General transport infrastructure objectives. Delivering a Sustainable Transport System (DaSTS)

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Rail Trade Routes: key future capacity to gaps identifiedtransport by Network infrastructure Rail Planned improvements Britain’s Contents General transport infrastructure objectives Planned transport infrastructure enhancements by country Motorways and major trunk routes: England Motorways and major trunk routes: Scotland The UK Government and devolved administrations have made several announcements over the last 12 months concerning the enhancements to the capacity and capability of the UK’s major trunk road network and rail network. This develops their policies for the next public spending cycle, beyond 2014, largely on the principles recommended by the Eddington Transport Study and culminated in three key decisions on 15 January 2009. •

Third runway at Heathrow Airport



Formation of a new company to develop a second High Speed Railway line (High Speed 2)



Expansion of hard shoulder running on congested parts of the motorway network

The major Government transport policy statements are listed in the table on the right-hand side.

page page page page

1 3 4 9

Motorways and major trunk routes: Wales Rail enhancement schemes: England Rail enhancement schemes: Scotland Rail enhancement schemes: Wales

page page page page

11 13 19 29

Recent Government transport policy statements Eddington Transport Study

December 2006

Towards a Sustainable Transport System (TaSTS)

October 2007

Roads – Delivering choice and reliability

July 2008

Delivering a Sustainable Transport System (DaSTS)

November 2008

DaSTS: The Logistics Perspective

December 2008

Scottish Strategic Transport Projects Review

December 2008

Revised Trunk Road Forward Programme

December 2008

Britain’s Transport Infrastructure: • Motorways and Major Trunk Routes • Adding Capacity at Heathrow Airport • High Speed 2

January 2009

This briefing note identifies the particular parts of the UK road and rail network that will benefit from these improvements and when these will take place.

General transport infrastructure objectives Delivering a Sustainable Transport System (DaSTS) This document developed the Government’s thinking set out in its earlier statement, Towards a Sustainable Transport System (TaSTS), published in October 2007 which outlined DfT’s approach to longterm transport planning. In the interim, the economic environment has changed significantly with the onset of a recession triggered by the credit crisis. The Prime Minister announced in autumn 2008 that public expenditure on infrastructure projects would be brought forward in order to help stimulate the economy and the Secretary of State confirmed the Government’s commitment to long-term

transport planning and an acceleration of some schemes. DaSTS explains how DfT will action the recommendations made in TaSTS, by making better use of the existing network whilst developing a targeted programme of measures to improve capacity, reliability and safety. DfT is setting its policies under five main objectives focusing on the challenge of delivering strong economic growth, whilst at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This reflects the findings of the Eddington Transport Study.

The DaSTS objectives Competitiveness and productivity

Maximising the overall competitiveness and productivity of the national economy, so as to achieve a sustained high level of GDP growth.

Climate change

Reducing transport’s emissions of CO2 and other greenhouse gases, with the desired outcome of avoiding dangerous climate change.

Health, safety and security

Contributing to better health and longer life-expectancy through reducing the risk of death, injury or illness arising from transport, and promoting travel modes that are beneficial to health.

Equality of opportunity

Promoting greater equality of transport opportunity for all citizens, with the desired outcome of achieving a fairer society.

Quality of life

Improving quality of life for transport users and non-transport users, including through a healthy natural environment, with the desired outcome of improved well-being for all. FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  1

The strategy illustrates the important contribution that transport infrastructure makes to the economy and targets actions to achieve measurable improvements in journey time reliability. Significantly this is industry’s key performance indicator for road and rail infrastructure. With the Government’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent by 2050 compared to 1990 levels, the strategy stresses the urgency of action to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from transport. This was a guiding principle of the Stern Report on the economics of climate change published in October 2006, shortly before the Eddington Report. Stern highlights the sensitivity of economic growth to measures designed to tackle climate change. Therefore DfT rules out rationing transport demand to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by constraining the capacity of the transport networks, either for passengers or freight. The strategy highlights that some ports and airports are stretched to full capacity with landside congestion problems regularly encountered around these hubs. There is a need to develop good quality road and rail access to and from these hubs to ensure they operate at optimum efficiency. Fourteen priority transport corridors are identified that will be the focus for investment and other actions to improve capacity and reliability. Such plans will be ‘modally agnostic’ and will be developed following detailed analysis of the flows and types of journeys being made along these corridors. Whilst the transport corridors mapped in the DaSTS document focus on England, the flows that they capture have implications for Scotland and Wales. A map showing the strategic national corridors outlined by DfT can be found on page 3. Alongside the DaSTAS, a consultation was also published on planning for 2014 and beyond. DfT is seeking responses to the approach it is taking to long-term planning rather than specific policy measures. In particular the consultation builds on the five goals raised in its sister document noted previously, by focusing on the planning process challenges for each goal. The strategic network corridors in England which it identifies relate closely to FTA’s key road and rail trade routes. DfT is developing its policies through a multi-stage process. In July 2008 the Department published Roads – Delivering Choice and Reliability. The purpose of the document was to promote and inform the debate on how road capacity for both business and the public can be delivered in a sustainable and reliable way with measures such as hard shoulder running (HSR). This was coupled with a pledge to invest £6 billion to improve and make better use of England’s motorways and other key roads. The document included No

