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Author Topic: Why was Swindon's original Platform 4 demolished?  (Read 4138 times)
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« on: November 02, 2020, 21:13:04 »

Does anyone know why Swindon's original platform 4 and building was demolished and replaced by the horrible mess by BR (British Rail(ways))? When was it demolished and replaced?
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grahame
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« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2020, 02:18:38 »

Does anyone know why Swindon's original platform 4 and building was demolished and replaced by the horrible mess by BR (British Rail(ways))? When was it demolished and replaced?

Swindon's original main line down platform was demolished in 1972, with all express trains from London headed west to Bristol via Bath, and to South Wales, crossing over and calling at the remaining island platform to the north of the high speed through running lines.  In those days, crack expresses were less frequent and made fewer stops as the railways battled for a thinner and in general longer distance traffic, and stops were more expensive with trains accelerating slower than IETs (Intercity Express Train) under electric power.

The crossing over and back of trains that called at Swindon, (virtually every passenger service in due course), became a significant issue that a new platform was opened on the down fast in 2003 (after BR days) to save conflicting movements.
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« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2020, 07:23:35 »

Does anyone know why Swindon's original platform 4 and building was demolished and replaced by the horrible mess by BR (British Rail(ways))? When was it demolished and replaced?

In addition to Graham's post. BR during the 70's and 80's was under pressure to reduce costs and make "economies"  The singling of lines is the most obvious economy measure, reducing cost of maintenance and renewals, but even a platform had a running cost in terms of maintenance, lighting, staffing etc  so saving could be made.

Of course now many of the lines have been re doubled, platforms reinstated, hind sight of course has 20/20 vision
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« Reply #3 on: November 09, 2020, 23:26:49 »

Thanks to you both
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« Reply #4 on: November 11, 2020, 21:33:30 »


From the old maps it looks like the station's emasculation was more connected with  development of the office block.

Signal Point (its name) has survived its own demolition proposal.

A pity they didn't keep the 4-track section with the South platform - looks like there was space even with the tower block.

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« Reply #5 on: November 11, 2020, 22:41:28 »

A pity they didn't keep the 4-track section with the South platform - looks like there was space even with the tower block.

There is an access road between the tower and the new platform which I think is deemed essential as such a large area must have more than one access. 
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onthecushions
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« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2020, 17:31:55 »


Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC
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« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2020, 17:46:29 »


Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

Yes, still that sort of thing.  Billions for a tunnel under Stonehenge approved today against planning advise, and still a single track with just a few loops on The Mule, with electrification expired before Chippenham and even before the end of the outer suburban Service on the Berks and Hants.

How will the tunnel be when measured against climate targets?
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« Reply #8 on: July 30, 2021, 19:16:33 »


Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

Yes, still that sort of thing.  Billions for a tunnel under Stonehenge approved today against planning advise, and still a single track with just a few loops on The Mule, with electrification expired before Chippenham and even before the end of the outer suburban Service on the Berks and Hants.

How will the tunnel be when measured against climate targets?

All is not certain - Stonehenge tunnel campaigners win court battle at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58024139
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« Reply #9 on: July 30, 2021, 21:13:50 »


Of course.

An extra, rear access road must always have precedence over a main railway line.

OTC

Yes, still that sort of thing.  Billions for a tunnel under Stonehenge approved today against planning advise, and still a single track with just a few loops on The Mule, with electrification expired before Chippenham and even before the end of the outer suburban Service on the Berks and Hants.

How will the tunnel be when measured against climate targets?

All is not certain - Stonehenge tunnel campaigners win court battle at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-58024139

My personal view is that we may look back on this judgment as a pivotal moment in UK (United Kingdom) transport and transport planning history.
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« Reply #10 on: July 30, 2021, 23:32:11 »

Doing nothing is not an option! Most of us have sat in a polluting queue for an hour or so on so many occasions. How inefficient, frustrating and environmentally damaging.

What are the alternatives? Even electric cars will run out of power and their drivers will continue to blow their tops if the situation continues.

Lovely to think that public transport will sort the issues but unlikely in my lifetime!

Another British example of inquiries, planning and considering followed by more inquiries and now....

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« Reply #11 on: July 31, 2021, 08:06:36 »

Could double the track from Salisbury to Exeter and reopen a few more of the stations.  Run passenger trains along the branch to Ludgershall. I think we are passed this moving traffic is better for the environment than queuing traffic argument. We are at the point where zero is the aim not slightly less. What are the start and end point of most journeys along that stretch? How can that be replaced with something more sustainable? Are we likely to simply put more cars on the road by making the road faster? The bottleneck will appear somewhere else no doubt.
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Bob_Blakey
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« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2021, 11:24:34 »

Having been a passenger in a car passing Stonehenge on the A303 countless times I formed the opinion ages ago that the repeated tailbacks were almost entirely due to drivers 'rubber necking' the ancient monument rather than concentrating on the road ahead.

(Last summer we encountered a driver (not a passenger) who momentarily stopped their vehicle to get a mobile phone picture of the aforementioned Stone Age Lego set.)

Just now both the Highways England & Google Maps (with 'Traffic' enabled) websites show slow/stopped traffic on both approaches to Stonehenge and 'green' traffic flows once past the site.

With this in mind I believe a reasonably wide and tall stand of trees / shrubs would have the same effect as a tunnel at a fraction of the cost. Actually I would prefer a suitable wooden fence but, given the recent experience of Liverpool, reckon the folks at UNESCO might take umbrage.

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« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2021, 11:54:41 »

You could even trial that to find out the impact on the site.
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