The project will upgrade the power capabilities of the line between Doncaster and Edinburgh, to optimise the line and reduce inefficiencies across the network. The upgrade to the northern section follows improvements to the southern section delivered over the last few years.
The project is part the wider £1.2bn East Coast Upgrade programme, which will improve reliability and punctuality, and ensure the route has the electrical power capacity to handle future traffic volumes.
The enhancement will be funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) in conjunction with and in support of the Intercity Express Programme (IEP).
“The power supply upgrade of the East Coast Main Line is a significant piece of work,” says the Rail Electrification Alliance board. “We have been working together as an Alliance for the past five years and the team delivering the project have gone from strength to strength, continuing not only physical works during Covid-19 but also delivering a contract proposal which will secure the project for the next four years and deliver the power upgrades needed for the full route from London to Edinburgh.”
An in-depth review of Network Rail’s plans for electrification across the British network will appear in the October issue of IRJ.