Corridor description

1

London to Kent ports

2

London to Gatwick

3

London to Southampton

4

South coast ports to the Midlands

5

London Orbital

6

London to the south west and south Wales

7

Bristol to the Midlands

8

London to the West Midlands, North Wales, North West and Scotland

9

Trans-Pennine

10

London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East and Scotland

11

Haven ports to the Midlands

12

London to Haven ports

13

Stansted corridor

14

London to Thames Gateway ports

a set of challenges that Government needs to tackle under each of the above objectives. These identified long-standing concerns by FTA that affect transport demand and flows. For example, it is recognised that transport improvements will be needed to support and service the building of new housing and communities as part of the Government’s housing policy. The achievement of significant improvements in safety is also a key challenge. To help deliver the added pace and direction in the improvement of transport infrastructure, the Government established a National Networks Group in autumn 2008. The group is chaired by the Minister of State for Transport Lord Andrew Adonis and consists of the chief executives of the Highways Agency and Network Rail, together with representatives of the Treasury and other Government departments. The next stage will be to develop options to tackle the identified challenges and further statements will be issued during 2009.

DaSTS: The Logistics Perspective DfT published a supplementary paper to the main DaSTS document highlighting specific policies for freight and logistics. The document marks an important recognition of the distinctive issues and needs of freight transport and logistics in the economy and has been welcomed by FTA. The document sets out specific issues and priorities under each of the five main DaSTS objectives from a freight perspective, but there are nine particular commitments made that FTA believes are of strategic significance. 1

DfT wants to better understand the origins and destinations of the main freight flows in the country so as to inform its priorities and policies, especially in the development of National Planning Statements

2

A clear but unspecified commitment is made to ensure that the freight sector takes responsibility for achieving its share of carbon dioxide reductions

3

An unequivocal commitment is made that the needs and impacts of freight and logistics will be prominent decisions on priorities for national and international networks beyond 2014, the commencement of the next planning and spending cycle

4

DfT wants to develop a national reliability indicator for freight services on national networks

5

Port and airport operators are expected to monitor and improve journey experiences through gateways and distribution centres

6

DfT intends to play a greater, but as yet, unspecified leadership role on skills issues, working with Skills for Logistics and industry

7

The threat of increased penetration of the UK road transport market by foreign hauliers resulting from a relaxation of cabotage rules is explicitly acknowledged and the achievement of a good outcome from the negotiations currently underway in Brussels is a high priority

8

DfT is committed to better understanding the role and the dynamics of the use of vans in the economy, given their dramatic growth and contribution to emissions

9

DfT also wants to improve opportunities for modal transfer by working with companies or organisations that can facilitate such changes

The Secretary of State for Transport , Geoff Hoon MP made a major statement to the House of Commons on 15 January 2009. The principal decision announced was the Government’s authorisation for the expansion of Heathrow Airport by the building of a third runway and a sixth terminal. The statement also contained other important announcements concerning railways, motorways and the achievement of carbon dioxide targets.

2  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

M90 M9

Strategic national corridors

M90

M80 M9 M8

M80 M73

M77

M8

M74

A74(M)

Newcastle

Key M6

Tees and Hartlepool

A1(M)

Corridor description London to Kent ports

M6

London to Gatwick

A1(M) M6

London to Southampton

M55

South coast ports to the Midlands

Leeds

M621

M65

Londo Orbital

Manchester M1

M62

M53

M180

A1(M)

M67 M60 M60 M56

M62

Immingham and Grimsby

M181

M60

M58 Liverpool

London to the South West and South Wales

M18

M62

M66

Hull

M62 M62

M6 M61

Sheffield M1

M56 M6

Bristol to the Midlands Nottingham

London to the West Midlands, North Wales, North West and Scotland

M1

M6 M54

Trans-Pennine

M6

M42

TOLL

Birmingham M69 M6

London to the East Midlands, Yorkshire, North East and Scotland

M5 M42

M42 M40

M6

A1(M)

M1 M45

M5 M11

M1

Haven ports to the Midlands

M50

London to Haven ports

M5

M1

M40

M10

M5

M4

Stansted corridor

M4

M48 M4 M49 M5

London to Thames Gateway ports

A1(M)

