• Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

Cornwall Metro funding approved

Status
Not open for further replies.

sor

Member
Joined
15 Nov 2013
Messages
780
£5m buys a health centre with a hospital outpatients unit, GP surgery, social services offices and more (Blaenau Ffestiniog).

Or a footbridge with lifts (Par).
Or for the cost of around 16 Par bridges, the council is building an entirely new road to link the A30 to St Austell, from initial design and planning to land acquisition to construction and potential for additional traffic calming measures for Roche and Bugle (which may be the enabler for the “active travel“ promised for MCM)

I thought they had a standardised design that was supposed to get costs down?
 
Last edited:
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

D Williams

Member
Joined
27 Jul 2022
Messages
298
Location
Worcestershire
Given there’s a level crossing adjacent to the station, it hardly seems a high priority when compared with all the competing needs for level access where there is absolutely no level access.
Since the introduction of half-hourly services plus the occasional trip to Fowey the inhabitants of Lostwithiel have been kicking off at the delays on the crossing for pedestrians. How many will actually bother to walk the length of the platforms to reach the temporary footbridge is debateable and if you are in a car you still have to wait for the crossing to open. But, public pressure and local politicians have won the day.
 

Express380

Member
Joined
7 Mar 2020
Messages
399
Location
.
Since the introduction of half-hourly services plus the occasional trip to Fowey the inhabitants of Lostwithiel have been kicking off at the delays on the crossing for pedestrians. How many will actually bother to walk the length of the platforms to reach the temporary footbridge is debateable and if you are in a car you still have to wait for the crossing to open. But, public pressure and local politicians have won the day.
In my eyes it's a pointless exercise as since the resignalling closures from Exeter panel are much reduced compared to when the signal box was active, I witnessed a fast train passing 2 minutes after the barriers began to close and by the time you walked around it would make minimal difference waiting at the crossing than using the bridge
 

PR102

Member
Joined
25 May 2011
Messages
18
Regarding Par station's new footbridge, there could be extra logistical issues erecting the replacement structure - and maybe the temporary one too - on site. If you look at where the existing one is situated, where would one suppose the existing structure be sited? The ideal position has to be where the existing one is, so any temporary structure will need to be erected and gradually replaced or positioned elsewhere. There isn't a lot of suitable real estate at Par for two footbridges. There is ample working space in the old yard but the forcourt is very cramped and the road vehicle access isn't too great either.

On the matter of 4 car trains on the Falmouth branch and being part of the metro system/scheme, platform 3 at Truro would probably facilitate 4-car trains to/from Falmouth, being split there - reversible working back to Falmouth has been provided for out of P3. Additionally Falmouth Town I believe has issues being restricted on limited level ground - may be something to do with why Fal. Docks was reinstated back in the 1970s if memory serves.

Perhaps some of the new rich landlords in the Penryn area could contrtibute towards a proper 2-platform station at Penryn? With a footbridge? Having helpful staff with boarded crossings at stations has been out of favour for almost 2 decades now, as it reduced the operating liability - and besides, reversing that policy would probably be attacking one ideology too far for the UK Government - that of less staff and less skills and more automation.
 
Joined
6 Sep 2011
Messages
989
Location
Blackpool south Shore
Par Station - How much would a ramp type bridge cost?
Disadvantage - recommend keeping the present footbridge. Long ramp.
Advantage - less money, and substantial less maintenance, eg lift servicing and electricity.
There is plenty of space for one.
From centre of platform up to abutting the road bridge? With access to road too. Easy walk for those living in Tywardreath and St Blazey etc.
The up starter signal may be a little too high, should not be a problem.
 

Meerkat

Established Member
Joined
14 Jul 2018
Messages
9,276
From centre of platform up to abutting the road bridge? With access to road too.
Pavement looks too narrow on the road bridge.
Is the excessive cost for the bridge location specific or just the crazy price they cost now?
 

Gloster

Veteran Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
12,968
Location
Up the creek
Par Station - How much would a ramp type bridge cost?
Disadvantage - recommend keeping the present footbridge. Long ramp.
Advantage - less money, and substantial less maintenance, eg lift servicing and electricity.
There is plenty of space for one.
From centre of platform up to abutting the road bridge? With access to road too. Easy walk for those living in Tywardreath and St Blazey etc.
The up starter signal may be a little too high, should not be a problem.

Par Signal Box has been abolished.
 
Joined
6 Sep 2011
Messages
989
Location
Blackpool south Shore
Par Signal Box has been abolished.
Many thanks for the update!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: ==

Pavement looks too narrow on the road bridge.
Is the excessive cost for the bridge location specific or just the crazy price they cost now?
Yes it is, if a new ramp bridge abuts the road bridge could they remove the parapet wall, and replace with a metal barrier?
 
Last edited:

Revilo

Member
Joined
13 Jan 2018
Messages
346
And the ramp-type footbridges look awful, being so large and bulky. Plus, because they are so long, most normal passengers don’t use them and so the ramps feel quite isolated and unsafe from a crime perspective. They should just stick some lights on the barrow crossings, much cheaper!
 

