Transpennine Route Upgrade and Electrification updates

[Mikey C]

That does no more than deliver Network Rail's current plans (Church Fenton and Leeds-Huddersfield upgrades, and maybe Miles Platting realignment).
Looks like the larger project is still in planning, and will have to wait for Rishi Sunak's spending review to complete later this year for a decision.
This is the DfT announcement:

£589 million to kickstart rail upgrades across the north

Investment announced alongside establishment of a new Northern Transport Acceleration Council.

www.gov.uk

This is also the first electrification approval since Grayling paused/cancelled everything in 2017.

Why announce it all in one go, when you can spread the announcements and positive headlines

 

[59CosG95]

*Nods in agreement*

*Seconds that*

Meanwhile the (off topic) low cost, big win Blythe and Tyne languishes and the really key problem in the NW, the Castlefield corridor, is filed under too few votes in it for the cost.

We can but hope that a gov't whose rosette isn't some shade of blue would do better in these fields. IMO, the red-rosetted MPs likely won't be taking any votes in the North for granted after the December breach of the Red Wall, so even though the constituencies along the Castlefield Corridor are still red, they'll likely want to improve it as improved services along it will ease problems further out, potentially giving some *ahem* momentum to a swing to the left in newly blue constituencies elsewhere along the TP corridor (Colne Valley, Dewsbury, Wakefield).

 

[Camden]

We can but hope that a gov't whose rosette isn't some shade of blue would do better in these fields.

And yet Labour have consistently failed to invest seriously in rail, when they've had the chance.

Is the problem the political party, or the things that stay the same when the government changes. The same thing that agreed to (or perhaps colluded in) the very creation of Transport for the North: a democratically unaccountable body, complete with giving disproportionate influence and control to two areas, and an effective veto over investment in "competitor" cities (see the scuppering of a certain £7bn investment) that they claim to represent.

If there has been a change of tune coming from London, then it is about time. Let's hope that extends to more areas of government, and fast.

 

[Starmill]

Well it’s new funding; Government didn’t have to provide it. I’d also say the announcement that full electrification is under consideration is news.

Indeed. I suppose most forum members were inclined to 'bank the win' in 2019 when the Consultation was announced.

Of course, the press release today is rather unclear in its use of words. It doesn't actually refer back to the Consultation and Network Rail that I can see?

On the second part I agree, and of course as you know this was first announced by a Conservative Prime Minister in 2011...

This is also the first electrification approval since Grayling paused/cancelled everything in 2017.

Hadn't the Church Fenton to Colton electrification already been approved before today, as part of that wider package of work? It's due to start in a couple of months.

 

[IanXC]

Hadn't the Church Fenton to Colton electrification already been approved before today, as part of that wider package of work? It's due to start in a couple of months.

It's a bit further on than that, enabling works are underway; site access, compounds, cable tidying, even some earthworks sheet piling has begun.

 

[a_c_skinner]

a gov't whose rosette isn't some shade of blue

Is this a party thing (I honestly don't know this) because it strikes me that this carry on of gradual rundown of the railway (from WW2 to turn of the century) then a ponderous, actually obstructive, planning process for any proposed improvements has gone on more or less unchanged through all administrations. The other thing that has been a constant is every party at every election makes the same promise to take traffic off roads on to rail (along with more houses and better social care). I actually don't think any of them believe these promises even when they make them.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

It's mostly down to "Treasury Rules" and the way capital projects are assessed and authorised.
A side issue is the local planning environment for any project with a land take, which is most of the big ones.
The current administration says it is intent on a Whitehall upheaval, but they've barely started.
There will also be "unintended consequences" of any changes.
You also have to get your project up the list before the funding window (currently "build, build, build") slams shut for the next bout of austerity.

 

[DimTim]

What exactly has been sanctioned.

The press release talks about electrifying Manchester - York to provide electric trains Liverpool to Newcastle. However this was costed at £2.9bn & only £589m released. Is Leeds to Church Fenton electrification agreed. Are we electrifying Leeds to Huddersfield as well as providing extra tracks?
Very little detail in what I’ve seen so far!

 

[SuperNova]

What exactly has been sanctioned.