M40 M32 M4

Bristol

M25

M25

M11

M1

London

M4 M4

A329(M)

M25

M25 M4

M25 M25

M3

Felixstowe and Harwich

M11

M25 M20 M26

Tilbury M2

Medway

M20

M23 M20

M3

Dover

M5

M5

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Southampton

M27

A3(M)

Portsmouth

Planned transport infrastructure enhancements by country DfT published Britain’s Transport Infrastructure, Motorway and Major Trunk Roads applying to England in January 2009. This document explains the way in which DfT will apply the ‘managed motorways’ concept across the strategic road network and confirms the schemes that will be taken forward, together with target completion dates and the required funding. There are minor changes to some of the announcements made in 2008 which may advance some schemes and delay others, however when the whole programme is completed it will provide over 520 additional lane miles to the national network (340 of those miles will be achieved by hard shoulder running). DfT concludes that a few schemes originally proposed for improvement in July 2008 as indiciated in Roads – Delivering Choice and Reliability are now considered to offer relatively poor value for money and so will not be taken further at the current time. These are: • • •

M1 j21a-23a, j35a-39 M56 j6-8 M5 j24a and M5 j2-M6 j8 (two sections around the Birmingham Box)

A major change of emphasis has been announced with several sections of motorway previously identified for widening now being identified for hard shoulder running (HSR) including sections of the M1, M62 near Leeds, the M60 near Manchester and in particular the M6 between junction 5 to 13 with HSR likely for the rest of the M6 between Birmingham and Manchester after 2015. There are strong indications in this document that show the Government is convinced that hard shoulder running can be safely applied in a number of areas across the country, not just as an alternative to widening but in conjunction with controlled

motorways. The experience of the M42 pilot indicates that controlled motorways provide a safer driving experience with encouragement for greater compliance due to the initiatives designed into the schemes. The M42 pilot only allowed for HSR between junctions. However, the document indicates that the design has been tested for HSR through junctions providing a continuous traffic lane. FTA has highlighted concerns in the past that through junction running is not tested as a system. With hgvs required to run in the nearside lanes, the access for traffic from junctions straight into hard shoulder running has the potential to slow speeds, which may place motorist in situations where the view onto the motorway is restricted by other traffic without the hard shoulder to provide a refuge in these circumstances. The High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane scheme operating at junction 26 of the M62 from the M606 is deemed to be offering promising opportunities for HOVs and it is intended to extend the existing lane to the next junction (junction 27) of the M62, with consideration to looking at priority access to airports for HOVs. Extending the HOV lane on the M62 would seem to make sense, as a good deal of the peak traffic access at Bradford is destined for Leeds and would probably exit the motorway at junction 27. It could, however, be argued that if additional capacity was put in place anyway, without reserving the inside lane for HOVs, it would assist in relieving congestion overall instead of just for those who have the ability to carry more than one passenger. Maps showing the incremental improvements to the national road network as indicated in DfT’s Britain’s Transport Infrastructure, Motorway and Major Trunk Roads are on pages 5 to 8.

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  3

Motorways and major trunk routes: England Directory of England road infrastructure improvements Schemes under construction A1 Bramhan to Wetherby

M1 j25-8

M40 j15

A5117/A550

Hard shoulder running Scheme

Start

Birmingham Box (M6 j4–5), M40 and additional sections of the M42

End 2009

M1 j10–13 Luton and Milton Keynes

Spring 2010

M1 j32–35a east of Sheffield

Spring 2012

M1 j28–31 south of Sheffield with dedicated lane to M18

By 2015

M1 j39–42 around Wakefield

By 2015

M25 j5–7 (Kent/Surrey), j23–27 (Herts)

By 2015

M3 j2–4a west of London

By 2015

M4 j3–12 west of London

By 2015

M4 j19–20, M5 j15–17 around Bristol

By spring 2011

M6 j5–8 around Birmingham

By spring 2012

M6 j8a–10a north of Birmingham

Spring 2011

M6 j10a–13 north of Birmingham

By 2015

M60 j8–12 around Manchester

By spring 2012

M62 j18–20 Manchester

By spring 2012

M62 j25–30 Bradford to Leeds

By spring 2012

Widening Scheme

Start

A1 Dishforth and Barton

By spring 2011

M25 j16–23, j27–30

By spring 2011

A14 Ellington and Fen Ditton

By spring 2011

M60 j12–15 eastbound

By spring 2012

New junction improvements Scheme

Start

M1 j19 Catthorpe Interchange

By spring 2012

M20 j10a Ashford

By spring 2012

M25 j30 Essex

By 2015

A14 Kettering

By spring 2012

High Occupancy Vehicle lanes Extending existing lane to M62 j26–27 to be confirmed.

