings and improving signalling and telecoms systems, which will support an additional 10 trains per day in each direction, allowing more goods to be moved by rail freight to and from the Port of Felixstowe.
News: https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/new-trimley-bridge-opens-1-6250218.
Norfolk County Council to commission study into the reopening of the railway line to Hunstanton
Keywords: [HunstantonBranch]
Thanks to a high-profile local campaign to reopen the rail link between King's Lynn and Hunstanton, which has attracted 5,000 signatures, Norfolk County Council is set to commission a study looking at the potential viability of re-opening the line, which closed in May 1969. The campaign has described this as a "giant leap forward" but has also warned that the line is needed urgently as the borough faces an impending transport crisis.
This is only a study into the likely merits of a business case for reopening. If successful it could overturn the county council's current policy that it was "not seen as feasible to consider reopening due to, amongst other things, the cost of reinstating the line, that it is compromised by development, and an unproven business case" and a decision could then be made on whether it justifies commissioning detailed technical work. Only then could the council's policy shift to reopening the railway.
Proposal to close Fen Road level crossing just south of Cambridge North station
Keywords: [FenLine]
Since the opening of Cambridge North station, which has led to additional trains passing the Fen Road level crossing just south of it, the full-barrier crossing is now closed for around 33 minutes per hour according to Network Rail, although locals claim it is higher. This has led to new demands, by the local councillor and reported in the Cambridge News, for a bridge, underpass or another alternative, not just for vehicles but also cyclists. In fact the cyclists issue is a red herring as the northern end of the new Chisholm Cycleway Bridge lands on the east side of the level crossing and the cycleway continues under the railway by way of the existing tow path and comes up onto Fen Road on the west side of the level crossing. So there is no need for a footbridge, but the inconvenience to vehicles is a valid one.
In its response to the North East Cambridge Consultation, Railfuture has previously suggested closing the level crossing and moving it northwards with the building of a bridge, perhaps north of the stone sidings, which might depend on the future possible development of the sewage works site. Given the proximity of houses and road junctions to the level crossing, there is no obvious location to provide a road bridge near to the existing crossing. A better option might be creating a new bridge north of the stone sidings.
News: https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/cambridge-news/fen-road-level-crossing-bridge-16891580.
Conference in Newmarket hears calls for investment in rail infrastructure to provide new passenger services
Keywords: [FenLine]
On Friday 6th September 2019 Railfuture East Anglia was one of the organisations (along with representatives from Suffolk County Council, West Suffolk District Council, Department for Transport, Network Rail and the Newmarket Racecourses) giving speeches on Newmarket's rail priorities. These included a half-hourly passenger rail service to Cambridge and direct rail connectivity with th East West Railway once built.
Several East Anglian MPs were present. Matt Hancock, MP for West Suffolk, told reporters: "The Newmarket Rail Meeting was extremely positive. We have a clear message that key organisations across Suffolk and Norfolk must continue to work together to make the case for improved rail connectivity in the East of England. I will continue to press the government and Network Rail to invest in more frequent passenger rail services at Newmarket and provide wider rail connectivity." Lucy Frazer, MP for South East Cambridgeshire, said: "As an MP whose constituency is connected to Newmarket, I recognise the importance of the East West Rail project. It will increase train services through areas in my constituency, and provide further links with Newmarket, Cambridge and the West of England. I look forward to working closely with all stakeholders to support this project."
News: https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/newmarket-sets-out-rail-vision/.
RAIL TIMETABLES
Japanese timetabling software should improve punctuality of Greater Anglia trains
Keywords: [GreaterAnglia]
Greater Anglia (GA) announced in September 2019 that it would be using software from Toshiba Digital and Consulting Corporation (TDX), which has been involved in Japanese railway industries for 100 years, and Mitsui (40% owner of Greater Anglia) to help plan the region's rail timetable more efficiently. This is the first time that the software will be used on Britain's railway.
The software will help GA's train planners by identifying timing or platform conflicts, enabling the timetable to be tweaked try to reduce any delay. An enormous amount of data is required about the routes (the position of signals, curves and the gradient of the line) and the train characteristics (such as acceleration and braking performance). This was collected over a period of five months by TDX's engineers. A simulator model to use this data was built and then the calling patterns, train timings and platform allocations were adjusted to see the effects. Comparing outputs should identify the best way to make the timetable more efficient and robust, improving punctuality. It has been trialled on the West Anglia route (from Cambridge to London Liverpool Street) and is now being rolled out across the network.
In future, when producing new timetables - including the major changes when all of GA's new trains are finally in service - the train planners will be able to see at a glance where conflicts are and make necessary tweaks. The software has already helped identify solutions to platform issues at Liverpool Street where some key trains often failed to depart to time.
News: https://www.railbusinessdaily.com/japanese-know-how-improving-punctuality-of-greater-anglia-trains/.
TRAIN OPERATORS
Greater Anglia provides conductors with badge cams to deter abuse
Keywords: [GreaterAnglia]
Greater Anglia's train conductors are being issued with new "badge cams", which are hi-tech badges that contain a small built-in video camera, to help them defuse difficult situations. The badge cam constantly records but only actively stores footage when a flap is flicked, starting with 30 seconds of footage prior to the activation. An illuminated camera symbol will make it clear that a recording is being made. According to the operator: "Most people, if they're angry or they've had too much to drink, instantly stop as soon as they see the camera, they calm down." Greater Anglia says that on average, eight on-board staff suffer assaults every month and it is hoped that the cameras will reduce this.
Railfuture East Anglia Branch News Snippets 318 - 30/09/2019
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