Lea Bridge station

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Has anyone any recently updated news about the eventual proposed re-opening of this railway station?

 

[scott118]

you seriously think that it will re-open? on what basis, post Olympics?

 

[bluenoxid]

you seriously think that it will re-open? on what basis, post Olympics?

March 2016 is the target date for opening

£5.5m from Westfield Shopping Centre, £5m from the council, £1m plus from New Stations Fund

Clearance work started recently.

Read the comments on this http://www.londonreconnections.com/2013/lea-bridge-lives-again/

 

[Mojo]

you seriously think that it will re-open? on what basis, post Olympics?

Its fairly common knowledge (at least locally) that the station will be reopening. Indeed, work has already begun on clearing the site http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/13216176.display/

 

[swt_passenger]

you seriously think that it will re-open? on what basis, post Olympics?

It is one of four new or re-opened stations announced a couple of years ago, mainly funded by DfT. Two of the other three are now open, with a third being progressed. There's no reason that Lea Bridge won't get through the current planning delays, which are mainly internal NR issues with the freight companies.

 

[EM2]

From the local newspaper, dated 01/06/15:
http://www.thisislocallondon.co.uk/news/londonnews/13216176.New_opening_date_for_station_closed_in_1985/

Work has finally begun to re-open Lea Bridge station 30 years after its closure, in a move which is hoped will kick start the regeneration of the area.

Work on the £12million project was due to start in January this year, following a lengthy campaign by residents, rail users and councillors.

But it was put on hold when rail operators raised objections during the consultation period.

Network Rail has now revealed clearing work has begun at the site and set an opening date of March next year.

And from 25/03/15:
http://www.eppingforestguardian.co.uk/news/waltham_forest/11878161.Station_re_opening_delayed_after_operators__objections/

A £12million project to bring a train station back into use has been delayed.

Lea Bridge Road station in Leyton, which was closed in 1985, was due to open at the end of this year, with work set to begin in January.

However, objections from unnamed rail operators during a consultation has delayed the project.

Leader of Waltham Forest council, Chris Robbins, said: “We are committed to re-opening Lea Bridge Station for our residents and want Network Rail to begin construction works as soon as possible.

“To do this, a number of processes have to be followed. A key requirement is for Network Rail to consult on the proposal with the rail industry as part of their ‘Network Change’ process.

“Three rail freight operators raised objections during the consultation regarding the new station proposals.

Mr Robbins added he is confident the council and contractors can work with objectors to solve the issues.

“The re-opening of Lea Bridge station is a long term objective that will form the centrepiece of wider plans to rejuvenate the area and we, along with Network Rail, the Government and the Mayor fully support the scheme and are determined to make it happen,” he said.

The line will serve Stratford and many believe it will boost the local economy.

 

[MrPIC]

Work seems to have begun on Lea Bridge Road, a tarmac road has been laid from Orient Way sidings, and last time I went by the foliage was removed along with some of the platform flag stones.

 

[jopsuk]

Went through on Tuesday- certainly looked like an active project site!

 

[Busaholic]

If ever a station needed to be staffed for safety reasons, it's Lea Bridge Rd. I used it once about forty years ago, in daylight, it was creepy and I was in my twenties. No good saying CCTV, that might help you find the attacker(s) but maybe too late by then. Overground would have to staff but will it come under them? The immediate surrounding area AFAIK remains pretty bleak. Maybe reopening should be left until after more development (yes, I know, chicken and egg).

 

[MrPIC]

It wouldn't be part of LO as no LO lines run through it. Maybe if they re-opened Hall Farm curve and ran Chingford's via Stratford, but if it open within 12 months it would be a GA station I reckon. I think when it opens before the surrounding re-develoment has taken place it may get an Angel Road style service, because as you say, the surrounding area is pretty grim. The main users will probably be GA staff travelling to/from Orient Way!

 

[Steve wakerly]

Leaflet came through letter box from Waltham forest council, about a mini. Hoyland around lea bridge station. gives information about redevelopment of the station area.

www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/work-in-your-area/lea-bridge-road.

 

[hwl]

It wouldn't be part of LO as no LO lines run through it. Maybe if they re-opened Hall Farm curve and ran Chingford's via Stratford, but if it open within 12 months it would be a GA station I reckon. I think when it opens before the surrounding re-develoment has taken place it may get an Angel Road style service, because as you say, the surrounding area is pretty grim. The main users will probably be GA staff travelling to/from Orient Way!

The TfL order for new LO stock has add on options some of which are for stock to run Stratford - WAML services (aka Stratford to Angel Road StAR) so that appears to be the medium term plan.

