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Monday 17 May 2004

NEW PLATFORM FOR CLASS 373 OPERATION AT LEEDS

Region & Route:

Network Rail and contractor C Spencer Ltd have recently completed work to extend platform one at Leeds station to allow Class 373 (GNER) operation.  The facility for running into platform one will be available operationally for the start of the summer timetable. Currently the only platforms available for Class 373 operation are ‘through’ platforms which means the units cannot be stabled overnight.  After the last service the train is taken to Marsh Lane for stabling which requires a number of train movements and two drivers.  From 23 May (start of the summer timetable) the last service will run into platform one and remain there overnight ready for the first service to London King’s Cross the following morning. Work began in January this year and was undertaken during ‘rules of the route’ possessions.  The project included the physical extension of the platform together with associated overhead line and signalling. The extension of platform one completes the suite of work to enable Class 373 operation between Doncaster and Leeds.  Between January and April 2002 a £4 million scheme of work was carried out to improve clearance between the track and structures on the route between Leeds and Doncaster.  GNER began operating Class 373 services from Leeds Station in June 2002. - more - Leeds – 2 Richard Fenny, Regional Director, Network Rail said: “Network Rail is committed to providing a safe, reliable and efficient rail infrastructure.  The extension of platform one will improve the safety and reliability of operations in and around Leeds Station by reducing the number of train movements required for stabling units overnight.”  Rachel Blackburn, GNER's Regional Manager (Central) said: “The extension to platform one at Leeds will allow much more efficient operation of the “White Rose” Class 373 trains from the start of the summer timetable. The trains will be more secure and less open to vandalism when stabled overnight at Leeds, and the change will be more efficient from an operational point of view.”