West Coast Route Modernisation - Route 12

Colas Rail Ltd provided a major renewal-free route for the next 25 years, providing line-speed enhancement, or ‘EPS’ (Enhancement Permissible Speed) to 120mph together with formation and drainage improvement.

Route 12 formed a section of the WCRM project which extended from Colwich to Cheadle Hulme via Stoke, with the main body of the work being undertaken during the 19-week blockade of the route between May and September. The work comprised the selective replacement of ballast, sleepers and rails. It also included:

(i)              track re-alignment

(ii)             installation of block joints

(iii)            OHLE wire re-registration and upgrading to suit the new line speed

(iv)            cess works as required for safety or compliance to standards.

Route 12 overlaps with the ongoing Route 7 Alliance, which widens the area concerned by the project. One of the highlights of this is the introduction of the ANASLDO ACC (Apparato Centrale Calcolatore) Signalling System for the first time in the UK.

The project was completed on time, to budget and can boast one of the best records in the UK regarding track geometry (fast track recording car for realignment).