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Title: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: ChrisB on January 31, 2015, 13:41:54 From NR website - link in the article below
Quote A new direct rail link connecting the west to Heathrow will improve passenger journeys to the UK^s busiest airport and help to increase economic productivity across the Thames Valley. We are developing plans for a new rail tunnel leaving the Great Western main line between Langley and Iver to London Heathrow, allowing passengers to travel to the airport from Reading via Slough without going into Paddington station. The investment will help: For passengers ^Reduce journey times via rail between Reading and Heathrow Airport ^Provide direct trains between Reading and Heathrow ^Improve access to Heathrow from the South coast, South West, South Wales and West Midlands ^Reduce congestion at Paddington station Wider benefits ^Provide over ^800 million worth of UK economic activity, including additional economic benefits for the region ^Create potential for 42,000 new jobs ^Make CO2 savings equating to 1 million road passenger journeys ^Give 20% of the UK population access to Heathrow via one interchange ^Help to provide much needed congestion relief for the M4, M25 and M3 motorways Public consultation We are holding a programme of events in the local community and are keen to hear your thoughts on the plans. Come and talk to our project teams at our fully staffed events at the following locations: Iver Parish Council Pavilion: Jubilee Pavilion, Iver Recreation Ground, Iver SL0 9PW Tuesday 10 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Wednesday 11 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Thursday 12 February: 6pm ^ 8pm Richings Park Sports Club: Wellesley Avenue, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9BN Friday 13 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Saturday 14 February: 12pm ^ 4pm Thursday 26 February: 4pm ^ 8pm Friday 27 February: 12pm ^ 6pm Saturday 28 February: 12pm ^ 4pm Colnbrook Village Hall: Vicarage Way, Slough, Buckinghamshire SL3 0RF Monday 23 February: 3pm ^ 7pm Tuesday 24 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Wednesday 25 February: 2pm ^ 6pm You will also be able to pick up one of our information leaflets at our exhibits in the following stations: Heathrow Terminal 5 train station Monday 16 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Heathrow Terminal 1, 2, 3 train station Tuesday 17 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Reading Station Wednesday 18 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Thursday 19 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Slough Station Friday 20 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Saturday 21 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm We hope to see you at one of our events. You will also soon be able to leave comments on the proposals on our consultation site. A link to the site will be made available here (http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/western-rail-link-to-heathrow/improving-rail-links-to-heathrow/) prior to the time of the first consultation event. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the event you can email our project team at westernheathrowlink@networkrail.co.uk 1.Early 2015: Informal public consultation 2.Summer 2015: Formal public consultation 3.Early 2016: Submission of application 4.Spring / Summer 2017: Work to start on site 5.End of 2021: Work complete / trains running Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: BerkshireBugsy on February 06, 2015, 08:10:49 On my our local radio station (which I call dross FM due to choice of music and inane talk) there was a news article which refered to the proposed rail link from Heathrow to Reading - but I can't find anything new about this ? Have I missed something ?
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: ChrisB on February 06, 2015, 09:06:54 You certainly have!.....
