Media centre

Thursday 12 Mar 2015

Network Rail launches public consultation to increase capacity between Ely and Soham

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail has launched a consultation to give members of the public the opportunity to comment on plans to construct a second track between Ely and Soham.

This investment is part of a programme of work that will help to move lorries off the roads by providing additional capacity for freight trains on the Felixstowe to Nuneaton route, which goes through Ipswich, Ely and Peterborough. It will also help to increase capacity for future passenger services on this section of line.

The railway between Felixstowe and Nuneaton is a key freight route – and the additional capacity provided by this proposed upgrade would result in up to 114,000 return lorry journeys being removed from the roads every year by 2023. As part of the proposals, a number of level crossings would also be upgraded to improve safety and reliability.

Richard Schofield, Network Rail route managing director, said: “The plans for the railway between Ely and Soham are an important part of our plans to improve the railway in the east of England.This stretch of track is currently a major bottleneck and the proposed second track will enable us to create extra capacity on the line for both freight and passenger services. We look forward to meeting local people to discuss the scheme.”

Although most of the proposed work required to build the new section of railway between Ely and Soham can be carried out within Network Rail’s boundary, the company will need to acquire some additional land next to the rail line on which to construct and operate the new line.

This will require Network Rail to make an application for a Transport and Works Act Order to the Secretary of State for Transport, and this public consultation forms a key part of this application.

It is anticipated that an application will be submitted later this year and subject to consent, work could start in 2017 and be completed in 2019.

Notes to editors

Members of the public are invited to one of our public consultation events. Network Rail’s project team will be on hand to answer any questions:

Stuntney Social Club, Soham Road, Stuntney, Cambs, CB7 5TL:
Tuesday, 17th March – 10:00 to 18:00

Light House Front Hall, 13 Lynn Road, Ely Cambs, CB7 4EG:
Wednesday, 18th March – 15:00 to 21:00

Soham Library, Clay Street, Soham, Cambs, CB7 5HJ:
Thursday, 19th March – 10:00 to 18:00
Friday, 20th March – 10:00 to 18:00
Saturday, 21st March – 10:00 to 13:00

Alternatively, please visit our consultation page here: https://consultations.networkrail.co.uk/ely-to-soham/ely-to-soham-rail-improvements/consult_view