Desirable rail developments

[BrianW]

Several threads seem to be relating to perceived changes in 'mood music' prompted or related to the impending change in Prime Minister and 'policies'.
Closure of 'little used stations' and lines, bustitutions, reopenings, new lines ...

I see an opportunity for a more positive 'cast'- a programme of government press releases relating to 'Improving Rail services for ...'

The locations derive directly from this list of locations deserving of 'levelling up', attention after many years of neglect ...

2019 General Election: Conservative seats gained and lost | Conservative Home

All the constituencies that have changed hands.

conservativehome.com

As other postings recognise, these are not 'manifesto commitments' other than to review plans such as to address at pace the most effective ways to secure early improvements ...

To the 'list' one might expect to add improvements at Tiverton Parkway (better bus connectivity?), Honiton; Tunbridge Wells; St Albans, ...

Regarding East-West Rail, I note fairly solid Conservative except Bedford and Cambridge! Perhaps the development of innovative travel opportunities like EV, hydrogen in conjunction with developers of new green communities ...

I've said it before- who wants to travel frm Oxford to Cambridge. Why? In short- who wants or needs EWR, or an 'arc' other than former Mayor Dave?

Every one of the incumbent MPs of constituencies on the list has an interest in rail development for 'our hard-working people'. Call me cynical, or 'working for you'.

 

[The Planner]

Why are you assuming end to end journeys?

 

[Energy]

I've said it before- who wants to travel frm Oxford to Cambridge. Why? In short- who wants or needs EWR, or an 'arc' other than former Mayor Dave?

I'd be suprised if there wasn't much traffic from Oxford to Cambridge

Why are you assuming end to end journeys?

Looking at a map currently to go between a lot of the stations on EWR you'd have to go via London, which isn't really ideal.

 

[The Planner]

I'd be suprised if there wasn't much traffic from Oxford to Cambridge

Looking at a map currently to go between a lot of the stations on EWR you'd have to go via London, which isn't really ideal.

Yes, but considering most of the phase 2 business case is based on Oxford to MK, clearly the intermediate traffic is a major component.

 

[Halifaxlad]

I've said it before- who wants to travel frm Oxford to Cambridge. Why? In short- who wants or needs EWR, or an 'arc' other than former Mayor Dave?

Once HS2 and HS2 East is built, the latter currently questionable and if E-W rail is completed then hopefully Crosscountry services could head from places like Leeds and the North East to Wales and the South West via the ECML and EWR!

 

[BrianW]

Yes, but considering most of the phase 2 business case is based on Oxford to MK, clearly the intermediate traffic is a major component.

So, 'finish off' Bicester Village to Bletchley (call it Milton Keynes South- it is part of MK- or MK Village??)- that meets the Oxford- MK 'promise'.

Who is going to travel Islip- Sandy or St Neots? How many Sandy to Cambridge that don't do the hour trip via Hitchin?

I imagine- could be wrong- the larger towns generate more custom, and that London is still the major destination?

Once HS2 and HS2 East is built, the latter currently questionable and if E-W rail is completed then hopefully Crosscountry services could head from places like Leeds and the North East to Wales and the South West via the ECML and EWR!

Dream on (SORRY) ... ECML (and HS2) will/ should be full of London traffic rather than have the odd train peel off

i like the idea too of a train from everywhere (like home) to everywhere at a time I want, with buffet and not too crowded, and cheap of course

Stirring more- Beeching, Marples and Castle recognised that the train should do what the train does best- regular, reliable volume flows and a 'social railway'.

 

[The Planner]

That is an odd argument (Islip won't be served by E-W), but that is like saying why does a train go from A-Z if no one goes C-M.

 

[A0]

Once HS2 and HS2 East is built, the latter currently questionable and if E-W rail is completed then hopefully Crosscountry services could head from places like Leeds and the North East to Wales and the South West via the ECML and EWR!

EWR yes, ECML, no point - but EWR because it'll be going via Milton Keynes.

Running all the way down the ECML to Sandy to get on the EWR is going to be a slow and long way round and doesn't serve any major traffic destinations.

 

[BrianW]

Why are you assuming end to end journeys?

Yes, but considering most of the phase 2 business case is based on Oxford to MK, clearly the intermediate traffic is a major component.

That is an odd argument (Islip won't be served by E-W), but that is like saying why does a train go from A-Z if no one goes C-M.

Thank you. Sorry if I am unaware of the lack of attraction of Islip in relation to E-W- is it to only have trains to/from Oxford and (some) stations en route Marylebone? I recognise 'issues' re Parking there.

Elsewhere I can see possibilities beyond end-to-end, though I would expect (and it seems to me that EWR do too) that the principal objectives are to serve the connectivity of Oxford, MK., Bedford and Cambridge. Their website I note also seems to 'big up' its contribution to the now not spoken of Oxford Cambrige (oe East West) Arc.
I wonder how much 'intermediate' traffic is built into the business case and related timetables.
I think we and some others are skeptical about the use of the line to provide services 'direct' between north and south that will free up significant space in services via London or Birmingham, Leicester etc and/or save significant time. Perhaps traffic may be generated for provincial journeys not presently made.

I imagine EWR will have made projections of the likelihood of such provincial possibilities in their planning of junctions and interchange opportunities- maybe we will see their 'workings out' as witnessed by their plans as they develop.

BTW- , I'm also hoping to see criticism of my thoughts regarding other desirable developments, esp the relationship I am expecting to see with marginal constituencies, eg Stoke, Warrington, the East Midlands and North East England.