"Fragile Route" to Avonmouth
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:36 pm
From Network Rail's business plan for the Great Western http://www.networkrail.co.uk/companyinf ... an2006.htm
Network Rail engineers have identified a set of æFragile routesÆ across the country where the addition of any further loco hauled traffic would have a significant impact on the residual life of track and/or structures. The rail freight industry has recently provided to Network Rail a set of 10 year traffic forecasts, and we are presently assessing their implications.
The key route section within this route that has been identified as a fragile route and has clearly defined additional tonnage/train numbers projected by the industry is the Clifton Extension Line (Narroways Hill Junction û Filton West Junction via Avonmouth).
Of course it's historically incorrect to refer to the entire Avonmouth loop as the Clifton Extension Line, but I wonder if this means there are plans for freight trains via Clifton Down. I'm surprised if the Henbury route is regarded as "fragile" as it's had quite a lot of investment (e.g. doubling) in recent years.
The same document also reveals that the reinstatement of the east-to-north curve at Westerleigh is under consideration, to handle diversions. This is as an alternative to re-doubling Swindon to Kemble, which I would have thought was preferable as it would also benefit everyday traffic.
Network Rail engineers have identified a set of æFragile routesÆ across the country where the addition of any further loco hauled traffic would have a significant impact on the residual life of track and/or structures. The rail freight industry has recently provided to Network Rail a set of 10 year traffic forecasts, and we are presently assessing their implications.
The key route section within this route that has been identified as a fragile route and has clearly defined additional tonnage/train numbers projected by the industry is the Clifton Extension Line (Narroways Hill Junction û Filton West Junction via Avonmouth).
Of course it's historically incorrect to refer to the entire Avonmouth loop as the Clifton Extension Line, but I wonder if this means there are plans for freight trains via Clifton Down. I'm surprised if the Henbury route is regarded as "fragile" as it's had quite a lot of investment (e.g. doubling) in recent years.
The same document also reveals that the reinstatement of the east-to-north curve at Westerleigh is under consideration, to handle diversions. This is as an alternative to re-doubling Swindon to Kemble, which I would have thought was preferable as it would also benefit everyday traffic.