Finally, the cat is out of the bag for east of Leeds upgrade, starting with... "routine track renewals and improvements" - but it does get much better
It appears the project has been structured into sections; this section being classified 'E1' which I presume is phase 1 of section E.
The scope includes the ECML from Colton Jn to just before York Station, and Colton Jn to just before Church Fenton Station.
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited said:
The TRU programme will be delivered as a series of separate projects over a number of years and each project (for example Project E1) will have standalone benefit and could justifiably be advanced on its own, to contribute to the high-level outputs defined above. Each TRU project will progress in accordance with its own design development programme, which will be subject to future national government funding decisions.
The summary of "E1" works is given as (my bold):
- realignment of the Up and Down Leeds lines to achieve a higher line-speed of 125mph;
- renewal of track materials and components, including ballast and formation treatments, required to support line-speed increase;
- various minor works / repairs to bridges, culverts and structures along the route, including relining and reconstruction;
- provision of Continuous Position of Safety (CPOS) for the railway workforce with localised earthwork interventions due to increasing line-speed over 100mph;
- upgrading of existing Overhead Line Equipment (OLE) components;
- new electrification works, including provision of OLE and associated lineside works;
- immunisation works, including renewal of lineside signalling and telecoms equipment due to electrification; and
- temporary construction compounds adjacent to the existing railway at: Ulleskelf; Oxton Lane, Bolton Percy; Earfit Lane; Moor Lane, Copmanthorpe; Tadcaster Road, Copmanthorpe (by A64); and Model Railway, York.
Take a read of the full letter
http://publicaccess.selby.gov.uk/PublicDocuments/00561866.pdf
There's some maps of the Environmental Impact Assessment areas at
http://publicaccess.selby.gov.uk/PublicDocuments/00561865.pdf (but the chainage isn't continuous across pages). Colton Jn is at chainage 9100.
A few other points taken from the letter:
- To appease all electrification enthusiasts!:
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited said:
Construction of a traction sectioning cabin (TSC) at Church Fenton.
Construction of a single storey brick-built principal supply point (PSP) building
- There's also details of bridge works - mainly parapet works
- Ecological survey looks to be a good conclusion - no wildlife etc. directly affected
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited said:
No direct impacts to these sites and species are predicted as a result of the relevant Project E1 works
And the overall environmental impact is concluded as
Network Rail Infrastructure Limited said:
Project E1 works would not result in any likely significant effects on the environment.
A few other planning documents are available at
http://publicaccess.selby.gov.uk/
Looks to be a promising upgrade!
