Vision:
Expanding the rail network
- Last update: 16/07/2024
- Version: v1.0
Growing the rail network by taking forward new rail projects is absolutely vital for the economy and the sustainability of Great Britain.
At Enroute, we strive to create a greener, economically-friendly, and community-influenced public and active transport network, encouraging modal shift from road and private car to sustainable modes of transport. We elaborate on our aims with our comprehensive vision for the transport network in 2050.
Our 2050 Vision draws on our work and the published work of other organisations. Whilst we highlight where our vision aligns with the views of other organisations, the 2050 Vision represents Enroute’s views and should not be taken to represent those of other organisations.
Take it further: East West Rail
We believe that East West Rail is vital to the South Midlands and the knowledge and connectivity of the entire nation. East West Rail is a model for the level of ambition with which we should approach new rail schemes, selecting alignments based on the purpose of the line, and making use of a combination of new and reinstated alignments and existing lightly-used lines, where fit-for-purpose.
East West Rail should be electrified from the outset between Oxford and Cambridge, as should every new railway. Failing to do so is a missed opportunity for decarbonisation, particularly for freight, and will likely result in further disruption if a decision is later taken to electrify after services have started. We also consider the branch to Aylesbury vital for regional growth.
We call for consideration of extending passenger services along the existing network, to destinations such as Reading, Northampton and London Marylebone. We would also support studies into new services towards Bristol and South Wales (splitting off at after Oxford at Didcot Parkway), and a brand-new route between Verney Junction and Banbury, via Buckingham and Brackley.
Get it started: the Leamside Line
We support calls to reopen the Leamside Line in the North East of England, providing a secondary route for passengers and freight between Darlington and Newcastle, serving Washington (one of England’s largest urban areas with no rail connectivity). This could form part of a longer second route from York to Newcastle.
We support ambitions to utilise part of the Leamside Line for an extension of the Tyne & Wear Metro, but this must be allow provision for long-distance traffic on the line
- No further reading linked
- 16th July 2024: Renamed this policy position from 'New rail projects' to 'Expanding the rail network'
- 14th December 2023: Initial publication
