UK Combined Authority Calls for Review of Ely Capacity Enhancement Pla

The Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority has formally requested that Network Rail revisit the 2022 business case for the Ely Area Capacity Enhancement (EACE) programme. This request comes in light of ambitious economic and housing growth plans emerging across Cambridge and the surrounding region, as well as the increasing significance of the Thameside ports for rail freight.

The EACE programme, which remains unfunded, aims to alleviate a bottleneck at Ely where five rail lines converge. The project addresses critical issues such as single track sections, speed restrictions, level crossings, and signalling limitations, extending its impact to Cambridge, Peterborough, and King’s Lynn. The authority's report, titled 'Growth Intersection', presents a strong investment case, highlighting that the £466 million scheme could yield a return of £5 for every £1 invested by enhancing capacity for more frequent and faster rail services.

According to the authority, the EACE would significantly benefit freight traffic originating from the port of Felixstowe, which is vital for the region's economy. The project is projected to eliminate approximately 98,000 lorry journeys from the A14 each year, thereby reducing road congestion and improving air quality. Additionally, it would support economic growth in Norfolk and Suffolk, enhance connectivity within the Oxford-Cambridge corridor, and facilitate travel to London, the Midlands, and the North.

In response to the growing need for funding, the authority is collaborating with various partners to conduct a comprehensive study aimed at identifying alternative funding sources for the EACE. Furthermore, they are establishing a task force to engage with the UK government, advocating for the project’s inclusion in the next spending review. The authority is also open to revising level crossing provisions associated with the project to help manage costs more effectively.

Mayor Paul Bristow emphasized the importance of this investment, stating, 'Better, more frequent trains are good for passengers, good for jobs and opportunity, good for business, good for new housing and good for growth.' He reiterated the project's potential to return £5 to the local economy for every £1 spent, aligning with his ambition to triple the size of the local economy. The authority is committed to making a compelling case to the government and ensuring that the project progresses without delay.