Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department is taking to increase freight capacity on the East Coast Main Line.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The East Coast Main Line Enhancements Programme aims to provide the freight capacity required to meet the forecast increase in demand. The planned grade separation of Werrington Junction will enable freight traffic to more easily access the Great North Great Eastern line. This line runs parallel to the East Coast Main Line and provides good quality freight paths between Peterborough and Doncaster via Lincoln.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the timetable is for the Power Supply Upgrade Phase 2 on the East Coast Main Line to be completed.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The power supply on the East Coast Main Line from Doncaster to Edinburgh is being upgraded incrementally to support the introduction of the new Intercity Express trains and other electric rolling stock. Upgrades around Doncaster are planned for delivery in 2019 and the full set of upgrades is planned to be in place by the early 2020s.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of upgrading the power supply on the East Coast Main Line to ensure that the network is ready for the full roll-out of Class 800 and Class 801 trains.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Network Rail is currently designing a second phase of the power upgrade and the Department expects to receive updated designs and costs in early 2019. The Department will consider the cost for this second power upgrade in line with the new Rail Enhancements Pipeline decision making process published on 20th March.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Network Rail are taking to reduce journey times on the East Coast Main Line.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Department continues to work with Network Rail to deliver the East Coast Main Line Enhancements Programme which will enable entry into service of a new fleet of trains through the Intercity Express Programme. Together these will deliver increased capacity, reliability and reduced journey times to destinations along the east coast. The industry is working together to ensure that the timetable improvements expected on the East Coast Main Line are delivered.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Network Rail is taking to improve power supply on the East Coast Main Line.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Over £150m has already been spent in upgrading the East Coast power supply since 2014 to enable additional Thameslink services, currently being introduced, and the introduction of Intercity Express Trains (Class 800 and 801) through the East Coast franchise from December 2018. A further upgrade on the East Coast power supply is planned which will enable the full roll out of new Intercity Express Trains which will bring greater capacity, improved customer experience, faster journeys and more direct connections for passengers.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department and Network Rail are taking to make the East Coast Main Line a digital railway.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Currently, the Department for Transport are discussing with Network Rail signalling options on the East Coast Main Line. These discussions will take into consideration how we can deliver most passenger benefits and offer best value for money.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what estimate his Department has made of the cost to the public purse of upgrading the power supply on the East Coast Main Line to ensure that the network is ready for the full roll-out of Class 800 and Class 801 trains.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Network Rail is currently designing a second phase of the power upgrade and the Department expects to receive updated designs and costs in early 2019. The Department will consider the cost for this second power upgrade in line with the new Rail Enhancements Pipeline decision making process published on 20th March.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Network Rail are taking to reduce journey times on the East Coast Main Line.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
The Department continues to work with Network Rail to deliver the East Coast Main Line Enhancements Programme which will enable entry into service of a new fleet of trains through the Intercity Express Programme. Together these will deliver increased capacity, reliability and reduced journey times to destinations along the east coast. The industry is working together to ensure that the timetable improvements expected on the East Coast Main Line are delivered.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps Network Rail is taking to improve power supply on the East Coast Main Line.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Over £150m has already been spent in upgrading the East Coast power supply since 2014 to enable additional Thameslink services, currently being introduced, and the introduction of Intercity Express Trains (Class 800 and 801) through the East Coast franchise from December 2018. A further upgrade on the East Coast power supply is planned which will enable the full roll out of new Intercity Express Trains which will bring greater capacity, improved customer experience, faster journeys and more direct connections for passengers.
Asked by: Julian Sturdy (Conservative - York Outer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps his Department and Network Rail are taking to make the East Coast Main Line a digital railway.
Answered by Lord Johnson of Marylebone
Currently, the Department for Transport are discussing with Network Rail signalling options on the East Coast Main Line. These discussions will take into consideration how we can deliver most passenger benefits and offer best value for money.