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Route Utilisation Strategy

{{Short description|Report by Network Rail; long-term plan}}

{{Distinguish|Network Route Utilisation Strategy}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}

{{Use British English|date=August 2017}}

{{Update|date=March 2022}}

Network Rail (NR) has an obligation, transferred from the abolished Strategic Rail Authority, to periodically produce Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) documents.[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?root=&pageid=2895&dir=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies NR's introduction to the process] The original programme was approved by the Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) in June 2006;[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-orrlettonr-230606.pdf ORR letter approving the programme] under an early version of the programme all but two RUSs were scheduled to be completed by the end of Control Period 3 (CP3), 31 March 2009.[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-nrlettoorr-220606.pdf NR letter to ORR on RUS programme] The programme and its timescale were reviewed by NR and ORR at regular intervals.[http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-nrlet_201207.pdf Network Rail letter to ORR on programme rescheduling][http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/upload/pdf/rus-prog_approval_180108.pdf ORR letter approving the revised programme] Despite this the delivery timescales continually slipped: at the end of CP3 no fewer than 9 (almost half) remained incomplete (still in progress or not yet established), despite the fact that funding for infrastructure developments in CP4 was largely set.[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/aspx/5500.aspx NR CP4 Delivery Plan]

One RUS, the Network RUS, was broken into four workstreams, with a fifth added, apparently, in 2011.[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies\Network&pageid=4449&root=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies Network RUS introductory page]

The original programme was completed by September 2011.

Late in 2009, NR announced a second generation of RUSs.[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browseDirectory.aspx?dir=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies\RUS%20Generation%202&pageid=4449&root=\RUS%20Documents\Route%20Utilisation%20Strategies NR introduction to second generation RUSs] These were completed by July 2011.

Effectively the RUS process has been replaced by the Long Term Planning Process,[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/Long-Term-Planning-Process/?cd=1 Long Term Planning Process] which consists of:

  • Market studies (regional)
  • Route studies (regional)
  • Cross boundary analyses

Approach and outputs

All but two RUSs are geographical, mainly regional, in nature. The exceptions are the Freight RUS and the Network RUS, which have the perspective of the network as a whole. The non-regional geographical studies include the East Coast Main Line RUS and West Coast Main Line RUS, which penetrate Scotland, and regions which have their own RUS. All RUSs consider the demands of freight transport, but the Freight RUS looks at the implications of major freight flows for Great Britain as a whole. The Network RUS is divided into four largely self-contained workstreams: long-distance traffic and generic cross-RUS issues; stations; rolling stock and depots; and electrification.

The first stage of each strategy is the preparation and publishing of a scoping document, which is usually produced after a few months. The main part of the study takes place over a period of a year or two, and this concludes with the production and distribution of a draft strategy document. About 12 weeks are allowed for consultation and responses from the rail industry and other entities, following which the final strategy is developed and a final version is published. This is later established by the ORR, unless they have reason to object to the final version.

The scoping document is usually fairly short, sometimes in the form of a presentation.

The strategy document itself normally consists of a fairly standard number of sections: an introduction and explanation of context; a fairly detailed presentation of current services; a forecast of future changes (overwhelmingly increases) in demand; gaps in resources; options for satisfying the demand; the recommended strategy. Other sections may be included, including a section on the consultation process itself specifically in the draft strategy.

The strategies developed so far are related to the Network Rail Control Periods (CP). Up to the publication of the Wales RUS (November 2008), the 'short-term' strategy included those initiatives to the end of CP3; as this finished on 31 March 2009, the short-term activities mentioned in these strategies were mostly underway, at least in the planning process. In general, strategies have an approximate 10-year timescale, taking them into a "long term" corresponding with CP5 (ending in 2019). Strategies from 2009 present specific initiatives towards the end of that period, and sometimes into the next; CP4 (ending in 2014) is the new short-term perspective.

Network Rail has an obligation to maintain RUSs, even after establishment. This would be the case in one or more of the following situations: when there has been a change in circumstances; if ordered to by the ORR; when (for whatever reason) it is clear the recommendations are probably no longer valid. The RUS is revisited using the same methodology. However, in only one case, the East Coast Main Line, has an original RUS been supplemented by a further study. Nevertheless, a further generation of three RUSs are underway, two of them covering a much broader geographical area than the originals, together with an extended timescale.

