With the forecast growth contained in the London Plan driving passenger demand, and the planned expansion of the East Coast Ports driving freight growth, the long-term use of the London orbital routes needs urgent consideration. These lines provide vital freight links between the radial routes, as well as carrying orbital passenger services.

The Cross London Route Utilisation Strategy (RUS) encompasses these orbital routes, including those that are due to be included within the new Silverlink Metro concession (the North and West London Lines and the Gospel Oak – Barking route). This franchise had been due to be re-let in October 2006, but the precise timing is now uncertain.

The RUS covers the duration of the originally expected franchise period, from 2006 to 2016, but it also looks further into the future to identify any major factors that would influence route strategy and the longer-term capacity expectations of freight.

The process followed in preparing this strategy is consistent with that used in previous RUSs and has involved: obtaining a detailed understanding of the base position; forecasting passenger and freight demand up to 2016; assessing and agreeing with the key industry stakeholders the gaps which need to be addressed; and optioneering to understand what action can be taken to bridge the gaps."