London-M25 and beyond calling No. 2 Dec 2020 plus!

 Dear Colleagues and Friends,

Please see the list of schemes below and comments. I would appreciate it if you can kindly have a glance between now and the next meeting and give any support or ideas or comment for/against, pros and cons. If you want to volunteer with ERTA, please contact Mr Simon Barber (T. 0208 940 4399, E. simon4barber@gmail.com) who will put you on a database. 

If a project takes you fancy or others as well or an area approach, please indicate it in your email to him: We will contact you after the next London Meeting. 

Meanwhile I will be working up, but it is a big job and we need several people involved on a reliable but ad hoc basis. Thanks. See: https://ertarail.co.uk/events/ I aim to acknowledge receipt of stuff like photos and captions etc if sent to me at richard.erta@gmail.com with dates. I cannot guarantee always!

'1. All London's suburban rail services must be devolved to TfL (London Overground) as soon as possible: This is laudable from the viewpoint of public dealing with one entity rather than multiple and that one entity focused on quality of usership and inclusive design integratedly now as well as expansion and ever more growth and diversity. Interestingly enough, TfL regard themselves as London constrained than expansion beyond M25 for example it seems. Thus, an example of the Crowley link whereby a wish to rebuild a missing link to enable Metropolitan services to run into Watford Junction bay platforms for interchange purposes was declined as a TfL project and deferred to Hertfordshire within whose boundary it was concerned with. Partnership and shared cost could be one way forward and combining the distinctive natures of the two entities for best results seems to allude and so nothing has happened on the project for a number of years. This is a pity as the benefits of better choice and joined up integrated transport lend themselves to this sort of expansion, whereby London’s reaches and ranges combined to adjoining areas which are becoming increasingly urbanised, need better public transport, choices and options.

 

2. Better integration of London's suburban rail with TfL bus, tube and tram services, including new and improved interchanges with these services: Again, integration makes sense, but how, like the Swiss and other examples countries do we get buses to arrive within good time of a rail departure and leave within a reasonable time afterwards? How do we ensure we get the right type of bus or train or tram for the audiences using it? Overcrowding in normal times is not unknown, what ‘now and then’ relief can we bring to a table beyond seeking to manage peak and off-peak usage through fare increases or reductions? We want choice, we want better value for money and above all, a system which incorporates disabled people and their needs as well. Access, information, access to toilets at key locations as a right not a cost-benefit consideration is where new thinking and consultative inclusion is warranted. Making our transport safe, day and night and retention of walk-on, walk-off usage, not just pre-book airline styles. Unsure if available, but some app which shows busy routes and recommends alternatives beit bus, tram, boat, walking, cycling or rail, underground and/or overground – people need access to such information ‘on-the-go’ not just boards at principal stations and bus stops.

 

3.                  Chessington Line extension to Leatherhead including station for Chessington World of Adventures: Needs more research and a walking of the line noting any blockages or if a clear way what width. Photos welcome, maps and diagrams also for consideration. A dedicated volunteer could work on it. Must be reliable and able-bodied for the task please.

 

4.                  Crossrail 1 East-West: Crossrail is happening like it or not. Delayed, over budget yet the scope and scale commands a certain respect and once running will in all probability be well used.

 

5.                  Crossrail 2 [SW-NE]: This project is currently on hold, but again connects tube and trains with cross London access and outlets and will again provide capacity and choice.

 

6.                  Double-track Frimley Green – Ash Vale: Needs a dedicated volunteer to take pictures, make a case and show capacity. Photos, diagrams, maps and justification.

 

7.                  Extend Docklands Light Railway Bank – site of old Broad Street station (underground): needs a dedicated research volunteer to make or junk the case. Could be a variation on a theme, for example some have cited the idea of doing more with Tottenham-Moorgate subsurface tube which terminates at Moorgate, could it be extended (where?) and inform either a loop, connection with London Bridge and beyond or combination?

