| MARLOW - MAIDENHEAD PASSENGERS' ASSOCIATION |  |
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Bucks Thames Valley Local Enterprise Partnership
Extracts from the Strategic Economic Plan (2012 - 2031)
These extracts cover the possible reinstatement of the High Wycombe to Bourne End rail line.
| Improving connectivity between major settlements and existing/new rail connections | |
| 7.3.71 | In addition to bringing forward investment in key road infrastructure, BTVLEP is also keen to see Network Rail, train operators and Government improve rail infrastructure, service patterns, connections, frequency and journey times to destinations in the LEP area and key destinations and with local partners to improve access to stations. |
| 7.3.72 | A particular rail scheme which is really important to improving rail connectivity between East-West Rail and London, and relieving pressure on the roads includes The Aylesbury to Princes Risborough route upgrade. This scheme is important to Buckinghamshire because the provision of a passing loop between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury will enhance connectivity and facilitate two-way running and the provision of EWR through-services to Marylebone. Ideally, we would like to see these improvements brought forward as Part of the East West Rail Project, to achieve a Milton Keynes - Aylesbury - High Wycombe - Thames Valley strategic public transport route. |
| 7.3.73 | Two other potentially interesting rail schemes that we believe are worthy of investigation are;
The potential of re-opening the Wycombe to Bourne End Rail Link. This route could utilise the remaining parts of the original rail alignment and therefore avoid interaction with general traffic and provide a good quality light rail scheme possibly connecting Maidenhead and High Wycombe. A light rail service would provide easy access to, and increase catchment for Crossrail at Maidenhead, electrified services along the GW main line with possible access to Heathrow. Through services HW-Maidenhead would significantly improve the frequency of the existing service to Marlow. The DAILY commuter mileage of 278,000 miles between Wycombe District and the three Thames Valley towns of Slough, Maidenhead and Reading is effectively car mileage, because there is no public transport suitable for commuting. The strategic importance of the ‘missing link’ between High Wycombe and Bourne End should not be underestimated. Most of these five miles remain undeveloped, even though the service closed in 1970. Two feasibility studies (Scott-Wilson) June 2008 and (Egis mobilite) February 2009) have demonstrated that reinstatement is possible. A commutable connection to the Thames Valley would give High Wycombe access to the Thames Valley and Vice Versa. The potential for establishing a Halt on the East-West Rail Line in the Bernwood Forest. Where the East West Rail line meets HS2. At this point of intersection, Hs2’s current proposals suggest there will be a service depot located quite nearby, with circa 150 people travelling to get to the facility daily. In addition, Buckinghamshire County Council is in the process of building an Energy from Waste (EfW) facility nearby, with 64 expected jobs. The contract is worth £275 million and will save Buckinghamshire tax payers over £150 million over the 30-year life of the contract. |
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| Promoting low carbon vehicles, developing innovative sustainable travel solutions; and reducing the inefficiency in existing transport systems | |
| 7.3.90 | Given the strategic importance of a number of new rail developments in the BTVLEP area (including CrossRail and
East West Rail), we are proposing to invest the majority of any Local Sustainable Funding we secure, in improving Access to Stations. These form the
core of our Local Sustainable Transport Fund ask, and comprise;
Winslow - Buckingham - Silverstone Cycle and Bus Route Improvements - this scheme would connect Buckingham and potentially Silverstone to the East-West Rail Station at Winslow. Potential investments in this portfolio of projects include a new cycle link (A413 Cycle Route) connecting Buckingham and Winslow Improved travel information and promotion (RTPI); and an infrastructure upgrade to the No. 60 bus route between Winslow and Buckingham (WiFi Hubs at 3 bus stops). A4 Cycle and Bus Route Improvements- This scheme would deliver improved sustainable travel links between Slough and Maidenhead and Taplow Rail Station. It would deliver important integrated transport solutions linked to the new Crossrail service. Potential investments in this portfolio of projects include a shared use cycle path along the A4; a possible cycle hire scheme; EV charge points at the rail station; the promotion of cycle links to nearby tourist attractions (like the nearby Clivedon and Dorney Lake); and improved links to a frequent bus service from Taplow. The Ivers area Cycle Route - This scheme would deliver improved sustainable travel links to Iver Rail Station from the proposed Pinewood Development14, linked to the new Crossrail service. Potential investments in this portfolio of projects include an improved cycling link to Pinewood Studios; EV charge points at Iver rail station; cycling links to Black Park and Langley Park; information and promotion linked into local tourist destinations; improved infrastructure around local villages to encourage public transport use. |
| 7.3.91 | Lastly, as mentioned above, we are also keen to part fund the feasibility studies for Inter-regional Coach Network, the Bernwood Halt and the Wycombe to Bourne End Rail Link |
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| 9.6 | Ask 6: To secure Network Rail funding for a number of vital rail schemes |
| 9.6.1 | As we set out in our Strategic Economic Plan, we are particularly keen to accelerate the development of two Strategic Rail Projects which are important to us locally. |
| 9.6.2 | They are:
The potential of re-opening the Wycombe to Bourne End Rail Link. This route could utilise the remaining parts of the original rail alignment and therefore avoid interaction with general traffic and provide a good quality light rail scheme possibly connecting Maidenhead and High Wycombe; The Aylesbury to Princes Risborough route upgrade - This scheme is important to Buckinghamshire because the provision of a passing loop between Princes Risborough and Aylesbury will enhance connectivity and facilitate two-way running and the provision of EWR through-services to Marylebone. Ideally, we would like to see these improvements brought forward as Part of the East West Rail Project, to achieve a Milton Keynes - Aylesbury - High Wycombe - Thames Valley strategic public transport route. |
| 9.6.3 | To get the first scheme underway, we would propose undertaking a commercial viability study of this scheme and would like to request Network Rail’s support to fund a small viability study, in the region of £100k. |
| 9.6.4 | In return, in the same way that we have led on the development of the East West Rail Scheme, we would propose to pull together a local steering group and local management time to work on developing the projects |
Last updated 10th October, 2017