East-West Rail (EWR): Consultation updates [not speculation]

[Kingham West]

I see no evidence to point to anything other than Route A (i.e the cheapeast option) being chosen.

The route WILL include the Cambridge South station, and once you've headed down that way, Cambourne is too far out of the way to make any sense.

Mal

Route A , was backed by user groups, has the lowest cost, and offers most housing potential, it does tick a lot of boxes .
Let’s just get on with it.

 

[mr_jrt]

Given the unfortunate situations across the whole route where the line cannot serve the main town centres (Milton Keynes, Cambridge, St. Neots/Sandy) it would be madness to pass up an opportunity to at least do so in the one location where it is possible - Bedford. That means routes D or E. Bassingbourn is a short distance from the existing rail line, so already effectively has rail access, which means route E via Cambourne makes by far the most sense for modal share growth. Route A may well be cheaper, but if other routes give better returns on investment, surely that's what you've got to be looking at. I'd much prefer route E came into Cambridge using the old St. Ives route, but I'll more than take it as offerred.

 

[Kingham West]

Given the unfortunate situations across the whole route where the line cannot serve the main town centres (Milton Keynes, Cambridge, St. Neots/Sandy) it would be madness to pass up an opportunity to at least do so in the one location where it is possible - Bedford. That means routes D or E. Bassingbourn is a short distance from the existing rail line, so already effectively has rail access, which means route E via Cambourne makes by far the most sense for modal share growth. Route A may well be cheaper, but if other routes give better returns on investment, surely that's what you've got to be looking at. I'd much prefer route E came into Cambridge using the old St. Ives route, but I'll more than take it as offerred.

You may be right , but let’s get on with it , 38 yrs campaigning , I don’t want 50 more reports , just build it .

In this case the best is the enemy of the good.

 

[camflyer]

You may be right , but let’s get on with it , 38 yrs campaigning , I don’t want 50 more reports , just build it .

In this case the best is the enemy of the good.

Indeed. I'm past caring which route is chosen. Let's just get on with it.

 

[Glenn1969]

Given that they still haven't started bullding Oxford to Bicester isn't Bedford to Cambridge likely not to open until after 2035 whichever route they choose and if funding is actually forthcoming?

 

[JonathanH]

Given that they still haven't started bullding Oxford to Bicester isn't Bedford to Cambridge likely not to open until after 2035 whichever route they choose and if funding is actually forthcoming?

I suspect you mean Bicester to Bletchley rather than Oxford to Bicester which clearly has been built. Isn't enabling work underway on Bicester to Bletchley?

 

[Glenn1969]

Yes I do- apologies

 

[Kingham West]

Given that they still haven't started bullding Oxford to Bicester isn't Bedford to Cambridge likely not to open until after 2035 whichever route they choose and if funding is actually forthcoming?

Oxford -Bicester operating rather well, officials studying inspectors delayed recommendations , Minister will responding due course.
Should see some works by June, fingers crossed..

 

[work-traveller]

EWR2 TWAO now expected to be authorised Q1 2020.

 

[adrock1976]

I am unsure if this thread is intended to be a "master thread" for everything East West Rail, but I have started a new thread in the Speculative Ideas section regarding a possible clockface timetable along the Oxford - Bedford section.

See https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-section-clockface-timetable-taktplan.197819/

 

[Neen Sollars]

EWR2 TWAO now expected to be authorised Q1 2020.

With the budget expected in February post UK leaving the EU, is the authorisation of the TWAO for EWR2 - the green light, something the Chancellor might announce in the budget? He may also give an update on the Bedford to Cambridge EWR3 section given its elevation to a strategic project. I know this is not new news, but when did that stop a politician presenting it as such?

 

[hooverboy]

With the budget expected in February post UK leaving the EU, is the authorisation of the TWAO for EWR2 - the green light, something the Chancellor might announce in the budget? He may also give an update on the Bedford to Cambridge EWR3 section given its elevation to a strategic project. I know this is not new news, but when did that stop a politician presenting it as such?

it will be a rehashed ,polished turd, same as usual, with plenty of grandstanding from politicians that like a game of corporate BS bingo.