Long-term HSR roll-out The routes below were previously outlined for HSR before 2014, however any roll-out has now been delayed until after 2019. M1 j13–19 south of Rugby

M20 j3–5 Maidstone

M1 j24–25 Long Eaton

M23 j8–10 Gatwick

M3 j9–14 Southampton

M27 j4–11 Southampton

M5 j4a–6 south of Birmingham

M60 j24–27 and j1–4 Manchester

M6 j2–4 Birmingham and Coventry

M60 j12–18 Manchester

Remainder of M6 between Birmingham and Manchester

M62 j10–12 Manchester

M6 j21a–26 west of Manchester

4  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

England – Road schemes currently under construction

Hard shoulder running Widening Other motorway routes Other primary routes

A1

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Sunderland Sunderland A1(M)

A67 A66

A1

M6

A1(M)

Leeds M55

A1

Bradford

M65

M1

M60

Liverpool

M62

M180

Manchester Sheffield

M62

M53

M18

A1

M62

M6 M58

A1(M) M1

A5117 M56 M6

A550

Kingston Upon Hull

M62 M62

A1

Stoke-on-Trent

Nottingham

Derby M6 M54

M6

TOLL

M1 M42

Wolverhampton Birmingham

M5

Leicester Kettering

M1 M42

M42

M6

Coventry

A1(M)

A14

Leamington Spa

A14

A1

M5

Cambridge

M1

M50

M5

A1(M)

M40

M5

Cardiff

M4

M49

Bristol

M11

M25

M48 M4

Ipswich

Reading

M25

M4

LONDON

M25 M25

M3 M23

M25 M20 M26

M2 M20

Ashford

M3

M20

M5

Southampton M27

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Plymouth ©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  5

England – Road schemes where work starts by 2012

Hard shoulder running planned Widening planned Hard shoulder running completed Widening completed

A1

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Other motorway routes

Sunderland Sunderland A1(M)

Other primary routes

A67 A66

A1

M6

A1(M)

Leeds M55

A1

Bradford

M65

M1

M60

Liverpool

M62

M180

Manchester Sheffield

M62

M53

M18

A1

M62

M6 M58

A1(M) M1

A5117 M56 M6

A550

Kingston Upon Hull

M62 M62

A1

Stoke-on-Trent

Nottingham

Derby M6 M54

M6

TOLL

M1 M42

Wolverhampton Birmingham

M5

Leicester Kettering

M1 M42

M42

M6

Coventry

A1(M)

A14

Leamington Spa

A14

A1

M5

Cambridge

M1

M50

M5

A1(M)

M40

M5

Cardiff

M4

M49

Bristol

M11

M25

M48 M4

Ipswich

Reading

M25

M4

LONDON

M25 M25

M3 M23

M25 M20 M26

M2 M20

Ashford

M3

M20

M5

Southampton M27

©MAPS IN MINUTES



/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Plymouth

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

6  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

England – Road schemes where work starts by 2015

Hard shoulder running planned Widening planned Hard shoulder running completed Widening completed

A1

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Other motorway routes

Sunderland Sunderland A1(M)

Other primary routes

A67 A66

A1

M6

A1(M)

Leeds M55

A1

Bradford

M65

M1

M60

Liverpool

M62

M180

Manchester Sheffield

M62

M53

M18

A1

M62

M6 M58

A1(M) M1

A5117 M56 M6

A550

Kingston Upon Hull

M62 M62

A1

Stoke-on-Trent

Nottingham

Derby M6 M54

M6

TOLL

M1 M42

Wolverhampton Birmingham

M5

Leicester Kettering

M1 M42

M42

M6

Coventry

A1(M)

A14

Leamington Spa

A14

A1

M5

Cambridge

M1

M50

M5

A1(M)

M40

M5

Cardiff

M4

M49

Bristol

M11

M25

M48 M4

Ipswich

Reading

M25

M4

LONDON

M25 M25

M3 M23

M25 M20 M26

M2 M20

Ashford

M3

M20

M5

Southampton M27

©MAPS IN MINUTES



/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Plymouth

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  7

England – Road schemes where work starts by 2019

Hard shoulder running planned Widening planned Hard shoulder running completed Widening completed

A1

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Other motorway routes

Sunderland Sunderland A1(M)

Other primary routes

A67 A66

A1

M6

A1(M)

Leeds M55

A1

Bradford

M65

M1

M60

Liverpool

M62

M180

Manchester Sheffield

M62

M53

M18

A1

M62

M6 M58

A1(M) M1

A5117 M56 M6

A550

Kingston Upon Hull

M62 M62

A1

Stoke-on-Trent

Nottingham

Derby M6 M54

M6

TOLL

M1 M42

Wolverhampton Birmingham

M5

Leicester Kettering

M1 M42

M42

M6

Coventry

A1(M)

