A decision over the future of Greater Anglia’s planned Brantham depot, which is due to open in December to stable and maintain new trains, will be made in the first quarter of this year.
An internal newsletter, seen by RAIL, includes an update from Franchise and Programmes Director Mike Kean, who states: “I am conscious that there have been several rumours about the future of this site which can be damaging. I wanted to give an honest update on where we are.
“We have been working hard on it for over a year but still have issues with the landowner selling the land, delivery of the connection and achieving acceptance of how it will operate. Due to this we are looking at alternative stabling sites to accommodate the new trains as well as other locations for a wheel lathe. We are continuing to develop Brantham, but if we cannot solve the land issues we will need a plan B - this is well under way. A further review of Brantham will happen in Q1 of this year.”
On January 15, GA told RAIL: “There remain a number of issues to be resolved to ensure delivery of our new depot at Brantham. These include the preparation of the site, the link line to access the site and the fact that we have yet to agree commercial terms with the landowner involved. We are therefore looking at alternative options for the maintenance and cleaning that is due to be undertaken at Brantham, in case we need to alter our plans. We expect to be able to confirm the next steps, either with Brantham or, if necessary, a new plan within the next three months.”
GA had previously told RAIL on January 3: "“There is no change and no new developments. The project is currently still moving forward with no change to the plans, though we are still finalising the commercial agreement with the land owners. Major investment is taking place in Crown Point anyway because that’s the main base for the Stadler trains.”
- The full story is published in RAIL 844, out now.
- The launch of Brantham was reported in RAIL 821, which can be bought digitally for Android or iPad.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 18/01/2018 08:33
If it’s not to be completed in December. Then it could be put forward to late January or early March next year. Before the new trains are being delivered as Bombardier and Stadler are manufacturing the new trains for Greater Anglia.
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AndrewJGwilt1989 - 18/01/2018 08:40
Also GA might keep some of the Class 379’s to use them on branch line services such as Wickford-Southminster, Colchester-Walton-on-the-Naze, Manningtree-Harwich Town and Colchester-Colchester Town services. Whilst the new Class 720’s will replace the Class 360’s, Class 321’s, Class 317’s and Class 379’s on West Anglia, Great Eastern and Stansted Express services. Class 745’s to replace the Mk3 Intercity on London-Norwich mainline service. And Class 755’s to replace the Class 153’s, Class 156’s and Class 170’s DMU’s on regional services in East Anglia and on the Marks Tey-Sudbury branch line.
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