Gretna-Annan to be doubled

[Humberside]

Very good news

Rail passengers in the Dumfries region are set to benefit from a £35 million project by Network Rail, which will double the track between Gretna and Annan station.

The line improvements mark one of the largest investments in the Dumfries region for many years. It will create greater capacity on the route and result in fewer delays for passenger and freight trains. The double tracked line also has the potential to improve journey times and increase opportunities for additional services.

Ron McAulay, Director Scotland for Network Rail said: “Gretna to Annan is an increasingly busy stretch of line in the Scottish rail network both for freight and passenger trains. Doubling the track will reduce delays and make passenger and freight trains faster and more efficient.”

Elaine Murray, MSP for Dumfries said: “This development marks a significant investment in Dumfriesshire’s transport network. It has the potential to result in reduced delays and journey times for passengers traveling to and from Glasgow. The increased freight carrying capability also has the potential to make a significant impact on the economy locally and for the whole of South West Scotland.”

David Mundell, MP for Dumfriesshire said:"This is an important investment for the Nith Valley line and should allow not just freight improvements but enhanced passenger services between Dumfries and Carlisle which is a very popular route locally."

The eight mile stretch between Gretna and Annan is an important passenger route from Carlisle via Dumfries to Ayrshire and on to Glasgow Central. It is also the main route for the transportation of coal from the freight terminal at Hunterston in North Ayrshire and the opencast sites in South Ayrshire to power stations in England. Increased line capacity will allow peak time freight transport to be accommodated with greater ease.

In addition, the double-tracked line will provide a new diversionary route for trains on the Glasgow & South West route as well as Virgin pendolino trains traveling up West Coast Main Line.

The work, which is expected to begin in Spring 2007, will be complete by February 2008. The upgrade will include works to several bridges along the length of the line - Stonehouse road bridge, Bellevue Road bridge, and Stonehouse farm access bridge.

http://www.therailwaycentre.com/UK News Pages Feb 07/090207_NR.html

 

[David]

Once again, another project in Scotland gets the go-ahead. When will we follow suit in England????

 

[Guinness]

When will we follow suit in England????

Depends on the timeline of events

1) A proposal will be made
2) A public consolidation will have to be made just incase people aren't happy with a couple of trees been ripped up
3) 2 years debate about who will fund it
4) The proposal will have to be altered to avoid hurting Mr and Mrs Badger Set
5) Funding will be withdrawn because the government doesn't support that policy anymore
6) A massive protest will take place until the Uncle Gordon gives the funding
7) Plans will have to be altered because Tight Arsed Gordon will only fund half of it.
8) Another Waste of time Public Consolidation will take place
9) The Go-Ahead will be given
10) The project will be delayed for a few years while the H&SE assess whether the Contractors have Cancer from Smoking or not...
11) The Project will be delayed for half a year while Greenpeace hug a few trees
12) It will be finally finished while running 3 times over budget and delayed for 5 years
13) The Government has learnt never to fund anything like this again destroying the Public Transport System.

Where as if Chaz was PM (Or we live in Scotland where the Scots take no prisoners..)

1) Proposal
2) Funding Secured
3) Go Ahead
4) Built with Tony Blair buried under 15 ton of Ballast under budget and on time.

That answer your question, David?

 

[Mojo]

If Scotland wasn't so heavily subsidised by the English, then we may have more money to spend on rail improvements.

 

[Nick W]

Once again, another project in Scotland gets the go-ahead. When will we follow suit in England????

When the following projects have completed:
Channel Tunnel Railink
Crossrail
St Pancras Thameslink, and then further station lengthening
Trent valley four tracking
Clacton resignalling
Portsmouth resignalling
East London Line extention and on to orbitrail
DLR extension
Waterloo international reuse

Don't forget some of the GWML was redoubled recently.

 

[class 313]

CTRL is first

Then NR want to start on TL2000 or shall I say, TL2007 Which is VERY good news for me

 

[Techniquest]

Don't forget some of the GWML was redoubled recently.

Recently? Wasn't that way back in spring/summer 2005? Maybe earlier? I do recall doing Probus - Burngullow when it was still a single line and the new bit was being worked on, whilst I watched from the comfort of First Class.:wave:

Good news on the re-doubling up North though! Pity we can't have the same privilege, with possibly MORE need, down this way...Shelwick Junction - Malvern Wells for one section which is very well used and is the main cause of delays in this area. Indeed, cancellations are commonplace due to this bloody section!

Still, unless it's in Scotland or, to a lesser extent Wales, railways will not be fixed to a decent state. There are lots of single-line sections which need re-doubling urgently in England, but it won't happen as Virgin don't run on most of them, nor do GNER...

 

[devon_metro]

CTRL is first

Then NR want to start on TL2000 or shall I say, TL2007 Which is VERY good news for me

London, London, London, London...

Did i mention London

 

[class 313]

Did i mention London

Yes.

 

[RJ]

London, London, London, London...

Did i mention London

Thats right, get all that bitterness and resentment out!

 

[Coxster]

London, London, London, London...

Did i mention London

Have you not heard about the recent go-ahead for the Paignton Underground yet then?

 

[class 313]

Lmao

 

[devon_metro]

Have you not heard about the recent go-ahead for the Paignton Underground yet then?

Indeed, excellent scheme!

 

[Mojo]

It *is* important London gets improved transport links. After all it is essential to the UK economy and has the worst traffic congestion in the UK, if transport is not up-to-date, many firms that contribute to the GDP will move to other cities.

However, the current focus on delivering high-quality transport schemes, whilst leaving the rest of the country to use cheapo buses to solve the transport crisis is not right.