Ivo
Established Member
With the mass responses about the recent HLOS announcements starting to die down, I would like to turn everyone's attention to CP6. Several schemes that many thought were likely have not happened this time, with a likely factor being the workload already being substantial, and as such may well be moved back to the next investment period instead. Examples of such proposals include the electrification of the routes between Derby and Bristol, Selby and Hull, and Barking to Gospel Oak. But what else might we be expecting in CP6?
I think a likely candidate would be the remaining stretch of the Chiltern and Snow Hill routes right through to Worcester, with a potential infill between the latter and Ashchurch, and including Stratford-upon-Avon. The outstanding stretches of former NSE line south of the Thames, with the possible exception of Salisbury to Exeter (I would expect east of Salisbury to be wired), seem a likely candidate, with possible AC considerations given to HS1 extensions and of course Southampton to Weymouth including Lymington and a reopened passenger route to Hythe. Elsewhere, a new EMU service could be created on the Essex/Suffolk border, with the Felixstowe and Sudbury lines wired and through services operated between them. Other infrastructure works could include the four-tracking of the GEML, which would require substantial works in Chelmsford, and as an outside bet doubling of the Ockendon route.
Outside of the South-East and connections, local routes around Bristol seem possible, with the Greater Bristol Metro due for completion soon after the CP6announcement, although I would be surprised if this meant electrification beyond Taunton. The Caldervale line, certainly via Rochdale anyway, seems like a possibility, and certain other local routes in and around the M62 corridor - including the lines through Harrogate and Bradford Interchange and numerous routes between Sheffield and Doncaster/Leeds - may well follow suit. Various lines on Teesside, partly as an advanced version of the Tees Valley Metro scheme, could potentially be wired, especially subject to the fate of the Middlesbrough in relation to long-distance services. Might we see Morecambe, Windermere and the lines through Wigan Wallgate electrified as well? Other ideas could include various reopenings (with several lines around Newcastle likely candidates), and also the four-tracking of various other (often local) lines such as parts of the Trans-Pennine network.
Anyone else have any thoughts about all of this? What might you expect, or hope to see in your area(s) of interest?
I think a likely candidate would be the remaining stretch of the Chiltern and Snow Hill routes right through to Worcester, with a potential infill between the latter and Ashchurch, and including Stratford-upon-Avon. The outstanding stretches of former NSE line south of the Thames, with the possible exception of Salisbury to Exeter (I would expect east of Salisbury to be wired), seem a likely candidate, with possible AC considerations given to HS1 extensions and of course Southampton to Weymouth including Lymington and a reopened passenger route to Hythe. Elsewhere, a new EMU service could be created on the Essex/Suffolk border, with the Felixstowe and Sudbury lines wired and through services operated between them. Other infrastructure works could include the four-tracking of the GEML, which would require substantial works in Chelmsford, and as an outside bet doubling of the Ockendon route.
Outside of the South-East and connections, local routes around Bristol seem possible, with the Greater Bristol Metro due for completion soon after the CP6announcement, although I would be surprised if this meant electrification beyond Taunton. The Caldervale line, certainly via Rochdale anyway, seems like a possibility, and certain other local routes in and around the M62 corridor - including the lines through Harrogate and Bradford Interchange and numerous routes between Sheffield and Doncaster/Leeds - may well follow suit. Various lines on Teesside, partly as an advanced version of the Tees Valley Metro scheme, could potentially be wired, especially subject to the fate of the Middlesbrough in relation to long-distance services. Might we see Morecambe, Windermere and the lines through Wigan Wallgate electrified as well? Other ideas could include various reopenings (with several lines around Newcastle likely candidates), and also the four-tracking of various other (often local) lines such as parts of the Trans-Pennine network.
Anyone else have any thoughts about all of this? What might you expect, or hope to see in your area(s) of interest?