East Coast Main Line RUS offers "clear vision" says ATOC
3rd March 2008
ATOC
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) welcomes the East Coast Main Line (ECML) Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) published by Network Rail.
ATOC believes it sets out a clear vision for the development of the route and incorporates the positive suggestions made by train operating companies for longer trains and clock face patterned paths for more services to provide more capacity.
Commenting on the RUS Russ Cunningham, ATOC’s Head of Railway Planning Support said: “ATOC and our members are pleased to have contributed to this route utilisation strategy which will ensure the East Coast Main Line will continue to grow and serve the key passenger and freight markets between London and the South East, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.
“To better manage capacity and provide ever more competitive journey times for all users – we are glad that a package of infrastructure schemes is being recommended along with positive suggestions by operators and users for longer trains, clock face patterned paths for more services and a badly needed revamp for the London terminus and approaches. Greater use of an efficient electric railway is also very good news.
“The ECML remains a key part of Britain’s fast growing railway – and though this study goes a long way to giving a remit for development – we believe that in the medium term requires even more to be done to further enhance the capacity on this route – and on diversionary and parallel lines especially as the rail role in long distance traffics becomes even more competitive with other modes. Cities and ports – key users of this route – will continue to provide ever more traffic.”
The ECML is one of the busiest railway lines in Britain, providing a vital north-south link for long distance services from London to Scotland via Yorkshire and Newcastle, as well as serving important commuter routes into London, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
For further information, please contact the ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Notes to Editors:
Route Utilisation Strategies seek to balance capacity, passenger and freight demand, operational performance and cost, to address the requirements of funding bodies and stakeholders.
Recommendations in the East Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy in detail:
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues.
The ATOC Board comprises Directors of the owning group companies of Britain’s train operating companies.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
ATOC believes it sets out a clear vision for the development of the route and incorporates the positive suggestions made by train operating companies for longer trains and clock face patterned paths for more services to provide more capacity.
Commenting on the RUS Russ Cunningham, ATOC’s Head of Railway Planning Support said: “ATOC and our members are pleased to have contributed to this route utilisation strategy which will ensure the East Coast Main Line will continue to grow and serve the key passenger and freight markets between London and the South East, Yorkshire, the North East of England and Scotland.
“To better manage capacity and provide ever more competitive journey times for all users – we are glad that a package of infrastructure schemes is being recommended along with positive suggestions by operators and users for longer trains, clock face patterned paths for more services and a badly needed revamp for the London terminus and approaches. Greater use of an efficient electric railway is also very good news.
“The ECML remains a key part of Britain’s fast growing railway – and though this study goes a long way to giving a remit for development – we believe that in the medium term requires even more to be done to further enhance the capacity on this route – and on diversionary and parallel lines especially as the rail role in long distance traffics becomes even more competitive with other modes. Cities and ports – key users of this route – will continue to provide ever more traffic.”
The ECML is one of the busiest railway lines in Britain, providing a vital north-south link for long distance services from London to Scotland via Yorkshire and Newcastle, as well as serving important commuter routes into London, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh.
For further information, please contact the ATOC Press Office on 020 7841 8020
Notes to Editors:
Route Utilisation Strategies seek to balance capacity, passenger and freight demand, operational performance and cost, to address the requirements of funding bodies and stakeholders.
Recommendations in the East Coast Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy in detail:
- Long-distance routes: New Intercity Express trains will be introduced (pre-series trains in 2012), offering more capacity, quicker acceleration and shorter braking distances.
- Repeating standard hourly or two-hourly timetable
- Capacity at King’s Cross will be increased as part of the station’s major redevelopment due for completion in 2012.
- Upgrading the south-bound line between Alexandra Palace and Finsbury Park to increase capacity
- Major upgrades to add more diversionary routes will increase capacity and offer viable alternative routes while the main line is upgraded. The diversionary routes to be improved include the Hertford Loop and Peterborough to Doncaster via Lincoln
- Peterborough station will also be improved with a new platform separating East Anglia services and north-bound long-distance trains
- London and South East routes:
- Extension of all inner-suburban peak services to six carriages
- Extend inner-suburban services into King's Cross north of Welwyn Garden City providing more outer-suburban peak services
- • Progressive implementation of 12-car outer-suburban peak services
- ECML suburban services will also be able to use the Thameslink route once the programme is fully completed by 2016, freeing up capacity at King’s Cross
- York, Newcastle, Tyne and Tees, Edinburgh:
- Improvements to the regularity of services
- Increasing peak capacity into Middlesbrough and Newcastle by lengthening trains
- Shorter journey times to and from London
The Association of Train Operating Companies (ATOC) is the official voice for the passenger rail industry - representing train companies to the government and other opinion formers on transport policy issues.
The ATOC Board comprises Directors of the owning group companies of Britain’s train operating companies.
ATOC manages many joint activities for train operators including revenue allocation and settlement, impartial retailing, National Rail Enquiries, Railcard marketing, staff travel arrangements, international products and travel agent licensing. Britain's train operators are working together to change rail travel for the better.
