| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Front Page Account | |
| Posted by: | Richard Jennings | |
| Date/Time: | 12/02/10 23:19:00 |
| "Perhaps Richard Jennings could shed some light as Jerry and I certainly can't think of anything that requires further major closures apart from they have missed their targets, which is not unusual." The biggest task is between Camden Road and Dalston Junction, involving major civil engineering (sewers, embankment walls), new platforms, new tracks and connections, signalling, etc. Plans for Camden Road itself have oscillated, first being withdrawn by TfL, then reinstated by the DfT, and this may have led to some "rescoping" of project plans. But the main reasons for the Sunday closures at our end of the line are, I think, platform extensions and signalling. Construction of platform extensions is under way at South Acton, Acton Central, Willesden Junction and Kensal Rise (and probably other stations that I haven't been through recently). The works at Willesden Junction are likely to last for some time, as they involve new bridges across the Bakerloo Line and a new interchange walkway to the Low Level platforms. I rather suspect that when LTW were told that Sunday closures would only last until December 2009, this may have been based on the main construction project for which Carillion are the contractor. I came across a presentation of theirs that said the same thing. But it didn't include the closures that the signalling contractor (Atkins) will undoubtedly need when they start installing new signals and wiring. But a whole year of Sunday closures looks excessive. Both Jerry and I drew the same conclusion from Ian Brown's statement, that he meant the resignalling would be post-2012. Myriam Walburger, his communications manager, now says it will be done by 2011, but that leaves some inconsistencies between the two statements which I have raised with her. I've also asked her if TfL will commit to review the revised project plans to see whether they could allow some Sunday services. Changes to the signalling timescales could mean that there are times when a service to, say, Willesden Junction could be provided. Re Dee's comment about railways in other countries: Don't forget that we do get some things right in this country, like the High Speed 1 line from the Channel Tunnel to St Pancras, and the DLR extension under the Thames to Woolwich Arsenal. Mind you, neither of those involved Network Rail ... |