Stafford Area Improvemnet Programme (part 1)

The Stafford Area Improvement Programme (SAIP) is currently one of the largest single rail projects under construction outside of London. The £250m project which is split into 3 packages aims to remove a key bottleneck from a congested section of the WCML north of Stafford.

Package 1 which was completed in May 2014 increased the speed of a section of the down slow line between Crewe and Stafford from 75mph to 100mph. This package involved the installation of 4 new banner repeater signals, re-alignment of 5 miles of track and modification of 18 miles of over head line equipment.

Package 2 involves the renewal of signalling equipment on the route from Norton Bridge to Penkridge and Stafford. The re-signalling works involves installing 78 new signals, construction of a new 775m passing loop and complete re-signalling of signal boxed 4 and 5

Package 3 which is by far largest package will see the construction of a new grade separated junction, 6 miles of new railway, as well as 11 new bridge structures. The new flyover will remove the current bottleneck at Norton Bridge in order to release capacity for additional passenger and freight trains to operate.

The project has brought together 4 companies to form the Staffordshire Alliance. The decision was taken early during the development stage that an Australian "pure alliance" model would be used. The pure alliance model is an agreement in which employer and contractors sign a contract committing them to work closely together as an integrated team throughout the project.

After a 2 stage process 3 companies were chosen to work with Network Rail to deliver the project. Atkins, Laing O'rourke and Volker rail were chosen out of 28 pre qualified companies to work with Network Rail under the Staffordshire Alliance banner.

To facilitate the alliance a bespoke management system was designed which allows the 4 companies to work closely together, to further strengthen the alliance the 4 campaniles share 1 office which has been constructed on site.


In part 2 we will look in more detail at the construction of Norton Bridge, but for now here are a few key facts and images from a site visit on Wednesday 24th June.


 The improvement programme will involve

  • Construction of 6 miles of new track, 11 new bridges and 1.2km of new roads
  • Movement of 1 million tonnes of earth or 650,000 cubic meters
  • Construction of a new 775m goods loop
  • Installation of 176 new axle counters and 78 new signals 
  • Relocation of 3 high pressure gas mains and 1 aviation fuel pipeline

The benefits of the project will include

  • Two extra off peak trains per hour between London and the North
  • One extra fast train per hour between Manchester and Birmingham
  • One extra freight train per hour in each direction through Stafford. 

Manchester bound Cross Country Voyager passes the southernmost section of the Norton Bridge site

 Cutting being excavated for the new 6 mile railway

Virgin Pendolino passes under the recently constructed rail over rail bridge. 

1 of 15, articulated dump trucks (ADTs) in use on site can carry up to 30 tonnes at a time


Much more to come in part 2......

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