Next 50 Bids for reopenings

[Tobbes]

An even bigger problem is the B1256 at Gt Dunmow

Yes.... tunnel?

On the Maldon point, the question is surely where are the people going to? If Chelmsford, then via the GEML is essential. If it is all London, then South Woodham Ferrers could be a runner.

 

[jimm]

Because they are running more trains than their franchise agreement requires them to at a time when loads of services are running less frequent with a legitimate reason.

Your argument for GWR to Stratford via Banbury rather than having what replaces Chiltern next year to improve on the current Chiltern offer is about 90% "I hate Chiltern. Chiltern are terrible and do the bare minimum", but - while, I grant you, they haven't done much - this isn't true.

Again, what has the virus got to do with the overall situation regarding London-Stratford services when considering how they began and how they may be developed in the future?

Current railway operations across the network are at the behest of the DfT. I don't know what discussions took place as to what trains would run and why in which parts of the country. Nor, presumably, do you. But I suspect that Chiltern's semi-fast trains, calling at lots of places, would have been seen as a key part of providing an essential service.

Not that I was talking about what is operating at present in the first place. I am talking about what has gone on in the 16 years since the London-Stratford service was handed over to Chiltern. Its actions ever since suggest that it really isn't bothered about making an effort to develop it in any way, shape or form (unlike, say, traffic to Bicester Village), which seems a perfectly fair reason to criticise the company. Not because I supposedly 'hate' it.

I think so as well. A coach holiday can combine Stratford with the Cotswold villages as well.

The NSE project to develop the service in the first place was not about competing with touring coach holidays - it was about the large number of overseas tourists on trips where 'visiting the UK' consists of seeing big London attractions, plus a day trip out of the capital to Shakespeare-land or Oxford. As things stood almost 30 years ago - and still do - most of those day trips from London to Stratford involved coaches. It's a bit hard for Chiltern to compete when it is largely offering 165s stopping multiple times along the way that are slower end-to-end than a coach on the M40.

Which is why GWR remains interested in running a limited-stop service, with express rolling stock, via Oxford - using whatever route is available now or in the future.

Very true!

The obvious cost saving is to terminate at the racecourse, rather than running through to the existing station.

But I'm not sure there's any reason why a Stratford-London tourist service needs to go via Oxford - it made sense in NSE days because the Banbury-Princes Risborough line was terrible, but that's changed.

The only thing that is obvious is that going no further than Stratford racecourse makes the whole Honeybourne-Stratford reopening project utterly pointless - with no access to the centre of Stratford, or ability for trains to run on to Birmingham, Leamington or anywhere else.

Is there something you don't understand about the opportunities to reconnect Worcestershire and the North Cotswolds with Warwickshire by rail and the Long Marston airfield new town with Birmingham? You know, the things that would actually generate the income to justify the reopening in the first place...

How many more times do you need to be told about the NSE service being developed in the early 1990s to serve the tourism market? Oxford and Stratford are two of the pivotal destinations for overseas visitors outside London, which was why the NSE planners wanted to link them up with one service.

And the people who carried out the Chiltern total route modernisation project ahead of the arrival of the NSE Turbo fleet might take issue with the claim that Princes Risborough to Aynho junction was in terrible shape once they had finished their work. Still limited capacity, due to the long single-track sections either side of Bicester North, but everything else was in good nick and gave Chiltern Railways the platform to build on with its series of Evergreen projects.

 

[A0]

Yes.... tunnel?

You've looked at a map? It would need a mile long tunnel and probably wouldn't be cheap or easy.

Not sure what problem Braintree to Bishops Stortford fixes though - feels like another one which is a solution looking for a problem.

 

[joebassman]

Not sure what problem Braintree to Bishops Stortford fixes though - feels like another one which is a solution looking for a problem.

I believe the plan would be to divert it to Stansted to allow for direct trains to run from East Anglia to the airport

 

[Tobbes]

You've looked at a map? It would need a mile long tunnel and probably wouldn't be cheap or easy.

Not sure what problem Braintree to Bishops Stortford fixes though - feels like another one which is a solution looking for a problem.

I've looked at a map and driven through there quite a lot, being regionally local.

It allows Chelmsford/London services to reach all the new housing in Braintree and Dunmow, Chelmsford-Stansted and a north facing junction at Witham allows Norwich/Ipswich/Colchester to Stansted. It's all about regional connectivity.

 

[A0]

I've looked at a map and driven through there quite a lot, being regionally local.

It allows Chelmsford/London services to reach all the new housing in Braintree and Dunmow, Chelmsford-Stansted and a north facing junction at Witham allows Norwich/Ipswich/Colchester to Stansted. It's all about regional connectivity.

I believe the plan would be to divert it to Stansted to allow for direct trains to run from East Anglia to the airport

Chelmsford isn't that bigger place (111k) and the only connection it adds is to Stansted Airport.

Norwich can more easily access Stansted via Cambridge.

That leaves Ipswich & Colchester - and improving Ipswich - Cambridge would make Stansted connectivity better.

