Chiltern Oxford Link completed

[OxtedL]

How on earth did you get that to work? I'm impressed... Overall, I like the bulletin-board / forum software, which generally works well.

If you right click the dead images and click "open image in new tab" or equivalent you can see them.

The issue here was that they are pages on dropbox, not actual images (despite what the url looks like) so IMG tags won't work. If you wanted to embed them in a post, you'd have to do it as an attachment.

 

[MarkRedon]

If you right click the dead images and click "open image in new tab" or equivalent you can see them.

The issue here was that they are pages on dropbox, not actual images (despite what the url looks like) so IMG tags won't work. If you wanted to embed them in a post, you'd have to do it as an attachment.

Thank you for that explanation, which is very helpful.

It's hardly specific to Chiltern Oxford, but worth noting somewhere: I couldn't even see what you call dead images - because I normally use Mozilla Firefox as my browser. Under Firefox, all that appears is additional blank lines; there is nothing on which to right-click. Dead images do appear under, for example, Google Chrome. But the general take-home message from this discussion is that it is better to embed images as attachments.

 

[petegunstone]

Dear all,

Thanks for the feedback re the images.

I've updated the links in post #1647 above, quoted below, and it now seems to be working.

I had tried to post the pictures directly from the dropbox link that my iPhone gave me. However, link that I gained via my laptop does seem to be working. If it's not working for anyone, please do let me know.

Apologies for the inconvenience

Images from First Turn bridge:

 

[steevp]

A picture and some information about the work at Oxford from the Oxford Mail:
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/14...ations_put_in_at_Oxford_station/?ref=mr&lp=10

NEW track has been laid and signals put in place as work to extend the platforms at Oxford station begins to take shape.

The project to increase the capacity at the station, to allow trains to run between Oxford station and the new Oxford Parkway, is on course to be completed in December.

Network Rail workers can also be seen laying the foundations for the new platforms opposite the existing structures.

Earlier this summer, Network Rail workers demolished existing canopies and carriages which had stood at the station for more than 30 years to create space for the East West Rail service.

The first train to run from Oxford to Oxford Parkway and then beyond to London Marylebone is scheduled to leave the station on December 12.

A spring opening had originally been expected for the line but Chiltern Railways said problems getting planning consents were partly to blame for the six-month delay.

 

[swt_passenger]

Platform lengths

Just noticed in the 2014 planning stuff for the rebuilt Oxford bay platforms P1 and P2 (in the revised numbering scheme) that they are supposed to be building to 5 and 6 car length respectively.

Will this rule out use of a mainline hauled set when the full service starts? Might they start the odd train at Oxford Parkway?

 

[alexx]

Slightly off-topic and really terrible vacuous journalism, but thought this might interest the group nonetheless.

Chaos predicted at Oxford Parkway as thousands re-directed due to railway closures

THERE are fears Oxford Parkway train station won't be able to cope with extra demand if the county prepares for the closure of key railway routes.

Routes linking Oxford to Didcot Parkway, Banbury and Hanborough will all be closed in the coming weeks as a number of improvements are carried out at the same time.

With Oxford Parkway to London Marylebone the only remaining route into London from the city - without getting a bus - commuters fear there could be major problems at the newly-built station in Kidlington from Monday morning. Chiltern Railways, which runs the route, has said it has thousands of extra seats available to prepare for an influx of extra passengers.

Chris Bates, of Cherwell Rail Users' Group, said: "There could be major capacity problems at Oxford Parkway as everyone will be bussed there during the work.

"The rail companies have done everything they can but it may not guard against chaos once the work starts."

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/14...housands_re_directed_due_to_railway_closures/

 

[button_boxer]

With Oxford Parkway to London Marylebone the only remaining route into London from the city - without getting a bus

[...]

everyone will be bussed there during the work.

Spot the deliberate(?) mistake...

 

[route:oxford]

Spot the deliberate(?) mistake...

Indeed. They clearly don't understand the difference between a bus and a coach.

 

[midlandred]

Spot the deliberate(?) mistake...

