From Watford Observer, Friday, February 10, 2006

Rail link scheme a priority

TWO transport schemes in the Watford area could benefit from £63m of
funding if the Government listens to regional recommendations.
The Croxley Rail Link (CRL) and improvements at Watford Junction
Station have been identified by the East of England Regional Assembly
as priorities, along with 23 other schemes earmarked for £778m of
investment over the next ten years.
The assembly considered 135 schemes before choosing priorities.
Subject to Government approval, the CRL, which is expected to cost
£66m, will get £50m, £11m in 2008 and £39min 2001. The improvements
at Watford Junction are expected to cost £16m and will get £13m in
2011.
.................................................. .................................................. .................................
John Burke
WRUG

burkey wrote:

The Croxley Rail Link (CRL) and improvements at Watford Junction
Station have been identified by the East of England Regional Assembly
as priorities

Whilst I'm sure that the people of Watford (other than the affected
nimbys) will rejoice, one can't help wondering if this august body has
all its faculties in working order. There are umpteen other East of
England PT projects that should be greater priorities, like increasing
capacity on the ECML, and upgrading cross-country links, especially for
freight flows from the ports.

--
http://gallery120232.fotopic.net/p9632848.html
(33 050 at Salisbury, 1985)

burkey wrote:


improvements at Watford Junction


Does this include the necessary tweaks to the track and signalling
arrangements to allow Silverlink to run through to Euston from St.
Albans Abbey?

David Belcher

On Fri, 10 Feb 2006 11:42:55 -0000, Chris Tolley wrote:


Whilst I'm sure that the people of Watford (other than the affected
nimbys) will rejoice, one can't help wondering if this august body has
all its faculties in working order. There are umpteen other East of
England PT projects that should be greater priorities, like increasing
capacity on the ECML, and upgrading cross-country links, especially for
freight flows from the ports.


I think technically there is ample capacity on the ECML, its only
restricted because of the contracts that Network Rail (Railtrack) have
entered into.
Doing things like;
cancelling the NoL Eurostar Paths
banning freight at peak times
increasing the speeds on the slow lines
reducing the line limit to 90 mph south of stevenage
increasing the services to 12 car
would provide enough capacity for the foreseeable future.

Paul

"Chris Tolley" wrote in message
. ..
burkey wrote:

The Croxley Rail Link (CRL) and improvements at Watford Junction
Station have been identified by the East of England Regional Assembly
as priorities

There are umpteen other East of England PT projects
that should be greater priorities, like increasing capacity
on the ECML, and upgrading cross-country links,
especially for freight flows from the ports.

The Croxley Link presumably gives more bangs per buck.

Not holding my breath on this one... I lived in the area from 1978 to
1990 and constructing the Croxley Rail Link was always around the
corner even then. Despite TfL's promise of part-funding it appears as
if the DafT mandarins are sitting on their hands hoping it goes away.
It wasn't mentioned in Hertfordshire's Local Transport Plan 2
settlement before Christmas, pushing the timetable back even further.

Come on DfT, it's now or never surely...?

THC

Chris Tolley wrote:
There are umpteen other East of
England PT projects that should be greater priorities, like increasing
capacity on the ECML, and upgrading cross-country links, especially for
freight flows from the ports.

Yes, getting the route via Bury St Edmunds cleared for W10 and allowing
more paths, also getting the Braintree to Stansted line going etc.

Darren ] wrote:

Chris Tolley wrote:
There are umpteen other East of
England PT projects that should be greater priorities, like increasing
capacity on the ECML, and upgrading cross-country links, especially for
freight flows from the ports.

Yes, getting the route via Bury St Edmunds cleared for W10 and allowing
more paths, also getting the Braintree to Stansted line going etc.


Why not make the effort to influence the decision making process,
either through your MP or by writing in? Griping on here might make
you feel better but it is never going to achieve anything.

Remember this article was from the WATFORD Observer, I'm sure there
will be lots more schemes green lighted across the East of
England...fear not ye!

mmlabbd

Chris Tolley wrote:
burkey wrote:

The Croxley Rail Link (CRL) and improvements at Watford Junction
Station have been identified by the East of England Regional Assembly
as priorities

Whilst I'm sure that the people of Watford (other than the affected
nimbys) will rejoice, one can't help wondering if this august body has
all its faculties in working order. There are umpteen other East of
England PT projects that should be greater priorities, like increasing
capacity on the ECML, and upgrading cross-country links, especially for
freight flows from the ports.

--
http://gallery120232.fotopic.net/p9632848.html
(33 050 at Salisbury, 1985)

Paul Hutchinson wrote:
I think technically there is ample capacity on the ECML
IOW - "there's no problem with capacity ...

Doing things like;
cancelling the NoL Eurostar Paths
banning freight at peak times
.... so long as you take some trains away."

I think you've contradicted yourself. Don't you?