http://www.networkrail.co.uk/improvements/western-rail-link-to-heathrow/improving-rail-links-to-heathrow/ Quote Improving rail links to Heathrow A new direct rail link connecting the west to Heathrow will improve journeys to the UK^s busiest airport and help increase economic productivity across the Thames valley We are developing plans for a new rail tunnel leaving the Great Western main line between Langley and Iver to London Heathrow, allowing passengers to travel to the airport from Reading via Slough without going into Paddington station. Benefits For passengers ^Reduce rail journey times between Reading and Heathrow. ^Direct trains between Reading and Heathrow. ^Improved access to Heathrow from the south coast, south west, south Wales and west midlands. ^Reduced congestion at Paddington station. Wider benefits ^Over ^800 million of UK economic activity, including additional economic benefits for the region. ^Create potential for 42,000 new jobs. ^Make CO2 savings equating to 1 million road passenger journeys. ^Give 20 per cent of the UK population access to Heathrow via one interchange. ^Help to provide much needed congestion relief for the M4, M25 and M3. Public consultation We are holding a programme of events in the local community and are keen to hear your thoughts on the plans. Come and talk to our project teams at our fully staffed events at the following locations: Iver Parish Council Pavillion:Jubilee Pavilion, Iver Recreation Ground, Iver SL0 9PW Tuesday 10 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Wednesday 11 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Thursday 12 February: 6pm ^ 8pm Richings Park Sports Club: Wellesley Avenue, Richings Park, Iver, SL0 9BN Friday 13 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Saturday 14 February: 12pm ^ 4pm Thursday 26 February: 4pm ^ 8pm Friday 27 February: 12pm ^ 6pm Saturday 28 February: 12pm ^ 4pm Colnbrook Village Hall: Vicarage Way, Slough, Buckinghamshire SL3 0RF Monday 23 February: 3pm ^ 7pm Tuesday 24 February: 2pm ^ 6pm Wednesday 25 February: 2pm ^ 6pm You will also be able to pick up one of our information leaflets at our exhibits in the following stations: Heathrow Terminal 5 train station Monday 16 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Heathrow Terminal 1, 2, 3 train station Tuesday 17 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Reading Station Wednesday 18 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Thursday 19 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Slough Station Friday 20 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm Saturday 21 February: 8am ^ 10am and 4pm ^ 6pm We hope to see you at one of our events. You will also soon be able to leave comments on the proposals on our consultation site. A link to the site will be made available prior to the time of the first consultation event. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the event you can email our project team at westernheathrowlink@networkrail.co.uk Heathrow Timeline 1.Early 2015: Informal public consultation 2.Summer 2015: Formal public consultation 3.Early 2016: Submission of application 4.Spring / Summer 2017: Work to start on site 5.End of 2021: Work complete / trains running Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: BerkshireBugsy on February 06, 2015, 09:11:27 Many thanks - I heard mention of this before and know it has been discussed here in the coffee shop but I was curious why it made the radio new today.
Thanks for the link Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 06, 2015, 09:17:59 Quote 1.Early 2015: Informal public consultation According to this from the BBC (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26064200), something in support of the first stage consultation was launched today. I can't locate this on Network rails's site. However, as of 9:16 today the piece is headed: Quote 6 February 2014 Last updated at 11:24 so may it's meant to be prophetic. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 06, 2015, 09:19:30 see http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15298.msg170684#msg170684 (http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15298.msg170684#msg170684)
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: ChrisB on February 06, 2015, 09:36:49 Probably simply a press conference to launch the meetings above
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: a-driver on February 06, 2015, 15:32:14 Lovely, if it'll be anything like Airport Junction it'll be yet another location we get checked down to a stand to allow a Heathrow train to proceed in front of us!
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: Electric train on February 06, 2015, 19:37:51 On my our local radio station (which I call dross FM due to choice of music and inane talk) there was a news article which refered to the proposed rail link from Heathrow to Reading - but I can't find anything new about this ? Have I missed something ? There is nothing like regurgitating old news as new news, especially when a General Election is looming Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: BerkshireBugsy on February 06, 2015, 19:46:20 On my our local radio station (which I call dross FM due to choice of music and inane talk) there was a news article which refered to the proposed rail link from Heathrow to Reading - but I can't find anything new about this ? Have I missed something ? There is nothing like regurgitating old news as new news, especially when a General Election is looming Oh you cynic ET.... :) Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: paul7575 on February 06, 2015, 23:54:14 On my our local radio station (which I call dross FM due to choice of music and inane talk) there was a news article which refered to the proposed rail link from Heathrow to Reading - but I can't find anything new about this ? Have I missed something ? There is nothing like regurgitating old news as new news, especially when a General Election is looming So should NR cease all normal activity because there happens to be a general election coming up? DfT asked for this in the CP5 HLOS, so as per last April's enhancement milestones NR are consulting prior to their single option selection decision in November 2015. Perhaps it would be better if they stopped work for a few months? Paul Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: BerkshireBugsy on February 11, 2015, 18:46:48 @paul7755 - I certainly wasn't suggesting that NR stop work whilst there is an election imminent. I think my question was more along the lines of "is this new news"
