Sandbach - Northwich Re-opening Feasibility
Client: Middlewich Town Council and others, Dec 2008 - Jul 2009
The town of Middlewich, in Cheshire East, has a population of over 13,000 and lies on a railway line but has no station, since the line is currently freight-only. Local transport and environmental issues stimulated discussion about a new station, and the Railway Consultancy was commissioned to carry out an initial feasibility study.
An assessment of the physical works required indicated that construction of a new platform at Middlewich was relatively straightforward, and that little needed to be done at other locations – even the track appeared to be in rather better condition than had been feared. A number of possible timetable patterns were devised to serve the town, with that recommended comprising two journeys in each peak between Crewe and Manchester via Sandbach, Middlewich, Northwich, Altrincham and Stockport; during offpeak periods, the town would be served by a Crewe - Northwich shuttle service.
Demand forecasts were built up using the Company’s GCOST™ model using Census travel-to-work data. With the town being poorly-served by existing public transport, and the new service providing a direct link between urban Northwich and the rail hub of Crewe, increased rail revenue and passenger time savings were both found to be significant. The revenue is expected to meet operating costs, whilst the project’s overall benefits are forecast to exceed costs by around 5:1, comfortably exceeding the Government’s approval criterion. Funders of the project are now looking forward at taking this scheme forward in the coming years, with the help of Network Rail and others.
The full report is available at www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/transport_and_roads/...
Last updated: Sunday, 18th December 2016
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