MML Electrification: progress updates

[Bald Rick]

The application referred to is to National Grid for a connection, not planning.

 

[Peter Sarf]

The application referred to is to National Grid for a connection, not planning.

Is it possible to tell if the application is still alive, agreed-to or, even better, planned to commence ?.

 

[Bald Rick]

Is it possible to tell if the application is still alive, agreed to or even better planned to commence ?.

If you know the right people in NR or NG, yes

But it wouldn‘t commence construction until planning consent was granted, and as we know that hasn’t hsppened.

 

[Peter Sarf]

If you know the right people in NR or NG, yes

But it wouldn‘t commence construction until planning consent was granted, and as we know that hasn’t hsppened.

Thanks.

I suspect Yourself is far better connected than Myself. Lets hope its still alive.

 

[Nottingham59]

The application referred to is to National Grid for a connection, not planning.

Do we know where that NG connection has been applied for? Or is it possible for NG to plan for a connection that allows flexibility in where it is to be located?

All the 400kV lines that cross the railway are within or immediately adjacent to area of the Local Development Order, so I am surprised that none of the responses from NG, NR or HS2 seem to the mention any such grid feeder.

EDIT: https://www.rushcliffe.gov.uk/planning-growth/planning-policy/ratcliffe-local-development-order/

 

[snowball]

According to a paragraph in RAIL #1002, page 21, the rail minister Huw Merriman has told Parliament that wiring to Sheffield and Nottingham "could" be completed in "the early 2030s", based on "recent plans from Network Rail" and "subject to the necessary business case approvals".

 

[GRALISTAIR]

According to a paragraph in RAIL #1002, page 21, the rail minister Huw Merriman has told Parliament that wiring to Sheffield and Nottingham "could" be completed in "the early 2030s", based on "recent plans from Network Rail" and "subject to the necessary business case approvals".

Good lord that is ages off.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Do we know where that NG connection has been applied for? Or is it possible for NG to plan for a connection that allows flexibility in where it is to be located?

As far as I know, it's not in the public domain and I stress I am not connected with NWR, NG etc., so do not know, but my effort at working it out led me to a site East of the railway and Kegworth Road, between Ratcliffe-on-Soar village and Kegworth.

MML Electrification: progress updates

The target price quoted is a third less than that achieved for the Bedford to Kettering project (2.5m ptm against 3.7m). Hopefully these are after adjusting for inflation, else it becomes an even more challenging task. What’s the likelihood the answer is that nobody can deliver to those costs...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[ChrisC]

According to a paragraph in RAIL #1002, page 21, the rail minister Huw Merriman has told Parliament that wiring to Sheffield and Nottingham "could" be completed in "the early 2030s", based on "recent plans from Network Rail" and "subject to the necessary business case approvals".

In addition to the fact that it’s such a long way off the word “could” is worrying. It doesn’t even say “will”. I can’t help feeling that following the scrapping of HS2, that like in so many things, the East Midlands and South Yorkshire may end up with very little to compensate for the loss of HS2.

 

[Nottingham59]

As far as I know, it's not in the public domain and I stress I am not connected with NWR, NG etc., so do not know, but my effort at working it out led me to a site East of the railway and Kegworth Road, between Ratcliffe-on-Soar village and Kegworth.

MML Electrification: progress updates

The target price quoted is a third less than that achieved for the Bedford to Kettering project (2.5m ptm against 3.7m). Hopefully these are after adjusting for inflation, else it becomes an even more challenging task. What’s the likelihood the answer is that nobody can deliver to those costs...

www.railforums.co.uk

That does seem to be the most likely site, doesn't it? Though it would be on a different power line from the one planned to be used by HS2.

What surprised me was that Network Rail made six responses to the statutory consultation, going into great detail about what tree species and drainage plans would be acceptable on the neighbouring site, but make no mention of any plans for a grid feeder station which would be adjacent to the LDO area. If I was the county planning officer, I would be pretty peeved if I got a planning application from NR to develop that greenfield site and they hadn't mentioned it in their responses to the local development plan.

 

[3RDGEN]

Good lord that is ages off.

