APPENDIX 8 – OPERATIONS ANALYSIS

Appendix 8.1: Operations Analysis for HS2 and Integration

HS2-EWR Integration GRIP 2 Feasibility Report 148476-NWR-REP-MPM-000003

Page 293 of 357 HS2/EWR INTEGRATION – OPERATIONS ANALYSIS

1 BACKGROUND

1.1 There is a need to identify the current and future usage of the existing rail routes and terminals in the vicinity of the HS2/EWR interface at Calvert, to help inform the staging of route closures for the construction of EWR and for HS2.

1.2 The following parameters/requirements are assumed:

· The needs of the existing rail customers in the area are paramount · HS2 mass haul (excavated materials) movements can be disregarded (assumed not to operate to or via the Calvert area); however some rail movements to/from Calvert may be required for construction materials (e.g. rails) · The Princes Risborough – Aylesbury (PRA) line can be disregarded, i.e. it can be assumed that this line remains open in its current form during EWR construction works.

2 RAIL TERMINALS AND CUSTOMERS

2.1 Currently, two rail freight terminals/customers are served by trains that pass through the Calvert area:

· WMF (Calvert Waste Terminal): Regular trains of household waste delivered to the terminal for unloading and filling of the adjacent former brick pits · MOD Depot: Occasional trains to and from the MOD depot.

2.2 For the WMF traffic, it is a requirement that, during the EWR and HS2 construction works, at least one suitable route is kept open at all times. This means either the Aylesbury – Claydon Jn line (MCJ) or the – Bicester – Claydon Jn line (OXD).

2.3 Currently, traffic to/from the Bicester MOD depot is routed via Aylesbury, Claydon Jn (reverse) and Bicester, while the Oxford – Bicester section is being upgraded. However this is s short-term measure, because the Gavray Chord at Bicester is due to be commissioned in October 2015 for passenger services, and the complete route from Bicester to Oxford is due to be commissioned in Spring 2016. From that time, the Bicester MOD traffic can revert to its normal route via Oxford.

2.4 Although HS2 mass haul trains are disregarded, HS2 may become a “rail freight customer” at its Calvert Infrastructure site for the delivery of rails and other materials during construction of the HS2 line, sometime between, say, 2017 and 2026.

3 RAIL ROUTES AND USAGE ANALYSIS

3.1 This analysis covers three scenarios:

A. Current (Sept 2015) – the currently-available routes, and the train paths allocated in the working timetable (note: not all freight paths are used every day) B. HS2 construction period (as per HS2 bill and APs) – the originally-assumed situation during late 2010s/early 2020s, with EWR fully commissioned; HS2 is being constructed and may require some deliveries by rail C. HS2 construction period – the revised situation with EWR still under construction; HS2 is being constructed and may require some deliveries by rail.

Page 1 of 4 3.2 Scenario A – Current situation (Sept 2015)

BLETCHLEY Claydon Jn (WCML) HS2 Gavray Jn

= Calvert WMF freight: approx BICESTER 4 trains per day per direction VILLAGE CALVERT WMF (plus Bicester MOD as below) WASTE TERMINAL = Bicester MOD freight: BICESTER occasional/as required (reverses at Claydon Jn) MOD DEPOT = Line out of use OXFORD (GWML) AYLESBURY = other lines (passenger and freight services): not analysed in this report

PRINCES RISBOROUGH (CML)

3.3 Scenario B – original EWR/HS2 assumption, with EWR open

Claydon Jn BLETCHLEY (WCML) Gavray Jn HS2

BICESTER = Calvert WMF freight: approx VILLAGE 5 trains per day per direction CALVERT WMF WASTE TERMINAL = EWR passenger: 1 – 5 trains per hour per BICESTER direction, depending on section MOD DEPOT of route (1 or 2 on MCJ; up to 5 on OXD) OXFORD (GWML) AYLESBURY = Chiltern Railways passenger: 2 trains per hour per direction

= Freight: frequencies t.b.d, including Bicester MOD traffic via Oxford, and HS2 deliveries

= other lines (passenger and PRINCES RISBOROUGH freight services): (CML) not analysed in this report

Page 2 of 4 3.4 Scenario C – revised EWR/HS2 assumption, with EWR still under construction

BLETCHLEY Claydon Jn (WCML) Gavray Jn HS2

= EWR lines under construction BICESTER [phasing t.b.d] VILLAGE CALVERT WMF WASTE TERMINAL = Calvert WMF freight: approx BICESTER 5 trains per day per direction: MOD DEPOT route dependent on which line(s) are open (either via Aylesbury, or via Oxford, or via Bletchley) OXFORD (GWML) AYLESBURY = Bicester MOD freight: occasional/as required (via Oxford)

= Chiltern Railways passenger: 2 trains per hour per direction

PRINCES RISBOROUGH = HS2 deliveries: freq. t.b.d. (CML) Route dependent on which line(s) are open (either via Aylesbury, or via Oxford, or via Bletchley)

= other lines (passenger and freight services): not analysed in this report

4 COMMENTARY/CONCLUSIONS

4.1 Whilst EWR is being constructed, at least one route (MCJ or OXD) must be maintained open for freight traffic, primarily for WMF; but also for Bicester MOD until such time as the normal route via Oxford is restored to use.

4.2 WMF traffic currently has paths on the Chiltern Main Line from the area via Princes Risborough and Aylesbury. However if the MCJ line is closed, this route will not be available. Possible alternatives are shown in the following table:

Implications Other Alternative route Infrastructure Timetabling Comments Bletchley – West Coast Main Claydon currently Spare paths on West Line EWR Bletchley – out of use. Coast Main Line Claydon Junction Bletchley - (London to Bletchley) Not operationally must be operational Claydon Junction are limited desirable to - Calvert reverse at Bletchley. Great Western Spare paths on Main Line EWR Bicester – This is the current Great Western Main Claydon Junction WMF diversion Oxford -Claydon Line (London to – must be operational route. Junction (reverse) Oxford) are limited - Calvert

Page 3 of 4 Implications Other Alternative route Infrastructure Timetabling Comments Chiltern Main Requires two Line EWR Bicester – reversals en route, but this Princes Claydon Junction Spare paths on could be made Risborough- must be operational Chiltern Main Line Bicester- Bicester more Bicester Ministry of north of Princes Ministry of operationally Defence sidings Risborough are Defence sidings efficient by available for train limited (reverse) – running with a reversal Claydon Junction locomotive at (reverse) - Calvert each end

4.3 Of the three alternative routes, the route via the GWML and Oxford appears the most suitable from a freight train operation point of view, although it may be difficult to obtain paths, particularly between Didcot and Oxford which is only a twin-track route.

4.4 If EWR is still under construction during the period when HS2 is being constructed, any materials delivered to the Calvert site would have to be routed as described in 4.2 and 4.3 above. The route via Princes Risborough and Aylesbury would be the optimum route if available; it may be possible to path HS2 delivery trains in the “vacant” slots not used by WMF trains.

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