RPI

Established Member
Joined
6 Dec 2010
Messages
3,344
And the ramp-type footbridges look awful, being so large and bulky. Plus, because they are so long, most normal passengers don’t use them and so the ramps feel quite isolated and unsafe from a crime perspective. They should just stick some lights on the barrow crossings, much cheaper!
Par isn't a place where you routinely feel unsafe though, has the odd wannabe gangsta chav hanging around but is way way down the list of rough stations
 

DaveHarries

Established Member
Joined
12 Dec 2011
Messages
2,573
Location
England
Great Western Railway said:
North Cornwall - Monday 18 November to Sunday 1 December
Track upgrades linked to train service improvements will affect trains for Newquay. Replacement buses are planned between St Austell and Newquay. Most replacement buses do not stop at Par, change at St Austell instead.

Further work will affect trains for Newquay in February and March 2025.
(GWR Website - https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering)

The work for February and March 2025 has a date specified on the same page for Monday 24th February to Sunday 23rd March during which time the signalling upgrades and any remaining work will presumably be finished and tested.

Dave
 

The Ham

Veteran Member
Joined
6 Jul 2012
Messages
12,036
And the ramp-type footbridges look awful, being so large and bulky. Plus, because they are so long, most normal passengers don’t use them and so the ramps feel quite isolated and unsafe from a crime perspective. They should just stick some lights on the barrow crossings, much cheaper!

Assuming a 5m level difference between platform and bridge deck (circa 6m from rail to bridge deck which is also circa 5m from rail to underside of the bridge) you'd be looking at ramps of 100m (anything flatter than 1:20 can be a constant grade, whilst you can go as steep as 1:12 you need level rest areas quite frequently, so the overall length is actually slightly longer, so only works if you need to zigzag the ramp anyway).
 

DaveHarries

Established Member
Joined
12 Dec 2011
Messages
2,573
Location
England
Currently RTT showing no Newquay branch service from December TT change.
Perhaps there is a bit of uncertainty as to how the timetable is likely to pan out. The MCM project means that, in the life of the December 2024 TT, there are two lengthy sets of engineering works planned - Monday 18th November to Sunday 01st December 2024 and Monday 24th February to Sunday 23rd March 2025 (see https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering) - so it may be that GWR haven't quite got it sorted out yet.

Dave
 

RPI

Established Member
Joined
6 Dec 2010
Messages
3,344
Was going to say, there are two lengthy possessions coming up.
 

The exile

Established Member
Joined
31 Mar 2010
Messages
9,356
Location
Somerset
Perhaps there is a bit of uncertainty as to how the timetable is likely to pan out. The MCM project means that, in the life of the December 2024 TT, there are two lengthy sets of engineering works planned - Monday 18th November to Sunday 01st December 2024 and Monday 24th February to Sunday 23rd March 2025 (see https://www.gwr.com/travel-information/travel-updates/planned-engineering) - so it may be that GWR haven't quite got it sorted out yet.

Dave
Surely the first of those is over before the December TT starts?
 

ThreeIfByAir

Member
Joined
14 Jun 2019
Messages
14
So... the first of these possessions has been extended by two weeks (and counting) after Network Rail found 'displaced ballast'. Does anyone know more about what's going on down there? Was this a new landslip, or was it something that was there all the time but only discovered once they got to work?
 

RPI

Established Member
Joined
6 Dec 2010
Messages
3,344
So... the first of these possessions has been extended by two weeks (and counting) after Network Rail found 'displaced ballast'. Does anyone know more about what's going on down there? Was this a new landslip, or was it something that was there all the time but only discovered once they got to work?
The extension to the works is not related to the Metro improvements.
 

D Williams

Member
Joined
27 Jul 2022
Messages
298
Location
Worcestershire
So... the first of these possessions has been extended by two weeks (and counting) after Network Rail found 'displaced ballast'. Does anyone know more about what's going on down there? Was this a new landslip, or was it something that was there all the time but only discovered once they got to work?
Network Rail said: "Engineers working on the line discovered that a significant amount of ballast - the stones which hold the tracks in place - near St Blazey had become displaced and as a result repairs must be carried out before trains can run again.

7f0b3430-afca-11ef-8e95-674489b763e2.jpg
 

Gloster

Veteran Member
Joined
4 Sep 2020
Messages
12,968
Location
Up the creek
I believe that part of the retaining wall down to the left was washed away in one of the recent storms.
 

DaveHarries

Established Member
Joined
12 Dec 2011
Messages
2,573
Location
England
I believe that part of the retaining wall down to the left was washed away in one of the recent storms.
Storm Darragh not to blame for this one: I can't recall the name of it but the storm behind this was the one where it rained non-stop all weekend.

DAve
 

Wolfie

Established Member
Joined
17 Aug 2010
Messages
7,399
Network Rail said: "Engineers working on the line discovered that a significant amount of ballast - the stones which hold the tracks in place - near St Blazey had become displaced and as a result repairs must be carried out before trains can run again.

7f0b3430-afca-11ef-8e95-674489b763e2.jpg
Ok, this closure is absolutely reasonable. I certainly wouldn't to be on a train using that track as is.
 

83G/84D

Established Member
Joined
28 Oct 2011
Messages
6,150
Location
Cornwall
Train services should hopefully resume between Par and Newquay later today after route proving has taken place.
 
Joined
18 Sep 2018
Messages
90
The line is expected to close again soon for a passing loop.
I believe this passing loop will be east of St Dennis Junction?

My 1960 1" OS map shows it there to be about 1 3/4 miles of double track here. On the ground to the north of the current single track, it appears to still be within the railway curtiledge and unencumbered by development.
How long will the loop be?
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top