Re: Greenford branch. Passenger numbers have reduced significantly since the service was terminated at the outpost of West Ealing (to make way for the new 8 car Hayes -Paddington service). Passenger numbers are based on informmation I received to a freedom of information request I put in to Transport for London. And the reason why passenger numbers have reduced so much is because of the inconvenience of the somewhat haphazard connection at West Ealing and the fact that GWR have kept to the 30 minute interval service on the Greenford line. There isn't even any seating or shelters on Greenford/Paddington platform (see photo attached) - talk about passenger unfriendly!
I did suggest to GWR that what would have been a good idea was to maintain the two train service on the Greenford branch to offer a 15 minute service during peak times between Greenford - West Ealing (this might have even enhanced passenger numbers) and then to stand down the 8 car Hayes - Paddington service outside peak times with the Greenford service being extended to Paddington as before as a 30 minute interval service (two car service quite adequate between West Ealing - Paddington during off peak times). This way passengers on the Greenford line would have got an enhanced service during peak times (to compensate for the loss of the through service during peak times) and peak hour travellers from West Ealing would have got extra capacity (during peak times the two car Greenford service was completely rammed West Ealing - Paddington).
With a 15 minute interval service during peak times on the Greenford line it wouldn't matter so much about the connection from Paddington not being perfect because even if you just miss the Greenford service there would be another train along in about 8 mins (so, at least, there would be somewhere to sit down).
When Crossrail is fully up and running then obviously there would be no question of the Greenford service running through to Paddington so what then ? I think the service should at least run to Ealing Broadway (it did this even back in the days of steam). But how and what about the platform space ? Here's a possible scenario: When Crossrail is fully up and running I expect a lot of passengers who currently take the Central line from Ealing Broadway to central London will prefer to take the faster Crossrail service. So, if a less frequent service is then acceptable on the Central line how about the Central line gives up its two platrforms at Ealing Broadway and instead makes do with one platform (i.e. the 3rd platform on the District Line). Then build a single line track from West Ealing to Ealing Broadway to take the Greenford service. There is some space on the side between West Ealing and Ealing Broadway but there would, of course, be the need for some tunnelling.
Then, if you really wanted to be ambitious, how about the conversion of the Greenford line to a new tube line and extend it onto the Central line at Greenford. Then to run to Ruislip Gardends, go around the Central line depot and then join the Metropolitan line to Uxbridge. This could perhaps be known as a London Link Line - i.e. linking the rail and bus hub of Ealing Broadway (with its busy commercial and retail) to the bus hub of Uxbridge (also with it's busy commercial and retail). On the way it would also link up with the Chiltern line at South Ruislip.
And if you wanted to be really, really ambitious how about extending the present Barking to Gospel Oak service to Willsden Junction and then to Ealing Broadway via Acton Main Line (and to use the other adjacent vacant Central line platform). Thus, you would then have a London Link service running from Barking in the east to Uxbridge in the west in two sections: Uxbridge - Ealing Broadway and Ealing Broadway - Barking.
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