Chalvey Halt, Slough

[LexyBoy]

From the BBC:

Chalvey rail station plan goes out to public
Views are being sought on plans to build a new railway station in Berkshire.

Slough Borough Council has launched a four-week consultation asking residents in Chalvey if they want a new stop on the line between Slough and Windsor.

A single unmanned platform is proposed on the line currently operated by First Great Western.

Chalvey last had a railway station in 1929 but it closed the following year after just 14 months. (read more)

Having looked at the map, I can see why it closed so quickly - it's less than a mile from Slough station! Although there seems to be some new housing development in the area since 1930 it's not a lot bigger. I'm not familiar with the area but can't see much demand for the station - Slough would be more conveniently accessed directly, and there can't be that much demand for Windsor? Also surely it would be something to assess after the impact of Crossrail is known.

That said I'm generally in favour of more local stations where it doesn't have a negative impact on other services, as it wouldn't here.

Is this consultation then just a sop to regeneration or are Slough seriously considering stumping up (presumably millions) for this stop? Given the unhappy saga of the (much more promisingly sited) Green Park station I don't hold out too much hope.

 

[Tiny Tim]

As local authorities provide considerable funding for new stations it's no surprise that they want some say in where they go! Slough Borough Council won't be worrying too much about other users of the trains, it's their council tax payers who vote for them. Or not.

 

[The Planner]

No wonder it will be un-manned, Chalvey is a bit rough.....

 

[Rich McLean]

If it is built, only peak trains will call there I guess

 

[ainsworth74]

No wonder it will be un-manned, Chalvey is a bit rough.....

If it is built, perhaps the new station could be called Chavley?

 

[-HarleyD-]

Wow, Is it just my past life as a revenue officer or can anyone else see that this is as inviting a revenue free for all. Scrotes coming into Slough will all jump on the Windsor train and get off at Chalvey. Then walk back into town just as they do at Reading West when going to Reading. Gateline neatly avoided and scrotes on a freebie, FGW may as well remove the gates at Slough and save the money spent manning them.

 

[Eagle]

If it is built, only peak trains will call there I guess

Peak Crossrail trains (which will replace the FGW stopping services), I suppose?

 

[gswindale]

Peak Crossrail trains (which will replace the FGW stopping services), I suppose?

Why would Crossrail divert down the Windsor branch?

Surely the existing self-contained shuttle will be more than suitable to have a few services stopping there in the peaks?

 

[Eagle]

Ah no, I misread the map (thought it was on the mainline).

 

[CarltonA]

-HarleyD- has it right. This would be a fare evaders paradise. A possible intermediate halt on the Windsor branch would be near the road into Eton Wick which could serve the north end of Eton and Eton Wick/Dorney in the other direction. I don't think either will happen anytime soon though.