GEML Historical Query

[R848]

Once read of unrealised plans to further widen the GEML from Liverpool Street up to Globe Road (and possibly even as far as Grove Road, etc), though interested to know if similar plans once existed to widen the route to about 6 tracks between Stratford and Romford?

 

[Bald Rick]

Once read of unrealised plans to further widen the GEML from Liverpool Street up to Globe Road (and possibly even as far as Grove Road, etc), though interested to know if similar plans once existed to widen the route to about 6 tracks between Stratford and Romford?

None that I’ve ever heard of, and it would have been horribly difficult from Maryland to Forest Gate.

 

[AM9]

Once read of unrealised plans to further widen the GEML from Liverpool Street up to Globe Road (and possibly even as far as Grove Road, etc), though interested to know if similar plans once existed to widen the route to about 6 tracks between Stratford and Romford?

More like an unrealised dream. The land take when the original line was built was bordered by roads of victorian houses built in the late 19th century from east of Maryland to almost Goodmayes. As it stands, the line is about 3-5 metres below the surrounding ground level and what was originally soft embankments over that stretch is now fully lined with walls of engineer's blues.* With current land values, especially after the rush for housing near Crossrail stations, any increase in the formation's width would be prohibitively expensive.
* Except for the stretch at Aldersbrook by the River Roding where the flyover is.

 

[R848]

More like an unrealised dream. The land take when the original line was built was bordered by roads of victorian houses built in the late 19th century from east of Maryland to almost Goodmayes. As it stands, the line is about 3-5 metres below the surrounding ground level and what was originally soft embankments over that stretch is now fully lined with walls of engineer's blues.* With current land values, especially after the rush for housing near Crossrail stations, any increase in the formation's width would be prohibitively expensive.
* Except for the stretch at Aldersbrook by the River Roding where the flyover is.

I see. Despite the limitations of the line after Stratford, have found it strange the route was not further widened up to at least Forest Gate Junction given it is only useful for present day limited C2C services from Liverpool Street to Barking, etc.

Notwithstanding how the Ilford area after the flyover has become built up by the present day, could there have been further widening at Ilford where platform 5 is joined by an additional platform / track for services to the former Fairlop Loop?