The press release talks about electrifying Manchester - York to provide electric trains Liverpool to Newcastle. However this was costed at £2.9bn & only £589m released. Is Leeds to Church Fenton electrification agreed. Are we electrifying Leeds to Huddersfield as well as providing extra tracks?
Very little detail in what I’ve seen so far!

Here's the issue - the money released won't see work done which is what a) stakeholders and b) normal folk want to see. It seems it is for the next stage of planning to enable the work to take place. The key moment will come when the rest of the £2.9bn is signed off for the works to start.

However, it's good that this money has been signed off by the Treasury. It shows that they're more committed than 4/5 years ago.

 

[Andyh82]

There was a report on the BBC News at One, but it didn’t go into much detail on what had actually been announced. Most of the report seemed to be clips of passengers with generic moans, people complaining about pacers, 2 car trains and many of them filmed whilst siting or standing on a Northern service

 

[Bald Rick]

Here's the issue - the money released won't see work done which is what a) stakeholders and b) normal folk want to see. It seems it is for the next stage of planning to enable the work to take place. The key moment will come when the rest of the £2.9bn is signed off for the works to start.

However, it's good that this money has been signed off by the Treasury. It shows that they're more committed than 4/5 years ago.

It *will* see work done, including the Chrich Fenton wiring (not previously fully funded), enabling works for the 4 tracking to Huddersfield (which will be quite significant), and design development work for the rest of it, including (presumably) full electrification. Whilst stranger things have happened, you don’t spend that sort of money on design and enabling works if you are not serious about doing the job. Put it this way - previously, not doing the full job could have been badged as a review of scope to deliver similar benefits. As of today, it could only be seen as a cancellation.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

The most congested section of the route will be doubled from 2 to 4 tracks, allowing fast trains to overtake slower ones, improving journey times and reliability for passengers across the North. Most of the line will be electrified, and our ambition is to go further. Full electrification, digital signalling, more multi-tracking and improved freight capacity are now under consideration as part of an ‘Integrated Rail Plan’ due to report in December.

I must admit it is a little confusing.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

I actually (playing Devils advocate) can see the attraction of doing/announcing in stages.
1) Gets multiple announcements(soundbites) out to the public/parliament
2) If cost get out of control allows project to be delayed/stalled etc well into the future
3) Allows for more detailed planning which helps with costs spiraling a la Great Western scheme.

Almost worth starting a speculation thread to see what could/will be done in future.

 

[Glenn1969]

Actually nothing of substance has been announced and it still filed under Completion by 2024. Which presumably means 2026 if we are lucky. I hope full electrification will also cover via Halifax, via Brighouse and Sheffield-Manchester by the early 30s. Or is that too much to hope for?

 

[Legolash2o]

In case anyone is wondering what the electrification would look like, see the blue lines (proposed).

 

[nr758123]

I was looking for answers to what will TRU deliver and when. Still none the wiser.

 

[takno]

1) Gets multiple announcements(soundbites) out to the public/parliament

This annoys me when they make it sound like new money every time, but to be honest they can announce it every week if they like, as long as it means they are actually doing it.

 

[Killingworth]

Actually nothing of substance has been announced and it still filed under Completion by 2024. Which presumably means 2026 if we are lucky. I hope full electrification will also cover via Halifax, via Brighouse and Sheffield-Manchester by the early 30s. Or is that too much to hope for?

To expect full electrification Sheffield-Manchester by the early 30s? It won't happen! Hoping for partial electrification is reasonable. It might happen by 2039. It's certainly on the Sheffield City Region's wish list for much earlier.

Maybe a hybrid scheme, electric up to Totley Tunnel, bi-mode diesel/battery to far side of Cowburn Tunnel then under wires again from there. That would certainly be feasible by early 2030s, leaving the shorter Disley Tunnel as the main challenge but with a diversionary route available during the work. Gets round a lot of tunnelling difficulties and likely objections in the scenic Hope and Edale Valleys.

 

[Halish Railway]

I was looking for answers to what will TRU deliver and when. Still none the wiser.

The York to Church Fenton scheme is scheduled to be completed in Autumn 2022.

 

[Killingworth]

In case anyone is wondering what the electrification would look like, see the blue lines (proposed).

View attachment 81119

Did I dream of the time Doncaster to Hull was going to be electrified? A company called Hull Trains was so keen on that and made it sound like it was going to happen by about now!

