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Author Topic: Camden Highline  (Read 2401 times)
stuving
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« on: November 02, 2020, 22:39:50 »

I don't think this has featured here - though you may have seen news of it before. Unlike the New York original, which is a complete stretch of raised railway, this is just a couple of tracks at the side of the North London Line.

Its proposers have been busy for a couple of years, doing the necessary - discussions and reports, mostly. And they ran a competition for designers of all sorts to come up with concepts.

The result of that "beauty contest" will be announced tomorrow - a shortlist of five is expected. But what is really striking about the competition is that there were 76 entries - yes, 76! Mostly obscure entities you've never heard of, naturally. And you do wonder how many came from a couple of otherwise unemployed and locked-down ex-art school students. More details on their website.

I rather like the address of the organisers, too:
Camden Highline,
Top Container,          (it's a blue one)
5-7 Buck Street, NW1 8NJ

« Last Edit: November 03, 2020, 12:43:08 by stuving » Logged
stuving
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« Reply #1 on: November 03, 2020, 12:42:01 »

Here's the promised shortlist - the key para of the press release is:
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The extraordinary nature of the brief did not go unnoticed, with high-quality entries being submitted from industry-leaders across the globe, all required to address the ?creative tensions that exist between an urban environment and the natural world?. The Jury ? compromised of Alison Brooks, Wayne Hemingway, Edward Jarvis, Indy Johar, Kathyrn Moore and Highline chair Richard Terry ? faced the challenging task of selecting just five submissions to take forwards. The finalists are: Agence Ter (France), Benedetti (UK (United Kingdom)), Feilden Fowles (UK), James Corner Field Operations (USA) and We Made That (UK), with a winning team set to be announced in January 2021.
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eightf48544
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« Reply #2 on: November 03, 2020, 14:57:36 »

If we ever get back to "Normal" it could do with reinstating the 4 tracks.
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Red Squirrel
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« Reply #3 on: November 03, 2020, 15:42:39 »

If we ever get back to "Normal" it could do with reinstating the 4 tracks.

It's a curious bit of trackbed to me; it seems to allow for four platforms at Camden Road station but then squeezes back down to two before crossing Kentish Town Road. How was it used?

I'm intigued to see that they removed all the decking from the bridges over Camden Road, Randolph Street and St Pancras Way - that'll probably have kept the bridges in better condition than otherwise. The route to Kings Cross via Camley Street does look like a good one for 'active travel'...



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stuving
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« Reply #4 on: November 03, 2020, 23:18:34 »

If we ever get back to "Normal" it could do with reinstating the 4 tracks.

It's a curious bit of trackbed to me; it seems to allow for four platforms at Camden Road station but then squeezes back down to two before crossing Kentish Town Road. How was it used?

The answer I think is the same as to eightf48544's idea of needing four tracks again (except over that bridge itself). It was or would be for running a service via Primrose Hill (Earlier Chalk Farm) onto the Midland Electric lines towards Willesden and Watford, as well as the current one via Gospel Oak towards Willesden and Richmond. Even with timetables, the details of the service can be hard to fathom - the track available was very different, for one thing.

But another factor calling for all that massive spaghetti tangle of tracks along the NLL was access to the many goods stations just north of the passenger terminal ones. They too up more space, too, though all gone now - at least from that use - just a few bits of land by Kings Cross are yet to be built on.
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MVR S&T
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« Reply #5 on: November 03, 2020, 23:40:28 »

It srikes me there is a LOT of signalling and electrcial 'stuff' to move and it looks a bit narrow too. once the barrier between the live railway is included.
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paul7575
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« Reply #6 on: November 04, 2020, 13:02:08 »

NLS maps (at suitable scales) suggests there have only ever been two tracks over the Kentish Town Rd bridge.  If the track layouts are correct then it looks as if the four track section through Camden Rd was paired by use, ie an eastbound and westbound pair through the other platforms as well as the present pair:

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17.294109333225084&lat=51.54245&lon=-0.14234&layers=170&right=BingHyb

I believe the last serious plans TfL» (Transport for London - about) had, (over 10 years ago when LO was relatively new), were to reinstate just the one platform on the north side of the central island, with some peak extra trains from the Stratford end terminating in what would have become a central reversing platform.  This was when they believed they would never be allowed to run any more trains west of Camden via Gospel Oak.  But they have achieved that now, so any changes at Camden Rd seem to have lapsed.

Of course there have been pretty regular proposals, usually in the more fantastical rail forums, to four track the entire area, with the NLL running through the northern pair to/from Gospel Oak, and an extended ELL running on the southern pair via Primrose Hill.  Sounds great until you have to address the demolition required to fit in a new pair of tracks at suitable curvature.  Oh, and with Camden Rd to Dalston Junction then separated by use, all the freight has to cross from one pair to the other - a point almost always ignored...

