Route Utilisation Strategy

Great Western Mainline 

The Great Western Mainline Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS), managed by Network Rail, is looking at ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the network.  For the first time it will consider schemes to develop the network.  In June 2008 we submitted evidence to the RUS process based around the Joint Local Transport Plan Rail Action Plan and highlighting the importance of the Growth Agenda and the Regional Spatial Strategy to rail.

The Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy - Draft for Consultation was published on 1st September 2009.

Adopting a problem led approach, Network Rail has identified 21 'gaps' (shortfalls in provision) from a list of 128 put forward by stakeholders. Relevant ones for the West of England are:

• South West to South Coast Capacity - Cardiff to Portsmouth route
• West Midlands to South West - all day capacity issues
• Bristol Peak Capacity - redesign and extra capacity and take account of North and South Bristol growth
• Bristol performance
• Inter-Urban Journey Times - e.g. Bristol to Weston-Super-Mare and Bristol to Gloucester.

It is important to note that the ‘gaps’ in the RUS do not include solutions in search of a problem or stakeholder aspirations with no likely funding. 

The RUS includes proposals for new infrastructure and additional carriages for local and regional trains.  The Greater Bristol Metro scheme has been tested as part of the RUS work with proposals for enhanced services to Yate and Bath.

The West of England response was sent on 26 November 2009.  It focuses around:

• Severn Beach line services
• Greater Bristol Metro
• Growth forecasts
• Electrification
• New infrastructure and services
• Long term schemes.

The final RUS is expected to be published in Spring of 2010.

The RUS sets out what the rail industry want to see delivered.  As such it has no specific funding allocated.  Its recommendations inform the Government’s investment plan for the rail network, the High Level Output Specification (HLOS), expected in 2012.  A Statement of Funding Available (SoFA) will accompany the HLOS and will be used to determine which schemes can be implemented.  Just because a scheme is included in the RUS there is no guarantee that it, or indeed any RUS proposal, will ever be funded. – which is why the West of England Partnership has included rail schemes in its request for Regional Funding Allocation for major schemes.

The Partnership response to the RUS can be read in the report that went to the 12 November 2009 Joint Transport Executive Committee where representatives from Network Rail came along to talk to members.

Read the minutes of the meeting – including the presentation made by Network Rail on the Great Western Route Utilitsation Strategy

Network RUS Scenarios and Long Distance Forecasts

In April 2009 Network Rail consulted on the Network RUS : Scenarios and Long Distance Forecasts report. Click here for the West of England Partnership's response.

Electrification

Earlier this year Network Rail consulted on an Electrification Strategy. This included ideas for electrifying the Great Western mainline to Bristol and Bath.  The West of England Partnership responded to the consultation on 14 July 2009. 

Click here to read the West of England's response

In a somewhat unusual turn of events the Department for Transport announced a week later, on 23 July 2009, the electrification of the Great Western Mainline to Bristol (via Temple Meads and Parkway) by 2016 and onto Cardiff and Swansea by 2017.

Click here to read the DfT announcement