The directors of the North Eastern Railway in 1914 would be fascinated to see how far we've not got in over 100 years! Their plans to electrify the East Coast mainline came to grief with WW1. Can COVID have the opposite effect by accelerating electrification today?

 

[61653 HTAFC]

In case anyone is wondering what the electrification would look like, see the blue lines (proposed).

View attachment 81119

Guide Bridge to Stalybridge is a notable omission...

 

[quantinghome]

And yet Labour have consistently failed to invest seriously in rail, when they've had the chance.

Yes... apart from HS1 and WCML upgrade (both of which needed to be rescued by govt). Oh, and Thameslink, developing Crossrail (the original scheme having been ditched in 1994), kickstarting HS2, restarting electrification, all the big station upgrades up to and including CP4.

But yes that's about it. Should have gone further and faster.

Is the problem the political party, or the things that stay the same when the government changes. The same thing that agreed to (or perhaps colluded in) the very creation of Transport for the North: a democratically unaccountable body, complete with giving disproportionate influence and control to two areas, and an effective veto over investment in "competitor" cities (see the scuppering of a certain £7bn investment) that they claim to represent.

If there has been a change of tune coming from London, then it is about time. Let's hope that extends to more areas of government, and fast.

[U]LNW-GW Joint[/U] is probably right that the Treasury is the biggest problem rather than political party. There also needs to be a sea-change in public opinion towards rail infrastructure. I suspect one of the reasons a lot of people are against HS2 is that it's a level of investment and planning which is a foreign concept after a century or more of piecemeal improvements.

 

[Seehof]

There is reference to through electric train working but actually no mention of the section Leeds to York being electrified. Was this previously authorised or have I misunderstood today’s announcement?

 

[GRALISTAIR]

----- no mention of the section Leeds to York being electrified. Was this previously authorised or have I misunderstood today’s announcement?

See above. Church Fenton - Colton Jct is not only authorized but work has started on site. See especially post 3005 but also 3011.

 

[Legolash2o]

Guide Bridge to Stalybridge is a notable omission...

Oops, sorry.

 

[CdBrux]

I must admit it is a little confusing.

I assume it means current plans electrify except for a gap between Stalybridge and Huddersfield and the ambition is to close that gap, plus some other things

 

[Starmill]

It seems it is for the next stage of planning to enable the work to take place.

If planning and design work for a project of this size was going to cost more than half a billion pounds I don't think we'd get ourselves far.

It *will* see work done, including the Chrich Fenton wiring (not previously fully funded)

I'm surprised to learn this, given as noted by IanXC above some works had already begun! Network Rail have been making out since February that electrification was going ahead on their website:

Over the next three years, we will:

• Replace old track, sleepers, and ballast (The stones which support the track)
• Install new signalling gantries, lights, and cabling
• Fully electrify the route from York to Church Fenton – extending the already electrified railway from York

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/runni...ade/york-to-church-fenton-improvement-scheme/

 

[BigCj34]

From what I read on Railway Gazette, it is not going to be full electrification, with weasel word promises about it being a future ambition. The part that will not be electrified is the part that could bring the greatest performance increases, now there will be heavier trains with weaker acceleration on diesel.

£589m to ‘kickstart’ Transpennine Route Upgrade

UK: The allocation of £589m to 'kickstart' the enhancement of the trans-Pennine main line between Leeds, Huddersfield and Manchester was announced by Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps on July 23, along with details of a Northern Transport Acceleration Council which is to be formed ...

www.railwaygazette.com

 

[Bald Rick]

If planning and design work for a project of this size was going to cost more than half a billion pounds I don't think we'd get ourselves far.

I'm surprised to learn this, given as noted by IanXC above some works had already begun! Network Rail have been making out since February that electrification was going ahead on their website:
https://www.networkrail.co.uk/runni...ade/york-to-church-fenton-improvement-scheme/

That was for the consultation, and would have been done with agreement of the department. But it wasn’t fully funded as I understand it. It is now.

Similarly, the 4 tracking to Huddersfield isn’t fully funded now. But it does appear to have funding for enabling works, progressing the TWAO, and full design.

 

[Glenn1969]

But the Upgrade and associated work can only have maximum effect when or if Central Manchester is sorted out. That should have been done yonks ago