 

[IanD]

Leaflet came through letter box from Waltham forest council, about a mini. Hoyland around lea bridge station. gives information about redevelopment of the station area.

www.enjoywalthamforest.co.uk/work-in-your-area/lea-bridge-road.

Not another bloody mini Holland. They did one in the Grove Road area - blocked all the raods to motorists then gave absolutely no clue as to how you were supposed to get anywhere. Cars reversing all over the place as they came across a blockage. Badly thought out scheme, probably imagineered one Friday afternoon after a session in the King William IV.

 

[MrPIC]

The TfL order for new LO stock has add on options some of which are for stock to run Stratford - WAML services (aka Stratford to Angel Road StAR) so that appears to be the medium term plan.

What is this StAR thing? If its just a service from Stratford to Angel Road that seems pretty pointless, unless its about increasing BIS-STR services, or sending Hertford trains that way? Does this plan also mean TFL taking over more WA lines?

 

[mr_jrt]

What is this StAR thing? If its just a service from Stratford to Angel Road that seems pretty pointless, unless its about increasing BIS-STR services, or sending Hertford trains that way? Does this plan also mean TFL taking over more WA lines?

The end-game is to 4-track the WAML.

The first stage is to lay a 3rd track from Coppermill Junction to Angel Road to offer a 2tph shuttle as you can't fit more local services into the current timetable without impacting the mainline services. This is StAR. The original plan (see p11) was to have a 3rd track all the way to Brimsdown, with a 4th track between Angel Road & Ponders End (with a 4tph shuttle), but this has proved unaffordable, presumably due to the costs of closing the level crossings (StAR only needs to close Northumberland Park's - making follow-on projects more viable). The gold-plated end-game option was a full 4 track route, enabling a 6tph shuttle. Regardless, ultimately these service will eventually enable the current services to run through non-stop, increasing mainline capacity.

The next stage probably relies on Crossrail 2, which will justify finishing the job, and delivers 4 tracks all (or at least most of) the way to Cheshunt, if not Broxbourne.

Personally, I'd like to see the 4-tracks ultimately extend south through Lea Bridge all the way to Stratford to keep freight out of the way, but I seem to be in a bit of a minority with the FOCs in objecting to Lea Bridge's rebuilt ticket office being built on the land needed for the second pair of lines to save money (despite the brilliant BCR of the reopening even if it cost more to rebuild a new ticket office over the tracks as it used to have...)

 

[Clip]

If ever a station needed to be staffed for safety reasons, it's Lea Bridge Rd. I used it once about forty years ago, in daylight, it was creepy and I was in my twenties. No good saying CCTV, that might help you find the attacker(s) but maybe too late by then. Overground would have to staff but will it come under them? The immediate surrounding area AFAIK remains pretty bleak. Maybe reopening should be left until after more development (yes, I know, chicken and egg).

To be fair a lot has changed in the last 40 years or so . The 'Stow is becoming nicer by the week don't ya know

 

[Hackneyite]

Mr jrt "The first stage is to lay a 3rd track from Coppermill Junction to Angel Road to offer a 2tph shuttle as you can't fit more local services into the current timetable without impacting the mainline services. This is StAR"

All the literature I've read states that the third track is for 4tph, to enable massive house building in Tottenham and Edmonton. That's why Haringey and Enfield are making substantial contributions towards the project. Tottenham Hale already gets a 2tph service!

 

[swt_passenger]

Surely the aim is to provide for a 2 tph short working shuttle to Angel Rd in addition to the existing 2 tph service running beyond?

 

[Hackneyite]

Surely the aim is to provide for a 2 tph short working shuttle to Angel Rd in addition to the existing 2 tph service running beyond?

Northumberland Park only has one train to Stratford each hour. The Angel Road service is hopeless. I'm sure the project is for three-tracking Coppermil Junction- Angel Road for 4tph, with passive provision for a fourth track.

 

[mr_jrt]

Indeed, the proposed 2tph shuttle is on top of the current service. The 4tph and 6tph options (with all the infrastructure that would entail) would probably remove stopping services from the existing lines.

 

[swt_passenger]

Northumberland Park only has one train to Stratford each hour. The Angel Road service is hopeless. I'm sure the project is for three-tracking Coppermil Junction- Angel Road for 4tph, with passive provision for a fourth track.

The project definition is in the public domain, it's described in the CP5 enhancements plan, in which it cross refers to the fact it is doing the first part of the capacity improvements in the London and South East RUS; this is indeed only 3 track as far as Angel Rd.

