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gwr2006
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« on: October 30, 2008, 09:01:41 » |
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The Office of Rail Regiulation (ORR» ) has issued its final periodic review determination this morning and redoubling of the line between Oxford and Worcester HAS BEEN FUNDED
The following is extracted from Chapter 9 of the 449-page document now on the ORR website
"Other schemes with strong business cases driven by revenue benefits ^ draft determinations analysis
9.107 The North Cotswolds scheme involves partial redoubling of single line track between Oxford and Worcester and associated works at platforms and to bridges. This is to deliver performance benefits on the Cotswold line and consequent improvements along the Thames valley and the financial case is good. It would also bring First Great Western performance to over 90%, closer to the sector HLOS▸ specifications."
"D37. Network Rail^s [performance] analysis also showed that PPM‡ for two TOCs▸ would still be below 90% at the end of the CP4▸ (National Express East Coast PPM is projected to reach 89.9% and First Great Western to reach 89.6%). Network Rail proposed two specific projects to meet the HLOS ^levelling up^ requirement (see chapter 9):
^ further East Coast Main Line overhead line works (beyond those included in the core renewals proposal);
^ doubling of the North Cotswolds line between Oxford and Worcester."
"D38. As described in chapter 9, we believe that both of these proposals should proceed primarily on the basis of their financial and economic business cases."
No cost is given, but the scheme appears in a list of enhancement projects in a 'basket' worth ^681 million and ORR suggests Network Rail can offset costs between the projects so they are delivered within that funding. How that pans out remains to be seen, but the draft determination from ORR dsuggested ^48 million which is someway short of the amount needed to deliver the North Cotswolds redoubling.
Anyway, this is till excellent news! Network Rail can now crack on and agree the possessions and get the work underway next year.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2008, 11:12:42 » |
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One word - PHEW!  |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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Btline
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« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2008, 11:54:01 » |
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2008, 22:18:05 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #5 on: October 30, 2008, 22:27:18 » |
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William Huskisson MP▸ was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830. Many more have died in the same way since then. Don't take a chance: stop, look, listen.
"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner." Discuss.
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Lee
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« Reply #6 on: October 31, 2008, 09:25:01 » |
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No cost is given, but the scheme appears in a list of enhancement projects in a 'basket' worth ^681 million and ORR» suggests Network Rail can offset costs between the projects so they are delivered within that funding. How that pans out remains to be seen, but the draft determination from ORR dsuggested ^48 million which is someway short of the amount needed to deliver the North Cotswolds redoubling. Which other schemes are included in the basket, gwr2006? |
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freebo125
Newbie
Posts: 3
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« Reply #8 on: November 08, 2008, 14:41:02 » |
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Re-doubling of the cotswold line is excellent news and is long overdue. Not only will Great Western be able to run more services but much needed relief for freight services using the busy section between Oxford and Coventry will be provided especially during engineering blockades.
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willc
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« Reply #9 on: November 18, 2008, 22:43:15 » |
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Many sightings of survey teams in high-vis jackets along the route in recent days - though I couldn't work out why they were working at the south end of Moreton-in-Marsh station on the existing double track the other morning, unless it was to do with a possible turnback facility. No sign south of Ascott-under-Wychwood of tree clearance yet, so I'm guessing that this is under way west of Moreton.
CLPG» website is reporting that they have been told there will be a major blockade next summer during the school holidays, but no more details available yet.
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #10 on: November 19, 2008, 03:02:20 » |
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Many sightings of survey teams in high-vis jackets along the route in recent days - though I couldn't work out why they were working at the south end of Moreton-in-Marsh station on the existing double track the other morning, unless it was to do with a possible turnback facility. No sign south of Ascott-under-Wychwood of tree clearance yet, so I'm guessing that this is under way west of Moreton.
CLPG» website is reporting that they have been told there will be a major blockade next summer during the school holidays, but no more details available yet.
There's been limited vegetation clearance between Moreton and Aston Magna, but nothing more exceptional than you might expect in any given vegetation clearance exercise. The clearance of vegetation from Ascott to Finstock is less pressing due to the fact that the majority of the single line has a well established maintenance gang 'road' that means the vegetation does not encroach anywhere near as badly as it does on a typical stretch between Moreton and Evesham. |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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Btline
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« Reply #11 on: November 19, 2008, 21:48:08 » |
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I have not seen much apart from vegetation clearance.
But I have been stuck at Morton for half and hour (hint: hurry up NR» !)!
Out of interest: How far short of Finstock are they re-doubling?
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IndustryInsider
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« Reply #12 on: November 20, 2008, 00:51:15 » |
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Out of interest: How far short of Finstock are they re-doubling?
To a point about 1/2 a mile to the west of the station, on straight track. |
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To view my GWML▸ Electrification cab video 'before and after' video comparison, as well as other videos of the new layout at Reading and 'before and after' comparisons of the Cotswold Line Redoubling scheme, see: http://www.dailymotion.com/user/IndustryInsider/ |
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John R
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« Reply #13 on: November 20, 2008, 08:16:42 » |
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Makes sense. The cost of building a new platform at Finstock would be out of proportion to the benefit of extending the double track a bit further.
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Btline
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« Reply #14 on: November 20, 2008, 17:53:13 » |
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Not just building a new platform, but shifting the current one, as Finstock Halt is on the trackbed!
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