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Post by Deleted on May 17, 2011 21:58:24 GMT
Below is an e-mail I received from Leonie Dubois, Consultation Manager the of Croxley Rail Link today "Invitation to Public Exhibitions In February 2011 Croxley Rail Link was admitted to the development pool of schemes seeking funding from the Department for Transport. Since the announcement the project has been developing its proposals, working towards the submission of the ‘Best and Final Bid’ for funding in September 2011 and the Transport and Works Act Order anticipated for November 2011. Prior to those submissions the project needs to consult widely on the proposals allowing for the feedback to be assessed and included in the design process where applicable. We are pleased to announce the Croxley Rail Link project will be holding a series of public exhibitions which will provide more information to local community, businesses and stakeholders about this exciting project. The details of the exhibitions are Unit 17, Charter Place Shopping Centre, Watford, WD17 2RU (formerly Hi-Fi City unit) on: Thursday 26th May 12.00 pm - 8.00 pm Friday 27th May 10.00 am - 5.00 pm Saturday 28th May 11.00 am - 4.00 pm. St Oswald’s Church Hall, 17 Malvern Way Croxley Green, WD3 3QL on: Wednesday 1st June 12.00 pm - 8.00 pm All of the exhibitions will contain the same information and individuals are welcome to attend any of them. The Croxley Rail Link project is committed to working with the local community, businesses and stakeholders. The formal consultation period is due to end on 18th August 2011 and further information sessions will be undertaken with stakeholders to ensure engagement with the project. The project www.croxleyraillink.com provides more information about the scheme." I certainly will pay the exhibition a visit Xerces Fobe |
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Post by trt on May 19, 2011 11:16:10 GMT
As will I!
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 18:08:01 GMT
Perfect! Next Saturday it is.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2011 17:26:28 GMT
I went to the Public Exhibition in Watford today and it was well worth this visit. A well versed team from the project who were happy to talk about all aspects of the proposed link and a lot of interest members of the public some of which were railway definitely railway enthusiasts. There was a large screen with a computer simulation of the proposed link numerous display boards emphasising the many aspects and advantages of the scheme. Some of the issues regarding project - The closure of Watford Met station ( it might be kept as a stabling point for empty stock it is one of the options) The fact that that Watford Met is in Zone 6 and Watford Junction is in Zone 7 and the potential associated increase in fares Where to stable the stock - it looks like there will still be only 4 DC platforms at Watford as the potential 5th " has a lot of signalling equipment in the track bed which would need to be re-sited for which currently there is no budget". I did suggest they rebuilt a depot on the land were the former BR depot was but again there is no budget – Croxley Wiggenhall Road Met Depot!!! The Met S stock is equipped with moving bock signalling and will share the tracks from Watford High Street junction to Watford Junction with the Overground which is fixed block! The full budget for the project has not yet being approved - the go/no go decision will be later this year The proposed new viaduct from the Met line to the former Croxley Green branch has been redesigned and looks far more aesthetically pleasing than the previous versions. One of the reasons the old Watford West station will not re-open is because it is on a gradient and does not comply with the current operation and safety requirements There will be 2 new stations Ascot Road near the old Croxley Green station and Watford Health Campus which will also serve the Watford FC football stadium. More information about this project can be found at www.croxleyrailink.comXerces Fobe |
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Post by mrjrt on May 27, 2011 17:54:37 GMT
I also went along today. Of particular interest to me was the list of alternatives they'd looked into. I've requested more information about their conclusions, they said they'd send it to me...but we'll see if that ever happens.
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Post by Deleted on May 27, 2011 21:18:32 GMT
So what questions should I ask to appear smart yet not a dweeb?
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Post by mrjrt on May 28, 2011 13:50:40 GMT
I forgot to ask about the stabling. Wiggenhall might be out of the question, but there's still the disused stabling between the WCML and the New Lines.
As for fares, I always assumed that Ascot Road would be in zone 7 (Which Watford Met is in, not 6), Watford West/Hospital would be in 8, along with Watford High Street. All seems reasonable to me.
Had I known about the reasoning for Watford West not reopening was a gradient, I would have also asked why the obvious solution can't be used - namely, sharper gradients on either end on the running lines to give a level platform area. It's not like they're building a station on an existing line with services operating over it - just flatten the land before building the track!
