On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
> Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals. This
> particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than Ely North.
>
> But turns out that it seems to be advance notice only. The actual
> proposals apparently won't be online until May 24th, presumably at:
>
> <https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/improving-the-railway-in-anglia/ely-area-capacity-enhancement/>
>
>
> And comments also don't open until May 24th.

More detail now available at: https://phase2.elyareacapacity.com/

In message <s8g1c2$hjj$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 12:06:40 on Mon, 24 May
2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
>> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
>>Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals. This
>>particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than Ely North.
>> But turns out that it seems to be advance notice only. The actual
>>proposals apparently won't be online until May 24th, presumably at:
>>
>><https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/im
>>proving-the-railway-in-anglia/ely-area-capacity-enhancement/> And
>>comments also don't open until May 24th.
>
>More detail now available at: https://phase2.elyareacapacity.com/

On the "service enhancements" page, there's already a 1x Norwich -
Cambridge (extended to Stansted off-peak). I had an idea the
enhancement might be for a second one per hour.

The extra Ipswich-Peterborough and Felixstowe-Midlands services used to
be contingent on doubling Soham-Ely, but maybe more of that later.

.... ah yes, a passing loop over the fen they gave up trying to build a
new goods loop on a few years ago. Given all the trains are pretty slow
(due to the proximity to the junction and station), something to
facilitate better alternate direction working is more obvious. And
Newmarket Road crossing is one I actually use from time to time.

The project involves substantial rebuilding of three bridges carrying
the line, and a new road bridge over the line (as well as a pedestrian
bridge over).

There's no mention of how long any of the roads/river or railway line
might be closed for the duration of such works.
--
Roland Perry

On 24/05/2021 13:34, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <s8g1c2$hjj$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 12:06:40 on Mon, 24 May
> 2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>> On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
>>> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
>>> Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals. This
>>> particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than Ely North.
>>>  But turns out that it seems to be advance notice only. The actual
>>> proposals apparently won't be online until May 24th, presumably at:
>>>
>>> <https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/im
>>> proving-the-railway-in-anglia/ely-area-capacity-enhancement/>    And
>>> comments also don't open until May 24th.
>>
>> More detail now available at: https://phase2.elyareacapacity.com/
>
> On the "service enhancements" page, there's already a 1x Norwich -
> Cambridge (extended to Stansted off-peak). I had an idea the
> enhancement might be for a second one per hour.
>
> The extra Ipswich-Peterborough and Felixstowe-Midlands services used to
> be contingent on doubling Soham-Ely, but maybe more of that later.
>
> ... ah yes, a passing loop over the fen they gave up trying to build a
> new goods loop on a few years ago. Given all the trains are pretty slow
> (due to the proximity to the junction and station), something to
> facilitate better alternate direction working is more obvious. And
> Newmarket Road crossing is one I actually use from time to time.
>
> The project involves substantial rebuilding of three bridges carrying
> the line, and a new road bridge over the line (as well as a pedestrian
> bridge over).
>
> There's no mention of how long any of the roads/river or railway line
> might be closed for the duration of such works.

Yes, it all has rather a jam tomorrow feeling to it with any final
decision apparently still 3 years away (on the proposed timetable at
least), even without worrying about how/when the budget might be
available. But I guess that's par for the course.

I'm not totally sure what the public are expected to comment on beyond
the visual aspects of the proposals (would anyone rather see a truss
bridge rather than an arch style?) and potential access closures. But
without any likely price-tags attached it's difficult to comment on
value for money. I suppose my point of view would be what are the
priorities operationally for the railway; what is the minimum price-tag
for meeting those priorities; and then how much extra would any visual
preferences be?

And this is all quite separate apparently from Ely North.

