Network Rail has unveiled proposals to upgrade about three miles of track at the Norton Bridge Junction in Stafford, England, with a flyover to increase capacity.
The plans for the ВЈ200m ($320m) upgrade scheme will separate the paths of cross-country trains between Birmingham and Manchester from trains between London and north-west England.
When completed in 2017, the plan will allow two extra trains an hour between London and Crewe, and an extra train an hour between Manchester and Birmingham.
The scheme will involve building about 5km of track with enhancements, as well as a railway bridge over the West Coast Mainline.
Network Rail will hold a public consultation throughout next year to finalise the preferred route from the three options being considered, and a final scheme will be prepared in 2012.
The first two options involve the track passing on either side of woodland near Norton Bridge junction, with a new bridge built over the mainline north of the junction, while the third option would involve a railway bridge south of the junction at Shallowford.
Work will begin following the scheme's approval in spring 2014, according to thisisstaffordshire.co.uk.