I think Watford West was the best location for a station on the line, but Watford Stadium/Hospital does spread them out a bit better, improving the catchment area for Ascot Road. Still, Watford Stadium/Hospital has a lot of greenery around it, which is the primary criticism of Watford Met.
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2011 14:50:27 GMT
Popped into the shop today....
got a chance to video a section of the video display of the route.. ( new build section)
Posted it at
if anyone interested, sadly did not have time to do the full route...
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Post by Deleted on May 28, 2011 17:39:29 GMT
So is this project going to be built now? Their website appears to be rather confident of that.
(don't get me wrong, I'd love for it to be built)
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Post by andypurk on May 28, 2011 21:44:46 GMT
So is this project going to be built now? Their website appears to be rather confident of that. The link is not yet funded. As the website says, central government funding won't be decided until bids go in, in September 2011. |
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 21:57:27 GMT
They was no big model at the exhibition. How disappointing! I also thing they were using Microsoft Flight Simulator 2004 for their simulation video.
The thing that did strike me was the viaduct over the Ricky Road. It certainly will be prominent. The thing is that it looks a bit like the viaduct from HS2 as it passes through Denham, the one that is getting the denizens up in arms. Let's just be glad this isn't the 1960s.
I was also quite concerned by some construction I noticed on the way back near to where the viaduct is supposed to be built. I hope they're not going to have to knock down a couple of houses that are brand new.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2011 23:29:51 GMT
Im sure a 60's viaduct would look the same as the proposed one here
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Ben
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Post by Ben on May 30, 2011 0:23:56 GMT
Possibly, but the construction wouldn't be as good!
I've said it too many times already, but the best way to placate people would be to give it more of a heritage look. People don't call the Ribbleshead viaduct an eyesore, for example...
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2011 7:21:47 GMT
Possibly, but the construction wouldn't be as good! I've said it too many times already, but the best way to placate people would be to give it more of a heritage look. People don't call the Ribbleshead viaduct an eyesore, for example... Hi Ben, A heritage style viaduct sounds great but space is very limited. More modern structures can look just as good and I have always admired the way the BART in CA USA deals with this issue. Here is a photo of one such bridge at Concord Mass.  Xerces Fobe |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2011 8:57:10 GMT
I've said it too many times already, but the best way to placate people would be to give it more of a heritage look. People don't call the Ribbleshead viaduct an eyesore, for example... They may not now, but they probably did when it was new. But of course then it wasn't heritage... (I am reminded of the complaints about Stonehenge recounted in Flanders and Swann's 'Built up Area') |
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2011 10:09:02 GMT
Im sure a 60's viaduct would look the same as the proposed one here No. It would look like this. (Not for people with a weak disposition) |
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Post by norbitonflyer on May 30, 2011 11:44:31 GMT
(I am reminded of the complaints about Stonehenge recounted in Flanders and Swann's 'Built up Area') surprised I'd not heard of that one before - but here it is for everyone to read. |
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Post by thc on Jun 1, 2011 5:30:38 GMT
Anyone going along to the consultation exhibition today? If so, maybe see you there...
THC
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Post by Deleted on Jun 1, 2011 13:39:22 GMT
Interesting how it leaves the current Met line and you can see where it joins onto the former BR line... I notice that the lattice viaduct will remain! After all that time and money spent yanking down the embankment and bridge on Ascot Road near to the storage centre, they're now planning to rebuild it! Somewhere I did see a map with the new proposed route interlaced onto it...
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Ben
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Post by Ben on Jun 1, 2011 14:43:31 GMT
Its possible that Watford Met may remain for stabling, or even a one in a million shot it might stay open for special service, so presumably the Mets bridge over the canal will remain, but what of the LNWRs bridge? I understand the Mets bridge is something of a landmark and has previously been said to have archeectural merit; is the other bridge more-or-less a standard lattice bridge? Any chance of reuse somewhere, like the bridge recovered from Reading?
The video show it to remain, however if it wasn't in use would that make ecconomic sense?
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Post by norbitonflyer on Jun 3, 2011 22:28:42 GMT
An unused bridge needs little maintenance, and it may be costly to remove, so they often remain in situ unless they become dangerous or inconvenient.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2011 22:44:02 GMT
@glom: Im pretty sure the westway looked the same as the proposed design for this!
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