NR Liverpool Strategic Study

[WatcherZero]

NR has published the Continuous Modular Strategic Planning (what used to be the RUS process) for the Liverpool region.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Liverpool-City-Region-Strategic-Rail-Study-2020.pdf

The gist of it is the new trains will meet the long term demand requirement for the region with the exception of services to Wales (increase to 2tph), Burscough Bridge-Ormskirk (extend network to Burscough, investigate feasibility of Preston), Headbolt Lane/Kirkby (extend network to Skelmersdale, investigate feasibility of Wigan), Liverpool Central platform expansion will be needed after 5 years but it doesn't put forward a solution to that problem.

NR accepts all the proposed network extensions, it particularly endorses Wapping Tunnel reopening as a way of increasing capacity at Central.

Conclusions

The following will be prioritised by relevant organisations to ensure capacity exists to meet demand on the Merseyrail network:
• Completion of depot, power supply, platform-train interface and station enhancements to support delivery and operation of the new fleet;
• Progressing the development of options for Liverpool Central. This should bring together Network Rail, Merseyrail, Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, Liverpool City Council and other relevant stakeholders; and
• If required, further crowd management tactics employed at other city centre stations.

Other options that could be further developed by funders or stakeholders (to meet connectivity based conditional outputs) following this Study could be:
• Extending the Merseyrail network to Shotton (and possibly on to Wrexham);
• Extending the Merseyrail network to Skelmersdale (and possibly on to Wigan Wallgate); and
• Extending the Merseyrail network to Burscough Junction (and possibly on to Preston).

Further options discussed in this Study (although not explored in detail) could also be progressed by funders or stakeholders in accordance with City Region priorities, these could include:
• Re-instatement of the Wapping Tunnel, providing a link between Edge Hill and Liverpool Central; and
• Further enhancement of Liverpool Lime Street station (beyond the recently completed enhancement and renewal scheme).
• Extending services, according to stakeholder priorities via the Liverpool John Lennon Airport link, Bootle Branch Line, Ellesmere Port to Helsby, Wigan, Headbolt Lane/Skelmersdale, Burscough/Preston and Wrexham.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

It is still talking about franchising from my skim read. Could not immediately see anything about electrification or decarbonisation either.

 

[Llandudno]

NR has published the Continuous Modular Strategic Planning (what used to be the RUS process) for the Liverpool region.

https://www.networkrail.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Liverpool-City-Region-Strategic-Rail-Study-2020.pdf

Gist of it is the new trains will meet the long term demand requirement for the region with the exception of services to Wales (increase to 2tph), Burscough Bridge-Ormskirk (extend network to Burscough, investigate feasability of Preston), Headbolt Lane/Kirkby (extend network to Skelmersdale, investigate feasability of Wigan), Liverpool Central platform expansion will be needed after 5 years but it doesnt put forward a solution to that problem.

NR accepts all the proposed network extensions, it particularly endorses Wapping Tunnel reopening as a way of increasing capacity at Central.

Lots of flannel!

Which do you think are the most likely extensions to the Merseyrail network to actually be completed before 2030, if any?

 

[WatcherZero]

Skelmersdale probably mid 2020's.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Skelmersdale probably mid 2020's.

Yep that would be about it in my estimation

 

[Camden]

Very non committal about everything, despite the fuzzy warm language. NPR/HS2 is held up as a reason to delay making choices. Inference is that there is still no real commitment to take either to the city. Very few of the city region's own asks are in there.

Token effort designed for show and subsequently for the DfT to file in the bin, methinks.

 

[Ianno87]

Very non committal about everything, despite the fuzzy warm language. NPR/HS2 is held up as a reason to delay making choices. Inference is that there is still no real commitment to take either to the city. Very few of the city region's own asks are in there.

Token effort designed for show and subsequently for the DfT to file in the bin, methinks.

These studies are merely to present choices for funders about what could be done and what the benefits are. They are not supposed to be committal. If they were, it wouldn't have been done right.

It's quite interesting that the new 777 fleet accommodates growth for such a long distance into the future without having to resort to "big ticket" stuff. A real win for the Liverpool travel to work area.

 

[MarkyT]

Very non committal about everything, despite the fuzzy warm language. NPR/HS2 is held up as a reason to delay making choices. Inference is that there is still no real commitment to take either to the city. Very few of the city region's own asks are in there.