In message <s8g7gh$1k72$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 13:51:27 on Mon, 24 May
2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>On 24/05/2021 13:34, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <s8g1c2$hjj$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 12:06:40 on Mon, 24 May
>>2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>> On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
>>>> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
>>>>Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals.
>>>>This particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than Ely
>>>>
>>>>  But turns out that it seems to be advance notice only. The actual
>>>>proposals apparently won't be online until May 24th, presumably at:
>>>>
>>>> <https://www.networkrail.co.uk/running-the-railway/our-routes/anglia/im
>>>> proving-the-railway-in-anglia/ely-area-capacity-enhancement/>   
>>>>And comments also don't open until May 24th.
>>>
>>> More detail now available at: https://phase2.elyareacapacity.com/
>> On the "service enhancements" page, there's already a 1x Norwich -
>>Cambridge (extended to Stansted off-peak). I had an idea the
>> enhancement might be for a second one per hour.
>> The extra Ipswich-Peterborough and Felixstowe-Midlands services used
>>to be contingent on doubling Soham-Ely, but maybe more of that later.
>> ... ah yes, a passing loop over the fen they gave up trying to build
>>a new goods loop on a few years ago. Given all the trains are pretty
>>slow (due to the proximity to the junction and station), something to
>>facilitate better alternate direction working is more obvious. And
>>Newmarket Road crossing is one I actually use from time to time.
>> The project involves substantial rebuilding of three bridges
>>carrying the line, and a new road bridge over the line (as well as a
>>pedestrian bridge over).
>> There's no mention of how long any of the roads/river or railway
>>line might be closed for the duration of such works.
>
>Yes, it all has rather a jam tomorrow feeling to it with any final
>decision apparently still 3 years away (on the proposed timetable at
>least), even without worrying about how/when the budget might be
>available. But I guess that's par for the course.
>
>I'm not totally sure what the public are expected to comment on beyond
>the visual aspects of the proposals (would anyone rather see a truss
>bridge rather than an arch style?) and potential access closures.

As local, I can confidently predict the part that's going to cause the
most controversy is the works to close Kiln Lane level crossing. SSSIs,
Country Park etc. And not just those keyword buttons, the intrusion of
the footprint and elevation of the proposed bridges, but the diversion
for the dog walkers who make up a lot of the pedestrians round there.

>But without any likely price-tags attached it's difficult to comment
>on value for money. I suppose my point of view would be what are the
>priorities operationally for the railway; what is the minimum price-tag
>for meeting those priorities; and then how much extra would any visual
>preferences be?

They make the point that it's costing them £22m just to "understand the
scale of the challenge", and that it will take much more, to even start
to estimate what the bill for the proposals might be.

>And this is all quite separate apparently from Ely North.

And that's been kicked into the long grass for a few years now
(mentioned in this consultation too), having been "coming soon"
for ages.

Meanwhile, getting back to the schedules and 2tph through to Kings Lynn,
people have been led to believe that's imminent for several years (not
least because of the recently completed nearby platform lengthenings).

Other projects which might be impacted (although the new Mayor might
have different priorities) are the prospect of through trains from a
reopened March line, to Cambridge - which will require both Ely North
and EACE.
--
Roland Perry

On 24 May 2021 16:58, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <s8g7gh$1k72$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 13:51:27 on Mon, 24 May
> 2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>On 24/05/2021 13:34, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <s8g1c2$hjj$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 12:06:40 on Mon, 24 May
>>>2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>>> On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
>>>>> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
>>>>>Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals.
>>>>>This particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than Ely
>>>>>
[snip]
>
>>And this is all quite separate apparently from Ely North.
>
> And that's been kicked into the long grass for a few years now
> (mentioned in this consultation too), having been "coming soon"
> for ages.

Not any more. The consultation, for the same level of detail a 'South'
is this Autumn and they are drilling boreholes for soil assessment next
month.

> Meanwhile, getting back to the schedules and 2tph through to Kings Lynn,
> people have been led to believe that's imminent for several years (not
> least because of the recently completed nearby platform lengthenings).
>
> Other projects which might be impacted (although the new Mayor might
> have different priorities) are the prospect of through trains from a
> reopened March line, to Cambridge - which will require both Ely North
> and EACE.

The consultation talks about an extra service "TBC" which I took to be
Wisbech. What is interesting is that the old Mayor announced it so it
is strange for NR to be cagey.

In message <ih3opjFeeisU1@mid.individual.net>, at 08:54:26 on Tue, 25
May 2021, Rupert Moss-Eccardt <nin@moss-eccardt.com> remarked:
>On 24 May 2021 16:58, Roland Perry wrote:
>> In message <s8g7gh$1k72$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 13:51:27 on Mon, 24 May
>> 2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>>On 24/05/2021 13:34, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>> In message <s8g1c2$hjj$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 12:06:40 on Mon, 24 May
>>>>2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>> On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
>>>>>> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
>>>>>>Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals.
>>>>>>This particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than Ely
>>>>>>
>[snip]
>>
>>>And this is all quite separate apparently from Ely North.
>>
>> And that's been kicked into the long grass for a few years now
>> (mentioned in this consultation too), having been "coming soon"
>> for ages.
>
>Not any more. The consultation, for the same level of detail a 'South'
>is this Autumn and they are drilling boreholes for soil assessment next
>month.