To relieve overcrowding and absorb additional forecast growth on the West Anglia Main Line the project shall aim to implement the southern part of recommendation C2b included within the July 2011 London and South East RUS: 4 trains per hour (tph) Lea Valley to Stratford service (detailed on LSE RUS page 117). It will develop a scheme targeted at increasing the frequency of Lea Valley line services to Stratford. The current strategic plan is to increase capacity on the West Anglia route by providing an additional pair of tracks from Coppermill Junction northwards towards Broxbourne. This scheme will implement the first part of this, and is intended to address the medium-term demand arising from industrial and residential developments in the vicinity of Lea Bridge, Tottenham Hale, Northumberland Park and Angel Road stations with a view to achieving a standard 4 tph service between Stratford and Angel Road Stations

Seems fairly clear it is a progressive change, three tracking followed by eventual four tracking.

 

[JaJaWa]

Transport Minister sees construction begin on £11.6 million new railway station in Waltham Forest

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon visited East London today (10 July 2015) to mark the start of works on a brand-new rail station that will transform travel for residents of Waltham Forest.

The transport minister joined representatives from Waltham Forest Council for a ground-breaking ceremony at the site of Lea Bridge station, a £11.6 million facility partly-funded by the government’s New Stations Fund. The station was last operational in 1985 and, when it re-opens in Spring 2016, will give passengers smoother and quicker journeys.

Transport Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said:

Lea Bridge Station is a great example of how our record investment in the railway is providing better journeys and boosting local economies. When the new station opens next year, passengers will benefit from new connections and faster journeys into central London and beyond. It is great news that work is now underway.

Passengers using Lea Bridge will be able to travel to the interchange stations of Stratford or Tottenham Hale in around 5 minutes, in contrast to the current bus journey, which takes 30 to 40 minutes. Initially 2 trains per hour will serve the station, rising to 4 trains per hour in 2018.

The station, which is on the route between Bishops Stortford and Stratford, is 1 of 5 to receive funding from the first round of the New Stations Fund, with the government putting £1.1 million into its construction. The other 4 stations to have benefited from the first round of funding are:

• Pye Corner in Wales
• Ilkeston in Derbyshire
• Kenilworth in Warwickshire
• Newcourt in Devon

Earlier this week, the Chancellor announced a further round of the fund, with up to £20 million available to provide even more new stations.

Following his visit to Lea Bridge, the minister travelled to the Crossrail Tunnelling and Underground Construction Academy (TUCA) in Ilford, a purpose-built training facility for engineers working on the Crossrail programme. Workers are trained in key skills such as tunnel excavation, underground construction and infrastructure, as part of a wider investment in jobs and skills which the Crossrail project has created.

Lord Ahmad toured the facilities and met with apprentices, the next generation of underground construction workers whose skills are vital to the delivery of Crossrail and future projects such as HS2.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lord-ahmad-celebrates-start-of-work-on-lea-bridge-station

Update from GOV.UK. Opening now Spring 2016.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Normally, how many stations would £20 million help to construct these days?

 

[transmanche]

Normally, how many stations would £20 million help to construct these days?

Well Lea Bridge is going to cost £11.6m, the Cambridge North station about £23m. So approx one or two stations I reckon!

 

[jon0844]

Nice to hear it's finally going ahead, and will have virtually no impact on timings given how slow the train crawls to/from Stratford anyway!

Of course, psychologically, it might seem as if the service is slower as a result.

 

[AndrewS_Hatton]

This fact seems worthy of note.

I was enquiring about the station as a terminus for the stage coach to Walthamstow, before a rail connection was established to the City of London in 1873 and came across a closed thread.

So I was unable to post a link to this notice from London Borough of Waltham Forest last July .

I am not sure exactly how the work is progressing and hope a reader is better informed than me and will update the thread.

 

[Max]

Work is firmly underway, looked to have progressed quite significantly last time I went past (a couple of weeks ago). I can't see any pictures online - I'll see if I can catch one next time I'm in the area.

 

[Phil.]

Well Lea Bridge is going to cost £11.6m, the Cambridge North station about £23m. So approx one or two stations I reckon!

£11,600,000 seems a tidy sum to re-instate a station.

 

[Chris125]

Just come across the following on Flickr:


Lea Bridge Road Station by Nicholas Middleton, on Flickr

 

[MrPIC]

I heard that the plan is for a 3rd track from Lea Bridge to Angel Road, with buffers at the Angel Road end (no points back on the Up and Dn Cambridge), and points back onto the TM lines London end. One train going up and down all day. Unsure on the reliability of this gossip though!