Well this escalated quickly!
With no apologies for multi quoting...
Well, why would you expect a 75mph branch line to be built to the same standard as a new high speed one ? And if the rule is no level crossings, then that's the same standard in terms of level crossings as a new high speed line.
I’d expect most of the standards to be similar for new lines of both types, with some variations to take account of technical differences. Rails 1438mm apart would be the same for both for example. Curvature can be tighter for lower speeds. But I would expect safety standards to be the same, ie the risk of a passenger being injured or worse to be no worse for a new conventional line than for a new high speed line. Hence no level crossings, as they present the single greatest infrastructure risk to passengers on the rail network.
Whilst I can understand reticence to install new AHBs, surely fully gated crossings with CCTV or obstacle detection eliminate most of the risk associated with level crossings?
Unfortunately, they don’t. I have attended several accidents vehicles have gone through closed barriers at CCTV crossings.
Not possable on that road even, running nonstop take a average of 35 minuites even a car takes at least 30. The road is narrow weaves from side to side, has many sharp bends. The road surface is not level so gives a very rough ride at speed. The last mile and a half from Elm across the A47 roundabout into Wisbich can take 20 minuites or more, The bus does not stop anywhere after Elm other then the Bus Station.
Not possable, even at 3am in the morning, Unless the bus driver has a death wish. People still have to get to the Bus station, Most people will not be either going and coming from the Town Centre, but from other parts of the town.
But google maps says 20 minutes, based on actual monitoring of journeys being made, right now. Accepting that these are cars, I guess the bus will be a little longer. Besides, I would expect it to use the A47, not the B1101. (Which is also 20 minutes). Rather than spending £200m for a new line that would enable a shuttle from Wisbech to March, you could spend perhaps £200k on some bus priority measures?
Alternative ways have been examined already. The report recommends ditching cheaper options for Wisbech to March such as a guided busway (£75m) or a train-tram (£152m). A busway shuttle was described as "poor value for money" and rail only was the best option as it has "a much more certain and lower risk delivery path".
Alternative ways of reinstating the line. Not alternative ways of improving public transport between March and Wisbech, a crucial difference.
But that ignores the fact that people generally don't like bus travel. Buses are usually cramped, slow and uncomfortable. The train option also offers a through service to Ely and Cambridge. Improve the frequency and operating hours of your bus service all you like - most people will continue to drive.
More people use the bus in this country than use the train. And the £200m doesn’t buy you a through service to Ely or Cambridge. Far from it.
When did it become necessary for all rail re openings to have zero level crossings ?, considering the Stirling -Alloa line reopened just over a decade ago has them .
At least 15 years. Stirling to Alloa didn’t close, it remained open for freight.
I think that IF the difference between Wisbech re-opening going ahead and not going ahead was solely based on the level crossings v bridges (whole life both cases) costs then this might be a good project on which to base the argument for that. [note the big IF]
Looking at East-West Rail Western Section phase 2, not all level crossings in Marston Vale are to be replaced by bridges or road diversions. Some will remain, albeit in upgraded form.
The traffic for which these are deemed safe, both road and rail, will be orders of magnitude greater than anything on Wisbech-March.
And it should be incumbent on ORR, not just Network Rail, to be a part of that debate.
The difference here being that the Marston Vale line is open, level crossings and all. The part of EWR Western section 2 that is new is being constructed without level crossings (and there were several before it closed).
The BCR for Wisbech – Cambridge 2tph, with Town Centre station is 2.3
Indeed. Based on a capital cost of £99m, and an annual operating cost of £2.5m. As we know the former is out by a factor of two, and does not take into account any work necessary between March and Cambridge to enable the service (of which there would be much, leaving aside the Ely issues). The operating cost is also out, probably by a similar factor. I estimate that just operating a shuttle between March and Wisbech is going to cost £2m a year before you maintain the infrastructure.
One way is by reintroducing the train service. But if you're going to insist it has to be a road vehicle, then a non-stop coach that doesn't divert into every passing village is going to be the absolute minimum needed. And if it's only going as far as March railway station, it needs to be timed for connections and be very reliable too. Maybe the railway should operate it (and not sub contract to the cheapest coach operator in the area).
Which is precisely what I was suggesting. Non-stop, 4 high quality* buses an hour, through ticketing. It’s not hard to do.
* WiFi, USB, air con, comfortable seats, free bacon sandwiches first Monday of the month.