Gap 8 - Network Flexibility
Analysis
A standard hourly pattern for the London services would allow a regular pattern of passenger and freight services on this section. However, to have an even spread of services would require significant infrastructure investment, such as reopening the Leamside route, to provide robust freight paths with reasonable journey times, but the level of benefit would be limited to journeys both joining and alighting at or between York and Newcastle.
The reinstatement of the former Leamside Line would require major capital expenditure, and it is very unlikely that this could be justified with network flexibility benefits alone.
Conclusion and/or recommendation
It is recommended that opportunities and requirements for using this diversionary route are examined by the 7-Day Railway workstream, taking into account planned headway improvements between Hartlepool and Dawdon, and the IEP programme. It should also confirm the level of benefits that could contribute to the Leamside reinstatement costs.
A longer term scenario
Running additional passenger services north of Northallerton by 2036 would probably require enhancement and increased
use of the parallel route via Eaglescliffe, Stockton and Ferryhill; and reinstatement of the Leamside route (Ferryhill – Washington – Pelaw Junction) might be beneficial to provide sufficient overall capacity between Ferryhill and Newcastle.
Possible requirements after 2019:
Re-instatement of the Leamside route (Ferryhill – Washington – Pelaw Junction).