A14

Leamington Spa

A14

A1

M5

Cambridge

M1

M50

M5

A1(M)

M40

M5

Cardiff

M4

M49

Bristol

M11

M25

M48 M4

Ipswich

Reading

M25

M4

LONDON

M25 M25

M3 M23

M25 M20 M26

M2 M20

Ashford

M3

M20

M5

Southampton M27

©MAPS IN MINUTES



/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Plymouth

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

8  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

Motorways and major trunk routes: Scotland Strategic Transport Projects Review In December 2008, Transport Scotland’s Strategic Transport Projects Review (STPR) was published outlining the next 20 years of transport investment in Scotland’s rail and trunk road network. Currently, the Scottish Government is already committed to spending £2.5 billion over the next three years on its strategic transport networks. The STPR has identified strategic transport corridors from six cities (Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Perth and Inverness) and investment priorities have been based on the outcomes of the National Transport Strategy published in December 2006. The outcomes were: •

improving journey times and connections, to tackle congestion and the lack of integration and connections in transport that impact on the potential for continued economic growth



reducing emissions, to tackle the issues of climate change, air quality and health improvement



improving quality, accessibility and affordability, to give people a choice of public transport, where availability means better quality transport services and value for money or an alternative to the car

A total of 29 major packages of work on the rail and road network have been identified as best serving the needs of Scotland and its regions. The following maps show the ongoing improvements started and/ or to be completed by 2012 as well as improvements to be made by 2022.

Improvements started or to be completed by 2012 Forth replacement crossing

A82

Fort William

A76

Towards Dumfries

A9

Inverness to Perth

M74

Completion to Kingston Bridge

A96

Inverness to Aberdeen

A90

Aberdeen Western Peripheral route

A9

Helmsdale

M80

Stepps to Haggs

A77

Stranraer to Prestwick

M8

Newhouse to Bailleston

A68

To Edinburgh

A830

Mallaig (Arisaig to Loch nan Uamh)

A90

Aberdeen to Peterhead

Completion by 2022 A82

Glasgow to Fort William

A9

Upgrading to dual carriageway between Inverness to Perth

A9

North of Inverness

A96

Upgrading to dual carriageway between Inverness and Nairn

A835

Inverness to Ullapool

M9 and A801

Access roads upgrade for Grangemouth

A82/A87/ A830/A887

Inverness, Fort William, Mallaig and Skye

A77

Upgrade to dual carriageway around Ayr

A96

Aberdeen to Inverness

A737

Bypass around Dalry

A90

Aberdeen to North East Scotland

A720

Edinburgh city bypass

A92

Edinburgh to Dundee

A96

Bypass at Nairn and a new Inveramsay Bridge

A76

Ayrshire to Dumfries

A90

Improvements at Dundee

A68/A7/A702

Edinburgh to North West England

M8

Between Edinburgh and Glasgow

A1

Edinburgh to North East England

M90 and A90

Approaching Edinburgh

A83, A85 and A828

Tarbet to Campbeltown, Crianlarich to Oban, Connel to Ballachulish

A720

Around Edinburgh

A75

Improve links to the Loch Ryan port

M74, M77 and M80

Approaching Glasgow

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  9

Scotland – Road schemes from present to 2022

Improvements in progress or programmed before 2012 To be completed by 2022 Road upgrades including dualling A9 Intelligent transport systems Strategic park and ride Other motorway routes Other primary routes Scrabster A9

WICK

A882

Wick A99

Helmsdale Ullapool A9

A835

Fraserburgh A96

INVERNESS

A9

Inverness

Peterhead

A96

Kyle of Lochaish A87

A90 A887 A82

ABERDEEN

A9

A87

Aberdeen

Mallaig A830

Fort William

A90

A9

A828

Perth

A85 A816

A9

A83

A977

Stirling

A78

Hunterston

Clydebank

A82 GLASGOW

M80 M8

Paisley Glasgow A737

A77

Falkirk

Edinburgh

M8

Motherwell M74

Galashiels

A68

PRESTWICK

A7

A76

Dumfries Stranraer

A1

A720

Bonnyrigg A702

M77

Kilmarnock Prestwick

Clackmananshire Bridge Forth replacement crossing

M90 EDINBURGH M9 A90 A1

A80 A8

Kinross

A977

M80

Greenock

Dundee

A92

M90

M9

A83

DUNDEE

A82

A77

A74(M)

