Monday 9 May 2011
NETWORK RAIL PUBLISHES ANALYSIS OF PASSENGER CONGESTION AT STATIONS
- Region & Route:
- National
Network Rail today published an analysis of passenger congestion at stations along with a range of measures that could relieve it as part of its network route utilisation strategy (stations).
Congestion can affect passengers at smaller, local stations as much as at the biggest and busiest. It can be limited to peak times or be a continuous problem that only affects a particular part of a station.
Stations such as King’s Cross, Birmingham New Street and Reading are already undergoing major redevelopments to cope with projected passenger numbers, so the analysis identifies stations not covered by committed enhancement schemes that would benefit from further investigation into congestion reduction measures.
Paul Plummer, Network Rail’s director of planning and development, said: “If not tackled effectively, passenger congestion at stations could reduce the popularity of rail travel. Working with a range of partners across the rail industry we have identified a number of stations that would benefit from further investigation into congestion reduction measures.
“We know there is no one-size-fits-all solution, so the strategy is not prescriptive, and instead includes a number of cost-effective measures that could be tailored to the needs of individual stations across Britain.”
Today’s publication marks the start of a 60 day consultation period after which Network Rail will consider the feedback and publish the final strategy.
Notes to editors
- The Network Route Utilisation Strategy (Stations) will have a formal consultation period of 60 days and the deadline for receiving responses is Friday 8 July 2011. Details of how to respond are contained within the document which can be downloaded from our website at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies\Network\Working%20Group%202%20-%20Stations&pageid=4449&root=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies
- Network Route Utilisation Strategies provide a network-wide perspective to support rail planning. The process is led by Network Rail on behalf of the rail industry. A number of rail industry organisations are involved in the process including train operating companies, freight operating companies, ATOC, the ORR, Passenger Focus, Department for Transport, Transport Scotland and Transport for London.
3. It is recommended that interventions are investigated to understand and address crowding by the end of Control Period 5 in 2019 at the following stations: Basingstoke, Bristol Parkway, Clapham Junction, Earlsfield, Liverpool Central, Liverpool Lime Street, London Charing Cross, London Fenchurch Street, London Victoria, Preston, Surbiton and Wimbledon.
- As part of the work on this strategy, Network Rail also updated and re-published “Investment in Stations: A Guide for Promoters and Developers” to provide information for parties who wish to make investment in stations. This is available to download at: http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\RUS Documents\Route Utilisation Strategies\Network\Working Group 2 - Stations&pageid=4449&root=\RUS Documents\Route Utilisation Strategies
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