Nobody really has any idea thinking long term, so what would have been a good opportunity remodelling bedford station right now due to the MML electrification will totally go to waste as the departments didnt talk to each other....maybe a decade or two from now someone will think connecting it all is a good idea.

 

[Neen Sollars]

Nobody really has any idea thinking long term, so what would have been a good opportunity remodelling bedford station right now due to the MML electrification will totally go to waste as the departments didnt talk to each other....maybe a decade or two from now someone will think connecting it all is a good idea.[/QUOTE]

Yep, thats politics for you. If the long shot route is chosen as speculated above (Route E Bedford Midland, St Neots, Cambourne, Camb north and central) then there will be a major remodelling of Bedford Midland, and really it should be the first phase of EWR3 because EWR2 will stop just before Bedford St Johns, a brand new 100 mph double track line ending in a switch to a 10 mph curve into Bedford St Johns.

 

[hooverboy]

Nobody really has any idea thinking long term, so what would have been a good opportunity remodelling bedford station right now due to the MML electrification will totally go to waste as the departments didnt talk to each other....maybe a decade or two from now someone will think connecting it all is a good idea.

Yep, thats politics for you. If the long shot route is chosen as speculated above (Route E Bedford Midland, St Neots, Cambourne, Camb north and central) then there will be a major remodelling of Bedford Midland, and really it should be the first phase of EWR3 because EWR2 will stop just before Bedford St Johns, a brand new 100 mph double track line ending in a switch to a 10 mph curve into Bedford St Johns.[/QUOTE]

and if route E is chosen then the st johns option is not viable either.The marston line needs to join MML at kempston, run into bedford midland on the mainline, and then split off again toward cambridge north of bedford on the slows in the clapham/sharnbrook area.

 

[Neen Sollars]

Yep, thats politics for you. If the long shot route is chosen as speculated above (Route E Bedford Midland, St Neots, Cambourne, Camb north and central) then there will be a major remodelling of Bedford Midland, and really it should be the first phase of EWR3 because EWR2 will stop just before Bedford St Johns, a brand new 100 mph double track line ending in a switch to a 10 mph curve into Bedford St Johns.

and if route E is chosen then the st johns option is not viable either.The marston line needs to join MML at kempston, run into bedford midland on the mainline, and then split off again toward cambridge north of bedford on the slows in the clapham/sharnbrook area.[/QUOTE]

Noted. Thanks

 

[hooverboy]

and if route E is chosen then the st johns option is not viable either.The marston line needs to join MML at kempston, run into bedford midland on the mainline, and then split off again toward cambridge north of bedford on the slows in the clapham/sharnbrook area.

Noted. Thanks[/QUOTE]
in terms of minimum disruption,the best place for marston line to join MML would be between stewartby and milbrook.
use the biomass quarry as a ramp down to dive under the MML-it's already dug for you, so earthworks can be minimised.Shouldn't be any objections as to tearing up fields or creating eyesores-it's already brownfield.

Then ramp up on the correct(slow) side of MML.
A stop at wixams/elstow can still be created as was wished by beds county council.

the drawback would be st johns,kempston hardwick and stewartby would have vastly reduced service(if at all)

 

[DarloRich]

use the biomass quarry as a ramp down to dive under the MML-it's already dug for you, so earthworks can be minimised.Shouldn't be any objections as to tearing up fields or creating eyesores-it's already brownfield.

Then ramp up on the correct(slow) side of MML.
A stop at wixams/elstow can still be created as was wished by beds county council.

because it is just that easy. Sigh.

Nobody really has any idea thinking long term, so what would have been a good opportunity remodelling bedford station right now due to the MML electrification will totally go to waste as the departments didnt talk to each other....maybe a decade or two from now someone will think connecting it all is a good idea.

this post illustrates the problem between reality and perfect world. The people involved in these projects will know, and this might be hard for you to grasp, absolutely that combining the work would be sensible. They will be talking to each other. The problem is money and money is controlled by the politicians and if they wont cough up it ain't happening. Guess what.............................

 

[work-traveller]

With the budget expected in February post UK leaving the EU, is the authorisation of the TWAO for EWR2 - the green light, something the Chancellor might announce in the budget?

He could do - if he can find a way of dressing up the changed scope as a positive.

