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Powderhall branch to close
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Highlandspring
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The Powderhall branch is already closed and permanently Network Changed out of use.
I didn't realise it had already closed. Do you know when this happened?
Highlandspring
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October 2017.
The waste transfer facility (that was the only user of the line) closed down after structural and environmental issues were discovered.
Previous thread on the waste trains
Previous thread on the waste trains
I
if the abbeyhill loop is ever to be re-instated NR need to keep ownership of part of it.
But what use would the line going out to Leith Walk or Easter Road be?
Surely the only useful section to hold onto would be up to the Abbeyhill junction?
Well yes, but I'm just thinking it would be easier to sever and secure the line further along to begin with.
Protecting the solum from Abbeyhill to Easter Road may be sensible for potential stabling but I can’t think of a reason for keeping the Powderhall line past a potential Abbeyhill junction.
I was supporting that but you don’t need a line to Easter Road for that.
An update on the progress of turning this line in a cycle path. The waste transfer site will be turned into houses at some point, seems a bit pointless to keep a dead end line designated as a "strategic rail freight link" past Easter Road.
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloa...rth_east_locality_committee_business_bulletin
http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/downloa...rth_east_locality_committee_business_bulletin
You have no idea how difficult it is to get something off the list once it has been designated a strategic site. All it takes is for one of the FOC's to raise an objection even if there is no real prospect of any freight running from the site again. The lack of stabling facilities around Edinburgh (see WCR's use of the Portobello maintenance area for stabling their 37) may be what scuppers this one.
Highlandspring
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Freightliner specialise in this; they nearly managed to entirely prevent the electrification of the Paisley Canal branch due to their objection to the Network Change on the basis of restricted access to the long abandoned Hawkhead fuel terminal.
Photohunter71
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It looks like there are houses or some high rise structure built on or very close to the line as it runs by the Meadowbank shopping centre. I think it would be a good thing to keep the abbeyhill to meadowbank/Jock's Lodge section, but seeing there will be no future requirement for the Powderhall branch, then ultimately it makes sense to remove it. The Powderhall branch will in all essence eventually become a cycleway.
It's akin to the Leith branch from Portobello, there is really nothing that runs down there.
It's akin to the Leith branch from Portobello, there is really nothing that runs down there.
Would they really need to use the entire line as a stabling facility, and not just say, the line to Easter Road?
If the route past Powderhall hadn't been obliterated, there might have been a case to look at reinstating the line to the former Leith Citadel station.
But now that the Powderhall waste transfer station is no more, as others have said, there doesn't seem to be any point in retaining the line past Easter Road (for stabling) or Abbeyhill junction for trains to connect to Waverley as secondary/back up loop.
But now that the Powderhall waste transfer station is no more, as others have said, there doesn't seem to be any point in retaining the line past Easter Road (for stabling) or Abbeyhill junction for trains to connect to Waverley as secondary/back up loop.
It looks like the council are moving forward with plans to convert the Powderhall branch into a cycle path.
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC374371
https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=DEC374371
Seems a sensible use of the line. I Assume that ownership of the solum will transfer from Network Rail to Edinburgh Council and sufficient will be retained to allow for any re-opening of the Abbeyhill loop or stabling requirements?
Photohunter71
Member
With the waste transfer site gone, I would imagine that a cycle path is inevitable. However if network rail have improvement plans for the Eastern side of waverley station, surely retaining a good portion of the line is worth considering?
Funny things about housing developments is that people tend to need transport links...
Is there anything about this freight line which makes it unsuitable or awkward to use for passenger trains catering to the new residents of the former waste site?
Edit: having perused the maps, it looks like a rail service towards Granton Castle may be an option discarded a long time ago.
Edit: having perused the maps, it looks like a rail service towards Granton Castle may be an option discarded a long time ago.
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NotATrainspott
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There is no public transport need for the former Powderhall branch other than the section required for the Waverley eastern approaches capacity upgrade project. West of the Lochend Butterfly the line is best made a cycle path, similar to most other former suburban rail lines in Edinburgh. The city has one of the best bus networks and is extending/completing its tram network now, so there is no one asking for a rail service. Rail is only really suitable as a way for outer suburbs, exurbs and distant towns to retain a commuter connection into an urban centre that can provide graduate employment. As Powderhall is actually inside such an urban area, it's got nothing to worry about.
Exactly right.
There are long term plans to reconnect the Abbeyhill loop.
Is that still possible? Aerial pictures show new development at the former junction off the Powderhall line - have they left enough space?
NotATrainspott
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Yes.
https://edinburghcouncil.maps.arcgi...ndex.html?id=d1e3d872be424df5b89469de72bb03bd
This is the map that goes alongside the most recent Local Development Plan. It's a document that the council put out every once in a while and it sets out the guidelines for any major new developments planned in the council area. It's unusual for schemes to go ahead which weren't included in the most recent plan, and any developments that do go ahead will find it incredibly difficult, if not impossible, to then preclude other unrelated ideas in the LDP.
In this case you can see that the entire Abbeyhill loop is included in the LDP. The various local stations which used to be along this line, and the entire South Suburban line, are also included. Being in the LDP doesn't mean that something will go ahead, but in this case it would mean the council would have good reason to reject any proposals which prevented these stations being reopened.
The existing plans for future tram lines in Edinburgh are also included on this plan. Even without an active tram extension project or proposal, it will be almost impossible for someone to get planning approval which would block these tram routes.
Also on the map you can see the council has put the rest of the Powderhall branch as a future active travel route, just as you would expect. If NR did sell it up, then people wouldn't be able to buy little parcels of it and build things unless they provided for the active travel route to continue through.
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