TRAIN station?

 

[swt_passenger]

"won't be able to cope with extra demand IF the county prepares for the closure of key railway routes..." So it's only a possibility.

Did the author mean to write 'as'?

 

[LexyBoy]

Isn't Chiltern currently providing the same level of service that as will be running once the line reaches Oxford proper? In which case the trains should cope, and Oxford Parkway should be able to cope with a large number of people arriving by road, being a, er, parkway.

Having got the bus to Didcot at a weekend recently, I think the chaos will be at Oxford station - although well organised I didn't like to think how it would cope with the numbers of people at rush hour. Didcot will be fun too if they try to keep the barriers (all 4 of them!) in operation.

Presumably anyone who has the option will use alternative means of transport wherever possible. It's a shame there's no pickup for the RR services from elsewhere in Oxford - a link to East Oxford would go a long way to reduce journey times for commuters from there.

 

[swt_passenger]

Isn't Chiltern currently providing the same level of service that as will be running once the line reaches Oxford proper? In which case the trains should cope, and Oxford Parkway should be able to cope with a large number of people arriving by road, being a, er, parkway.

RTT suggests there are a couple of additional morning peak departures next week, and presumably most 168 operated diagrams can be lengthened during the first week that Chiltern are not running through services to Birmingham.

That logic wouldn't apply in the second week though, when Banbury will have reopened.

 

[route:oxford]

RTT suggests there are a couple of additional morning peak departures next week, and presumably most 168 operated diagrams can be lengthened during the first week that Chiltern are not running through services to Birmingham.

That logic wouldn't apply in the second week though, when Banbury will have reopened.

Will GWR have a spare 16x unit as a consequence of the truncated diagrams?

 

[swt_passenger]

Will GWR have a spare 16x unit as a consequence of the truncated diagrams?

I'd have thought they'd have quite a few doing different things for the fortnight, given that they'll need empty trains starting from Didcot, but whether displaced units will be spare or everything will run at longest possible length, then I just don't know...

 

[JamesT]

There doesn't seem to be a copy on iplayer I can link to, but this evening's Oxford News on BBC1 was warning of the potential of more fun and games with planning consent. Apparently Network Rail have decided the Tata 'silent' track isn't cost-effective so are now planning just normal track. But noise mitigation was part of the planning consent, so they'll need to go out to consultation again. Usual moans from the North Oxford NIMBYs about how there lives will be unbearable with just a fence between them and the railway.

 

[jimm]

Isn't Chiltern currently providing the same level of service that as will be running once the line reaches Oxford proper? In which case the trains should cope, and Oxford Parkway should be able to cope with a large number of people arriving by road, being a, er, parkway.

Having got the bus to Didcot at a weekend recently, I think the chaos will be at Oxford station - although well organised I didn't like to think how it would cope with the numbers of people at rush hour. Didcot will be fun too if they try to keep the barriers (all 4 of them!) in operation.

Presumably anyone who has the option will use alternative means of transport wherever possible. It's a shame there's no pickup for the RR services from elsewhere in Oxford - a link to East Oxford would go a long way to reduce journey times for commuters from there.

Chiltern's level of service is predicated on there being trains running between Oxford and London on a certain other route as well...

That said, it is August, when commuter traffic falls off markedly - and GWR has been hammering home the timing of this blockade for months, with the very clear aim of encouraging people to take their summer holidays at this time. This approach has worked well in the past during blockades for Cotswold Line redoubling, so I see no reason why it will be any different this time.

Glad you have such faith in GWR's ability to manage a bus replacement operation. Chaos was not exactly the word that sprang to mind during the Cotswold Line blocks when the bus operation was complicated, to say the least, trying to cater for the intermediate stations and people heading to Worcestershire. Shuttling up and down between Oxford and Didcot is a picnic by comparison.