The tender issued last October quoted; "Network Rail (NR) intends to select suppliers to the Midland Main Line Electrification (MMLE) Partnership Framework for an initial term of 5 years with the option to extend in yearly increments up to a further 5 years." So if the price is acceptable and it gets approval sometime this year then it's 2029 at the earliest with 2030's most likely under NR timescales.

 

[deltic08]

Good lord that is ages off.

You're lucky it is 2030. At the present rate of electrification of 8 miles per annum it could be 2050 before Sheffield is reached.
I thought Nottingham was the next phase of electrification once the present phase was completed early summer 2024?

 

[swt_passenger]

That does seem to be the most likely site, doesn't it? Though it would be on a different power line from the one planned to be used by HS2.

What surprised me was that Network Rail made six responses to the statutory consultation, going into great detail about what tree species and drainage plans would be acceptable on the neighbouring site, but make no mention of any plans for a grid feeder station which would be adjacent to the LDO area. If I was the county planning officer, I would be pretty peeved if I got a planning application from NR to develop that greenfield site and they hadn't mentioned it in their responses to the local development plan.

If you look at the planning approval process for the Braybrooke grid supply compound, (which is effectively built round an existing pylon), as was discussed in detail earlier in this thread, Network Rail were not actually involved with it at all, the applicant was National Grid.

I don’t think the separate NR application for the trackside equipment ever got linked, did anyone ever see it?

 

[59CosG95]

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The autotransformers for East Langton have arrived.

 

[InTheEastMids]

That does seem to be the most likely site, doesn't it? Though it would be on a different power line from the one planned to be used by HS2.

What surprised me was that Network Rail made six responses to the statutory consultation, going into great detail about what tree species and drainage plans would be acceptable on the neighbouring site, but make no mention of any plans for a grid feeder station which would be adjacent to the LDO area. If I was the county planning officer, I would be pretty peeved if I got a planning application from NR to develop that greenfield site and they hadn't mentioned it in their responses to the local development plan.

I think National Grid Electricity Transmission own the land and substation at Braybrooke. Assuming the same situation elsewhere, then it would presumably be their role to feed this into a planning consultation.

 

[Nottingham59]

If you look at the planning approval process for the Braybrooke grid supply compound, (which is effectively built round an existing pylon), as was discussed in detail earlier in this thread, Network Rail were not actually involved with it at all, the applicant was National Grid.

I don’t think the separate NR application for the trackside equipment ever got linked, did anyone ever see it?

OK, thanks. I didn't see any mention from National Grid either. But maybe a mere 80kVA connection is small beer to them, compared to their 8GW substation.

 

[swt_passenger]

I think National Grid Electricity Transmission own the land and substation at Braybrooke. Assuming the same situation elsewhere, then it would presumably be their role to feed this into a planning consultation.

However they didn’t own it before the planning approval, it was previously agricultural land with a number of different owners. So prior to the project they will only have had a wayleave for the pylon.

 

[Nicholas Lewis]

If you look at the planning approval process for the Braybrooke grid supply compound, (which is effectively built round an existing pylon), as was discussed in detail earlier in this thread, Network Rail were not actually involved with it at all, the applicant was National Grid.

I don’t think the separate NR application for the trackside equipment ever got linked, did anyone ever see it?

NR have permitted developments rights within the railway boundary

 

[swt_passenger]

NR have permitted developments rights within the railway boundary

Yes I know but there are still many instances where relevant permitted development applications DO appear on local planning websites. They still have to be notified to planning departments, perhaps some of them don’t bother putting them online.

 

[Edvid]

Looks like the wires have now reached the most northern part of the OLE limits, just south of Blaby Road bridge.

I observed the same on today's travels. A short extension lead will have to connect Wigston South SATS to the OLE limits, which by my rough estimation end 150 metres or so shy of the site. (Would explain why the vegetation in-between wasn't touched).

It also looks like the first wire runs immediately beyond the existing fast line OLE limits in Kettering are now in place. Not including crossovers, I think that means there are 4 main wire runs left to add - the Braybrooke OHNS and Desborough pairs.

Three Arches Bridge is still in situ; perhaps the planned closure on 25 February will finally see it demolished. Beyond that, there are 2 weekend closures (plus an additional Sunday closure) for OLE125 works in March.