Dunmow has a population of sub 10,000 - even if the new housing were to double that it wouldn't justify a new rail line.

 

[Tobbes]

Chelmsford isn't that bigger place (111k) and the only connection it adds is to Stansted Airport.

Norwich can more easily access Stansted via Cambridge.

That leaves Ipswich & Colchester - and improving Ipswich - Cambridge would make Stansted connectivity better.

Dunmow has a population of sub 10,000 - even if the new housing were to double that it wouldn't justify a new rail line.

The Dunmow option separates improved connectivity from Norwich/Ipswich from the need to provide extra paths through Ely North (Norwich) and the Stansted tunnel (both). It also adds in Greater Colchester (Colchester/Harwich/Clacton/Walton-On-The-Naze). Im not saying this is definitive, but in regional connectivity terms, it should be seriously assessed.

 

[A0]

[/QUOTE]

The Dunmow option separates improved connectivity from Norwich/Ipswich from the need to provide extra paths through Ely North (Norwich) and the Stansted tunnel (both). It also adds in Greater Colchester (Colchester/Harwich/Clacton/Walton-On-The-Naze). Im not saying this is definitive, but in regional connectivity terms, it should be seriously assessed.

If it were connecting key destinations, I'd agree with you. But Stansted airport isn't it - most people go to an airport once or twice a year, so for the majority of people in the area a link to Stansted from the east will be a utter irrelevance.

Ely improvements have to happen because it will allow more freight from Felixstowe to move through there - as well as enabling real regional improvements such as Ipswich - Peterboro, Norwich - Cambridge or Peterboro. These offer *far* greater benefits than an eastern approach to Stansted.

 

[The Ham]

There's been an update as to which have moved onto the next stage and which have been unsuccessful:

Railnews - DfT reveals rejected rail restoration bids

railnews.mobi

The schemes which are getting funding for further development are:

Passenger services between:

+ Leicester and Burton
+ Bury-Heywood-Rochdale
+ Clitheroe and Hellifield
+ Sheffield and Chesterfield via Barrow Hill
+ on the Totton-Fawley line

Reopened stations at:

+ Meir near Stoke-on-Trent
+ Wellington
+ Cullompton

Other schemes:

+ a restored passing loop on the Watford Junction-St Albans Abbey line
+ the reopening of branch lines on the Isle of Wight
+ a new station at Lydeway, to serve Devizes

Schemes ruled out at this stage:

- an orbital passenger rail route between Stockport and Ashton
- Keswick to Penrith
- East Didsbury to Stockport
- Maldon to Witham
- Barnsley to Wakefield via Royston
- Beverley-York
- Oswestry to Gobowen
- reinstatement of the Peaks and Dales Railway
- Newton Abbot to Heathfield
- Lewes to Uckfield
- Eridge to Tunbridge Wells
- Tavistock-Okehampton
- Wymondham-Dereham
- Stratford upon Avon to Honeybourne
- Bodmin Parkway to Wadebridge

New or restored stations missing out:

- Midge Hall
- Ferryhill
- Waverley (Yorks.)
- St Anne’s Park (Bristol)
- Belford (Northumberland)
- Goodrington
- Churston
- Charfield

Improvements on existing lines which missed out:

- Truro-Falmouth Docks
- Par-Newquay
- Nottingham and Leicester via Syston
- Loughborough from Melton Mowbrey
- more secondary services on the Great Western Main Line
- increased capacity west of Bristol

 

[70014IronDuke]

There's been an update as to which have moved onto the next stage and which have been unsuccessful:

Railnews - DfT reveals rejected rail restoration bids

railnews.mobi

The schemes which are getting funding for further development are:

Passenger services between:

+ Leicester and Burton
...

EXCELLENT! Even better than Ashington, IMHO. This is one that should be supported to the hilt.

 

[swt_passenger]

The list of projects getting funded is just a repeat of the same list as was announced in May, that aspect is not news or an update at all.

 

[BigCj34]

Definitely notable emissions such as Lewes-Uckfield and Tavistock-Okehampton. Anyway, any progress on reopenings at a governmental level is good news.

 

[A0]

Definitely notable emissions such as Lewes-Uckfield and Tavistock-Okehampton. Anyway, any progress on reopenings at a governmental level is good news.

On one of the other threads about this, there was this post:

Tavistock-Okehampton was rejected as the bid was too far advanced for just a feasibility study.

That may also be the reason certain others haven't been taken forward.

 

[Thebaz]

On one of the other threads about this, there was this post:

That may also be the reason certain others haven't been taken forward.

I suspect that Railnews article doesn't cover the half of it. There is a separate funding process for bids which were already more advanced and weren't looking for yet more feasbility studies. I guess that's where projects like Lewes-Uckfield and Tavistock-Okehampton would reside.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-and-stations#accelerating-existing-proposals

Advanced proposals
We are making funding available to accelerate the development and delivery of schemes that already have existing business cases. This will use the standard government assessment framework and DfT officials will support applicants in progressing projects.

