Work has begun on a £40 million upgrade of Norwich Crown Point depot, ahead of the introduction of new trains.
Greater Anglia has leased a depot at Colchester from Balfour Beatty, to cover for the disruption at its Norfolk site.
However, the company has said that no decision has yet been made regarding the proposed new maintenance facility at Brantham (near Manningtree), which was due to open in December but where construction work has been paused for several months.
Under plans to introduce 1,043 new vehicles for GA, Crown Point needs upgrading to stable and maintain 58 trains being built by Stadler.
Taylor Woodrow is carrying out the work, which includes installing a new train wash facility, improved servicing equipment, and fuel facilities.
Because the trains are low-floored vehicles, most components are on the roofs and so high walkways are being installed.
GA Franchise & Programmes Director Mike Kean said: “We’re committed to the region we serve and playing our part in supporting its development, so we’re very pleased to be able to create a new centre of excellence for train maintenance in East Anglia, in partnership with Stadler.”
- For the FULL story, read RAIL 852, published on May 9, and available digitally on Android and iPad from May 5.
AndrewJGwilt1989 - 24/04/2018 13:02
That’s great news for Norwich. Brilliant news. But what about a new train maintenance depot to be built at Brantham in Suffolk. Just north of Manningtree & Essex. That will cater for Class 755 Stadler Flirt Bi-Mode and possibly cater for Class 720 Bombardier Aventra EMU trains. As the new train mantainence depot will be built close to the Great Eastern (London-Norwich) main line and on the north side of the River Stour. To the north of Manningtree. But the real question is. When will it happen. Could the new depot at Brantham could start construction this year and to be completed next year. Or will it not happen until possibly in mid/late 2020 or in 2021+.