On Thu, 28 Feb 2008 23:26:39 +0000, Steve Fitzgerald ]
wrote:

In message , Paul Corfield
writes

I like to see much more detail about how the National Rail network would
be developed to give consistent, frequent services that provide
sufficient capacity. I'd like to see some bravery around improving
signalling capacity, removing conflicting junctions and better
co-ordination of service patterns. I'd certainly want to see ELLX Phase
2 completed and I'd be brave and double and rebuild the Canonbury tunnel
to get Overground up to Finsbury Park. Electrification of the GOBLIN
would also be an absolute priority as would extra stations and further
improved interchange.

stuff snipped

The other thing I would like to consider is tram / train services. The
local lines out of Liverpool St to the Lea Valley might be a good basis
for this. I've already posted about converting the Chingford line to
"lighter" technology. However thinking further I can see benefit in
extending tram / trains on to street running in say Enfield to link up
other areas or to run on to the GN line near Enfield Chase or across to
Brimsdown. Similarly there could be benefits to cross town links in
Hertford or to have some tram / train coverage in Harlow. This would
raise the quality and connectivity of rail transport hugely in these
areas and start to tie together networks that were destined by history
to be separate. A further "mad" idea would be to start to construct
inter-urban tramways in the more congested parts of the adjoining
counties as a way of offering a high quality alternative to the car.
This is obviously not just a London issue but deregulated buses won't
hack it in these areas but rail might do so.

There's my 2p worth.

You do realise you just got my vote for mayor - now how do we pay for
it?`

Some more money from government.
More use of land value gain taxation / private sector funding / special
levy.
Road use charging within the M25 area.
A more efficient TfL organization.
A more efficient Mayoral / GLA organization.
Cost reductions through faster planning processes, use of modular
designs, longer term planned programme of works giving procurement
savings, revised and cheaper arrangements for maintenance and
enhancement of infrastructure and railway assets.
Investment in cost reducing technology / employment of effective asset
management techniques.
Fare increases on PAYG slightly ahead of inflation. Current fares on
PAYG are a bargain and I think the market can take a level of increase
beyond just inflation.
I'd also look very seriously at fully automatic driverless operation on
new tube lines and possibly on existing ones - I think I might have just
lost your vote ;-)

--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!