News

22 Sep 2020 General

Public consultation opens for Ely rail capacity

Network Rail’s first round of public consultation for proposals to upgrade the railway in and around Ely opened on 21st September and will run for six weeks.
The Ely area capacity enhancement (EACE) programme is a proposal to upgrade the railway to allow more trains to run through Ely. The aim is to improve connectivity and reliability for passenger services and meet the demand for more rail freight between the Port of Felixstowe, the West Midlands and the north to support sustainable, long-term economic growth.

Residents and businesses in and around Ely are being invited to learn more about the proposals for the programme as it will be an opportunity for communities around Ely to understand:

  • potential benefits and aspirations
  • the challenges that would have to be addressed to increase capacity
  • current funding position of the EACE programme
  • how the public will be consulted as options are progressed

How the public can have their say

Owing to the current Coronavirus situation and following Government guidance, Network Rail are conducting this first round of public consultation remotely to maintain the safety of the public and their staff.

The consultation materials will be available online via the project webpage until 1 November (inclusive). Feedback can be submitted to Network Rail using the online survey accessed via the webpage or by sending comments back to Network Rail using the pre-paid postal form found in the consultation booklet (available in hardcopy on request).

There will also be opportunities for the public to speak to project representatives via webchats at specific times throughout the consultation period as well as by phone:

The Webchat facility is available via the project webpage from 21 September to 1 October on the following days:

  • Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am – 4pm
  • Weds 2pm – 8pm

A dedicated consultation line 0800 160 1780 is live from 21 September to 3 October on the following days:

  • Mon, Tues, Thurs 2pm – 5pm
  • Wed 5pm – 8pm
  • Saturday 10am – 1pm

Ellie Burrows, Network Rail’s route director for Anglia said: “It is important that we provide opportunities to engage with the communities that could be impacted by our work as it develops. It is even more important that we listen to people and gather their views to help inform our development and design process. By starting these discussions early, we hope to embark on this journey with the community and progress these proposals together, finding the right solution for the railway and for Ely.”

General comments on the programme can also be sent by email to : ElyAreaCapacityEnhancements@networkrail.co.uk

Hardcopies of the consultation materials can be requested (available from 21 September) by contacting 03457 11 41 41 or emailing ElyAreaCapcityEnhancements@networkrail.co.uk

Project Webpage: www.networkrail.co.uk/ely