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Gretna A75

Carlisle

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

10  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

Motorways and major trunk routes: Wales Trunk Road Forward Programme This programme details the Welsh Assembly Government’s priorities and budgetary provision for extending, improving and maintaining the trunk road network in Wales. When the original 2002 Trunk Road Forward Programme was originally drawn up expenditure was aimed at improving the trunk road network in a sustainable manner, taking into account the need to facilitate the safe and efficient movement of people and goods consistent with aims and objectives of the Welsh Assembly Government. In 2004, the road programme was reviewed to ensure strategic fit with other Welsh Assembly Government policies and programmes, such as the commitment at the time in ‘Wales: A Better Country’ to invest in transport infrastructure, and infrastructure

investment that supports the Heads of the Valleys regeneration strategy. In 2008 the Trunk Road Forward Programme was re-focused to produce a revised list of schemes; the aim in re-prioritising trunk road schemes is to provide better links between strategic centres of population, improving the distribution of economic development opportunities. The re-prioritisation also examined the affordability of the existing programme in the light of a rapidly shifting economic climate and a change in international government accounting practices. The following tables and map outline the Welsh Assembley Government’s Trunk Road Forward Programme.

Improvements between now and April 2011 A483

Four Crosses

A470

Maes yr Helmau to Cross Foxes

A470

Penloyn to Tan Lan, Llanrwst

A470

Pentrefelin to Bodnant West Lodge

A487

Porthmadog, Minffordd and Tremadog

A470

Penblewin to Slebech

A470

Cwmbach to Newbridge

A40

The Kell

A470

Alltmawr

Improvements between April 2011 and April 2014 A470

Plas Maenan and Bodhyfryd

A477

St Clears to Red Roses

A487

Caernarfon to Bontnewydd

A465

Brynmawr to Tredegar

A470

Builith Wells

A465

Gilwern to Brynmawr

A483

Newtown

A470

Rhayader

Cardiff International Airport access New M4

Magnor to Castleton – awaiting business case

High ranking routes but action unlikely to be taken before April 2014 A483

Llandeilo

A494

Drome Corner to Ewloe

A470

Llanrwst

A55/A494

Ewloe Interchange

A40

Llanddewi Velfrey to Penblewin

A55

Ewloe to Northop

A4042

Llanellen

A55

Abergwyngregyn to Tai’r Meibion

A465

A470 to Hirwaun

A458

Buttington Cross to Wollaston Cross

A465

Dowlais Top to A470

The following routes are on hold A40

Abergavenny

A4042

Penperlleni

A470

Llandinam

A55

Climbing lane Northop to Coed-y-Cra

A470

Commins Coch

A458

Sylfaen to Cyfronydd

A470

Llangurig to Wern Villa

A494

Ffynnon-y-Berth

A483

Brynsadwrn

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  11

Wales – Road schemes from present to beyond 2014

Scheduled between April 2011 and April 2014 Scheduled for after 2014

Holyhead A55

On hold

A55

Colwyn Bay

Bangor

A55

Other motorway routes

Prestatyn

Rhyl

Flint A55 A550

A470 A5

A483

A494

Other primary routes

A534

A470

A5

A487

Wrexham

A494 A5

A483

A494

A5

A470

A483

A470 A458

A487

Welshpool A489 A483

A470 A487

Aberystwyth

Newtown A44

A483 A470

A487 A44

Llandrindod Wells

A44

A483

Cardigan

A483

A487

A470

A483

Fishguard A478

A40

Builth Wells

A40

Brecon

A40

A470 A40 A479

Carmarthen

A470

A40

A40 A4076

Abergavenny

A48

A477

Merthyr Tydfil

Milford Haven A477

Pembroke

Llanelli SWANSEA

A4042

A465

A40 A449

Pontypool

M4

Neath Swansea

Chepstow

A470

Pontypridd

Newport

M48

M4

Cardiff ©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

CARDIFF

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

12  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

Rail enhancement schemes: England The following schemes show those committed under the Transport Innovations Fund (TIF) and the Strategic Freight Network (SFN).They also show additional aspirational schemes that FTA supports.These reflect the principles of the post-Eddington Report environment in focusing investment on key corridors where it will deliver the maximum benefit within the exisiting network, where traffic is most likely to grow.They connect the major ports with the network and also build robustness into the freight network allowing diversionary capability and the move toward a seven day railway for bulk, deep-sea intermodal and domestic traffics.

kinematic envelope to allow the increasing number of taller 9’ 6” international shipping containers to be carried on standard wagons and therefore retail the effectivness of the UK’s supply chain. ‘W9’ allows 9’ 6” containers but on specialist wagons that increase costs and reduce operational efficiency. ‘European gauge’ refers to the loading gauge necesary for the higher and wider wagons, swap bodies and rail freight vehicles from continental Europe. Maps of Scottish and Welsh enhancements controlled by the Scottish and Welsh Governments are also included.

