Balcombe tunnel?

[djo]

Southern and FCC in a mess today, something overrunning in Balcombe tunnel, anyone know what is causing the hassles?

Cheers
David

 

[Mcr Warrior]

Overnight track renewal in the Balcombe tunnel, and some problem with the welding equipment that was being used, apparently.

More at the following link:-

http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/local/buses_brought_in_to_ease_brighton_line_delays_1_3522288

 

[Evvy73]

Yep - caused a right snarl up this morning - my normal 53minute commute took an additional 28minutes, despite leaving Wivelsfield on time - very 'stop/start'. (obviously because there were so many trains backed up).

Typical that they managed to get us in to London Bridge just before the magic "30 minute delay repay claim" threshold too!

Interestingly this appears to have raised another call for the 'BML2', this time from a Lord no less! http://www.midsussextimes.co.uk/news/balcombe_rail_disruption_renews_calls_for_bml2_1_3522568

Southern have been having a bad time of late - my last three journeys to and from work have had 12, 42 and 28minute delays!

 

[yorksrob]

Well done for Lord Bassam.

Whilst I sympathise with any fellow commuter caught up in disruption I think it's great news that prominent people are using such occasions to press for improved links between London and the Sussex Coast - particularly BML2 which, far from being just a diversionary route to London, would bring so much more connectivity to the Weald.

 

[ushawk]

Wouldnt say any of the recent problems have been Southerns fault though, they are just incredibly lucky - Balcombe area is having a lot of problems at the moment though.

I still disagree with the BML2 project as it would only be used for diversions occasionally and business cases have proven there isnt a significant benefit to reopen the line.

 

[yorksrob]

business cases have proven there isnt a significant benefit to reopen the line.

I wonder how many of the existing commuter routes of Kent and Sussex would never be built today if they required a similar "business case" (doubtless coloured by such factors as the replacement of level crossings and the loss of motor fuel tax to the treasury etc).

 

[Bald Rick]

I wonder how many of the existing commuter routes of Kent and Sussex would never be built today if they required a similar "business case" (doubtless coloured by such factors as the replacement of level crossings and the loss of motor fuel tax to the treasury etc).

Quite a few, no doubt. However they are already built.

The overrun was just over an hour. What proportion of the normal service up the Brighton Main line could have gone via a reopened Uckfield line anyway ?

 

[yorksrob]

Quite a few, no doubt. However they are already built.

The overrun was just over an hour. What proportion of the normal service up the Brighton Main line could have gone via a reopened Uckfield line anyway ?

If built to double track, quite a few - those from Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne certainly. Single track, less so.

I reiterate, If this line were built, it would be well used, and day-to-day, not just for diversions.

 

[tsr]

If built to double track, quite a few - those from Brighton, Lewes and Eastbourne certainly. Single track, less so.

I reiterate, If this line were built, it would be well used, and day-to-day, not just for diversions.

Agreed. I'd also like to see a link between what I would call the London-Lewes via Uckfield Line and the Redhill-Tonbridge Line, allowing further diversions. I am pretty sure such a chord did once exist, but only in one direction. I am pretty sure this would allow a decent level of added flexibility.

 

[bangor-toad]

Agreed. I'd also like to see a link between what I would call the London-Lewes via Uckfield Line and the Redhill-Tonbridge Line, allowing further diversions. I am pretty sure such a chord did once exist, but only in one direction. I am pretty sure this would allow a decent level of added flexibility.

Hi there,
There was a link between the Oxted-East Grinstead line and the Redhill-Tonbridge line. It allowed Oxted-Tonbridge moves. I think it was taken up in the late 1950's.

The geograpahy of where the Oxted-Uckfield line crosses the Redhill-Tonbridge line really makes it hard to link with a chord. Have a look at Google Earth and look for the Redhill-Tonbridge line bridge over the Uckfield line wedged between the tunnels!

Of course if the Eridge - Tunbridge Wells line was used, along with the Ashurst - Groombridge chord, there would be all sorts of moves possible. Probably not in the near future though

Cheers,
Jason

 

[yorksrob]

Of course if the Eridge - Tunbridge Wells line was used, along with the Ashurst - Groombridge chord, there would be all sorts of moves possible. Probably not in the near future though

Cheers,
Jason

Indeed. If this were to happen, I think the Uckfield line would be transformed from a rather dead end branch to a much more useful (as well as sustainable from the point of view of generating traffic outside of the rush hour) network.