Media centre

Friday 7 Jul 2006

ROOM FOR MORE TRAINS ON EAST COAST MAIN LINE

Region & Route:

National

Network Rail today announced 20 new possible train ‘paths’ - 10 in each direction - could be accommodated on the busy East Coast Main Line (ECML). The possible new paths were highlighted in a report on capacity on the ECML, which Network Rail has produced in response to the Office of Rail Regulation's (ORR's) decision to grant new access rights to the train operating company Grand Central. Network Rail had recommended to the ORR that, if certain constraints were removed - such as those relating to contractual rights and stopping patterns - more capacity would be found. Following its decision In March this year to grant three paths to Grand Central, one new path to existing operator Hull Trains and six new paths to existing operator GNER, the ORR removed the constraints, allowing Network Rail the flexibility and the means to identify new paths on the route. Unveiling the report, Network Rail Chief Executive, John Armitt, said: "We have identified 20 new paths on the East Coast Main Line. This demonstrates the enormous will within the rail industry to increase capacity and grow the railway to accommodate ever-increasing numbers of passengers and tonnes of freight. "We still have some issues to resolve, but we are working through these, and expect to have these paths established and operational as soon as possible." The 20 new paths – 10 in each direction – would allow the following services to run:

• Grand Central – three new services between Sunderland and London King’s Cross
• Hull Trains – one additional service between Hull and London King’s Cross
• GNER – six additional services between Leeds and London King’s Cross, which would mean a half-hourly service between Kings Cross and Leeds during the day