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Date 22.09.10

SINTROPHER Regional WorkshopDavid Morgan

Heavy rail for the Fylde Coast RUSs, Electrification, Refranchising2

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DfT/Transport Scotland

Train Operators

Office of Rail Regulation

Passengers Freight Users Stakeholders

Network Rail

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5 Year Industry Funding Settlement

RUS ISBPHLOS

& SOFASBP

ORR Determination

Delivery Plan

Refranchising Access Rights

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What is a RUS?

• Rail industry study• Co-ordinated by Network Rail• Looks at current and future use• Identifies performance/demand requirements or issues

• Proposes interventions that are value for money and consistent with RUS timescale

• Success depends on industry engagement and information sharing

• Generally takes a 10-year horizon with a 30-year overview

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RUS Objective

‘To make effective and efficient use and development of the route capacity available, consistent with the funding that is, or in reasonably likely to become, available during the period of the route utilisation strategy and with the licence holder’s performance of the duty’

from Licence Condition 7

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RUS Process

RP

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RUSs covering the Fylde Coast

• North West RUS, published in May 2007

• Lancashire & Cumbria RUS, published in August 2008

• Northern RUS due for publication as a consultation draft in October 2010

The Northern RUS covers almost the whole of northern England, reviewing earlier RUSs and considering only what has changed since those RUSs were published.

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Key points in the NW and L&C RUSs

• Limited capacity on Kirkham - Blackpool South line due to being one single line section, occupied 50 minutes in each hour to sustain hourly service

• Some potential for half-hourly service on Blackpool South line, but not pursued due to high cost (over £5m) of signalling upgrade

• Line speed improvement on Preston – Colne line would improve performance of Blackpool South service

• Once Sheffield tram-train trial and Watford – St Albans conversion prove successful, possible scope for tram train on Blackpool South line

• Blackpool North – Manchester semi-fast services have 100mph rolling stock but much of the route has linespeed of 75mph

• Possible case for half-hourly Blackpool – Manchester semi-fast service

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Electrification

• Announcement earlier this year by last Government

• Proposed for 2016/17

• Includes Blackpool North – Preston – Manchester/Liverpool

• Detail may depend on outcome of Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review including rolling stock strategy

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Refranchising

• West Coast Trains (Virgin) franchise due to expire 2012

• Northern Rail franchise due to expire 2013

• First Transpennine Express due to expire 2012 (option for five year extension)

• Government consultation on refranchising currently taking place, closing in late October

• Likely to lead to longer franchises – probably c.15 years

• Possible increased scope for TOC investment

• Expected to be less tightly specified, especially in later years, offering more scope for innovation

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Open Access

• Since RUS publication, proposals from Alliance Rail branded as Great North Western Railway

• Subject to industry processes, could start operation in about three years’ time

• Propose four daily trains each way between London Euston and Blackpool North, with a further three between Euston and the Cumbrian Coast

• Would be operated by new 125mph rolling stock via West Coast Main Line

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Issues to consider for Fylde tram-train

• Will it replace or supplement existing Northern Rail services?

• How will it integrate with upgraded heritage tramway?

• Is it to be local or interurban service (e.g. through service to Preston)?

• Vehicles to be dual-voltage or bi-mode?

• Ownership and operation of vehicles and infrastructure?

• Impact on existing local rail network?

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Any questions?

•Any questions please?