Great Western Electrification Progress

[59CosG95]

Back on topic (sort of); are the wires going any further west of Temple Meads? It would be a shame logistically not to extend them beyond there for freight use. While a full-blown extension to Portbury may be over the top, wiring up the Bristol Freightliner Railport (just west of Parson St) may be of use.

 

[fgwrich]

Few pictures that may be of interest to some. Seems to be more small line parts up between Reading and Cholsey way, more scrapings and piles in between Didcot and Swindon, then it get's rather patchy to Parkway and Patchway, while on the other side there's been a fair amount of piling between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. Interesting to see the OHLE up in Reading Depot, some sidings in Swindon and at the Parkway Hitachi depot.

 

[59CosG95]

Few pictures that may be of interest to some. Seems to be more small line parts up between Reading and Cholsey way, more scrapings and piles in between Didcot and Swindon, then it get's rather patchy to Parkway and Patchway, while on the other side there's been a fair amount of piling between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. Interesting to see the OHLE up in Reading Depot, some sidings in Swindon and at the Parkway Hitachi depot.

I got a similar amount of info when I passed through about 3 weeks ago-though I didn't see the OLE at Filton Triangle TMD!

 

[Peter Mugridge]

I saw a number of foundation piles on the Berks and Hants near Thatcham on Monday.

 

[fgwrich]

I saw a number of foundation piles on the Berks and Hants near Thatcham on Monday.

I really am becoming more and more confused about NRs Piling operations now - They seem to work in one area for a while, then move on to another leaving a few piles in random sections or a completed set of piles for a good many metres or so then nothing. Reading seems to have some of the masts going around the East Curve now up to the Oxford Road bridge. Then nothing through the station, then a odd mix of piles, scalping's and nothing to Southcote Junct before a few piles immediately south of the junction to the canal bridge / former landfill site. It's clear that 2016 is going to be very tight in the schedule!

 

[cactustwirly]

And Reading to Maidenhead still does't have any poles.

 

[snowball]

I really am becoming more and more confused about NRs Piling operations now - They seem to work in one area for a while, then move on to another leaving a few piles in random sections or a completed set of piles for a good many metres or so then nothing.

Liverpool-Manchester was like that.

 

[Class 170101]

Few pictures that may be of interest to some. Seems to be more small line parts up between Reading and Cholsey way, more scrapings and piles in between Didcot and Swindon, then it get's rather patchy to Parkway and Patchway, while on the other side there's been a fair amount of piling between Severn Tunnel Junction and Newport. Interesting to see the OHLE up in Reading Depot, some sidings in Swindon and at the Parkway Hitachi depot.

Reading Depot was done as part of its construction - don't foget it was a greenfield site before this. Likewise the Hitachi Depot near Bristol Parkway.

I'm suprised they have started on Patchway to be honest, I would have thought they would have done Patchway to Severn Tunnel Jn (exclusive) as part of the blockade of the Severn Tunnel.

BTW is there anyway of turning the pictures the right way up please - they are on their side.

 

[coppercapped]

Reading seems to have some of the masts going around the East Curve now up to the Oxford Road bridge. Then nothing through the station,

The steelwork in the station was installed as the station was rebuilt. It's all there, and has been for the last couple of years.

 

[SpacePhoenix]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...gh-speed-link-delayed-year-animal-colony.html

Looks like there might be a slight delay

 

[Elecman]

Just how endangered are Great Crested Newts in this country as it seems every major ( and some not so major) schemes are effected by them, and the need to the necessary and usually expensive mitigation requirements?

 

[ironstone11]

Just how endangered are Great Crested Newts in this country as it seems every major ( and some not so major) schemes are effected by them, and the need to the necessary and usually expensive mitigation requirements?

They aren't, in fact they are quite common in the UK.

The EU rules dictate that they have to be considered as endagered, so we have to abide by the rules.

 

[HowardGWR]

They aren't, in fact they are quite common in the UK.

The EU rules dictate that they have to be considered as endagered, so we have to abide by the rules.

True but, in fact, the UK has decided that it is protected, irrespective of EU directive (Wikepedia source) -see date of our own legislation.

Since the 1940s, populations of northern crested newts have declined in most of Europe due to loss of habitat.[5] In England, Wales, and Scotland, it is a protected species under Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, and under equivalent legislation in Northern Ireland. It is also a European Protected Species and as such it has additional protection in the UK under Regulation 39 of the Conservation (Natural Habitats etc.) Regulations 1994 (the Habitats Regulations), as amended by the Conservation (Natural Habitats, &c.) (Amendment) Regulations 2007.

I don't expect that this would deter some from saying otherwise though.

 

[furnessvale]

True but, in fact, the UK has decided that it is protected, irrespective of EU directive (Wikepedia source) -see date of our own legislation.

I don't expect that this would deter some from saying otherwise though.

But what is also true is that once we have enacted EU led legislation, we tend to obey it, unlike our continental cousins who have a far more laid back attitude to enforcement (unless, of course, it is in THEIR interests to do so).

 

[Philip Phlopp]

But what is also true is that once we have enacted EU led legislation, we tend to obey it, unlike our continental cousins who have a far more laid back attitude to enforcement (unless, of course, it is in THEIR interests to do so).

Just because something is particularly common doesn't give us carte blanche to go around killing it.

It's not an uncommon issue, there are plenty of contractors who will deal with the issue, NR have their own environmental consultants to supervise, so the job will get done and all will be well, just as we did with the bats of Bowshank Tunnel.

