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- 1 Mar 2014
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- 7,959
I doubt its the Planners that have got in the way, but the politics of the situation of who wants to go where. Effectively the most convenient solution would be one that sees the fewest amount of conflicting moves at critical junctions, like Slade Lane and of West of Oxford Road.I agree. I remain unconvinced that the rail planners have fully grasped that what is needed primarily is not necessarily more infrastructure but a more rational use of the existing infrastructure on the Castlefield corridor. However, the recommended electrification of the CLC line to Liverpool will help. Facing down special interest lobbies (e.g. from Southport) is also desirable, where their aims conflict with the best use of current infrastructure (thinking of you @Bletchleyite and @507020).
It is becoming clear to me that Platforms 15/16 is sitting on Shapps desk or already filed away quietly in the hope it will disappear into the long grass never to be found again.
Reference your comment about CLC Electrification can that be done without feeder stations and therefore using existing ones from adjoining / adjacent routes or does it rely on a new being built, that will cost.
They are the two services that won’t be removed from the corridor, whether people like it or not.
Cutting off the Lake District from the nearest airport? That would down well in what was a Lib Dem marginal…
Much better to remove the closer services, such as Southport.
The Cumbria services are a political necessity - cutting off a world heritage site from it's nearest airport would not be good. It's also important to remember that they form part of 4tph to Preston from the Airport - which is a perfectly reasonable proposition.
Could you run 6 cars from Manchester Airport as far as Preston / Lancaster and split for Barrow and Windermere on an hourly basis?
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