Individual strategies

These are listed in order of publication; they are all established:

  • South West Main Line RUS (March 2006) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/south%20west%20main%20line/37299%20swml%20rus.pdf |title=South West Main Line RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302212615/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/south%20west%20main%20line/37299%20swml%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Cross London RUS (August 2006) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/cross%20london/37846%20cross%20london%20rus.pdf |title=Cross London RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=27 September 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927005221/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/cross%20london/37846%20cross%20london%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Scotland RUS (March 2007) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/scotland/scotland%20rus.pdf Scotland RUS]
  • Freight RUS (March 2007) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/freight/freight%20rus.pdf |title=Freight RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=2 March 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120302212305/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/freight/freight%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • North West RUS (May 2007) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/north%20west/north%20west%20rus.pdf |title=North West RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=1 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081001100739/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/north%20west/north%20west%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Greater Anglia RUS (December 2007) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/greater%20anglia/great%20anglia%20rus.pdf |title=Greater Anglia RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607095713/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/greater%20anglia/great%20anglia%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • East Coast Main Line RUS (February 2008) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/east%20coast%20main%20line/east%20coast%20main%20line%20rus.pdf |title=East Coast Main Line RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=29 May 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080529152115/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/east%20coast%20main%20line/east%20coast%20main%20line%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • supplemented by the East Coast Main Line 2016 Capacity Review (December 2010) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/east%20coast%20main%20line/east%20coast%20main%20line%202016%20capacity%20review/east%20coast%20main%20line%202016%20capacity%20review.pdf East Coast Main Line 2016 Capacity Review]
  • South London RUS (March 2008) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/south%20london/south%20london%20rus.pdf |title=South London RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=19 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120119025209/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/south%20london/south%20london%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Lancashire and Cumbria RUS (August 2008) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/lancashire%20and%20cumbria/lancashire%20and%20cumbria%20rus.pdf |title=Lancashire and Cumbria RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607074821/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/lancashire%20and%20cumbria/lancashire%20and%20cumbria%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Wales RUS (25 November 2008) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/wales/wales%20rus.pdf |title=Wales RUS |access-date=19 March 2009 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607075754/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/wales/wales%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Merseyside RUS (27 March 2009) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/merseyside/merseyside%20rus%20.pdf |title=Merseyside RUS |access-date=27 March 2009 |archive-date=7 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407121607/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/merseyside/merseyside%20rus%20.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Network RUS
  • Long distance workstream (9 June 2009) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/network/working%20group%201%20–%20scenarios%20and%20long%20distance%20forecasts/network%20rus%20-%20scenarios%20&%20long%20distance%20forecasts.pdf Network RUS Scenarios & long distance forecasts]
  • Electrification workstream (28 October 2009) {{Cite web|url=http://archive.nr.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/network/working%20group%204%20-%20electrification%20strategy/networkrus_electrification.pdf|title=Electrification RUS archived|last=|first=|date=|website=|access-date=}}
  • Stations (31 August 2011) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/network/working%20group%202%20-%20stations/networkrusstations.pdf |title=Network RUS Stations |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=14 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160314215439/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/network/working%20group%202%20-%20stations/networkrusstations.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Rolling stock and depots (1 September 2011) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/network/working%20group%203%20-%20passenger%20rolling%20stock%20and%20depots/network%20rus%20-%20passenger%20rolling%20stock.pdf |title=Network RUS Rolling Stock |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=9 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109135914/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/network/working%20group%203%20-%20passenger%20rolling%20stock%20and%20depots/network%20rus%20-%20passenger%20rolling%20stock.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Yorkshire and Humber RUS (15 July 2009) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/yorkshire%20and%20humber/york&humber_rus.pdf Yorkshire and Humber RUS]
  • Kent RUS (22 January 2010) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/kent/kent%20rus.pdf |title=Kent RUS |access-date=22 January 2010 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607015401/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/kent/kent%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Sussex RUS (29 January 2010) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/sussex/sussex%20rus.pdf Sussex RUS]
  • East Midlands RUS (25 February 2010) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/east%20midlands/east%20midlands%20rus.pdf |title=East Midlands RUS |access-date=2 March 2010 |archive-date=7 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607020708/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/east%20midlands/east%20midlands%20rus.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Great Western RUS (26 February 2010) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/great%20western/great%20western%20rus.pdf Great Western RUS] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120901170231/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/great%20western/great%20western%20rus.pdf |date=1 September 2012 }}
  • West Midlands & Chilterns RUS (27 May 2011) [http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/west%20midlands%20and%20chilterns/west%20midlands%20and%20chilterns%20route%20utilisation%20strategy%20-%20may%202011.pdf West Midlands & Chilterns RUS]
  • West Coast Main Line RUS (7 July 2011) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/west%20coast%20main%20line/westcoastmainlinerus.pdf |title=West Coast Main Line RUS |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=1 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001190637/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/west%20coast%20main%20line/westcoastmainlinerus.pdf |url-status=dead }}

Second generation RUSs

The announced RUSs and dates of their publications (all established) are as follows:

  • Northern RUS (May 2011) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/northern/northern%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf |title=Northern RUS |access-date=14 March 2016 |archive-date=10 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410030130/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/northern/northern%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf |url-status=dead }}
  • Scotland RUS (June 2011)[http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/scotland/scottishrusbook.pdf Scotland RUS]
  • London and the South East RUS (28 July 2011) {{Cite web |url=http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf |title=London and the South East RUS |access-date=12 February 2011 |archive-date=27 November 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111127163741/http://www.networkrail.co.uk/browse%20documents/rus%20documents/route%20utilisation%20strategies/rus%20generation%202/london%20and%20south%20east/london%20and%20south%20east%20route%20utilisation%20strategy.pdf |url-status=dead }}

References

{{Reflist|30em}}

Category:Network Rail

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