 

[Jamesrob637]

I observed the same on today's travels. A short extension lead will have to connect Wigston South SATS to the OLE limits, which by my rough estimation end 150 metres or so shy of the site. (Would explain why the vegetation in-between wasn't touched).

It also looks like the first wire runs immediately beyond the existing fast line OLE limits in Kettering are now in place. Not including crossovers, I think that means there are 4 main wire runs left to add - the Braybrooke OHNS and Desborough pairs.

Three Arches Bridge is still in situ; perhaps the planned closure on 25 February will finally see it demolished. Beyond that, there are 2 weekend closures (plus an additional Sunday closure) for OLE125 works in March.

Where is this Three Arches Bridge, please?

 

[Nottingham59]

Three Arches Bridge

Midland Main Line Electrification – Google My Maps

We are electrifying the line in sections over the next few years to allow electric trains to run along the full length of the line. This is because Network Rail and the UK Government want railways to be better for the environment and to be more cost effective for taxpayers. By electrifying the...

www.google.com

"Three Arches Bridge OB:34
description
SPC3 81m 601yds
This bridge will be demolished in February 2024.
We will be working during the day and overnight, from: Thursday 1 – Thursday 29 February 2024."

 

[snowball]

Press release

Further upgrades planned to Midland Main Line in February and March

Network Rail will be carrying out major upgrades to the Midland Main Line across four weekends in February and March resulting in some changes to East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Thameslink services.

www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk

Network Rail will be carrying out major upgrades to the Midland Main Line across four weekends in February and March resulting in some changes to East Midlands Railway (EMR) and Thameslink services.

These upgrades will improve the current overhead line equipment south of Bedford as well as further engineering work to electrify the section of line between Kettering and Leicester.

The improvements will mean passengers will be able to experience smoother, more reliable, quieter and greener journeys on new electric and bi-mode trains in the future.

On Sunday 25 February, there will be work to install overhead lines between Kettering and Leicester, resulting in no trains to Market Harborough. Some EMR Intercity services will be diverting around the closure and a rail replacement bus service will be in place to serve passengers between Leicester, Market Harborough and Kettering.

Buses will replace trains on Sunday 10 March and the weekend of 16/17 March between Luton and Bedford to allow for further upgrades to the overhead lines. Thameslink will run amended services south of Luton to and through central London, and EMR will operate a train shuttle service between London St Pancras and Luton, with trains running northbound from Bedford.

Additionally, on Sunday 10 March, there will be no trains between St Pancras and London Bridge, via Farringdon because of cyclical maintenance with passengers advised to use London Underground or TfL buses. Trains will also not call at Kentish Town on this day.

On 9/10 March, 17 March and 23/24 March, engineers will be laying new track to deliver smoother journeys between Syston and Helspton which will affect CrossCountry services from Leicester to Peterborough. A rail replacement bus will be in place to serve passengers along this route.

On the weekend of 23/24 March, there will be additional improvement work to the overhead lines south of Bedford and upgrades through Luton station as new switches and crossings are installed, the specialist equipment used by trains to change tracks from one to another, meaning smoother journeys for passengers.

Amended and reduced Thameslink services will operate south of Harpenden, where a rail replacement bus service will transfer passengers to Luton and Bedford. Trains will not call at London Bridge owing to further engineering work in that area.

East Midlands Railway will operate no services south of Bedford on the affected weekend. EMR passengers should travel on Thameslink from London St Pancras to Hitchin, where a rail replacement bus service will operate to Bedford, connecting passengers to EMR services towards Sheffield and Nottingham.

Network Rail is encouraging all passengers to check their journey before travelling via National Rail Enquiries or through their train operator.

 

[Jamesrob637]

Midland Main Line Electrification – Google My Maps

We are electrifying the line in sections over the next few years to allow electric trains to run along the full length of the line. This is because Network Rail and the UK Government want railways to be better for the environment and to be more cost effective for taxpayers. By electrifying the...

www.google.com

"Three Arches Bridge OB:34
description
SPC3 81m 601yds
This bridge will be demolished in February 2024.
We will be working during the day and overnight, from: Thursday 1 – Thursday 29 February 2024."

Thanks: I had it as more towards Leicester.