 

[The Planner]

He could do - if he can find a way of dressing up the changed scope as a positive.

That will be impressive

 

[petersi]

EWR2 TWAO now expected to be authorised Q1 2020.

With the government reviewing all projects. Is this still the case

 

[Andyjs247]

It should be up to Grant Shapps as Secretary of State at the DfT to announce. The TWAO process is being driven by DfT and EWR2 is supposedly fully funded.

 

[Tobbes]

It should be up to Grant Shapps as Secretary of State at the DfT to announce. The TWAO process is being driven by DfT and EWR2 is supposedly fully funded.

Chancellors have a long history of being able to announce things in other Departments' purview if there are favourable headlines in it-- and indeed the reverse!

 

[Tobbes]

Question for @ChiefPlanner or @Bald Rick -- is this TWAO the last legislative hurdle for EWR? Or does this only take it as far as Bedford - forgive my confusiono on where we are (I presumed Bedford unless they're selecting the Bed-Cambs route at the same time?)

 

[Bald Rick]

Question for @ChiefPlanner or @Bald Rick -- is this TWAO the last legislative hurdle for EWR? Or does this only take it as far as Bedford - forgive my confusiono on where we are (I presumed Bedford unless they're selecting the Bed-Cambs route at the same time?)

This is just for the Western section, Bicester - Bedford.

The central section (Bedford to Cambridge), if it happens, will be a Development Consent Order. Expect that to take at least 2 years from submission and it’s some time away from submission yet - it will need a route confirmation, further design work, another round of statutory consultation to show the confirmed final position, final design work and Environmental Statement prep (amongst other things). I don’t know where they are with this but I’d be surprised if it was submitted before end 2021 / early 2022.

 

[adrock1976]

I would like to seek clarification regarding the Bedford - Cambridge section.

Has the original alignment between Bedford St Johns and Sandy been totally ruled out?

I am aware that the original alignment between Sandy and Cambridge has the telescope on a three mile section of the trackbed.

 

[Tobbes]

This is just for the Western section, Bicester - Bedford.

The central section (Bedford to Cambridge), if it happens, will be a Development Consent Order. Expect that to take at least 2 years from submission and it’s some time away from submission yet - it will need a route confirmation, further design work, another round of statutory consultation to show the confirmed final position, final design work and Environmental Statement prep (amongst other things). I don’t know where they are with this but I’d be surprised if it was submitted before end 2021 / early 2022.

Excellent, very many thanks @Bald Rick

 

[DaveN]

Has the original alignment between Bedford St Johns and Sandy been totally ruled out?

Yes. All 5 of the consulted routes were either South or North of Bedford and South or North of the original alignment at the East Coast mainline. See https://eastwestrail.co.uk/haveyoursay

 

[mr_jrt]

I would like to seek clarification regarding the Bedford - Cambridge section.

Has the original alignment between Bedford St Johns and Sandy been totally ruled out?

I am aware that the original alignment between Sandy and Cambridge has the telescope on a three mile section of the trackbed.

I thought the telescope has now gone? Plenty of other hurdles, but that one at least I think is off the board.

EDIT:
Just went and looked, they were moved in 2004, but it was more of a reconfiguration than a removal. Most of the track bed is now clear, as the equipment is now a compact 2 dimensional array rather than a linear one. Some of the trackbed is still blocked however, but moving the remaining equipment a few metres north wouldn't be too great an issue. More of an issue would be the interference from having an active railway running alongside, I suspect. Especially if electrified.

 

[edwin_m]

Bing Maps shows 8 dishes close together, five of which are on the line of the tracks. It also shows a new development blocking the line at the western edge of Trumpington, then a primary school playing field. Then the P&R site and the busway on into Cambridge, which is an important local transport mode whether you like it or not (and if you don't then it could be converted to light rail and would still be just as much of a problem for heavy rail use). I'm not sure if the M11 ever bridged this route - if not the railway would probably have to ramp up and over it.

 

[D365]

Long story short, even if the railway was reinstated from Sandy to Trumpington, the P&R and guided busway would have to be obliterated.

I believe the intention is also for EWR to serve the "Cambridge South" station, if it goes via Trumpington it wouldn't connect to the station that is currently proposed.