Mouchel has been appointed by Norfolk County Council and Broadland District Council to investigate the potential for new stations at Rackheath and Broadland Business Park and to consider whether there is a business case to improve the frequency of the train service along all or part of the line.
The support of stakeholders is a key part of developing a good business case and Mouchel will be contacting local stakeholders along the line with a view to obtaining their views on:-
- The existing line in general
- Whether new stations at Broadland Business Park and Rackheath can be justified
- Improving the level of train service frequency
Study Background
At present the Bittern Line provides an hourly service between Norwich and Sheringham. It offers travellers a good means of access to Norwich city centre and onward rail connections, to schools and colleges along the route, and to tourist destinations on the north Norfolk coast.
Over the last 10 years the total number of entries and exits at all stations on the line have increased by an average of 64% representing significant growth, and this growth is expected to continue. Partly in recognition of the growth and the existing service the Norfolk Rail Prospectus (2013) and Anglia Route Study (2014) both state a desire to increase the service between Norwich and Sheringham to two trains per hour.
Substantial housing growth is planned adjacent to the Bittern Line, in particular at Rackheath (near to Salhouse Station) where a total development of up to 4,000 dwellings in addition to 25 hectares of employment land is planned. As part of the outline masterplan the potential to include a new station was proposed.
Furthermore, on the eastern edge of Norwich city centre adjacent to the Bittern Line, the Broadland Business Park provides a range of employment units and a hotel. Adjacent to the Business Park is the Dussindale housing estate. Together these sites are a major generator of car trips and with more housing and employment planned for the area the demand for travel will increase. In the Broadland District Council Local Plan, land was reserved for a new station.
As part of a planning application for development north of Dussindale an alternative site was identified for a new station.
This Study
Given the increased patronage on the Bittern Line, and the opportunities to support more sustainable modes travel to and from areas of existing and planned development this study will:
- Assess the suggested locations for new stations at Broadland Business Park and Rackheath to establish if they are technically viable and identify the potential challenges and opportunities associated with each location;
- Investigate whether a new station or stations would be feasible in railway operational terms and what operational changes would need to be made to accommodate them;
- Identify options to optimise the existing station demand; and
- Establish the viability of increasing the service frequency from one to two trains per hour and identify any operational and technical changes that may be required to support this.
The outcome of this study will be a strategic outline business case to demonstrate whether a case for investment exists.
If you have any comments on the Bittern Line, please email them, by the closing date of 31 August 2015 to:
Adam Banham, Broadland District Council
| E: [email protected]
David Cumming, Norfolk County Council
| E: [email protected]
David Wildman, Mouchel Consulting
| E: [email protected]
