Crossrail/Elizabeth Line. From construction to operation - ongoing discussion

[whole diary]

[Red Squirrel]

All Crossrail stations are now to become step free:

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2014/11/19/extra-14m-to-make-all-crossrail-stations-step-free/

Whilst this is undoubtedly good news, I'd rather some of the much larger and busier stations that currently have no disabled access that are not on the Crossrail route were sorted out first, rather than the likes of Iver.

But you can see their logic: public transport systems have to be easy to understand, and what's easier to understand than 'All stations on [insert name of line here] are step-free'?

[ChrisB]

Crossrail is also under TfL^» (Transport for London - about), not NR^» (Network Rail - home page)...

[eightf48544]

All Crossrail stations are now to become step free:

Whilst this is undoubtedly good news, I'd rather some of the much larger and busier stations that currently have no disabled access that are not on the Crossrail route were sorted out first, rather than the likes of Iver.

Crossrail is also under TfL^» (Transport for London - about), not NR^» (Network Rail - home page)...

Plus TfL has all the money and are trying to make all public transport in London accessibble.

In a way the TV^▸ (Thames Valley, or TeleVision, depending on context) is lucky that Crossrail is now coming to Reading so that stations like Iver and Taplow which are  outside the GLA are being made accesible,

NR has a lot less money and a lot more stations.

[Electric train]

All Crossrail stations are now to become step free:

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2014/11/19/extra-14m-to-make-all-crossrail-stations-step-free/

Whilst this is undoubtedly good news, I'd rather some of the much larger and busier stations that currently have no disabled access that are not on the Crossrail route were sorted out first, rather than the likes of Iver.

I guess that's so long and bye bye to the 1884 overbridge

[Surrey 455]

In a way the TV^▸ (Thames Valley, or TeleVision, depending on context) is lucky that Crossrail is now coming to Reading so that stations like Iver and Taplow which are  outside the GLA are being made accesible,

Are you suggesting that if trains were to terminate at Maidenhead under previous plans then there would be no disabled access at Iver and Taplow?

[ChrisB]

Not anywhere near as quickly, I agree.

Stations Improvement Fund/TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)/NR^» (Network Rail - home page) as opposed to TfL^» (Transport for London - about)

[IndustryInsider]

This article about the expansion of the Stockley Flyover, part of which is being introduced over this Christmas, is well worth a read:

http://www.ianvisits.co.uk/blog/2014/12/20/photos-from-crossrails-huge-stockly-flyover/

[Boppy]

Thanks for posting that article.  I'm very much interested in how the whole project is being done in stages.

[IndustryInsider]

Plans for Hayes & Harlington's Crossrail station revealed:

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/crossrail-unveils-plans-for-new-station-building-at-hayes-harlington

[lordgoata]

I know something I've been meaning to ask for ages - if Crossrail is extended to Reading, and if I need to change at Reading onto a Crossrail service to Maidenhead - would I need 2 season tickets, one from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) for the leg to/from Reading, and one from Crossrail to/from Maidenhead ?

I know that probably sounds like a stupid question (and I know there are a lot of "if"'s but I am interested in the answer even if FGW will still run a stopper to Maidenhead), but I have only dealt with Seasons on FGW so not sure how it works when the services cross TOC^▸ (Train Operating Company)'s as it were.

I have in the past brought a ticket from Goring to Heathrow via Paddington (to use Heathrow Express), and that was a single ticket, so I assume it would be similar ?

[ChrisB]

Yep, an 'Any Permitted' fare would still do as it says on the can.

TfL^» (Transport for London - about) *might* introduce further zones, and you *might* be able to buy Travelcards to include just these outer zones, but I doubt it as TfL won't control the buses in these zones.

Of course, TfL, in my opinion, will likely introduce their own zonal fares and depending on what the daily upper spend limit is, you might find it cheaper to have two tickets, if travelling in from beyond Reading. Just have to wait & see.

[TonyK]

TfL^» (Transport for London - about) now accept contactless credit and debit cards "tapped in" in the same way as Oyster^▸ (Smartcard system used by passengers on Transport for London services) cards, and with the same daily / weekly capping benefits. This may give a reasonable cheap and hassle free way to split the fare at Reading if travel into London isn't on a regular enough basis to merit a season ticket.

[IndustryInsider]

Plans for West Drayton's Crossrail station have been submitted.  Significant improvements to the current station which has outgrown itself and isn't fit-for-purpose even with the current levels of service and passengers:

http://www.crossrail.co.uk/news/articles/crossrail-unveils-plans-for-major-improvements-to-west-drayton-station

[NickB]

I received a letter today from FGW^▸ (First Great Western) outlining the Easter works programme. It's extensive, and pretty disruptive. My conclusion is that I'll be working from home for a week.

Brief summary (my fault if I've misinterpreted)
The line from Hayes to Didcot will be disrupted/closed from Friday 3rd April to Sunday 12th April.
HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train (Inter City class 43 125 units)) to Bristol and Wales will be 1 per hour and run on the chilterns line.
HSTs to Cornwall to run from Waterloo.
In the Thames valley trains run 2tph from Padd to Hayes.
Everything from Hayes to Didcot will be via bus service.

Awesome.

[JayMac]

Awesome.

And the alternative to providing the much needed improvement in capacity?