Network Rail is inviting people in Stone to have their say on plans to upgrade the railway in and around Staffordshire to deliver a more reliable network for passengers with extra train services.
The layout of the railway in and around Stafford, particularly Norton Bridge, restricts capacity and performance along the main line.
In May – following consultation last year – Network Rail announced its preferred plan to solve one of the few remaining bottlenecks on the key rail line connecting London, Birmingham, Manchester and Scotland. This follows last year’s extensive consultation on three options to upgrade the railway around Norton Bridge to the north of Stafford.
The plans will take Birmingham to Manchester trains up and over the main line rather than across it, creating a more reliable railway for passengers, with additional trains and more seats. Extensive analysis of the benefits and impacts of each option is now complete and a preferred scheme identified.
The chosen scheme – known as option A1 – includes a new 4km section of track to the west of the existing main line railway and a bridge flyover to link it with the Stone branch.
The new junction together with signaling and track enhancements will improve the reliability of services and allow extra trains to run on the main line. The project will deliver:
- Two extra fast trains per hour between London and the North West
- One extra train per hour between Birmingham and Manchester
- One additional freight path per hour through Stafford via Trent Valley, helping take lorries off congested roads such as the M6
Local residents are invited to find out more about the preferred option at one of the forthcoming exhibitions and to provide their comments on the plans – in person, by post or online.
Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, said: “We want as many people as possible to find out about this exciting project by visiting the exhibitions or viewing the plans online. Britain relies on rail and with demand for rail travel increasing it’s essential we invest in the railway now to provide better services for passengers with more trains, additional seats and fewer delays.
More information about the project can be found here.
A final scheme will be prepared in 2012 following this round of public consultation.
Here are the remaining consultation events:
Monday 17 October 2pm – 7pm
Walton Community Centre, Whitemill Lane, Stone
Tuesday 18 October 3pm – 8pm
St Luke’s Church, Station Road, Norton Bridge
Wednesday 19th October 4pm – 8pm
Stafford Railway Station, Station Road, Stafford
2 comments
Rob kenney
The consultation dates above are la
t years dates. dates for this pahse are:
Have your say
A series of public exhibitions will take place which to provide local people with an opportunity to view the plans and feedback ideas about how the scheme can be progressed. These events will take place at the following times and venues:
Tuesday 11 October 4pm – 9pm
Chebsey Village Hall,
School Lane,
Chebsey,
Stafford
ST21 6JU
Wednesday 12 October 11am – 3pm
St Luke’s Church,
Station Road,
Norton Bridge,
Stafford
Nr Stone
Thurdsay 13 October 2pm – 7pm
Great Bridgeford Village Hall,
Newport Road,
Great Bridgeford
ST18 9PR
Friday 14 October 3pm – 8pm
Yarnfield Village Hall,
Meece Road,
Yarnfield
ST15 0NR
Saturday 15 October 11am – 3pm
Chebsey Village Hall,
School Lane,
Chebsey,
Stafford
ST21 6JU
Monday 17 October 2pm – 7pm
Walton Community Centre,
Whitemill Lane,
Stone
ST15 0EQ
Tuesday 18 October 3pm – 8pm
St Luke’s Church,
Station Road,
Norton Bridge,
Stafford
Nr Stone
Wednesday 19th October 4pm – 8pm
Stafford Railway Station,
Station Road,
Stafford
ST16 2AA
If you have any further questions or concerns about the project, please contact the Network Rail helpline on 0845 711 4141 or email staffordconsultation@networkrail.co.uk.
Copied and pasted from network rail web site
Jamie Summerfield
Doh! Thanks very much for pointing that mistake out and correcting – much appreciated