Connect with us

News

Fifth option revealed for Wisbech to March rail link

‘Autonomous vehicles could provide innovative and cost-effective alternative’

Avatar photo

Published

on

Wisbech rail resurfaced today at a Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority meeting after it was revealed that a FIFTH option to connect the town to March is being considered. It was a subject which had been mysteriously absent throughout the General Election and rarely, if ever, mentioned by NE Cambs MP Steve Barclay. 

Cllr Anna Smith, chair of the transport and infrastructure committee, said that autonomous vehicles “which could provide innovative and a cost-effective alternative to rail guided systems” were now on the table.

She explained the more recent thinking after being questioned on delays to bringing the latest update on Wisbech rail before her committee.

Her disclosure of the latest option came in response to a public question from Paul Hollinghurst, secretary of Railfuture East Anglia, an independent organisation campaigning for better rail services for passengers and freight.

New Bridge Lane railway crossing Wisbech c 2010 PHOTO: Richard Humphrey

Mr Hollinghurst wanted to know what happened to the promised appraisal commissioned to re-open the line and a promised deadline which had been missed.

“Delays were announced at the September 2023 meeting, then at the November 2023 meeting it was reported that it would be available by 31st March 2024,” he said.

“Since then, there has been nothing in the agenda for the June 2024 or July 2024 TIC meetings, and it no longer appears in the agenda plan.

“Please can you provide a full and transparent status update, including the current thinking and how the interim Wisbech to March shuttle being evaluated in the current Network Rail and Combined Authority study would evolve into the desired through service to Cambridge once the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement is complete.”

Cllr Smith began by pledging the Combined Authority remained “steadfast” in its commitment to the Ely scheme and she was confident that would be the policy of the new Labour government.

2014: Steve Barclay “I spoke at today’s launch of the Wisbech 2020 Infrastructure for Growth lobby, which showed that re-opening the Wisbech rail-link will cut travelling times to Cambridge by more than half and costs by a third.”

2014: Steve Barclay “I spoke at today’s launch of the Wisbech 2020 Infrastructure for Growth lobby, which showed that re-opening the Wisbech rail-link will cut travelling times to Cambridge by more than half and costs by a third.”

On the Wisbech scheme she said the Combined Authority was advancing the development of a passenger transport link between Wisbech and March “which is needed to boost connectivity and productivity in the region”.

She said last November’s meeting highlighted the four options that were then on the table, these being:

1: Heavy (conventional) rail transport link

2: Implementation of a tram train, a hybrid heavy/light rail system with sub options for connectivity with the existing local network

3: Tram (light rail) transport system

4: Introduction of a VLR (very light rail system).

Advertisements
canopyuk.com in-article

But she said that following publication of those options, the Combined Authority had explored with Network Rail a fifth.

This involved the possibility of “autonomous vehicles which could provide innovative and cost-effective alternative to rail guided systems

“Alternatives may offer faster cheaper superior service compared to traditional transport types which is why we are keen to be in the mix”.

Benefits of re-opening Wisbech to March rail line

Cllr Smith said they offered “significant potential” to extend these beyond the March to Wisbech corridor and “potentially enhance rural connectivity to other towns and villages and offer a green transport system for Ely Cambridge and Peterborough

“This approach represents significant advancement, and we want to make sure everything is on the table for discussion”.

The Combined Authority has commissioned further work to compare all options and “this analysis will be able to inform decision making by this committee”.

She said it was necessary to prepare “a clear options appraisal on everything that might be open to us and the region” and to prioritise what is best for the regional network and for local people and businesses.

Last November, Matthew Lutz, transport programme manager, offered the transport and infrastructure committee an update on Wisbech Rail.

The committee accepted that Wisbech was recognised as one of the largest towns in England without a rail link to the main network.

FLASHBACK: To 2020 when MP Steve Barclay met with the then Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps (left)

FLASHBACK: To 2020 when MP Steve Barclay met with the then Secretary of State for Transport Grant Shapps (left)

It also accepted that conventional heavy rail was probably not the most suitable option at this time and so other options and newer technologies were being explored.

Network Rail said they would not be telling the Combined Authority what to progress with but instead would provide them with a report that detailed the high-level costings and the benefit-cost ratios.

The Combined Authority would then be able to use this information in a business case which Network Rail would support.

Minutes of that meeting recall that “members expressed their frustration with the project which had been talked about for so long but had made little headway”.

In terms of futureproofing, Network Railway confirmed that none of the options being looked at in the modal appraisal precluded any future connectivity onto the main line.

“In the first instance however, the focus was on how that connection could be made to March,” was the conclusion.

 

 

Facebook

Read More

News1 month ago

Ely ‘hit and run’ driver sought after cyclist left with serious injuries

Cyclist injured in crash with a grey car in Lynn Road, Ely

News1 month ago

WATCH: Police retrieve machete and cannabis from Peterborough drug dealer

Offender caught again whilst on bail for first offence

News1 month ago

BREAKING: Cambridgeshire County Council ‘truly sorry’ after it admits liability for 3 fatalities on Guided Busway

Council 'fully acknowledges the serious historic failings'

News1 month ago

WATCH: ‘You got me fair and square’ Wisbech burglar tells police in Peterborough

He was arrested in Peterborough city centre on 26 April

News1 month ago

WATCH: Police raid cannabis ‘factory’ inside Alconbury Weston house

Cannabis arrest followed a tip off from members of the public

News1 month ago

3 things to do while in the queue for an Oasis ticket – and it’s not what you might think

Tongue in cheek post has a serious message

News1 month ago

Cambs transport charity launches scathing attack after losing subsidised bus route to Stagecoach

FACT operated the 68 Wisbech service for a number of years

News1 month ago

Mayor attacks ‘cheap theatre of negativity’ over £48m Peterborough station facelift

Labour hopes Great Northern Hotel will be in future phase of re-development

News1 month ago

Opposition to 8am to 11pm pavement wining and dining in Wisbech by Wetherspoon

In Whittlesey Wetherspoon hope to use Market Place for outdoor drinkers

News1 month ago

Cambridge ‘drug lord’ caught with loaded gun, cash, and £500,000 worth of drugs

Rahman ran a criminal enterprise across Cambridge