Rail passengers travelling from stations at Wem, Prees and Whitchurch could see their journey times reduced under Network Rail’s plans to raise the line speed up to 100mph.
And the number of trains stopping at these stations, which sit along the Newport to Crewe route, could increase. It is expected these improvements will be implemented in 2011/12, subject to a feasibility study and funding.
A vision of tomorrow’s railway has been set out in Network Rail’s Moving Ahead, Planning Tomorrow’s Railways document, in which it outlines its strategy in response to future passenger demand.
The railway between Newport and Crewe has also been identified as a core freight route ‘with capacity for growth’, and track renewals are due to be carried out at Whitchurch in 2012/13.
In the document it states: “Demand growth is expected to continue for both freight and passenger businesses. Beyond that the government’s July 2007 White Paper challenged the industry to plan for a doubling of demand in the subsequent 30 years.
“The Welsh Assembly Government is seeking to maximise the 100mph capability of the Arriva Trains Wales Class 175 fleet over the route between Newport and Chester. The route is mainly restricted to 70mph with a 90mph differential speed limit and would need substantial investment to achieve 100mph.”
A forecast of future passenger demand undertaken by the Wales Rail Planning Assessment indicates an increase of 35 per cent by 2016 and 48 per cent by 2026. Mavis Choong, spokesperson for Network Rail, said the line speed upgrade could increase the number of trains stopping at Wem, Prees and Whitchurch stations.
She said: “Raising the line speed could boost the capacity of the number of trains but whether they will be stopping at these stations depends on timetabling. The line has the capability of going up to 100mph but it usually depends on the type of train.”
by Charlotte Hester