Boreholes for what. A northern bypass around all the level crossings and
the new housing developments?

>> Meanwhile, getting back to the schedules and 2tph through to Kings Lynn,
>> people have been led to believe that's imminent for several years (not
>> least because of the recently completed nearby platform lengthenings).
>>
>> Other projects which might be impacted (although the new Mayor might
>> have different priorities) are the prospect of through trains from a
>> reopened March line, to Cambridge - which will require both Ely North
>> and EACE.
>
>The consultation talks about an extra service "TBC" which I took to be
>Wisbech.

Sorry, I meant Wisbech (via March).

>What is interesting is that the old Mayor announced it so

Announced what? That it was on his to-do list...

<https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/wisbech-station-march-
train-beeching-17857656>

Oh look - Toby the Tram Engine.

>it is strange for NR to be cagey.

It was never going to get through trains to Cambridge until they sort
out Ely, Just like Soham won't be getting 1tph.
--
Roland Perry

On 25 May 2021 09:16, Roland Perry wrote:
> In message <ih3opjFeeisU1@mid.individual.net>, at 08:54:26 on Tue, 25
> May 2021, Rupert Moss-Eccardt <nin@moss-eccardt.com> remarked:
>>On 24 May 2021 16:58, Roland Perry wrote:
>>> In message <s8g7gh$1k72$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 13:51:27 on Mon, 24 May
>>> 2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>On 24/05/2021 13:34, Roland Perry wrote:
>>>>> In message <s8g1c2$hjj$1@gioia.aioe.org>, at 12:06:40 on Mon, 24 May
>>>>>2021, JGD <news@prodata.co.uk> remarked:
>>>>>> On 11/05/2021 21:41, JGD wrote:
>>>>>>> Flyer dropped through by door today courtesy of Royal Mail inviting
>>>>>>>Round 2 comments on the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement proposals.
>>>>>>>This particular part seems to deal with Ely South rather than
Ely
>>>>>>>
>>[snip]
>>>
>>>>And this is all quite separate apparently from Ely North.
>>>
>>> And that's been kicked into the long grass for a few years now
>>> (mentioned in this consultation too), having been "coming soon"
>>> for ages.
>>
>>Not any more. The consultation, for the same level of detail a 'South'
>>is this Autumn and they are drilling boreholes for soil assessment
next
>>month.
>
> Boreholes for what. A northern bypass around all the level crossings and
> the new housing developments?

We (the Ely Level Crossing Action Group) don't know. We only have
partial visibility of where the boreholes are planned but it includes a
number right next to the Kings Lynn line going North from the B1382 for
about half a mile.

Railfuture have suggested doubling the line from Ely to just north of
Kiln Lane and then a flyover but that might have some impact on the
SSSIs.

>>> Meanwhile, getting back to the schedules and 2tph through to Kings Lynn,
>>> people have been led to believe that's imminent for several years (not
>>> least because of the recently completed nearby platform lengthenings).
>>>
>>> Other projects which might be impacted (although the new Mayor might
>>> have different priorities) are the prospect of through trains from a
>>> reopened March line, to Cambridge - which will require both Ely North
>>> and EACE.
>>
>>The consultation talks about an extra service "TBC" which I took to be
>>Wisbech.
>
> Sorry, I meant Wisbech (via March).
>
>>What is interesting is that the old Mayor announced it so
>
> Announced what? That it was on his to-do list...
>
> <https://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/local-news/wisbech-station-march-
> train-beeching-17857656>

James Palmer was a bit more definite in a PR during the previous
consultation (can't find it at the moment) where he had moved his
position from the Combined Authority shuttle to March to a train all
the way to Cambridge

> Oh look - Toby the Tram Engine.
>
>>it is strange for NR to be cagey.
>
> It was never going to get through trains to Cambridge until they sort
> out Ely, Just like Soham won't be getting 1tph.

Indeed.