Network Rail Cross London Route Utilisation Strategy
Encyclopedia
The Cross London Route Utilisation Strategy (CLRUS) was the second of the route utilisation strategies (RUS) published by Network Rail
(NR), in August 2006. It was included in a map published by the Office of Rail Regulation
as established in May 2007 .
The CLRUS covers mainly orbital railway lines in North London, including the North London Line
(NLL), the West London Line
(WLL) and the Gospel Oak to Barking line
(GoBLin), but also the South London Line
(SLL) and, to a lesser extent, TfL
's East London Line
(ELL).
The most frequent passenger services, 4 trains per hour (tph) in each direction during the working week, are on the NLL. The WLL and the GoBLin basically have 2 tph each. There are some additional trains on all these lines during peak hours. The SLL has 2 tph. The ELL is currently closed, pending construction of northern and southern extensions; it formerly had about 5 tph.
Freight services include those having destinations on or near to the lines, as well as cross-country freight movements not originating or terminating in London, for which presently these lines are the most viable route.
. TfL and Network Rail are pursuing the recommendations in the RUS.
With the removal of the Eurostar depot to Temple Mills in November 2007, access via the WLL to the former depot at Old Oak Common is no longer required.
During autumn 2008, works requiring extended closure were conducted on extensive parts of the London Overground network, mainly to allow the passage of freight trains to W10 gauge. Further extensive works, requiring selective closure, are scheduled to be carried out in 2009 and early 2010.
Construction works on the ELL and its extensions at both ends are at an advanced stage. For example the bridge over Shoreditch High Street that links the realigned route to Whitechapel with the Haggerston viaduct has been installed. The extended line between Dalston Junction in the north and Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the south is due to open as part of London Overground in 2010.
TfL are promising additional/replacement rolling stock commencing (as originally stated) in 2008, then 2009, now promised for 2010. However, lengthening of trains to four units, along with increase in service to 4tph over the whole network, appears to have been pushed into the medium term, planned for 2011.
Network Rail
Network Rail is the government-created owner and operator of most of the rail infrastructure in Great Britain .; it is not responsible for railway infrastructure in Northern Ireland...
(NR), in August 2006. It was included in a map published by the Office of Rail Regulation
Office of Rail Regulation
The Office of Rail Regulation is a statutory board which is the combined economic and safety regulatory authority for Great Britain's railway network. It was established on 5 July 2004 by the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003, replacing the Rail Regulator...
as established in May 2007 .
The CLRUS covers mainly orbital railway lines in North London, including the North London Line
North London Line
The North London Line is a railway line which passes through the inner suburbs of north London, England. Its route is a rough semicircle from the south west to the north east, avoiding central London. The line is owned and maintained by Network Rail...
(NLL), the West London Line
West London Line
The West London Line is a short railway in inner West London which links lines at in the south to lines near Willesden Junction in the north. It has always been an important cross-London link especially for freight services...
(WLL) and the Gospel Oak to Barking line
Gospel Oak to Barking line
The Gospel Oak – Barking Line is a railway line in north and east London which connects Gospel Oak in North London and Barking in East London as part of the London Overground network. It is sometimes known as the Goblin , although this is a nickname rather than an official title...
(GoBLin), but also the South London Line
South London Line
South London Line may refer to one of two semicircular railway lines which both run between London Victoria and London Bridge stations through the southern suburbs of London, UK:*Inner South London Line - running via Denmark Hill and Peckham Rye...
(SLL) and, to a lesser extent, TfL
TFL
TFL may refer to:* Tasmanian Football League, an Australian rules football competition* Tensor fasciae latae muscle, a thigh/hip muscle* Transport for London, a public transport organisation in the London area* The Flaming Lips, an American rock band...
's East London Line
East London Line
The East London Line is a London Overground line which runs north to south through the East End, Docklands and South areas of London.Built in 1869 by the East London Railway Company, which reused the Thames Tunnel, originally intended for horse-drawn carriages, the line became part of the London...
(ELL).
Present usage of the lines involved
The lines involved provide significant orbital passenger services and important freight routes, as well as other movements.The most frequent passenger services, 4 trains per hour (tph) in each direction during the working week, are on the NLL. The WLL and the GoBLin basically have 2 tph each. There are some additional trains on all these lines during peak hours. The SLL has 2 tph. The ELL is currently closed, pending construction of northern and southern extensions; it formerly had about 5 tph.
Freight services include those having destinations on or near to the lines, as well as cross-country freight movements not originating or terminating in London, for which presently these lines are the most viable route.
Short term recommendations
- additional peak services to overcome the worst of the peak-hour overcrowding. Transport for LondonTransport for LondonTransport for London is the local government body responsible for most aspects of the transport system in Greater London in England. Its role is to implement the transport strategy and to manage transport services across London...
(TfL) has funded the provision of at least some of these. - additional standing space on anticipated new stock
- four-car rather than three-car trains on NLL and WLL, requiring lengthening of many platforms
Medium term recommendations
Additional services in each direction, all day, per hour:- two trains between Stratford and Camden Road on the NLL, and onward to Queens Park on the Watford DC LineWatford DC LineThe Watford DC Line is a commuter railway line from London Euston to Watford Junction. Services on the line are operated by London Overground....
s - extending the existing two trains from Clapham to Willesden Junction onwards via the NLL to Gospel Oak and thence over the GoBLin to Barking
- diverting and extending other services on the WLL south-east to the Croydon area
Longer term (beyond 2014)
- investigating shifting of some freight services to alternative lines, some avoiding the London area, to allow more pathways with a view to achieving at least four passenger trains per hour over all the routes.
Subsequent developments
Passenger services on most of the lines involved were transferred to the control of TfL on 11 November 2007, and have been rebranded London OvergroundLondon Overground
London Overground is a suburban rail network in London and Hertfordshire. It has been operated by London Overground Rail Operations since 2007 as part of the National Rail network, under the franchise control and branding of Transport for London...
. TfL and Network Rail are pursuing the recommendations in the RUS.
With the removal of the Eurostar depot to Temple Mills in November 2007, access via the WLL to the former depot at Old Oak Common is no longer required.
During autumn 2008, works requiring extended closure were conducted on extensive parts of the London Overground network, mainly to allow the passage of freight trains to W10 gauge. Further extensive works, requiring selective closure, are scheduled to be carried out in 2009 and early 2010.
Construction works on the ELL and its extensions at both ends are at an advanced stage. For example the bridge over Shoreditch High Street that links the realigned route to Whitechapel with the Haggerston viaduct has been installed. The extended line between Dalston Junction in the north and Crystal Palace and West Croydon in the south is due to open as part of London Overground in 2010.
TfL are promising additional/replacement rolling stock commencing (as originally stated) in 2008, then 2009, now promised for 2010. However, lengthening of trains to four units, along with increase in service to 4tph over the whole network, appears to have been pushed into the medium term, planned for 2011.