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: paul7575 on February 12, 2015, 09:12:16 @paul7755 - I certainly wasn't suggesting that NR stop work whilst there is an election imminent. I think my question was more along the lines of "is this new news" I agree, it isn't new news at all, it is minor news of a planning stage being reached. I was really trying to contradict Electric train's view that this was some sort of pre-election stunt (which is why I quoted his response). If on the other hand the DfT themselves had issued little more than an empty 'puff piece' then I'd agree with him. This definitely seems to be NR going through normal processes. The problem is that the NR GRIP process for enhancements, and the 5 year (railway) control periods overseen by ORR's timescales (themselves imposed by the 2005 Railway Act), mean that nearly all major rail projects will overlap with the election cycle at some point. PS, would it possibly better to combine this thread with the earlier thread in the London to the West forum: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15298.0 Paul Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: Chris from Nailsea on February 12, 2015, 19:59:16 PS, would it possibly better to combine this thread with the earlier thread in the London to the West forum: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15298.0 Paul Fair comment, Paul: I've now moved and merged those topics here, on the London to Reading board. CfN. :) Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: Electric train on February 12, 2015, 20:26:03 @paul7755 - I certainly wasn't suggesting that NR stop work whilst there is an election imminent. I think my question was more along the lines of "is this new news" I agree, it isn't new news at all, it is minor news of a planning stage being reached. I was really trying to contradict Electric train's view that this was some sort of pre-election stunt (which is why I quoted his response). If on the other hand the DfT themselves had issued little more than an empty 'puff piece' then I'd agree with him. This definitely seems to be NR going through normal processes. The problem is that the NR GRIP process for enhancements, and the 5 year (railway) control periods overseen by ORR's timescales (themselves imposed by the 2005 Railway Act), mean that nearly all major rail projects will overlap with the election cycle at some point. PS, would it possibly better to combine this thread with the earlier thread in the London to the West forum: http://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15298.0 Paul I was probably being cynical I know only too well the Control Period cycle I live and breath GRIP :o sad I know ;D And yes this is NR going through process, I am certain that the political class will be making mileage out of it over the next few months Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 19, 2016, 20:37:08 We seem, collectively, to have missed out on the formal consultation on WRAtH. This is with the planning inspectorate, who have a page on it here (http://infrastructure.planninginspectorate.gov.uk/projects/south-east/western-rail-link-to-heathrow/?ipcsection=overview). There's a big scoping report, DfT's reply and the consultation responses, plus some letters provided under the PI's new "openness policy". Note this is leading towards a DCO, not a TWA application.
I didn't look very closely at Jacobs' 343-page effort, which is where the maps (of the track, and the newts etc) are. It does entirely exclude the option touted by NR of a possible grade-separated link to the Main Lines at Langley. It also says this: Quote Once built, the new rail link will provide a train service of four trains per hour in each direction between Heathrow Terminal 5 and Reading station. This could be a new direct service or an extension of planned Crossrail and / or current Heathrow Express services currently operating into Heathrow. ... There is no planned impact on the existing service between Reading and Paddington. (This thread continues the other one with WRAtH in its title.) Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: grahame on February 20, 2016, 07:23:30 Would this ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03k2wdy ) be a through station to the western link?
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 20, 2016, 09:17:33 Would this ( http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03k2wdy ) be a through station to the western link? Well, it's no real secret that T5 was built to serve a through railway to somewhere. It was an implicit part of Airtrack. What's odd its that that BBC piece didn't mention the operating station, and how the two relate, nor the WRAtH plans as such. My mental picture was that there were two or three more platforms beside the operating ones, or space for them, connecting to the east. We know there are two tracks that run westwards as far as a wall; they could be from any of the platform tracks. It's barely mentioned in that WRAtH scoping report - it doesn't need building, of course: Quote At the Heathrow end, there will be a cavern containing a rail crossover (which allows trains to change tracks) which will also be constructed by the cut and cover method. The last few hundred metres from this cavern will be a tunnel constructed using spray concrete lining under the A3044 and Western Perimeter Road to connect with the existing tunnels west of T5 station. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: JayMac on February 20, 2016, 14:09:54 There's certainly a lot of space in the T5 station underground cavern.
