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Route Utilisation Strategy
Network Rail started work on the Great Western Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) in March 2008. A consultation draft was published in September 2009.
The West of England response was sent on 26 November 2009.
It focused around:
- Severn Beach line services
- Greater Bristol Metro
- Growth forecasts
- Electrification
- New infrastructure and services
- Long term schemes.
The final Network Rail Great Western RUS was published on 1st March 2010
The West of England welcomes the final RUS. Proposals which will benefit train services in our area include:
- Bristol Temple Meads to Parson Street four tracking;
- Train lengthening Manchester and Gloucester to Bristol Temple Meads and Cardiff to Portsmouth and Taunton;
- Increased linespeed Bristol Temple Meads to Bridgewater;
- Filton Bank three/four tracking;
- Bristol Temple Meads to Yate half hourly extension;
- Bristol Temple Meads to Bath (with possible extension to Clifton Down/Avonmouth) additional services;
- Additional rolling stock for services between Bristol Temple Meads and Gloucester, Portsmouth, Taunton and Cardiff;
- Electrification of the Great Western mainline and opportunities for electric services on the Greater Bristol Metro;
- Bath Spa capacity upgrade (committed scheme 2009 to 2014);
- Westerleigh Junction to Barnt Green linespeed increase (committed scheme 2009 to 2014).