The additional enhancement schemes recognise that a ‘Strategic Freight Network’ as called for by Government will not be built at once but needs to be created incrementally. References to ‘W10’ loading gauge clearance on the maps is to the loading gauge and

England – Rail enhancement: current gauge

W9 W10 W9 and W10 Edinburgh

Glasgow

HS1 European gauge

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Carlisle

Leeds Hull Immingham Manchester

Port of Liverpool Crewe

Leicester Birmingham

Peterborough

Norwich

Ipswich Felixstowe Port of Felixstowe Oxford

Cardiff

London

Bristol Ashford Port of Southampton

Dover

To Cala

is

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  13

England – Rail enhancement: current and committed capabilities to 2014

Current Current W9 Current W10 Current W9 and W10 HS1 European gauge

Planned W9 to W9 and W10 to W9 and W10 to W10

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Carlisle

Leeds Hull Immingham Manchester

Port of Liverpool Crewe

Leicester Birmingham

Norwich

Peterborough

Ipswich Felixstowe Port of Felixstowe Oxford

Cardiff

London

Bristol Ashford Port of Southampton

Dover

To Cala

is

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

14  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

England – Rail enhancement: new baseline as at 2014

W9 W10 W9 and W10 Edinburgh

Glasgow

HS1 European gauge

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Carlisle

Leeds Hull Immingham Manchester

Port of Liverpool Crewe

Leicester Birmingham

Norwich

Peterborough

Ipswich Felixstowe Port of Felixstowe Oxford

Cardiff

London

Bristol Ashford Port of Southampton

Dover

To Cala

is

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  15

England – Rail enhancement: aspirational infill ideas

W9 W10 W9 and W10 Edinburgh

Glasgow

HS1 European gauge W9 to W10 to W9 and W10

}

as at 2014

}

Aspirational

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Carlisle

Leeds Hull Immingham Manchester

Port of Liverpool Crewe

Leicester Birmingham

Norwich

Peterborough

Ipswich Felixstowe Port of Felixstowe Oxford

Cardiff

London

Bristol Ashford Port of Southampton

Dover

To Cala

is

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

16  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

England – Rail enhancement: aspirational baseline for the Strategic Freight Network to 2030

Core trunk routes: gauge cleared to at least W10 allowing 9’ 6” containers on standard wagons Diversionary routes: Gauge cleared to at least W10 allowing 9’ 6” containers on standard wagons

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Core trunk and diversionary routes, less than W10

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Carlisle

Leeds Hull Immingham Manchester

Port of Liverpool Crewe

Leicester Birmingham

Norwich

Peterborough

Ipswich Felixstowe Port of Felixstowe Oxford

Cardiff

London

Bristol Ashford Port of Southampton

Dover

To Cala

is

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  17

England – Rail infrastructure enhancements affecting freight High Speed 2

There is no indication that such a route would be available to freight but the statement did, for the first time, note that the Strategic Freight Network currently being developed by Network Rail will provide for larger European loading gauge wagons on a route from the Channel Tunnel to the Midlands. This is beneficial for freight as the development could increase capacity on the traditional network, principally the West Coast Main Line south of Birmingham, provided that it is not backfilled with increased passenger services.

The Secretary of State’s announcement on 15 January signalled the Government’s intention to develop plans for a second high-speed rail line (HS2), following the completion and success of High Speed 1 (HS1), originally known as the Channel Tunnel Rail Link (CTRL). The second line would run from London to Birmingham, possibly via a new interchange at Heathrow (Heathrow International.). This line would be constructed to gauges capable of carrying standard Euro size containers and swap bodies that are currently unable to be carried by rail in the UK due to height and width restrictions on the existing network.

Inverness Aberdeen

Existing European gauge route (HS1) Proposed HS2 Stirling Proposed gauge cleared route to Midlands (Midland Mainline)

Edinburgh

Glasgow

Potential freed up capacity (West Coast Main Line) London to Birmingham

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Carlisle

Middlesbrough

Leeds

Port of Liverpool

Hull

Manchester Sheffield Crewe Nottingham Leicester Birmingham

Norwich Norwhich

Peterborough

Worcester

Ipswich Felixstowe Port of Felixstowe Oxford

Swansea Cardiff

London

Bristol

Ashford To Cala

is

Port of Southampton Exeter Plymouth ©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

18  FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure

Rail enhancement schemes: Scotland Proposed Scotland Strategic Transport Projects Review Transport Scotland has committed to the following rail work programmes in the Strategic Transport Projects Review. These investments are planned from 2012 and are indicated on the map below. Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvements

To enhance rail services between Edinburgh and Glasgow to improve access to jobs, increase public transport capacity, reduce car journeys and encourage travel by public transport