The bridge works are being done early precisely for reasons such as this, OLE isn't a continuous wire all the way from London to Swansea, it is a serious of overlapping wire runs, so all we do is leave one of the wire runs out until the bridges have been cleared and drop in overnight and finish the remaining run. We can do everything else, or almost everything else - masts, cantilevers etc.

 

[Elecman]

Just because something is particularly common doesn't give us carte blanche to go around killing it.

I don't think anyone has suggested carte Blanche killing them. But if they are as common as they appear in this country as opposed to other EU countries then surely the expensive checking for them and then relocating them when found is surely overkill?

 

[furnessvale]

Just because something is particularly common doesn't give us carte blanche to go around killing it.

I will bear that in mind the next time I see a farmer mowing a meadow.

 

[Henbury Loop]

Does anybody know specifically which bridge this effects and when the temporary road is supposed to be constructed?

 

[D1009]

Does anybody know specifically which bridge this effects and when the temporary road is supposed to be constructed?

I imagine two of the bridges are those which carry the A3102 over both the Box and Badminton lines west of the junction. The other is probably Station Road east of the junction.

 

[HowardGWR]

But what is also true is that once we have enacted EU led legislation, we tend to obey it, unlike our continental cousins who have a far more laid back attitude to enforcement (unless, of course, it is in THEIR interests to do so).

Wot, all of 'em? (Or just the French? ). I was tempted to ask for facts, sources, but let's not spoil the fun.

 

[alxndr]

I imagine two of the bridges are those which carry the A3102 over both the Box and Badminton lines west of the junction. The other is probably Station Road east of the junction.

I believe that the bridge over the Badminton line is being replaced/raised but the track is being lowered on the main line.

 

[furnessvale]

Wot, all of 'em? (Or just the French? ). I was tempted to ask for facts, sources, but let's not spoil the fun.

Have the Italians paid their fines yet for exceeding their milk quotas God knows how many years ago?

 

[59CosG95]

Have the Italians paid their fines yet for exceeding their milk quotas God knows how many years ago?

Why cry over spilt milk?

 

[HowardGWR]

Have the Italians paid their fines yet for exceeding their milk quotas God knows how many years ago?

Yes. Not only God, but Google (is your friend. )

http://www.fwi.co.uk/business/eu-raps-italy-for-missing-milk-quota-fine.htm

Philip Phlopp, please bring this back on topic. please!

 

[furnessvale]

Yes. Not only God, but Google (is your friend. )

http://www.fwi.co.uk/business/eu-raps-italy-for-missing-milk-quota-fine.htm

Philip Phlopp, please bring this back on topic. please!

Back on topic AFTER you have had the last word......not really fair!

16 years of fiddles, still not finalised years after the fiddle stopped, hardly qualifies as a resounding YES.

Now it can go back on topic

 

[snowball]

Does anybody know specifically which bridge this effects and when the temporary road is supposed to be constructed?

Press release

http://www.networkrailmediacentre.c...ruction-of-bridges-in-royal-wootton-bassett-1

Royal Wootton Bassett residents are invited to attend a drop-in event to find out more about updated plans to prepare three bridges for the arrival of a new fleet of electric trains.

The event will take place between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday, October 15 at the town’s Lime Kiln Leisure Centre. Members of the Network Rail project team will be on hand throughout to explain the plans and to answer any questions.

Network Rail is proposing to demolish and reconstruct the bridges on Marlborough Road/Broad Town and the A3102 Bath Road, and to lower the track underneath the listed Hunts Mill bridge.

The reconstructed bridges will create the additional space needed for the overhead lines that will power a new fleet of longer, faster, quieter and greener electric trains to run underneath.

Work at Marlborough Road/Broad Town is due to begin as planned in March 2016. However, work on the A3102 Bath Road bridge will now be moved from Winter 2015/16 to Winter 2016/17.

The revised timetable will allow more time to complete a temporary link road between the two bridges, which will prevent a 35-mile diversion.

Work on the road is currently in progress, but has been delayed by land negotiations, the need to gain consent to cross a watercourse and to translocate Great Crested Newts on the site. The road will not be opened to traffic until work begins on Marlborough Road next year.

Network Rail is working closely with Wiltshire Council on the design of the Bath Road bridge to ensure it is in keeping with its current appearance and is sympathetic to the nearby listed Hunts Mill bridge.

 

[The Ham]

At least the UK has taken a more sensible approach than when the legislation about newts first came in when it would often stop projects from progressing, now an ecologist applies for a licence to collect and rehome them and then carries out the works (within newt fences to stop them going back). Yes there is a cost but it is not prohibitive for the vast majority of projects.

On an aside I was involved on a project where an agricultural field was being used for development and so all the newts had to be collected and rehomed to allow the construction work to progress. Everything wet well, however the licence needed to be modified as it was originally only for up to 100 new

 

[HowardGWR]

I would love to know how many bridges had to be altered (or track lowered) through what was done since Brunel. All of it I suspect. For instance, in Box tunnel, has the track had to have been lowered, simply because they chucked ballast upon ballast over decades? Also, an old photo of Sydney Gardens proved that the track was substantially lower under the bridges, up to Edwardian times (at least). Then we have new or replacement bridges over the years. It would appear that the notion of electrification never crossed the mind of 21st century engineers - or am I being too harsh?

 

[snowball]

In some places where the track has been raised over the years, it may have been for good drainage reasons. I read somewhere recently a claim that Brunel didn't really understand drainage, unlike that the Stephensons and their friends who understood it from their mine engineering experience.

 

[mr_jrt]

Just wondering...wherever these bridges are being rebuilt, are they being rebuilt wide enough with passive provision for 4 tracks?