Mid Cornwall Metro Implementation Agreement

An Implementation Agreement with respect to the ‘Mid-Cornwall Metro Enhancement Scheme’ to develop infrastructure enhancements aimed at supporting an increase in train services on the Newquay Branch, extending services on to the Cornwall Main Line and on to the Falmouth Branch line.

The work builds on feasibility work and a strategic outline business case (SOBC) for Mid-Cornwall Metro for which £1.5m was awarded to the project through the DfT’s ‘Restoring your Railway’ programme A FBC was submitted by Network rail to DfT at the end of March 2023 with GRIP 3 and 4 activities due to be completed by the summer of 2023.

The Project seeks to enable service levels on the branch line to increase from 8 trains a day in each direction to 1 train per hour between Newquay and Par. This will subsequently support the introduction of an hourly direct service linking the urban centres of Newquay, St Austell, Truro, Penryn and Falmouth. One of the objectives of the Mid-Cornwall Metro scheme is the development, design and delivery of an ‘access for all’ footbridge at Par.

This Agreement covers design services (including detailed design) that shall be undertaken from June 2023 up to completion.

Services

The Services to be provided by Network Rail include:

(a) Services of the Network Rail sponsor and any other supporting resources to provide ongoing contract management, guidance and support relating to the necessary consents and commercial agreements.

(b) Design Services including monitoring progress of detailed design and working drawings.

(c) Project management services and support necessary to manage the efficient and timely completion of the Project.

(d) Services of a Designated Project Engineer and Project Engineers for relevant engineering disciplines.

(e) Attendance at periodic progress meetings and workshops and to regularly report on progress and technical aspects of contract(s) in place to deliver the Works Requirements. Production of reports.

(f) Provision of information that Network Rail has in its possession, and which is reasonably requested by the Customer, or the Customer on behalf of Department for Transport.

(g) Administration and management of Railway Possessions and isolations procedures, scheduling and reporting relating to the Works.

(h) Undertaking surveys.

(i) Undertaking and administration of Commissioning procedures.

(j) Applying for Necessary Consents where Network Rail is responsible for obtaining such consents.

(k) Services of Network Rail resources from liabilities, level crossings and legal teams to support the required closures of level crossings including negotiations with authorised users.

(l) Provision of support to the Customer during statutory processes to extinguish rights for road users over level crossings that are being closed or altered.

(m) Monitor and regularly update estimated costs relating to Regulated Change, including notifying the Customer if the costs are forecast to exceed the estimate specified in Schedule 3, paragraph 4 Estimated Project Cost.

The Works comprise:

(a) Re-instatement of a second platform at Newquay capable of accommodating local services with retention of the existing platform capable of accommodating both local and long-distance services.

(b) Installation of a passing loop on the Newquay branch line capable of accommodating a 10 car IET (Intercity Express Train).

(c) Installation of a suitable signalling system to control the new passing loop at Tregoss Moor and the route into the additional platform at Newquay.

(d) Upgrades/closures to user worked, footpath and level crossings as deemed necessary by risk assessments, and any associated line speed increases through the crossings sections.

(e) Alterations/Closures and downgrades to footpath, user worked and to level crossings in the Trencreek & Chapel areas to support an air right easement agreement between Network Rail and Cornwall Council in relation to the Hendra-Nansledan Overbridge Scheme.

(f) Removal of token system between St Blazey and Goonbarrow to aid reduction in journey times.

To complete the Works, detailed design needs to be completed. Network Rail shall produce:

• An updated indicative programme for design, delivery, hand-back and close-out.
• Confirmed possession strategy for the delivery stages.
• Continued scrutiny of costs to support the Customer’s financial forecasting and budgeting.
• Surveys which include:
• CCTV drainage surveys in Newquay and Tregoss Moor
• Additional topographical surveys and ecological surveys with associated reports including any additional consents required.
• Retaining wall surveys at Newquay railway station.

 A design package including completion of detail design for the following disciplines:

• Track
• Signalling / control systems in association with the panel at Goonbarrow and St Blazey Signal Boxes.
• Telecoms
• Electrical & Plant
• Civils
• Deliverables
• A design package that addresses/mitigates issues around deliverability, costs, and contingencies for potential cost overrun.
• A strategy for delivery and draft implementation agreement for delivery of the works, which will be subject to the governance of both the Customer and Network Rail.
• Estimated cost breakdowns for the infrastructure works required to deliver the Mid Cornwall Metro scheme and the ‘access for all’ footbridge at Par.
• An updated indicative programme for design, delivery, hand-back and close-out.
• Confirmed possession strategy for the delivery stages.
• Estimated cost plan reviewed against the overall cost estimate from the Contractor for PACE 2 to PACE 4, to support the Customer’s financial forecasting and budgeting.
• Surveys which include:
• CCTV drainage surveys in Newquay and Goss Moor;
• Additional topographical surveys and ecological surveys with associated reports including any additional consents required; and,
• Retaining wall surveys at Newquay railway station.
• Detail design for the following disciplines:
• Track
• (ii) Signalling / control systems i…