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�SALISBURY TO EXETER RAIL USERS GROUP (SERUG)�Bruce Duncan - Chair�Nick Hurrell - Secretary

Discussion:

  • West of England (WOE) line today
    • Current Performance, Passenger Usage
  • Investment Required
    • Infrastructure improvements – Network Rail conclusions
    • Existing programs at Exeter and Salisbury + Re-signalling in CP8
  • New Rolling stock and power – electrification?
  • Future Vision for these agreed elements to delivery

A long-term strategy & agreed project timescales via phased investment periods.

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Salisbury

Tisbury

Gillingham

Templecombe

Sherborne

Yeovil Junction

Crewkerne

Axminster

Honiton

Feniton

Cranbrook

Whimple

Pinhoe

Exeter Central

Exeter St D

Castle Cary

Chard J

Taunton

The Current Picture:

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  • Not Electrified – diesel operated
  • Single Line with passing loops
  • Capacity: 3 tph (2up 1down, etc)
  • Core Frequency - Hourly

88 miles – 75% single track

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West of England Line - Passenger Numbers (vs Pre Covid)

Station

Pre Covid �Mar19-Feb 20

Post Covid �Jul23-Jun24

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% Increase

Tisbury

104,699

132,058

26%

Gillingham

211,646

270,955

28%

Templecombe

59,906

98,432

64%

Sherborne

140,492

185,178

32%

Yeovil Junction

151,690

256,342

69%

Crewkerne

110,021

156,833

41%

Axminster

228,000

304,424

34%

Honiton

200,813

235,839

17%

Feniton

32,590

36,715

13%

Whimple

28,969

44,374

53%

Cranbrook

64,508

90,876

43%

Pinhoe

70,255

179,027

155%

Total

1,403,589

1,991,053

42%

 

 

 

 

Salisbury

1,252,858

1,971,205

57%

Exeter Central

1,173,483

1,577,356

34%

42% increase in passengers (Intermediate Stations Tisbury – Pinhoe)

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Regular Overcrowding:

  • Mornings/Evenings: Axminster – Exeter
  • Short Formations: 3 car vs 6 car

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Source: South Western Railway – August 2024

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West of England Line Performance

vs 90% target

Month

On-time Performance

(within 5 mins)

No of days 90% target achieved

(with full service operating)

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July

64.7

2

August

59.0

1

September

62.9

0

October

49.9

0

November

50.2

0

December

53.8

1

July – December 2024

SERUG Analysis – December 2024

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- Re-instated Up Platform with shelters, new footbridge and lifts�- New signalling ….strengthening 7 bridges and 20 culverts��Cost: £21m (2024 prices: £36.2m).

Most recent Investment

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Axminster – 2009: 3 mile dynamic loop (after 23 years of lobbying!)

  • Delivered an hourly Exeter to Waterloo service

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Completed 2020

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  • Strategy for improvements (more passing loops = Improved Resilience and line capacity, etc) including delivery of Devon Metro.
  • How to Fund ?

Network Rail -

Proposed Infrastructure Improvements

“Continuous Modular Strategic Planning”

(CMSP) - Agreed conclusions;

Full support of NR, SWR, County/District Councils, MP’s, Rail User Groups

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Salisbury

Tisbury

Gillingham

Templecombe

Sherborne

Yeovil Junction

Crewkerne

Axminster

Honiton

Feniton

Cranbrook

Whimple

Pinhoe

Exeter Central

Salisbury to Exeter

Exeter St D

Castle Cary

2020 CMSP Proposals

6 possible interventions (extra track)

Benefits:

  • Min 3 tph each direction
  • Better timetable resilience
  • Faster journey times
  • Devon Metro with Exeter - Axminster
  • GWR Diversion Capability

Chard J

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Other Concurrent Programs

NR - Wessex:

  • Salisbury (SAL) re-signalling in CP8 ?
  • SAL Station Strategic Plan

NR – Wales and Western:

  • Exeter re-signalling in CP8
  • Exeter St Davids Station Improvements

Where is the RNEP process?

Salisbury to Exeter

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�

Stage 1: Decision to Initiate - Briefing Doc/Statement of Outline BC

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Stage 2: Decision to Develop - Outline Business Case

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Stage 3: Decision to Design - Full Business Case

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Stage 4: Decision to Deliver - Deliver

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Stage 5: Acceptance - Deploy.

RNEP – Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline

Government (DfT) Process: Before funding agreed (produced by Network Rail)

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  • Requires 3 Business Processes to demonstrate Value for Money!
  • Then…. 2 stages for HM Treasury (“Green Book” provides the Guidance and Rules!)

BUT… NR very high track, signalling and infrastructure costs makes vfm difficult.

Network

Rail

Treasury

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Salisbury

Tisbury

Gillingham

Templecombe

Sherborne

Yeovil Junction

Crewkerne

Axminster

Honiton

Feniton

Cranbrook

Whimple

Pinhoe

Exeter Central

Salisbury to Exeter

Exeter St D

Castle Cary

Current thinking…

2 interventions (extra track)… perhaps!

Benefits:

  • 2 tph each way – Exeter/Honiton (? Axminster)
  • Better timetable resilience Ex/Ax only
  • Minor Resilience improvements

Chard J

Issues:

  • Devon Metro - Axminster may lose out
  • No paths for GWR diversions or freight

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Replacement rolling stock?

Andover

Salisbury

Wilton Junction

Tisbury Loop

Gillingham

Sherborne

Yeovil Junction

Chard Loop

Axminster

Honiton

Pinhoe

Exeter Central

+

Westbury

Romsey

Castle Cary

Existing 158/159’s replace by 2035?

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Current Option:

  • Convert existing stock (class 450) to bi-mode
  • 3rd rail and battery
  • Discontinuous Electrification
    • Third Rail sections (80km?)
    • Switch off when not in use
    • Will ORR approve?
    • 3rd rail through to Salisbury …then dis-continuous to Exeter?

Decisions are Essential….

Critical for Infrastructure Planning

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The Future - Vision for delivery

Agreement of all stakeholders ESSENTIAL �

Network Rail: Wessex + Wales &Western �- Complete existing programs as part of the improvements �- Complete CMSP solutions

+�Integrate with the TOC’s (SWR/GBR and perhaps GWR)�- Agree (early) new rolling stock and train power, (all parties)�- Agree passenger interests

+�Ensure Funding available�- Agree specifications that can be delivered�- Finance phased over (perhaps) 3 financial years to spread cost�- Demonstrate vfm – use of continuous labour and supply utilisation

- Leadership from … SERUG… The voice of the Passenger

Money, Money, Money …..that is all…!

Demonstrate the benefit to the PASSENGER

“The London, Salisbury and Exeter Railway”

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