Paul
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stuving
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« Reply #7 on: February 16, 2021, 14:08:35 »

The winners of the competition have been announced, and it's ... the people who did the New York High Line! With help from some locals, too.
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INTERNATIONAL DESIGN TEAM TO DELIVER UK (United Kingdom)’S OWN HIGHLINE

The design of Camden Highline, the UK’s latest green infrastructure project, has been awarded to a team led by James Corner Field Operations, the firm behind South Park at Q.E. Olympic Park and New York High Line, in collaboration with vPPR Architects, following a two-stage international competition organised by Colander Associates. They will now work with the local community to reimagine a three-quarter mile of disused railway viaduct as a new walking route, park and open space for community activity.

Grassroots charity, Camden Highline, has today announced a winner following their five-month search for the design team who will deliver London’s new elevated park, linking Camden Town to King’s Cross. The highly sought-after prize saw a distinguished jury deliberate 76 entries and 5 shortlists before allocating the successful bid to James Corner Field Operations.

First stages will see the winning design team consult with the local community and key stakeholders to create an inclusive design plan for the ambitious new walkway and advance it through the planning process. Camden Highline will be a positive example of London’s post-Covid recovery, connecting neighbourhoods, increasing local access to green space, and enticing national and international tourists back to the capital. It will build community pride and sense of place, providing much-needed greenery and opportunities for cultural programming.

The competition winners have brought together an alliance of applied and creative specialists, including Kentish Town-based vPPR Architects, London artist Hew Locke, community consultation organisation Street Space and Dutch garden designer Piet Oudolf, among others. This multidisciplinary team incudes newly emerging local talent and internationally experienced firms, working together to design the Camden Highline as a considered resident amenity and ground-breaking visitor’s destination.

There is some of their submission on the web site, but as composite images that are hard to see even there.
« Last Edit: February 16, 2021, 18:08:08 by stuving » Logged
stuving
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« Reply #8 on: February 16, 2021, 15:17:18 »

Coincidentally with that last news popping up, I was looking for a "railroad viaduct" (really just a bridge over a road) in Chicago. My grandfather's first cousin Alex McDonald was killed there on 26th June 1936; caught btween a dairy truck and the pillars under the bridge in the middle of the road. And I found the right bridge, though it was knocked down in 2014 to be replaced as part of the Bloomingdale trail, another "High Line". I don't think the new bridge was needed to cope with the weight of bikes, more that it was old and not remotely pretty.

So there's a lot of it about, and Chicago is the natural habitat of the railroad embankment. Of course's there's the L, largely on high steel viaducts, but all the other lines (of which there are still a lot) seem to be raised just a few metres. The history on "The 606" site explains a bit of this:
Quote
Following the Fire, Chicago’s population boomed, and dangerous conflicts between residents and rail abounded – with rail often the victor. Between the 1870s and 1890s, thousands were injured or killed each year due to treacherous rail crossings at grade (ground level). In response, elevating the city’s rail lines became a political hot button and a critical issue for social reformers.

In 1893, the City Council passed an ordinance mandating that railroads elevate their tracks within six years. The Bloomingdale Line, now operated by the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company, was one of the last to conform to the new ordinance, beginning work in 1910 and completing in 1913. In a testament to American and Chicagoan ingenuity, rail service continued uninterrupted throughout construction.

Now, as I read that, all other lines were raised and not just this one. And, looking at them, they and the road bridges are all of an age and very similar. So how common was this? I've come across the other famous Chicago jacking-up; the roads in the original central areas were raised to make space for sewers underneath (and some 200 buildings lifted to match). And in Atlanta Downtown, street level was raised above the railroad yards to recover all that central area for the city's use. The space underneath - Underground Atlanta - has had a chequered history and is now being redeveloped (again).

I guess other American cities would have done the same, as they faced similar issues of being small when the railways were laid out and growing hugely in the late 1800s. But did it happen here? I don't recall hearing of it, but such things are often largely forgotten. Once the embankment is built who remembers if the railway was, for a few years, at ground level?

Incidentally, and even more coincidentally, Alex McDonald ran a hamburger restaurant at 1931 Milwaukee Ave. That number in North Milwaukee Ave. is now occupied by a lawyer's office, with "accident specialists" on the window. And next door, on a big site spreading to N Western Ave., is ... a huge McDonald's! (No relation.)
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stuving
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« Reply #9 on: June 23, 2021, 15:58:16 »

Here's another sort of High Line, in the sense that it's rather short - just the Castlefield viaduct (or one of them). From Place Noth West:
Quote

Castlefield Viaduct Park Rendering 2, National Trust, C Twelve Architects & Masterplanners

GALLERY | Castlefield viaduct could become urban park
22 Jun 2021, 12:02   Julia Hatmaker

The National Trust is working with Highways England’s Historical Railways Estate team to transform the 1892 Manchester viaduct into a public space.

Images created by Twelve Architects & Masterplanners showcase the National Trust’s long-term vision for the park. Locals are invited to share their thoughts on the plans at a series of public consultations in June and July. [See in linked web page]

The National Trust is aiming to test ideas for the space by opening the viaduct as a temporary park in summer of 2022. That, of course, is subject to planning approval – which the trust will apply for this autumn.

“National Trust houses, gardens and outdoor places in the North West welcome over a million visitors every year,” said Mike Innerdale, regional director for the North at the National Trust. “However, we understand that these places can be hard to reach for people who live closer to the city and access to good quality green space in urban areas is limited.

