Ipswich Chord - IPC meeting 1

11/08/2010

Network Rail: Ipswich Chord

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Background

• The route from Felixstowe to Nuneaton forms part of the Strategic Freight Network

• Work is well underway on gauge clearance (W10) between Peterborough to Nuneaton – due for completion 2011

• This project is part of a programme of works to remove capacity constraints on the network between Felixstowe and Peterborough

• The aim

• 24tpd in each direction and provision for new longer 775m trains

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Background

• Current demand and timetabling

• 28tpd leave the Felixstowe Ports

• Of those 10 are turned around in the Ipswich Yard and continue cross country

• 18 continue on the East Suffolk Line to London

• Very few (1 or 2) trains final destination is London

• The majority are routed around the North London Line and back up the West Coast Main Line

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Benefits

• Constructing the chord will provide capacity for 24tpd in each direction

• Reducing journey times

• Allow greater flexibility for timetabling of passenger trains

• Free up capacity and reduce conflicts on the already congested North London Line

• Increase the intermodal share of rail freight over road

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Alternatives considered

• By-passing the capacity constrained Ipswich Yard

• Options were considered to relieve that constraint through connecting the East Suffolk Line with the Great Eastern Main Line

• No practicable alternative locations however there are alternative engineering options

• Modifications to the Ipswich Goods Yard

• Grade separated junction flying over the Great Eastern Main Line to join the East Suffolk Line

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The site – aerial view

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The site

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The site

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The site

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Description of the Scheme

• New 1.1 km chord linking the Great Eastern Main Line (towards Norwich) with the East Suffolk Line (towards Lowestoft and Felixstowe)

• Widening of embankments along the northern boundary of the Great Eastern Main Line (along an approximately 400m stretch behind the supermarket, bowling alley and railway cottages) in order to accommodate the new chord line.

• The chord line would cross the River Gipping and run across the Bacon Factory Triangle raised on embankment at the same level as the existing railway embankments.

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Description of the Scheme

• The construction of at least two bridges will be required over the River Gipping and Sproughton Road to accommodate the new line.

• Modifications to the existing signalling and overhead line electrification systems.

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Programme Update

• SoCC was published on 4th June

• Formal notification under S46 27th May

• Acknowledgement received from IPC 11th June

• S42 consultation pack sent 8-9th June

• Public exhibition held between 7–10th June

• Draft list of S42 (a) and (b) consultees submitted to IPC 22nd

June

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Look Ahead

• Submit request for EIA scoping opinion July 2010

• S47 public consultation

• Phase 2 – September to mid October 2010

• Phase 3 – December 2010

• S42 technical consultation

• Stage 1 – 6th April to 5th October

• Stage 2 – 24th November to 21st January 2011