There are two 'safeguarded' platforms for future westward extension. Initially intended for Airtrack to Waterloo but could be used for WRAtH. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 20, 2016, 15:01:52 I think that BBC video piece is rather misleading. The words on the page say this "immense secret station" already has platforms, which is what I'd heard. But the huge caverns they show don't - I think that's spare basement space at the same level. I'd also heard of this basement as another T5 feature - it goes 22 m down, as well as 40 m up. I guess the, actually rather small, unused station space is not shown except maybe a glimpse at the end.
According to the architects' descriptions, the platforms have natural light from skylights in the "plaza". The plaza is at the ends of space between T5 proper and the bus road, and is meant to be a landscaped public space. I'd always just rushed past it and never noticed, like (I suspect) most people. Between the two parts of this plaza are some of those ETFE "plastic bags", forming skylights for the station - and it's not even a Grimshaw building! Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: paul7575 on February 20, 2016, 17:15:03 There's certainly a lot of space in the T5 station underground cavern. There are two 'safeguarded' platforms for future westward extension. Initially intended for Airtrack to Waterloo but could be used for WRAtH. A drawing in the Airtrack consultation showed the broad layout below ground, there are three main line gauge 'starter tunnels' extending westward, the middle one of three aligns with the future platform 2 and existing platform 3 track. The most Northern extension of the four is the turn back siding for the Piccadilly line, they operate with one arrival and one departure platform, so that tunnel is longer. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 25, 2016, 18:16:22 There's a second NR consultation, running from 23 Feb to 4th April. They have a web page (https://consultations.networkrail.co.uk/communications/westernraillinktoheathrow), and in addition Heathrow also have one (http://your.heathrow.com/new-western-rail-access-to-heathrow-consultation-launched/) that links to it.
This isn't consulting on what to build so much as how to build it. NR have now chosen the scheme they want, and it doesn't include any link to the Main Lines at Langley. There isn't really a consultation document as such, nor a list of questions. There is an environmental study, which says quite a bit about the plans. There are also plans relating to some odd-looking specific points; one is how to build the bridge under the Main Lines, another is whether to put in a crossover west of T5. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: Bmblbzzz on February 25, 2016, 18:57:54 On my our local radio station (which I call dross FM due to choice of music and inane talk) there was a news article which refered to the proposed rail link from Heathrow to Reading - but I can't find anything new about this ? Have I missed something ? Quite! How can something be improved when it does not actually exist? Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 26, 2016, 00:53:20 A drawing in the Airtrack consultation showed the broad layout below ground, there are three main line gauge 'starter tunnels' extending westward, the middle one of three aligns with the future platform 2 and existing platform 3 track. The most Northern extension of the four is the turn back siding for the Piccadilly line, they operate with one arrival and one departure platform, so that tunnel is longer. There is a new WRAtH plan of the stub tunnels (https://consultations.networkrail.co.uk/communications/westernraillinktoheathrow/supporting_documents/Crossover%20Options.pdf) (though that's not why it's there), showing the connections to a northern railway line. Taken together, this and the Airtrack one make clear what the pre-planned T5 station arrangement is, with three two-sided islands: P1/P2 do not exist, but would line up with a line to Staines. That line as proposed for Airtrack would use those two and also connect to P3. P3/P4 is what the current Paddington services use, and WRAtH is proposed to connect onto. P5/P6 is for the Piccadilly line. We know there's an ongoing discussion/argument about which service would be extended to Reading, with HEx being keen to do it then going cold on the idea. But otherwise it has to be (1) Crossrail or (2) something additional. In both cases I would expect P1/P2 to be built to provide (or reinstate) terminating platform capacity. Crossrail do still say they will serve T4 only, though I would have thought BA would like T5 to have trains to Paddington and London. And BA can and do lean quite hard on HAL. Is there any known plan for swapping services around, before or after WRAtH? I don't recall seeing any. Returning to that WRAtH plan, it shows two options for the track approaching T5 from the west. One has a crossover, the other has none. How this fits into the consultation I couldn't say - I can't see any mention of it. But the crossover shown is a double-slip flat crossing (or diamond), which seems an odd choice. Surely most trains will not be switching track, so will have to wiggle sideways just to go straight on. And that's on top of the reason why these things have been disappearing; AFAIK that's their worse wear and more difficult maintenance (as shown at Br^tigny-sur-Orge). Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: SandTEngineer on February 26, 2016, 09:15:53 Just for clarity that plan shows a double slip connection not a crossover. I'm a bit supprised as this would constrain services to entry/exit only one at a time ::) :P
Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: paul7575 on February 26, 2016, 10:47:02 There would presumably be different optimal layouts if all trains ran through, and if some trains terminated.
