UK: Network Rail has begin market engagement ahead of procurement for the Midland Main Line electrification programme to extend 25 kV 50 Hz overhead to Nottingham and Sheffield.
Electrification is currently in place from London St Pancras International to Bedford, Kettering and Corby, with East Midlands Railway having launched electric services to Corby in May 2021.
Work is now underway on an extension of the electrification from Kettering to South Wigston as Section 1 of the MMLe scheme. This will enable a new connection to a power supply at Braybrooke.
The MMLe procurement which is now being planned would continue the wires to Nottingham and Sheffield.
Network Rail is to set out its plans at an industry briefing in Derby on June 15. It will then issue a market sounding questionnaire to seek feedback on its proposed approach to the estimated £1bn project, ahead of the formal start of procurement which is expected in December.
| Midland Main Line electrification programme | ||
|---|---|---|
| Section | Route | Length, km |
| 1 (already underway) | Kettering to South Wigston | |
| 2 | Wigston South to Syston | 19·5 |
| 3 | Syston to Trent Junction | 28·7 |
| 4 | Sheet Stores Junction to Chaddesden Sidings (Derby) | 15·7 |
| 5 | Trent Junction to Nottingham | 13·1 |
| 6 | Chaddesden Sidings (Derby) to Toadmoor Tunnel | 16·7 |
| 7 | Toadmoor Tunnel to London Road | 43·3 |
| 8 | London Road to Sheffield North | 2·5 |
