UK: The government has announced £794m of funding for the projects to develop an Oxford – Cambridge railway corridor and reintroduce passenger services between Newcastle and Ashington.
East – West Rail
The funding confirmed by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps on January 23 includes £760m for the completion of the second phase of East West Rail.
This involves track and signalling upgrades between Bicester, Bedford, Aylesbury and Milton Keynes. It includes the construction of a new station at Winslow, and enhancements to existing stations including Bletchley.
‘This funding will enable us to get on with the construction work’, said Simon Blanchflower, CEO of project promoter East West Railway Co. ‘We are committed to improving connectivity across the Oxford – Cambridge Arc and fully recognise our responsibility to ensure that it is delivered in a way that minimises disruption, supports the regional economy, maximises benefits and supports jobs across the region.’
A service of two trains/h between Oxford and Milton Keynes via Bletchley is planned for 2025.
David Clarke, Technical Director at the Railway Industry Association, said the main priority should be getting the project delivered, but while there would be passive provision for electrification RIA would ultimately like to see the route electrified as this is ‘the optimal form of traction for intensively-used lines’.
Northumberland Line
Shapps also announced £34m to fund preparatory works including land acquisition, detailed designs and early site activities for the Northumberland Line project to introduce a passenger service between Newcastle and Ashington using a freight only line.
‘We can now finalise our plans to deliver this transformational project for both Northumberland and the wider region’, said Northumberland County Council Leader Glen Sanderson.
The project includes new stations at Ashington, Bedlington, Blyth Bebside, Newsham, Seaton Delaval and Northumberland Park, as well as track renewals and the replacement of level crossings with bridges or underpasses.
‘The Northumberland Line will bring a huge boost to the area in terms of economic growth, housing, employment and education opportunities, as well as providing a fast and efficient new transport link between the southeast of the county and Tyneside’, said Sanderson.
Ideas Fund
Shapps also called on local authorities, MPs and community groups to submit bids by March 5 for a share of the third and final round of the Department for Transport’s Ideas Fund.
Forming part of the wider £500m Restoring Your Railway Fund, this is designed to encourage proposals to reopen railway lines, services and stations.
The successful bids will be announced later this summer.
The previous two rounds have seen 25 projects awarded up to £50 000 each to develop proposals to reopen stations and lines.
‘Restoring railways helps put communities back on the map and this investment forms part of our nationwide effort to build back vital connections and unlock access to jobs, education and housing’, said Shapps.