Rail enhancements between Inverclyde/Ayrshire and Glasgow

To increase rail capacity and reduce journey times between Inverclyde, Ayrshire and Glasgow

Enhancements to rail freight between Glasgow and the border via West Coast Main Line

To provide greater opportunity to move freight by rail rather than road between Scotland and England. Examples of work between the border and Glasgow would be lengthening of loops of track, removing speed limits below 75mph for freight trains and increasing the loading gauge and freight terminal capacity. A new line would be provided between Mossend and Coatbridge which would involve the construction of an overbridge across the A8 and M8

Electrification of the strategic rail network

Currently, only 23 per cent of the Scottish rail network is electrified. Electrification of the network would be a long-term package of works, rolling out over sections in phases. There is already a commitment to electrification as part of the Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvement programme. Other Central Belt routes and routes north to Aberdeen and Inverness are expected to follow

Highland mainline rail improvements (Inverness to Perth)

To improve rail network capacity for passengers and freight between Inverness and Perth. This package of works would comprise additional loops, double-track sections, line gauge enhancements and new and improved signals, as well as the use of more powerful traction. Together with the removal of freight train speed limits below 75 mph, this is expected to help reduce journey times by around 35 minutes making rail an attractive alternative for passengers and freight

Rail improvements between Aberdeen and Inverness

To reduce journey time and increase frequency of service between Aberdeen and Inverness

Rail improvements between Aberdeen and the Central Belt

To make travelling by rail between Aberdeen and the Central Belt more competitive than road journeys for passengers and freight

Grangemouth road and rail access upgrades

To improve rail access to Grangemouth port and the freight hub and road access to and from the motorway network

West of Scotland strategic rail enhancements

To increase rail capacity in central Glasgow and increase public transport access to areas of economic activity and to key public services

Scotland – Rail enhancements post 2012 Inverness 6

7

Aberdeen 1 West Coast Main Line rail freight improvements

5

2 Rail enhancements between Inverclyde/Ayrshire and Glasgow

Perth

3 Grangemouth rail access upgrade 4 Edinburgh to Glasgow rail improvements 5 Rail service enhancements between Aberdeen and Central belt

Glasgow

3

4

Edinburgh

2

6 Rail enhancements between Aberdeen and Inverness 7 Highland mainline rail improvements

1 Carlisle ©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

FTA briefing note – Planned improvements to Britain’s transport infrastructure  19

Rail enhancement schemes: Wales network. Alongside this, the Welsh Assembly announced in late 2008 its Rail Forward Programme which aims to encourage an integrated transport system for Wales. Until recently, rail infrastructure projects were delivered through local authorities using transport grant arrangements. With the move to Regional Transport Plans, rail projects will now be delivered according to the priorities of the Assembly Government as set out in One Wales.

Since 2005, the Welsh Assembly has been responsible for the country’s rail network and has authority to: •

develop and fund infrastructure enhancement schemes



develop new rail passenger services



invest in improving the journey experience for rail users



fund rail freight improvement schemes through Freight Facility Grants (FFG)

The following map outlines the proposed schemes which will improve the network for freight interests.

In 2008, Network Rail published the Wales Route Utilisation Strategy which the Welsh Assembly Government made contributions to. The RUS outlines a programme to enhance and modernise the

Cardiff area resignalling renewal

Funded by Network Rail Improved looping facilities in the Cardiff Central, bi-directional signalling throughout the station area and improvements at Cardiff Queen Street should provide capacity for freight traffic

Newport area resignalling renewal

Funded by Network Rail The major benefit to freight is the removal of East Usk Yard signalbox to the Newport Power Box. This will enable greater flexibility in terms of access to East Usk Yard

Little Mill to Hereford signalling improvement

Funded by Network Rail This has a benefit for freight in that it increases both capacity and performance for all operators

South Wales relief lines

This scheme is proposed for funding from the National Rail Discretionary Fund, however the scope of the scheme is being revisited to see if it can reach the desired numbers. If the scheme were to progress the opportunity to increase freight speeds would be taken

North Wales line speed improvements

This scheme is not funded by Network Rail and is subject to a feasibility scheme. Any improvements in line speeds would, of course, be taken as a benefit to freight as well as passengers, provided that the increases were not purely differential

Out of the schemes announced by the Welsh Assembly Government, the most beneficial to freight is the Conwy Valley slate waste upgrade to enable the movement of the slate ‘mountain’ at Blaenau Ffestiniog.

Wales – Rail enhancement post 2008 Colwyn Bay Bangor

Flint

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Signalling improvements Rail improvements

Fishguard Harbour Camarthen

Haverfordwest Milford Haven

Abergavenny Pembroke Dock Swansea

©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

Newport

Bridgend

Cardiff ©MAPS IN MINUTES™/Collins Bartholomew 2008

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