Token effort designed for show and subsequently for the DfT to file in the bin, methinks.

I think NR have to produce this document, yet they don't control the enhancement purse strings, particularly with respect to NPR/HS2. Changes to Ph2 for integration with NPR are at an early stage, and no matter what alternatives are being discussed and developed in the background, there can be no disclosure of detail in public domain until a set of formal proposals are firmed up for consultation, so property speculators, opposing forces, and armies of critical crayonistas aren't pre-warned. The study is useful background as a 'state of the network' summary for making these decisions.

 

[The Planner]

As mentioned above, CMSP, RUS, route studies and so on are effectively Argos catalogues for funders. They are far from saying "we are going to build this". People need to remember that.

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

Digital signalling and ETCS gets a mention for CP8 even though NR has only just finished resignalling the whole network out of Lime St!

 

[MarkyT]

Digital signalling and ETCS gets a mention for CP8 even though NR has only just finished resignalling the whole network out of Lime St!

With processor-based signalling control that already uses digital techniques and is 'ETCS ready' for conversion, once sufficient rolling stock is capable. Conversion will not be a rip it all out and start again scenario. Much of the underlying equipment will be retained whether an 'overlay' or 'signals away' ETCS solution is chosen for the area.

 

[Camden]

I think NR have to produce this document, yet they don't control the enhancement purse strings, particularly with respect to NPR/HS2. Changes to Ph2 for integration with NPR are at an early stage, and no matter what alternatives are being discussed and developed in the background, there can be no disclosure of detail in public domain until a set of formal proposals are firmed up for consultation, so property speculators, opposing forces, and armies of critical crayonistas aren't pre-warned. The study is useful background as a 'state of the network' summary for making these decisions.

No I do understand that, but generally these documents set the ground/agenda for arguments to be made. Being effectively a menu for funders, if it doesn't appear in the document then it may as well be dead as an idea.

The ground appears to be set that, by hook or by crook, the self-funded fleet of 777s is all the region can look forward to. That these offer extra capacity is of course only in standing room, and on their own they don't strengthen the network only replace life expired equipment.

Any infrastructure work talk of benefit (moving more signalling to Manchester isn't an upgrade!) has been so carefully worded that years into the future funders can still claim uncertainty binds their hands.

 

[Ianno87]

No I do understand that, but generally these documents set the ground/agenda for arguments to be made. Being effectively a menu for funders, if it doesn't appear in the document then it may as well be dead as an idea.

The ground appears to be set that, by hook or by crook, the self-funded fleet of 777s is all the region can look forward to. That these offer extra capacity is of course only in standing room, and on their own they don't strengthen the network only replace life expired equipment.

Any infrastructure work talk of benefit (moving more signalling to Manchester isn't an upgrade!) has been so carefully worded that years into the future funders can still claim uncertainty binds their hands.

Liverpool has in the last 5 years also had the improvements at Lime Street, electrification of the routes through Huyton, 4 tracking through Huyton and the new TPE fleets that will all also provide for growth for some years yet.

Plus the second Avanti service to Euston soon.

Plus things can happen that never appear in any study like this.


These reports are not nice to have lists of infrastructure to look nice. It is predicting future growth and providing for it where it is required, bounded by funding reasonably likely to become available, plus recognising the ultimate long term solution in the form of NPR (and HS2 services via NPR) that became a little more closer to happening a few weeks ago.

 

[cle]

I'd be curious to hear about the direct Wrexham service. Interesting that goal isn't tackled via Halton, and instead via Merseyrail/Borderlands. Perhaps for the interim stations too.

Moderator note: Some content moved to https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...u-like-to-see-in-the-liverpool-region.210738/

 

[cle]

The Northwich (often a second tph to Stockport) and the Leeds have their two bays, which I think are plenty enough.

Everything heading through (and how that interplays with terminators like the Eustons) would be the issue at Chester.

 

[Camden]

I'd be curious to hear about the direct Wrexham service. Interesting that goal isn't tackled via Halton, and instead via Merseyrail/Borderlands. Perhaps for the interim stations too.

I can't imagine Wrexham will be reached by Merseyrail this lifetime.

An annoying/perhaps telling aspect of this document is that it focuses almost exclusively on the Northern and Wirral Lines of Merseyrail, despite being titled "Liverpool City Region". How can you plan a transport strategy for a city by excluding half of it from consideration.