 

8.                  Extend LU lines:

a.  - Edgware – Stanmore-Watford: Would have to be in tunnels and sub-surface interfaces. Much of the old trajectory route developed over. Needs a critical study as to what may be feasible.

b. High Barnet-Napsbury-St Albans Abbey/Watford Branch links: This should be studied in conjunction with NR’s southern east-west rail link idea and integrated. The line could be extended in a fashion, beit above surface or tunnel or combination. It could go over or under M25 with Parkway Stations and integrate with the new east-west southern link, Napsbury new station and via a duck under, go on to link into a resuscitated second bay platform at St Albans Abbey for example.

c. Cockfosters – Potters Bar: This idea may mean tunnelling and sub-surface accesses integrating with existing stations and Potters Bar for outer suburban services going north and more relief/choices coming into London including of course direct access to North London and bus networks, rather than driving or going in and coming out which takes time, costs more and this idea would free up seats and reduce overcrowding in normal times.

d. Bakerloo Extension to Lewisham: This relatively new scheme is a welcome addition if delivered and LRT development right across south London should also be developed and cascade buses to busy routes to strengthen them, capacity and timetables.

 

9.                  Gospel Oak-Barking line (GOB) services integrated more with existing London services: The proposed extension to Barking Riverside is good, but other considerations using the same tracks including running onto the lines to Grays and beyond and vice versa. Likewise, at the western end, running via the Carlton Road Junctions Tunnels into a new platform/crossover platform interface at West Hampstead Thameslink could bring more benefits again in the making of interchanges outside the inner London areas and distributing usage more evenly. Gospel Oak, but for the busy North London Line, is a bit out on a limb and integrating with Thameslink for example could bring x2-way benefits and fresh vitality. That GOB network should extend eastwards to Barking Riverside and Abbey Wood via a Thames Tunnel. That GOB network should extend eastwards to West Hampstead -Dudding Hill – Acton – Kew Bridge -Heathrow.

10.             Heathrow Rail Links:

11.             Heathrow Southern Railway (short tunnel from Terminal 5 and then a mainly surface route parallel with the M25 to the new junction with the Windsor-Staines line. HSR will then continue alongside the M25 to a new junction with the Virginia Water–Weybridge/ Byfleet Junction line north of Chertsey. Could also incorporate old West Drayton - Staines West branch and be linked into reopening the old Great Central mail line in the longer term. This is laudable and a promoted scheme, however must integrate with others, share tracks and go on to a. link with OOC and b. tunnel to Chiltern Main Line for links including a west London orbital more and Aylesbury-Guildford arc.

12.             Improved pedestrian access between Dorking West/Dorking Deepdene: This is laudable and some detail on exactly how would be welcome.

13.             Light Rapid Transits should be allowed to grow organically via local planning systems in North/South/East/West/Central London e.g.  Croydon Tram link - extend to Crystal Palace and Lloyd Park curve eliminated (site of accident Autumn 2016): Laudable but needs more fine-tuning/work on detail and whether road space or off road for example.

14.             Lines, with better interchanges at stations along the existing route? Which route/where did you have in mind?

15.             London Orbital Railways: Agree the principle, but more detail of where – north, south, east and west. The lack of orbital rail links around east and west London for enabling through traffic from the radial rest of the country to and from the South East, South Coast and the Channel Tunnel.

16.             Muswell Hill Metro: Can they be asked to issue a statement for inclusion?

17.             New air-conditioned trains which are energy-efficient with regenerative braking: Where are we with these?

18.             New platforms Willesden Junction Low Level for London Midland and Southern services, thereby enabling interchange with North London Line, West London Line and LT Bakerloo Line. I am unfamiliar with this, needs more fine-honing/specifically/i.e. what is wrong currently?

19.             New rail link Southend Airport – Rayleigh/Pitsea parallel to A13, A130, A1245: Diagram needs working up. It would intercept these roads with suitable Parkway Station/s. Needs a reliable, local volunteer who can work the proposal up to a design specification and check on land – corridor availability? Photos and diagrams welcome as well for general use. Pitsea-Rayleigh new build project and Grays-Dartford railway tunnel under Thames for more by rail north-south including Woolwich-Southend Airport access direct and vice versa.

20.             New station Old Oak Common (interchange Crossrail 1/HS2/West London Line); it must be built before HS2 begins: Must incorporate Heathrow Links and a tunnel for direct link with Chiltern Main Line and vice versa running. There must be common access to tracks, not segregational or ‘our own tracks and no share’ sort of arrangements.

