Colwich Junction

[Zoe]

Since the four tracking from Tamworth to Armitage the formation between Armitage and Colwich Junction has changed so now you have to take the diverging route from the fast line to continue to Stafford. The result of this is a 65 mph speed restriction. Are there any plans to improve this.

 

[swt_passenger]

The 'Stafford/Colwich' remodelling really ought to sort something out, but I think that is all a bit up in the air because of the impacts of HS2.

The (somewhat out of date now) DfT WCML progress report of 2005 mentions a new Armitage Jn, with high speed crossovers allowing both down lines to be considered equally fast lines. That would sort the routes out well before Colwich, and they could presumably have a 125 mph junction, like at Rugby.

You'd think a flyover to unravel the routes would be the best option though?

 

[Zoe]

The (somewhat out of date now) DfT WCML progress report of 2005 mentions a new Armitage Jn

Then you go back to Rugley having its down platform on the fast line for Stafford.

 

[PhilipW]

Just to clarify:

Are you saying that a London-Glasgow train has to slow down to 65mph to pass through Colwich while a London-Stoke-Manchester train, which in effect is turning right, can pass through at a faster speed ?

If true, very strange.

 

[The Planner]

No, the turnout to Stone is 40 or 45 I think.

 

[Zoe]

Are you saying that a London-Glasgow train has to slow down to 65mph to pass through Colwich while a London-Stoke-Manchester train, which in effect is turning right, can pass through at a faster speed ?

No, Manchester trains have to slow down to 45 mph immediately after the down fast to down slow crossover junction but as a result of the upgrade trains on the fast line going to Stafford have to slow down to 65 mph and take the diverging route onto what is the slow line. On the slow line you can pass through the junction at 90 mph to continue to Stafford.