 

[Ianno87]

I can't imagine Wrexham will be reached by Merseyrail this lifetime.

An annoying/perhaps telling aspect of this document is that it focuses almost exclusively on the Northern and Wirral Lines of Merseyrail, despite being titled "Liverpool City Region". How can you plan a transport strategy for a city by excluding half of it from consideration.

Entirely possible that there'll be a CMSP to cover the other routes at some point.

 

[MarkyT]

What was wrong with the old descriptive names of Route Plan or Route Utilisation Strategy, and what the heck is a 'Continuous Module' to strategise about anyway? Sounds like they've had the expensive management consultants in to rename things.

 

[Ianno87]

What was wrong with the old descriptive names of Route Plan or Route Utilisation Strategy, and what the heck is a 'Continuous Module' to strategise about anyway? Sounds like they've had the expensive management consultants in to rename things.

RUS-es were quite wide in geographic scope and fit into ye-olde 5 year Control Period 'Shopping List' spending cycles.

CMSP is "Continuous" (i.e. updated when there is a need to do so rather than arbitrarily every 5 years) and "Modular" (i.e. broken into specific network chunks as required to focus the analysis more)

 

[MarkyT]

RUS-es were quite wide in geographic scope and fit into ye-olde 5 year Control Period 'Shopping List' spending cycles.

CMSP is "Continuous" (i.e. updated when there is a need to do so rather than arbitrarily every 5 years) and "Modular" (i.e. broken into specific network chunks as required to focus the analysis more)

Thank you, that is very sensible, as I actually assumed, but the process doesn't actually explain itself very well from the words actually used in its name! I really dislike use of the word 'module' to describe a geographical or economic area. When some future reorganisation occurs, perhaps we can look forward to seeing modular managers looking after particular chunks of the railway.

 

[WatcherZero]

It specifically states that the scope of the module is the 3rd rail lines that feeds into Liverpool Lime Street for the purpose of assessing crowding at that station.

 

[Lloyds siding]

It specifically states that the scope of the module is the 3rd rail lines that feeds into Liverpool Lime Street for the purpose of assessing crowding at that station.

I assume you mean Liverpool Central.

 

[yorkie]

If anyone wishes to post any suggestions/ideas for rail improvements in the Liverpool area, please use the following thread:

https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/what-rail-improvements-would-you-like-to-see-in-the-liverpool-region.210738/

Thanks

 

[a_c_skinner]

investigate feasability of Preston/Wigan

That being government speak for put on the back burner, so far back you can't see it.

 

[WatcherZero]

I assume you mean Liverpool Central.

Nope, Lime Street.

The ‘City Lines’, providing more frequent and longer- distance services from Liverpool Lime Street to the east, are not within the scope of this report. However, the study did need to consider whether any additional or different use of the Merseyrail network was required in order to alleviate pressure on Liverpool Lime Street station and the approaches to it, whilst meeting demand and other ‘conditional outputs’. The study found that with the recently delivered capacity enhancement (delivering an additional platform and remodelled approach tracks), Liverpool Lime Street and the approaches to it are able to meet forecast passenger demand and deliver the expected level of train service at least until 2026.

 

[Ianno87]

It specifically states that the scope of the module is the 3rd rail lines that feeds into Liverpool Lime Street for the purpose of assessing crowding at that station.

Nope, Lime Street.

Ah yes, basically taking a "what if Liverpool Central had to be sized to deal with City Line passengers too?", but not assessing the City Lines themselves in terms of track capacity etc.

That is actually pretty forward thinking!

 

[EllieAquitrain]

Ah yes, basically taking a "what if Liverpool Central had to be sized to deal with City Line passengers too?", but not assessing the City Lines themselves in terms of track capacity etc.

That is actually pretty forward thinking!

So if current City Line trains teleported between Edge Hill and Central, how much capacity would be freed up at Lime Street?

 

[Skie]

The document does say that there are also separate studies going on for the expansion of Liverpool Central, including the re-routing of local Lime Street services via the disused tunnels into a remodelled Liverpool Central. It even mentions the possibility city line services could be “Merseyrailed”.

And of course the 777 fleet has the unusual option to double in size with a follow on order, indicating this was always the direction of travel. Whether it happens or not is another thing, but good that Merseytravel have clearly been planning ahead for a while.