21.             New station on London Overground North London Line at North Acton (interchange with LT   Central Line and possibly Crossrail 1, adjacent Chiltern and First Great Western Services): Needs a reliable volunteer, knowledgeable to work it up.

22.             New station on London Overground West London Line at Battersea: More detail needed and independent assessment of feasibility, unless a TFL project already?

23.             North Downs Line: to be or not to be a. electrification and b. better integration, c. direct curve onto the Cranleigh line for Horsham looping back via Gatwick to Redhill and vice versa subject to capacity pathing issues. Guildford-Thameslink direct running from Redhill off East Croydon. Reading-Redhill utilisation of electric stock, avoids diesels in an otherwise electric area context? Some local seem mixed or against electrification whilst industry plays down third rail and prefers OHL in a third rail context?

24.             Re-open Bank-Aldwych (closed for sake of new lifts!) and old Fleet Line to Charing     Cross: needs updating, planting with City of London Corporation, TFL and others now, and what of new development, does it scupper it? Would a new line serving Aldwych be in order like Tottenham-Moorgate loop extension and/or LRT Network in the Central Zone?

25.             Restoring through services to Bromley North from London Bridge/Charing Cross etc.: More detail needed. A. What is wrong with current, b. what pathing/capacity? c. what gives/what takes?

26.             Sites close to railway lines offering potential locations for rail freight terminals and logistics centres must be protected from alternative transport proposals; these include disused railways and rail sidings: Identify, list more and a reliable volunteer to work up cases.

27.             Thames Tunnel Grays – Dartford (Lower Thames River Crossing scheme), built to HS1 standards, to include Crossrail 1 extension and cater for freight between ports and Channel Tunnel. Must be a rail project mainly, roads are 20^th C! Ditto Silvertown project, which is an environmental disaster waiting to happen?

28.             The lack of cross-Thames tunnels and bridges for north-south rail travel within London as well as getting more freight off the roads and back onto the rails, freeing up capacity/reducing hazards. Make common cause with objections to Silvertown Tunnel and argue it should be rail/invite their members (google) to the next London Meeting and put-on agenda.

29.             Up-grade on the District Line (with population increase crowding is set to increase on that line from Richmond in next 25 years; that line is also notoriously crowded in peak-hours between Earls Court and Westminster). Wat track works needed inc. at Richmond? Establish rapport with station manager and seek, when lock-down lifted, a notice board and station stall. Recruit reliable people to help out locally.

30. West Hampstead - new platforms for Chiltern Line services and possibly Metropolitan Line, thereby enabling interchange with North London Line, Thameslink and Jubilee Lines. Unsure, need more detail of feasibility. Float ideas with professionals/TFL/seek meetings and Borough Councils and discuss/if support fine.

31. Cricklewood-Action North West London Line – reinstatement of passenger services – must be done/supported/what is its status/flag up to all candidates on Mayoral Election. Wearing an ERTA hat, we’re supposed to be impartial and treat people equally.

32. Photos - I would also be prepared to take some photos with captions where relevant. Database/build a team and allocate areas/projects.

33. North Circular Corridor to Brent Cross - Presumably you are thinking about an LRT, which you had already covered as no.17 in your draft. LRT and/or Docklands extension, both should be looked at. Contact both TFL and Serco.

34. BML2 this would cover reopening Lewes - Uckfield, Tunbridge Wells Central - Eridge and Ashurst and Purley to Elmers End, new spurs at Edenbridge, plus new tunnels providing direct links to Brighton and from Lewisham to Stratford (Thameslink). Key interchanges at Groombridge and Purley Gate (where Purley-Elmers End crosses the Wealden line). It needs discussing. Find out promoters, establish status and work with delivery organisations/foster links/exploit for ERTA gain/members/money/events and razzamatazz. Think, what can we bring 'new' to it and will they reciprocate for Guildford-Shoreham etc?'

End.

This is purely consultation and please respect confidentiality/sensitivity at this time.

Yours sincerely,

Richard Pill

Vice Chairman and Campaigns Coordinator