Rebuilding Fenchurch Street on Tower Gateway DLR site mooted
A DIGITAL signalling solution developed by c2c is viewed as the best option for increasing capacity on the Essex Thameside route out of Fenchurch Street.
Network Rail’s Essex Thameside study considered capacity requirements and future options to address growing demand. It predicts additional capacity will be needed as early as the mid-2020s, although it cautions that the estimates on which its assessment was based were made before the full impact of the Covid pandemic is known.
c2c has developed a business case for introducing European Train Control System (ETCS) Level 2 between Upminster and Fenchurch Street to allow an uplift from the current 20 trains per hour (tph) peak service to 24tph for the May 2025 timetable. ETCS would have the capability to support a further uplift to 28tph if needed. The enhanced service would use a combination of the current Class 357s, the new 6x10-car Class 720/6s from Bombardier due to be delivered next year, and additional mid-life Electrostar EMUs. Network Rail’s digital railway deployment plan suggests ETCS will be introduced on the route in around 20 years’ time when the current conventional signalling is…