 

[Bletchleyite]

There doesn't seem to be a copy on iplayer I can link to, but this evening's Oxford News on BBC1 was warning of the potential of more fun and games with planning consent. Apparently Network Rail have decided the Tata 'silent' track isn't cost-effective so are now planning just normal track. But noise mitigation was part of the planning consent, so they'll need to go out to consultation again. Usual moans from the North Oxford NIMBYs about how there lives will be unbearable with just a fence between them and the railway.

What, a railway that already existed? Unbelievable


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[BanburyBlue]

Chiltern's level of service is predicated on there being trains running between Oxford and London on a certain other route as well...

That said, it is August, when commuter traffic falls off markedly - and GWR has been hammering home the timing of this blockade for months, with the very clear aim of encouraging people to take their summer holidays at this time. This approach has worked well in the past during blockades for Cotswold Line redoubling, so I see no reason why it will be any different this time.

Glad you have such faith in GWR's ability to manage a bus replacement operation. Chaos was not exactly the word that sprang to mind during the Cotswold Line blocks when the bus operation was complicated, to say the least, trying to cater for the intermediate stations and people heading to Worcestershire. Shuttling up and down between Oxford and Didcot is a picnic by comparison.

Should people really have to take their holidays when dictated to by GWR?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

There doesn't seem to be a copy on iplayer I can link to, but this evening's Oxford News on BBC1 was warning of the potential of more fun and games with planning consent. Apparently Network Rail have decided the Tata 'silent' track isn't cost-effective so are now planning just normal track. But noise mitigation was part of the planning consent, so they'll need to go out to consultation again. Usual moans from the North Oxford NIMBYs about how there lives will be unbearable with just a fence between them and the railway.

Surely, if 'silent track' was promised it should be delivered? This sounds like Network Rail backing out of a commitment they made in order to get planning permission in the first place? NIMBY's doesn't come into it!

 

[JamesT]

Surely, if 'silent track' was promised it should be delivered? This sounds like Network Rail backing out of a commitment they made in order to get planning permission in the first place? NIMBY's doesn't come into it!

The promise is for "reasonable practicable measures" for noise mitigation. As per http://mycouncil.oxford.gov.uk/documents/s24027/EWR%20condition%2019%20noise%20-%20Appendix%2011.pdf the silent track was suggested as something they might look at, but there were no guarantees on it.

 

[swt_passenger]

Should people really have to take their holidays when dictated to by GWR?

A suggestion isn't 'dictation'. It isn't the first time TOCs and NR have suggested that as there will be a blockade somewhere people may wish to factor it into their holiday plans, but that's all they ever do.

 

[jimm]

Should people really have to take their holidays when dictated to by GWR?

Have you ever heard of common sense?

Unless you know of a warehouse full of magic carpets knocking around that can bridge the gaps to Didcot or Oxford Parkway in the blink of an eye for the next fortnight, it makes perfect sense to encourage people to take time off when their regular journeys will be made a whole lot more difficult due to the blockade.

Lots of people do take holidays at this time of year as a general rule, in case you hadn't noticed, resulting in a big fall-off in passenger traffic anyway, which is why Network Rail have timed the work for August. All they and GWR are doing is trying to boost that effect for a couple of weeks to spare people longer, more difficult journeys. What on earth is wrong with that?

Chiltern has been doing exactly the same thing in the context of the Banbury blockade next week, in case you hadn't noticed. Are you going to take them to task for 'dictating' to their passengers was well?

Surely, if 'silent track' was promised it should be delivered? This sounds like Network Rail backing out of a commitment they made in order to get planning permission in the first place? NIMBY's doesn't come into it!

The Network Rail spokesman who appeared in the BBC report said that after looking at it, they had concluded that the supposed benefits simply weren't spending another £2.5m for, over and above all the other acoustic barriers etc that are being installed. The line is in a cutting and tunnel through much of Wolvercote in any case.

All NR said last year was that they might consider this type of track's use at Wolvercote on a trial basis. 'Silent track' appears to be best suited to stations - Blackfriars being its first UK use. Hence why NR talked about a trial.

