Network Rail has entered the next phase of its ERTMS trials.

Britain’s infrastructure manager has begun testing Infrasig’s trackside equipment, having completed initial trials with SSL technology.

Network Rail is conducting the testing, which will assess equipment from four suppliers over the course of the next 18 months, along a five-mile section of down line on the Hertford Loop using a converted Class 313 lab train.

ERTMS and ETCS will gradually be installed in the UK over the course of CP5 and CP6, starting with an overlay on the Great Western main line and the southern end of the East Coast main line

By introducing in-cab signalling, Network Rail will be able to reduce headways and as a result increase capacity on the existing network.

Network Rail’s client Simon Whitehorn said: “ETCS will have a huge impact on the railway and it’s vital we thoroughly test our equipment to get it right first time.

“Testing has gone very well and even in the first few days we were able to get the the cab and trackside equipment communicating and complete the planned tests.”

He added: “Switching the test facility on was a big moment for the team and it’s a big step towards eventually rolling cab signalling out across the country.”