 

[InTheEastMids]

Midland Main Line Electrification – Google My Maps

We are electrifying the line in sections over the next few years to allow electric trains to run along the full length of the line. This is because Network Rail and the UK Government want railways to be better for the environment and to be more cost effective for taxpayers. By electrifying the...

www.google.com

"Three Arches Bridge OB:34
description
SPC3 81m 601yds
This bridge will be demolished in February 2024.
We will be working during the day and overnight, from: Thursday 1 – Thursday 29 February 2024."

Thanks: I had it as more towards Leicester.

Thanks, I think there may also have been confusion because NR previously sought prior authorisation from the planning authority [North Northants planning portal ref: NK/2021/0775] to raise its parapets. Can only assume that they have made arrangements that allow the newly constructed adjacent bridge to be used by those that need it. The main use I've seen it put to is that it has been a good vantage point for various people on this forum to photo and report progress on the Braybrooke Substation.

In other bridge-related news. Locals further North are not happy about the failure of Network Rail / Leics County Council to complete works at Newton Road (Newton Harcourt) which is creating additional inconvenience, particularly as two other nearby bridges are also closed [Picture below is Google Maps with traffic turned on, showing 3 bridge closures between Kibworth and Kilby Bridge). Also, see this link to Harborough FM News for more details: https://harboroughfm.co.uk/work-halted-on-rail-bridge-upgrade/.

 

[midland1]

Thanks, I think there may also have been confusion because NR previously sought prior authorisation from the planning authority [North Northants planning portal ref: NK/2021/0775] to raise its parapets. Can only assume that they have made arrangements that allow the newly constructed adjacent bridge to be used by those that need it. The main use I've seen it put to is that it has been a good vantage point for various people on this forum to photo and report progress on the Braybrooke Substation.

In other bridge-related news. Locals further North are not happy about the failure of Network Rail / Leics County Council to complete works at Newton Road (Newton Harcourt) which is creating additional inconvenience, particularly as two other nearby bridges are also closed [Picture below is Google Maps with traffic turned on, showing 3 bridge closures between Kibworth and Kilby Bridge). Also, see this link to Harborough FM News for more details: https://harboroughfm.co.uk/work-halted-on-rail-bridge-upgrade/.

View attachment 152386

Is not the Great Glen Station Road bridge open, they could close Newton Road before that one reopened

 

[Flying Phil]

It certainly is chaotic with three bridges closed at the same time!

 

[PJM]

It certainly is chaotic with three bridges closed at the same time!

Yes it is. The Station Road bridge had been finished and reopened. I hadn`t realised why it had been closed again until the Harborough FM ink posted by InTheEastMids A van had hit causing serious damage. So three bridges out of action!

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes it is. The Station Road bridge had been finished and reopened. I hadn`t realised why it had been closed again until the Harborough FM ink posted by InTheEastMids A van had hit causing serious damage. So three bridges out of action!

So the underlying problem is that NR for failed to predict a traffic accident? Don’t these re-modelled bridges normally include fairly substantial restraint systems aimed at protecting the railway, which should also resist most routine damage?

 

[jthjth]

It’s not the railway bridge that got hit by a van, but one slightly further down the road that crosses a stream. However the effect is the same on local traffic.
It seems to take forever to replace these bridges, even the intended time for the Newton Lane replacement was around 4 months. Even worse is they’ve not taken the opportunity to improve the crossing. Both the Newton Lane and Station Road bridges were too narrow for two way traffic. So what do we get for months of disruption - two equally narrow bridges with higher walls constructed with unsightly industrial concrete that don’t fit in with the locality. I can see why Leicestershire County Council are unimpressed.

In related news, the B582 over bridge that links Wigston to South Wigston is in poor condition according to the local councillor and will need to be replaced. (NR confirmed to me they intend to start work in 2025). The route is already a major bottleneck so I’m expecting months of major chaos.

NR response to me:
I have been in contact without our project team who have advised me that our current plans are to reconstruct Blaby Road bridge as part of a future phase of Midland Main Line electrification work. This is currently planned for 2025/26 but final plans will be confirmed during the design phase in the coming year. We are unable to provide any further detail on road closures or other information until the final designs are confirmed.