If optimised for through running would it be better to have up and down islands, with the down 'WRatH' and up 'Airtrack' crossing somewhere west of the station? Or would you dedicate the platforms by service pattern? I'd prefer the former, alternating departures towards Central London from either side of the same island must be easier than missing a train and having to cross to the other island for the next one. Paul Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 26, 2016, 19:49:36 Just for clarity that plan shows a double slip connection not a crossover. I'm a bit supprised as this would constrain services to entry/exit only one at a time ::) :P I've had a closer look, and I think that is the expected double crossover, but drawn oddly. If you check the scale, the outer rails are about 5 m apart at closest, which is consistent with a normal track interval of 3.4 m. For comparison, the twin stub tunnel for platforms 2 and 3 is shown as nearly 10 m wide (though of course the shape of the tunnel is unknown). Since the running tunnels are quite far apart, and the two platform tracks even further (well over 20 m), the box would be very long without the tracks curving inwards to almost meet. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: stuving on February 26, 2016, 20:12:47 There would presumably be different optimal layouts if all trains ran through, and if some trains terminated. If optimised for through running would it be better to have up and down islands, with the down 'WRatH' and up 'Airtrack' crossing somewhere west of the station? Or would you dedicate the platforms by service pattern? I'd prefer the former, alternating departures towards Central London from either side of the same island must be easier than missing a train and having to cross to the other island for the next one. Paul I'm not sure how much leeway there is, given that BA/HAL are not going to allow any knocking holes in their basement except in the weak filler walls and floors. I remember how adamant they were about "no DC traction". I've tried to make sense of the various reports, including this one from The Londonist (https://londonist.com/2014/01/heathrow-express-secret-tunnels-and-unused-platforms). The two consultation maps certainly should be reliable, as far as they go (i.e. up to the western end wall), and I'm beginning to suspect that the geometry shown by Trackmaps is also correct (which means that the map on the Londonist's video is wrong). It all suggests to me that the two tunnel tracks (with a double crossover between them) line up with P2 & P3, and P1 & P4 are/will be reached off them - i.e. as you suggest, an up and a down platform. That seems to be set in concrete, literally, in the shape of the tunnels at both east and west end. If the box runs between the outer walls of T5 main building and the short-term car park, that's about 260 metres maximum for the platforms, and I don't think that leaves any space for trackwork inside the box. That's certainly true with a maximum-stretch 11-car class 345 (247 m), and I suspect would also be true for something much shorter. That means the only straightforward option is to stick with just P3/4, as drawn, and extend the terminating service (HEx, without a big change of ideas) to Reading. If 2 out of 4 tph terminate, as initially proposed, they just have to be fairly quick about it. So anyone who prefers central London to Paddington can either change at HXX or PAD, for similar journey times. Airtrack was proposed as terminating, but with an option of some HEx trains going to Staines. That also fits with T5 as built, and some variations on that might also work - even including WRAtH - subject to looking at the details. Having trains coming in from the south via P1/2 and going to somewhere different, even in London, seems OK too. Title: Re: Network Rail consultation on improving western rail links to Heathrow Post by: eightf48544 on July 14, 2016, 16:10:56 Just got myself a ticket for a Maidenhead Chamber of Commerce Event tonight (See their Website)
, with Mark Langham Western Route Director Network Rail on the Link. Will report back. Noted length of trains, through running (Crossrail? TOC?) Possible Airtrack link and no 3rd rail This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |