Strategic Route 5 - West Anglia is the designation given by Network Rail to a grouping of railway lines in the East of England that encompasses the West Anglia Main Line and its various branch lines. The route provides key services to Cambridge and Stansted Airport as well as supporting suburban services in North London and rural services in Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk.[1]
Contents |
The Route is divided into a number of separate Strategic Route Sections (SRS's) that are defined based on route use, infrastructure and historical lines.
| Route | Strategic Route Sections (SRS) | Corresponding historical lines (whole & partial) |
|---|---|---|
| Route 5 - West Anglia | 05.01 - Bethnal Green – Stansted Airport | Lea Valley Lines, West Anglia Main Line |
| 05.02 - Hackney Downs – Cheshunt | Lea Valley Lines | |
| 05.03 - Hertford East Branch | Hertford East Branch Line | |
| 05.04 - Chingford Branch | Lea Valley Lines | |
| 05.05 - Cambridge Lines | Hitchin-Cambridge Line, West Anglia Main Line | |
| 05.06 - Ely – Kings Lynn | Fen Line | |
| 05.07 - Peterborough – Ely – Haughley Jn | Ely to Peterborough Line, Ipswich to Ely Line | |
| 05.08 - Coldham Lane Jn – Chippenham Jn | Ipswich to Ely Line | |
| 05.09 - Ely – Norwich | Breckland Line | |
| 05.10 - Freight Lines | freight only lines within area covered |
As part of Network Rail's Strategic Business Plan a Route Plan for each route, including Route 5, is published annually. The Route 5 plans for 2008[2] and 2009[1] are made available online.
Together with Route 7 - Great Eastern and Route 6 - North London Line and Thameside, the route is included in the Greater Anglia Route Utilisation Strategy.[1]
The Greater Anglia RUS includes a number of proposals for the future development of the route. In the medium term, 2009-14, this includes minor infrastructure works and additional rolling stock to allow main line peak-service trains to be extended to 12-car formation. A number of developments are also intended for the West Coast Main Line depending on the status of future development at Stansted Airport.[3] Enhancements to the power supply of the route are intended for completion by 2012 to interface with those carried out on Route 6 and Route 7.[4]