Network Rail gets £5m to develop digital controls for TransPennine route

TransPennine could receive digital management systems similar to those now being used on London Underground and Thameslink

TransPennine could receive digital management systems similar to those now being used on London Underground and Thameslink

The TransPennine route will be the first digitally controlled intercity rail line in the country, transport secretary Chris Grayling has announced. Network Rail will develop options to make the TransPennine route the first digitally controlled intercity rail line in the country.

Network Rail will receive up to £5m to develop proposals for embedding digital technology between Manchester and York, to help us deliver a more reliable and safer railway. This includes looking at a system of advanced train traffic management, so that a computer works out how to route the trains most efficiently along the line.

The TransPennine route between Manchester, Leeds and York is being upgraded as part of the Great North Rail Project. 

“We are about to see a digital revolution in our railways, and we want the north to lead the way,” said Grayling. “New technology on the Manchester to York route will help us deliver a more reliable and safer railway, with more space for passengers.” 

Grayling also confirmed that all of the Pacer trains that run on Northern trains will be phased out by the end of 2019 and sent to the scrapyard.

“Travel will be transformed across the north as we invest £13bn to improve journeys, expand our motorways, scrap the outdated Pacer trains, and spend £55bn on HS2 to cut journey times between our great northern cities.” 

Developing proposals for digital-control on the TransPennine route is to be paid for from a £450m digital railway fund announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Autumn Statement last year.

“Digital signalling technology is already in operation on the London Underground, where three lines now have in-cab signalling to enable trains can safely run closer together,” said the DfT. “Thameslink programme, which runs north-south through London, will use digital technologies so 24 trains per hour can run through the centre of the city from December 2018 on just two tracks with two platforms. Crossrail trains will also run with in-cab signalling.”