Public invited to comment on proposals to increase Ely rail capacity

Monday 24 May 2021

Public invited to comment on proposals to increase Ely rail capacity

Region & Route:: Eastern: Anglia

Network Rail’s second round of public consultation to increase rail capacity through Ely opens today (Monday 24 May 2021) as part of a six-week consultation to gather feedback from the public on proposals being presented to upgrade the railway.

The aim of the Ely area capacity enhancement (EACE) programme is to upgrade the railway to allow more trains to run through Ely. Increasing capacity will mean better connectivity and reliability for passenger services while meeting the demand for more rail freight between the Port of Felixstowe the West Midlands and the north to support sustainable, long-term economic growth.

Proposals and options are being presented to the public for the first time to upgrade the infrastructure at key sites in an area defined as Ely South that includes:

• Proposed infrastructure changes to part of the Soham branch line and Ely Dock junction
• Proposed changes to track and platforms at Ely station
• Options to upgrade the nearby Stuntney Road bridge
• Options to upgrade two bridges across the Great River Ouse adjacent to Ely marina
• Proposal to close Kiln Lane level crossing with options to maintain pedestrian and vehicle access to the east side of the railway.

The feedback from this second round of consultation will help to progress designs prior to selecting preferred options and, subject to further funding, submitting a Transport and Works Act Order later in 2022.

How to have your say

Owing to the ongoing Coronavirus situation, Network Rail is hosting the second round of public consultation via the Ely project webpage.

The consultation documents are available to view and download from the consultation area of the Ely project webpage together with the online survey form to formally submit comments to Network Rail on the proposals being presented.

There will also be an opportunity for the public to put their questions to Network Rail’s project team via a live webchat facility or by calling the consultation hotline using the details below:

The live webchats are available (access via the project webpage) from 25 May to 5 June 2021 at the following times:
• Tuesday Thursday and Friday 10:00-16:00
• Wednesday 14:00-20:00

The consultation phone line (0800 160 1780) is available from 25 May to 5 June 2021 at the following times:
• Tuesday, Thursday and Friday 14:00-17:00
• Wednesday 17:00-20:00
• Saturday 10:00-13:00

Hardcopies of the consultation booklet are available upon request by calling Network Rail’s 24/7 helpline number on 03457 11 41 41 or emailing: elyareacapacityenhancements@networkrail.co.uk

Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “This is a chance for passengers who use the rail network through Ely to have a say on how to deliver better connectivity and more punctual, reliable services in the future.

“I encourage people to engage with the consultation, let us know your views on these proposed infrastructure improvements and help shape the future of your railway.”

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: “Following a successful consultation in late 2020 which saw a lot of support for the principle of increasing capacity through Ely, we are now in a position to present a number of options on how we can upgrade the railway to achieve these benefits.

It is so important to seek the views of the community who live and work in the Ely area. Their feedback will help to inform our designs as we progress with this important project and I hope everyone who wants to, will take the opportunity to have their say."

A further public consultation is planned later in 2021 which will focus on proposals and options for the remodelling of the track layout at Ely North junction, level crossings at Queen Adelaide, and level crossings across the Ely wider area. More details on these future consultation rounds will be announced nearer the time.

Project webpage: www.networkrail.co.uk/Ely

Contact information

Passengers / community members
Network Rail national helpline
03457 11 41 41

Latest travel advice
Please visit National Rail Enquiries

Journalists
Network Rail press office - Stephen Deaville
Senior Communications Manager
Network Rail
0330 8577 132
Stephen.deaville@networkrail.co.uk

About Network Rail

We own, operate and develop Britain's railway infrastructure; that's 20,000 miles of track, 30,000 bridges, tunnels and viaducts and the thousands of signals, level crossings and stations. We run 20 of the UK's largest stations while all the others, over 2,500, are run by the country's train operating companies.

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