Is Ely North Junction ever going to be upgraded?

[Silenos]

Since I regard the more experienced members on here as the Fount of All Knowledge I would be interested in people’s views as to whether the long-awaited improvements to Ely North junction are in fact ever likely to take place - I’ve seen a number of comments in passing that seem to suggest some of our members are dubious.(Declaration of Interest: I’m a regular user of the Fen Line from Kings Lynn and would obviously be delighted if we ever get our half-hourly service).

 

[Brubulus]

Since I regard the more experienced members on here as the Fount of All Knowledge I would be interested in people’s views as to whether the long-awaited improvements to Ely North junction are in fact ever likely to take place - I’ve seen a number of comments in passing that seem to suggest some of our members are dubious.(Declaration of Interest: I’m a regular user of the Fen Line from Kings Lynn and would obviously be delighted if we ever get our half-hourly service).

I'm pretty sure that's not an issue with the actual capacity of the junction, but a level crossing risk problem like the NDL.

 

[bspahh]

I don't know, but this thread started with a report from May 2022 on the project being put on hold:

Ely Upgrade under threat

Sounds like the capacity upgrade at Ely is all but dead sadly - they're blaming changing travel patterns despite freight being the major beneficiary? The Government has indicated that the projected £450m cost of upgrading Ely rail infrastructure may be too high a price to pay. It could be...

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There have been a few other threads

Alternative plans for Ely upgrade work

As detailed in this thread https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ely-upgrade-under-threat.233815/ it seems the long-awaited Ely North upgrade, and related capacity work, is in doubt because the price is too high. What alternatives could there be to deliver the upgrade with a smaller price...

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Could Ely North Junction be grade separated?

Moderator note: Split from https://www.railforums.co.uk/threads/ely-north-junction-upgrade-proposals.68376/ General observation on the proposals. There are various options for a new road to avoid the Queen Adelaide level crossings. Options 2 and 3 - the Northern and Long Southern by-passes -...

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Ely North Junction upgrade proposals

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Ely/4m-boost-to-rail-network-thanks-to-EU-10072012.htm "Almost £4 million of EU funding will be put towards upgrading the Ely North Junction. The European Parliament agreed to invest £3.8 million in the major scheme today (Tuesday). It comes just a week after the...

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[Bald Rick]

Well “ever” is a long time, but I’d be surprised if it happened this side of 2030.

this is part of the Rail Network Enhancement Pipeline, which may or may not be published around budget time. On balance I suspect “not published”, but who knows what Government are thinking, nor how brave they are.

 

[306024]

Discussed on BBC1 Politics East this morning, together with Haughley Jn. Didn’t learn much, the railfuture rep interviewed on an Ipswich-Peterborough service thinks the DfT gets it, but as always the treasury needs convincing.

 

[bspahh]

Discussed on BBC1 Politics East this morning, together with Haughley Jn. Didn’t learn much, the railfuture rep interviewed on an Ipswich-Peterborough service thinks the DfT gets it, but as always the treasury needs convincing.

Its from 21 minutes 30 seconds here:

BBC One - Politics East, 05/03/2023

Amelia Reynolds with the latest political news and debate. With Anthony Brown MP.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[TheBigD]

Discussed on BBC1 Politics East this morning, together with Haughley Jn. Didn’t learn much, the railfuture rep interviewed on an Ipswich-Peterborough service thinks the DfT gets it, but as always the treasury needs convincing.

It's not just the junctions, it also needs a number of level crossing interventions of varying degrees.

 

[306024]

It's not just the junctions, it also needs a number of level crossing interventions of varying degrees.

Well yes, otherwise the guys at Whittlesea will be claiming for repetitive strain injury But of course any increase in traffic will be subject to level crossing risk assessments across the whole route.