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Post by croxleyn on Aug 5, 2017 17:44:39 GMT
Trying to use the H&C/Circle from Paddington to Baker Street (returning from Bristol) has always seemed a rubbish service. How about a set of cross-overs just west of Baker Street to make it a terminus from Hammersmith? Could one even have bi-directional running from Edgware Road? Circle to/from Victoria on the southern side, to/from Hammersmith on the northern?
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Post by croxleyn on Jul 31, 2017 19:16:32 GMT
Using the old girder bridge over the canal would have been possible for the 1970's version of the link, before Dorrofield Close houses were built (behind the Harvester restaurant. That was the first killer. Then the elevation of the bridge is such that a significant fall would be needed, to allow the lorry headroom on the new Ascot Road bridge, then rise afterwards to clear the A412. Next is the precarious state of the brick piers supporting the bridge - I was hoping that the bridge would be demolished as part of the project, but that's more cost. Then, the flange squeal caused by the tight curves would be intolerable to the significant number of nearby residences. Even the current design will not be brilliant. Finally, the bridge is but a small portion of the overall viaduct...
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Post by croxleyn on Jul 11, 2017 17:55:27 GMT
One of the differences to a lift is that in a crush hour train, one can be frequently pushed against the door, into the corner if decelerating. A possibility of injury if the door opens?
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Post by croxleyn on Jun 12, 2017 17:10:24 GMT
The usual reason a "donation" is added is that the organisation has charitable status, but the government has judged that if something is gained from the payment, then GiftAid can only be claimed by adding the donation. This is to a lot of people's benefit: if you're taxed at the 40% higher rate, you can claim back 25% of the whole price, or £4.00!
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Post by croxleyn on Jun 1, 2017 22:19:59 GMT
Is it Watford Junction, with the DC track feed? All the others are AC overhead?
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Post by croxleyn on Mar 4, 2017 19:26:57 GMT
I've seen many reports of the proposed £263million to be spent on the 2 1/2 mile railway, of which new track is just 0.9miles. With the Metropolitan (Croxley) extension on my doorstep, I've kept a close eye on its budget, a similar value. With Barking being on new, flat land, how on earth is this cost arrived at: there shouldn't be any lifts/escalators required, and no major structures, unlike Croxley (2 lifts +1 long viaduct). OK, so they need some points/crossings, say 5 at £1m+, and an extra train (£10m?). And maybe a bit for electrification and signalling...
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Post by croxleyn on Jan 27, 2017 13:54:08 GMT
As a Croxley resident, the benefits of this link are: The rare occasions for wanting Watford Junction. Watford High Street has such a steep climb out that one might as well use the bus or walk the whole way.
The detriments, including to West Watford are: Further years of disruption on the roads, the likely closure of the pre-school at TS Renown due to the extensive sewer works needed outside, the noise of a set of points + crossover behind Dorrofield Close, which will carry trains at full line speed, plus the removal of some if not all of the peak-hour extra services, especially the semi- and fast trains.
This last statement is made on the basis that the TFL rep stated we would keep the current 15-minute service level, but was not prepared to comment about the extra services. The team wouldn't comment on the fact that the original project plans included two new trains to support the current service level, but only one has been bought, and Watford Junction couldn't cope anyway.
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Post by croxleyn on Jan 3, 2017 17:50:03 GMT
The whole project sems a bit of a mess. A main protagonist is the Watford Mayor, Dorothy Thornhill, who just wants to saturate West Watford with as much housing as she can, never mind the rest of the needs of communities. This includes parking - "Who would need cars with a good tube service?" The residents of Cassiobury want to keep their station (Watford Met) open, but the TFL business case says no. That's rather strange, as in the meetings with TFL, we're told that due to platform constraints at Watford Junction, some trains will need to be turned at Watford Met platforms, effectively meaning a "terminating" destination of Croxley (which, incidently the local Residents Association want re-named back to its original Croxley Green, but that's another debate...) But, the most jaw-dropping thing heard at one local meeting was the TFL rep refering to "The London Borough of Watford"!!!
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