The Future
The line is being seriously assessed for reopening to passengers as announced electrification and interest from Liverpool FC cast positive light on this line. On 16 July 2007 the Liverpool Daily Post reported that Liverpool FC may partially fund the reopening of the line to passenger services providing a direct rail link to the proposed Stanley Park Stadium. This was highlighted on the Network Rail North West development plan as a potential project to be undertaken by Network Rail, rather than Liverpool FC.
The Department for Transport's Rail electrification document of July 2009, states that the route to Liverpool Docks will be electrified. The Canada Dock Branch Line is the only line into the docks. From the document:
- 70. Electrification of this route will offer electric haulage options for freight.
- There will be an alternative route to Liverpool docks for electrically-operated freight trains, and better opportunities of electrified access to the proposed freight terminal at Parkside near Newton-le-Willows.
The electrification of this line would greatly assist in recommissioning passenger trains, as costs would be reduced.
The electrification of the Liverpool and Manchester line will be reduced from around 45 minutes today, to 30 minutes due to the greater acceleration achieved by electric trains and the raising of the speed limit along the line from 75 to 90 mph. Class 319 dual-voltage, 3rd rail and overhead wires, EMUs will be fully refurbished and transferred from the Thameslink route to operate between Liverpool, Wigan and Manchester. The dual voltage trains can operate on Merseyrail's 3rd rail network giving greater scope for route planning.
The Route Utilisation Strategy document makes note of the benefits of dual-voltage Electric multiple unit trains, which can be utilised on both the third rail Merseyrail network and future electrified lines which are likely to use overhead wires.
There is a serious suggestion to introduce passenger services on this line in the Local Transport Plan for Merseyside.
The overhead wires will accommodate freight trains and ensure the superior acceleration of electric trains will clear lines quickly.
Read more about this topic: Canada Dock Branch
Famous quotes containing the words the future and/or future:
“It would be no reproach to a philosopher, that he knew the future better than the past, or even than the present. It is better worth knowing.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“One merit in Carlyle, let the subject be what it may, is the freedom of prospect he allows, the entire absence of cant and dogma. He removes many cartloads of rubbish, and leaves open a broad highway. His writings are all unfenced on the side of the future and the possible. Though he does but inadvertently direct our eyes to the open heavens, nevertheless he lets us wander broadly underneath, and shows them to us reflected in innumerable pools and lakes.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Everything I do is done within sight of the Führer, so that my faults or mistakes are never hidden from him. I do my very utmost to live and act in such a manner that the Führer should remain satisfied with me; I am hard-working; but whether I shall always be able to cope with the tasks entrusted to me in the future as well, is an open question.”
—Martin Bormann (1900–1945)