“The viaduct gives us an opportunity to create an accessible green space for the 50,000 residents living within a twenty-minute walk of the area of Castlefield,” he continued. “As well as transforming the viaduct into a green space for people, we recognise the viaduct’s importance to Manchester’s history and the need to protect it.

“Transforming the viaduct into an urban park will bring together nature, history and beauty which the National Trust was set up to protect 126 years ago.”

Castlefield Viaduct Park Aerial, National Trust, Twelve Architects & Masterplanners

Both Manchester City Council and the Greater Manchester Combined Authority have voiced their support for the scheme.

“The Castlefield Viaduct is such an iconic part of Manchester’s heritage, so it’s fantastic to see the National Trust’s plans for breathing new life into this landmark and I look forward to working with them to make this a reality,” said Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

“Greater Manchester’s parks and green spaces have been a lifeline over the pandemic, and we’ve all been reminded of how important access to nature is, which is why I’m committed to creating greener, more liveable communities. This project could make a big contribution to this goal – and help revitalise our city’s heritage at the same time.”

Plans have been in the works to transform Castlefield viaduct for several years. In 2012, local residents worked with architects BDP to come up with park designs for the space after being inspired by New York City’s High Line.

The National Trust began work on this new scheme in January 2020, bringing on Twelve Architects towards the end of the year. It is unknown how much the viaduct project will cost to bring to life, but the National Trust did say that basic restoration of it would cost several million pounds. The trust is looking for financial help for the project.

And yes, I'm afraid "Twelve Architects and Masterplanners" is their business name.
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stuving
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« Reply #10 on: May 23, 2022, 11:56:21 »

Camden Highline (phase 1) has just been submitted for planning approval. It's application 2022/2019/P, but so far that's not been put online for consultation. The short description of the proposal says:
Quote
Works relating to the Camden Highline Phase 1, a high level garden on an existing viaduct, including installation of access stairway at Camden Gardens, creation of access point at Royal College Street, commercial kiosks (within existing arches) (Class E), seating area, pedestrian walkway, event spaces, woodland balcony and ancillary waste and storage facilities.

Woodland balcony? Is that a thing?
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Red Squirrel
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« Reply #11 on: May 23, 2022, 15:07:19 »

Woodland balcony? Is that a thing?

It is now!
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stuving
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« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2022, 19:07:32 »

I believe the last serious plans TfL» (Transport for London - about) had, (over 10 years ago when LO was relatively new), were to reinstate just the one platform on the north side of the central island, with some peak extra trains from the Stratford end terminating in what would have become a central reversing platform.  This was when they believed they would never be allowed to run any more trains west of Camden via Gospel Oak.  But they have achieved that now, so any changes at Camden Rd seem to have lapsed.

That lapsed idea has returned, but now it's required for freight capacity. The Highline bunch included this in their list of dealings with Network Rail:
Quote
A Rail Industry Consultation, performed by Network Rail, confirming that the space will not be needed in the near future. The Highline has passed Network Rail’s business and technical clearance process, and discussions are underway for a 25-year lease.

However, last year (not long after the competition result) NR» (Network Rail - home page) and TfL put out a "London Rail Freight Strategy". And guess what that contains, as the first of its "core interventions"?
Quote
CAMDEN ROAD PLATFORM 3
This proposal would reinstate a third track and platform on the northern side of Camden Road station, utilising part of the former 4-track formation through the station.
The additional capacity provided would facilitate much greater flexibility in pathing options for trains on this busy central section of the NLL, opening up new options for future service provision and bolstering performance resilience. Reinstatement of a third platform would enable platform 2 to be used as a central turnback, with platform 3 becoming the eastbound line for through London Overground services and the majority of freight. Transport for London modelling suggests that the eastern end of the NLL, from Canonbury to Stratford, will see some of the strongest long-term demand growth on the Overground network. A turnback platform will allow this to be addressed with peak capacity boosting Stratford-Camden Road services and there would also be the option to operate these through the off-peak, which could offer a means of providing additional passenger capacity where it is most needed. The availability of an additional platform would also aid performance recovery during perturbation on the orbital routes.

These "core interventions" are required for their "'Indicative Train Service Specification’ for the 2040s", though exactly what needs to be done when is hard to fathom.

Now, that's not strictly speaking incompatible with the Highline idea - building one track leaves at least half the space still available. But it does spoil the one wide bit that was the main attraction. So far, I can see no mention of this conflict on either side, though IanVisits has mentioned it.

The project has now gone for full planning approval (2022/2019/P) - so maybe its promoters think they will have at least 20 years before the railways can get their act together to do anything. Network Rail's consultation response is based on the proposal, with no mention of whether the "land" is available. Of course that's not a planning matter; either they have an agreement or they don't yet. And the locals seem mostly to be keen on it.
« Last Edit: August 02, 2022, 12:07:47 by stuving » Logged
Red Squirrel
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« Reply #13 on: August 02, 2022, 10:31:29 »

YouTuber Jago Hazzard has produced a video on the history of Camden Town/Road station, for them as is interested:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=redRbP0wTyg&t=473s
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