Request ID: FOI-0703-2425 Date published: 14 June 2024
You asked
Follow-up to FOI-0374-2425: Thank you for your reply.
Further to this FOI request, please provide the following information. (Please treat this as a new request. However, the information I am seeking is related to the information I have obtained through this request.)
Please provide a copy of the document which outlines how much spacing between trains is required, to allow the passage of freight trains on the relief lines. Please also confirm whether or not this requirement changes throughout the day, and if so, by how much.
Please confirm whether or not the DfT has any involvement with the specification of these "semi-fast" services to Reading. If so, please provide a copy of the contract with the DfT, which outlines the specification for these services.
What is stopping TfL from calling these "semi-fast" services at either Southall or Hanwell, where extra capacity can be provided at no expense to customer journey times?
I look forward to hearing from you in 20 days.
We answered
TfL Ref: FOI-0703-2425
Thank you for your further request received by Transport for London (TfL) on 29th May 2024 asking for information about the Elizabeth Line. Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act and our information access policy.
I can confirm that we hold some of the information you require. Your questions are answered in turn below:
Question 1) Please provide a copy of the document which outlines how much spacing between trains is required, to allow the passage of freight trains on the relief lines. Please also confirm whether or not this requirement changes throughout the day, and if so, by how much.
Answer:TfL does not hold this information. However, the information is contained in the Timetable Planning Rules, which are available from the Network Rail website via the following link:
Question 2) Please confirm whether or not the DfT has any involvement with the specification of these "semi-fast" services to Reading. If so, please provide a copy of the contract with the DfT, which outlines the specification for these services.
Answer:The DfT has noinvolvement in the Elizabeth Line timetable specification. DfT are responsible for specifying the GWR timetable, but TfL is not sighted on the agreement.
Question 3) What is stopping TfL from calling these "semi-fast" services at either Southall or Hanwell, where extra capacity can be provided at no expense to customer journey times?
Answer:There is limited capacity to include additional stops in the timetable at the moment. The timetable is designed to provide sufficient capacity for freight services, in particular freight trains operating to and from Acton Freight Yard, which is adjacent to Acton Main Line station. A few additional stops have been inserted in specific trains. TfL will continue to review and modify the SLC to reflect passenger demand and will look to take advantage of any structural changes to the national timetable that may facilitate this.
If this is not the information you are looking for please do not hesitate to contact me.
Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal as well as information on copyright and what to do if you would like to re-use any of the information we have disclosed.
Yours sincerely,
David Wells FOI Case Officer FOI Case Management Team General Counsel Transport for London
