A brief overview of EWR six track eastern proposal which could potentially demolish over 60 homes

By Andy Buckley

This is a basic overview of what is being proposed in the current East West Rail (EWR) consultation.

The full technical documents can be found here:

https://eastwestrail-production.s3.eu-west-2.amazonaws.com/public/Consultation-Technical-Report-Full.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2eoJG0YKx8SVnA928ozVfBLdZ0T89-sXf357Fwyw8RjtcFhYD2Nnbhgvs

There are 5 options outlined -

• 4 Track - Mostly as we currently are, with a new arch likely on the Bromham Rd Bridge. 2 new tracks will join the existing tracks just north of the bridge.

• 5 Track West - a new line will be built to the West of the existing 4. This will become a new Midland Mainline (MML) fast track, with the existing eastern MML slow track becoming EWR.

• 5 Track East - a new line will be built to the East of the existing 4. This will become a new EWR track.

• 6 Track West - 2 new lines will be built to the West of the existing 4. These will become new Midland Mainline (MML) fast tracks, with the two existing eastern MML slow tracks becoming EWR.

• 6 Track East - 2 new lines will be built to the East of the existing 4. These will become 2 new EWR tracks.

Poets is to the East of the railway. All four 5 and 6 track options will require house demolitions and compulsory purchases, Poets for Eastern options and Queens Park/Beverley Crescent for Western options. All four 5 and 6 track options will require new arches being built on Bromham Road bridge.

EWR's preferred option and the one given most detail, is the 6 Track East. This will involve running 2 new lines 800m (0.5 miles) up the Poets side of the existing 4 tracks. Whilst this is deemed to be more expensive (8%) than using the existing 4 tracks, EWR do not consider that to be 'significant'.

The main justifications for the 6 Track Eastern option are to avoid disruption to MML during construction. The new tracks can be built without closing the existing lines and will not impact the overhead electrical gantries. Six tracks will also allow operational separation of the different services once built.

The 4 track option would disrupt day to day running of the MML the most during construction, but would involve 0 house demolitions and was rated by EWR as having the least environmental impact on the River Ouse to the North. The 4 track option is the best for Poets and better for the environment*.

*Of the 5 options as laid out for this consultation.

Caveats - This is based on the EWR technical documents, not independent expert opinion. The consultation is non-statutory, thus the options as described can be changed before being finalised.