MLX Metropolitan Line Extension (Go-ahead for Croxley Link)

Inspired no doubt by the "Divided Bridge" at Datchet: Berks and Bucks each built their own half, to different designs, (one in wood, the other in iron) which didn't (quite) touch in the middle. It lasted less than ten years.

That lovely, lovely bridge over the A5 at Kilburn...

Let's not forget North Acton's lovely effort:

Nothing to do with the council staff, I think you will find that Network rail is responsible. Many council staff were sacked over twenty years ago in pursuit of efficiency, since then council services have declined to almost nothing.

Now now, we could fall out very quickly over this! As one of the "pathetic Council staff" you all too easily deride, we have been subjected to many years of cuts and downsizing, our present from central government for being i) widely recognised as the most efficient arm of the public sector and ii) the only part of the public service not under central control. We do the very best we can to serve our public under incredibly trying circumstances.

Onto your point, which belies a fundamental misunderstanding of our role. As Council officers, it is a significant part of our job to put into practice the policies of our elected Members. Were this WO report real rather than an April Fool, such posturing over paint would have the stamp of the elected ego all over it. We are professionals, adept at maximising value for money, and would not advocate such nonsense, especially when it clearly flies in the face of common sense. However, the local democratic mandate that Members possess is an incredibly powerful tool and they do not hesitate to wield it. You will have a chance to "sack" them at the local elections; that for the executive Mayor of Watford is on 22 May this year and those for local councillors (county and district) rotate on a four-yearly cycle.

Finally, we are all too aware of what goes on in the "real world", thank you very much. We have to house the homeless, take care of vulnerable adults and children and clean up the rubbish from people who think nothing of lobbing it in the gutter. All while coping with year-on-year budget cuts of several per cent each time. How much more "real world" do you want? Trust me on this, you'll miss us when the Coalition have finished trashing us and we're not there anymore.

THC

Of all the things to consider about the Croxley Link the colour of the bridge is not exactly top of this list . More delay as sub committees are set up, Croxley Mills will reopen to supply all the paper for the pointless reports; then the disturbed ghost of Lord Ebury will have to be laid to rest and all Elton John will be consulted just in case gets interested in Watford FC again all this fun packed in to a 35 hour week.

I am glad i don't work in such a hellish environment if i did i would need some counselling too!

XF

First class observation!

I'm off to the restaurant at the end of the universe for a long drink!

XF

There are currently 4 DC platforms at Watford Jct. and there used to be 5 up until the mid 1960's Their are lame excuses about signalling cabinets prohibiting the re-insatement of a 5th platform however I think this issue will be overcome as the capacity will be needed when the Met starts running into the station

XF

On the subject of Cassiobridge -

"make it as fine and small and as the least intrusive as possible"
//
"fairly large structure" and "will glow at night"



It looks like a corrugated tin warehouse painted in War Department green. Except it will glow-in-the-dark (apart from the dirty bits...), much like Delboys mothers' gravestone after he painted it.

You ask me more often than not the ones who deserve to be fired are the charlatans and self proclaimed guru's from private companies who get the tenders. Bring design back in-house fully - lets have something that reflects the company and local area rather than someomes ego.

As both LO and the Met manage to run their normal Watford service using two platforms each, I quite agree. LO really only use the other two platforms at Watford Junction for overnight stabling.



Stabling will be retained at Watford Met. Maybe not the most convenient, but probably far cheaper than a solution at Watford Junction.

Reinstating the sidings would probably be more expensive than reinstating platform 5, given that access is only currently possible from the WCML and not from the DC platforms. It will be interesting to see if there is any passive provision for reinstatement of either in the current resignalling scheme. This scheme does include a 'better' connection to/from the DC lines, for use during engineering works, but I havn't seen the details of the revised layout anywhere.

The property isn't worth anywhere near as much without a passenger service from the Met.

Besides, the station buildings themselves are Grade II locally listed, and they sold off the old goods sidings, the bulk of the station car park and the Observer Yard a few years ago now for flats.

Actually, it's nationally listed!

And the platforms and toilet blocks are listed.