Funding may also support newer schemes that already have supporting analysis and are seeking a larger sum of support to progress to an outline business case.

If you have a scheme that you believe fits these criteria contact us for advice on the next steps.

Note the government assessment framework does not rely only on benefit cost ratios (BCRs) and strong strategic cases (for example regeneration) with low BCRs may be considered."

 

[BigCj34]

I suspect that Railnews article doesn't cover the half of it. There is a separate funding process for bids which were already more advanced and weren't looking for yet more feasbility studies. I guess that's where projects like Lewes-Uckfield and Tavistock-Okehampton would reside.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...-and-stations#accelerating-existing-proposals

"Advanced proposals
We are making funding available to accelerate the development and delivery of schemes that already have existing business cases. This will use the standard government assessment framework and DfT officials will support applicants in progressing projects.

Funding may also support newer schemes that already have supporting analysis and are seeking a larger sum of support to progress to an outline business case.

If you have a scheme that you believe fits these criteria contact us for advice on the next steps.

Note the government assessment framework does not rely only on benefit cost ratios (BCRs) and strong strategic cases (for example regeneration) with low BCRs may be considered."

Might be worth clarifying any bids that are "ruled out" that are on an advanced stage on the list.

 

[Bald Rick]

Might be worth clarifying any bids that are "ruled out" that are on an advanced stage on the list.

None of them are at an ‘advanced stage’. A couple have been looked at before, cursorily, but that’s it.

 

[Thebaz]

Might be worth clarifying any bids that are "ruled out" that are on an advanced stage on the list.

The DfT website only refers to bids from Ideas fund 1. No reference at all to anything from round 2 of the bids.

None of them are at an ‘advanced stage’. A couple have been looked at before, cursorily, but that’s it.

Quite. Advanced insofar as they may have more detail in the proposal having been lying around for years, not advanced in stages of delivery.

 

[IanXC]

I'm hearing talk of a bid being considered to bring Hedon back onto the network. It would presumably involve some length of extension from the Hull Docks branch, and a chord to allow access from the branch to Hull Paragon station.

 

[Hey 3]

The Times has the full list:

Beeching reversal: Fifty disused rail lines on track to reopen

The reopening of up to 50 disused railway lines or stations will be considered as part of a reversal of the infamous Beeching cuts, it was announced yesterday.At present many of the disused lines are used as cycle or walking tracks while some remain as heritage lines staffed by volunteers, or as

www.thetimes.co.uk

THE SHORTLISTED BIDS

Yorkshire and Humberside
Reinstatement of the Beverley to York rail line
Restoration of a daily train service on the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway
Upper Wensleydale Railway
Restoring Passenger Rail to the Sheaf Valley
Restoring a South Humber Link
South Yorkshire Joint Railway
New station at Waverley

Midlands
Reopening Stratford-upon-Avon to Honeybourne-Worcester/Oxford (SWO) Railway Line
More stopping services at Radcliffe-on-Trent and Bottesford stations on the Poacher line between Grantham and Nottingham
Increased services to Nottingham and Leicester, via Syston and Loughborough from Melton Mowbray
Reconnecting Ashfield Communities through the Maid Marian Line

Wales
Magor and Undy Walkway Station
Restoring services on the Anglesey Central Railway between Gaerwen and Amlych

South West
Shepton Mallet (Mendip Vale)
Radstock railway reinstatement
St Anne’s Park station
Primrose Line
Transforming the Newquay Line
Mid Cornwall Metro
Restoring secondary services on the Great Western main line
Goodrington and Churston Stations
New station for Langport and Somerton Area
Charfield Station
Reinstatement of Bodmin-Wadebridge railway and associated works
Increased service provision Bodmin General-Bodmin Parkway
Ashburton & Buckfastleigh junction railway
Bristol West capacity enhancement
Light railway extension to the Barnstaple Branch (Chivenor Braunton) “TawLink”
Cirencester Community Rail Project
Project Wareham – Complete the link

South East
The Arundel Chord
Re-opening of Camberwell Station, London SE5
Unlocking capacity and services through Bramley (Hants)
Chinnor Railway Aston Rowant extension
Carshalton Beeches step-free access

North West
South Fylde Line Passing Loop
Kenyon Junction Station
Reopening Golborne Railway Station
Reinstatement of Bolton-Radcliffe / Bolton-Bury
Reinstating Beeston Castle and Tarporley railway station
Reopen Midge Hall Station
Re-doubling of the Mid Cheshire Line between Stockport and Altrincham and associated station reopenings
Stockport to Ashton Line
Glazebrook Junction to Skelton Junction
East Didsbury – Stockport

North East
Consett-Newcastle connection
Ferryhill restoration

East
Reopening Wymondham-Dereham line
King’s Lynn to Hunstanton Railway

Glazebury aka Glazebury and Bury Lane is possible to reopen

 

[DynamicSpirit]

That article is more than 3 months old. And surely those are the submitted bids, not the shortlisted ones (which are far fewer in number)?