EU support for rail improvements in the UK to bring faster travel times

The European Union is to co-finance a project to electrify a 58 km section of British rail infrastructure with US$6.5 million from the TEN-T Programme. The project, which was selected for funding under the 2011 TEN-T Annual Call, is part of the Railway/road axis Ireland/United Kingdom/continental Europe TEN-T Priority Project 26, and will bring considerable benefits to rail traffic in the area. The project consists of the works necessary to install a 25kV AC overhead electrification line on a 58 km single
December 12, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
The 1816 European Union is to co-finance a project to electrify a 58 km section of British rail infrastructure with US$6.5 million from the TEN-T Programme.  The project, which was selected for funding under the 2011 TEN-T Annual Call, is part of the Railway/road axis Ireland/United Kingdom/continental Europe TEN-T Priority Project 26, and will bring considerable benefits to rail traffic in the area.

The project consists of the works necessary to install a 25kV AC overhead electrification line on a 58 km single track railway line between Castlefield Junction in Manchester and Newton-le-Willows and Lowton Junctions (roughly halfway to Liverpool).  Works include establishing suitable electrical and gauge clearances along the concerned route, and the installation of 25kV overhead line equipment.

Once finalised, the electrification project will bring considerable benefits for:

• Passengers: Additional trains due to better route management plus an electrified direct route to Manchester Airport

• Rail freight transport: Enhanced capacity between Manchester and TEN-T Priority Project 14 (West Coast Main Line)

• Freight forwarders: Lower costs thanks to reduced costs of leasing, operating and maintaining electric trains

• The environment: reduced emissions as diesel trains are phased out in favour of electric ones

The project will be managed by the 6025 Trans-European Transport Network Executive Agency and is set to be completed by December 2014.
Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Charging station infrastructure boost to electric vehicle use
    July 17, 2012
    The first section of a planned network of stations for charging electric vehicles – the West Coast Electric Highway – opened in March, promising a welcome boost to the environment and economy of Oregon. Pete Goldin reports What should come first, the electric vehicle or the charging station? This dilemma has been hindering proliferation of ‘EVs’ in the US for years. Without a widespread and reliable infrastructure of charging stations, the American public is not likely to adopt EVs en masse. This may all b
    Read More
  • Ukraine’s ITS in a time of war
    May 12, 2023
    Following invasion by Russia, work on ITS projects has stopped in Ukraine – but the state road agency and private contractors have pivoted to providing essential services instead
    Read More
  • Thales builds on Canadian connection for transit R&D
    June 20, 2016
    The Canadian province of Ontario is continuing to benefit from its ongoing investment in transit R&D. David Crawford looks at the impact of new investment. Developing the next generation of urban rail signalling solutions worldwide, with the emphasis on transit security and efficiency, is the goal of a recently-created business partnership between the government of the Canadian province of Ontario and Thales Canada. The wholly-owned subsidiary of the France-HQ'd global defence, aerospace and transportation
    Read More
  • GE and Deutsche Bahn partnership to optimise rail operations
    November 6, 2015
    GE and Deutsche Bahn Energie (DB Energie) are partnering to optimise Deutsche Bahn’s rail network’s power supply. Working with DB Energie, GE Energy Management will provide the technology and expertise that will couple energy fed from the utility grid to the rail grid, ensuring a more efficient and constant power supply. The solution ensures efficient power conversion and high power quality, optimising rail system operations. Scheduled for delivery between 2017 and 2018, the converter station built by G
    Read More

Highlighted Content