Network Rail wants to increase its use of the Old Dalby test track, submitting proposals which could see the number of train passes triple during certain hours.

A current planning condition allows no more than six passes per hour from 7am to 8am and 6pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and up to 12 per hour between 8am and 6pm.

Network Rail wants to extend this to a maximum of 12 passes per hour from 7am to 8am and 6pm to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and up to 18 passes per hour from 8am to 6pm.

It also wants to up the number of passes from no more than four per hour from 8am to 9am and 5pm to 6pm on Saturdays to no more than 12 and from up to eight per hour from 9am to 5pm to a maximum of 18 per hour.

A spokesman said: “This application is being made so we can use the track to fully assess the noise implications of the new Javelin trains while running. These trains will be used on the Great Western Main Line after its electrification. The increase in passes is due to other ongoing works on the track. These trains will be electric and so will be much quieter than previous trains.”

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