The bottom line is that people in Wolvercote will never be satisfied by anything short of trains tiptoeing past at 10mph - or, even better, no trains at all. Never mind that the not-exactly-secret possibility of that line being upgraded and far more, faster trains running has been around for 30 years, since NSE reinstated the passenger service to Bicester, which at the time was stated to be intended as a precursor to going on at least as far as Bletchley.

 

[swt_passenger]

What, a railway that already existed? Unbelievable

They (NR and Chiltern) seem to have brought a lot on themselves with this project, given that it is in major respects a re-opening. I trust someone is reviewing where they might have offered too much in an attempt to pacify certain objectors.

IMHO they used a TWA Order for the whole Evergreen 3 project inadvisedly, the only brand new railway is the Bicester Chord.

 

[edwin_m]

A suggestion isn't 'dictation'. It isn't the first time TOCs and NR have suggested that as there will be a blockade somewhere people may wish to factor it into their holiday plans, but that's all they ever do.

There was similar advice for the Olympics, and I don't remember anyone saying it was a bad idea then.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Is this perhaps a precursor of reactions to East West Rail? If we look at Bedford-Bletchley, there's a world of difference for those living by the line between a DMU passing twice an hour, once in each direction, and occasional freights, and 4 faster, longer EMUs each way an hour and no doubt more freights.

 

[edwin_m]

Is this perhaps a precursor of reactions to East West Rail? If we look at Bedford-Bletchley, there's a world of difference for those living by the line between a DMU passing twice an hour, once in each direction, and occasional freights, and 4 faster, longer EMUs each way an hour and no doubt more freights.

The EMUs will be quieter than the DMUs, and I can't imagine there will be much more freight on East West Rail.

 

[Nicholas43]

Network Rail has made two applications for variation of the conditions of the (deemed) planning approval. Their case is at
http://public.oxford.gov.uk/online-...TTING_OUT_NETWORK_RAIL_S_EVIDENCE-1755374.pdf

Objectors claim that "silent" rail helps more than Network Rail now claim, and that NR promised to test it.

Sorry, I haven't read the whole thread. Can someone remind us why re-instating (some of) the double track which (I think) the LNWR had from Oxford (Rewley road) to Bletchley from (I think) the 1860s, and renovating a couple of platforms at Oxford (Frideswide Square), has been treated, for planning purposes (and Chiltern marketing hype?) as a "new" railway?

 

[swt_passenger]

I think the main driver for doing it by a TWA Order was that Chiltern and NR wanted to close all the level crossings along the Oxford North to Bicester section, and needed a lot of road and footpath closures and/or diversions.

But why they decided to wrap it all into one application, given they would have had permitted development rights for existing infrastructure, is beyond my understanding.

 

[route:oxford]

There doesn't seem to be a copy on iplayer I can link to, but this evening's Oxford News on BBC1 was warning of the potential of more fun and games with planning consent. Apparently Network Rail have decided the Tata 'silent' track isn't cost-effective so are now planning just normal track. But noise mitigation was part of the planning consent, so they'll need to go out to consultation again. Usual moans from the North Oxford NIMBYs about how there lives will be unbearable with just a fence between them and the railway.

If I'd posted that, Jimm would have had a tantrum.

There are certain political factions in Oxford who really hate the railways and will go anything to try and stop betterment in the city.

 

[jimm]

If I'd posted that, Jimm would have had a tantrum.

There are certain political factions in Oxford who really hate the railways and will go anything to try and stop betterment in the city.

Why would I have a tantrum? It was a perfectly straightforward summary of what was said on the programme.

He didn't say anything about Oxford's politicians, but as usual, you just can't help yourself, can you? Grow up.

 

[route:oxford]

Why would I have a tantrum? It was a perfectly straightforward summary of what was said on the programme.

He didn't say anything about Oxford's politicians, but as usual, you just can't help yourself, can you? Grow up.

He didn't have to. The *NIMBYs* are the politicians.

You're so precious about politics - anything to censor political content you haven't personally sanctioned on these forums.

How many times have you demanded the moderators ban me over your political fews so far? They do tell me every time you do it...