Ideas for Bypass Lines

[B&I]

The thread on 4 tracking has thrown up the case of numerous places where more capacity is needed, but 4 tracking would be physically difficult.

As an alternative, where is there scope for bypass lines around existing pinch points ? I have in mind shortish additional alignments, not entire new high speed or other lines.

My own suggestion, from my part of the world, would be south of Winsford to Weaver Junction.

 

[Along the bay]

The thread on 4 tracking has thrown up the case of numerous places where more capacity is needed, but 4 tracking would be physically difficult.

As an alternative, where is there scope for bypass lines around existing pinch points ? I have in mind shortish additional alignments, not entire new high speed or other lines.

My own suggestion, from my part of the world, would be south of Winsford to Weaver Junction.

What about one for Stafford ? Could allow virgin services northwards to avoid going through the station without stopping plus freight could use it as well.

 

[Ianno87]

My own suggestion, from my part of the world, would be south of Winsford to Weaver Junction.

Good news! That's what HS2 Phase 2B does.

 

[Bald Rick]

What about one for Stafford ? Could allow virgin services northwards to avoid going through the station without stopping plus freight could use it as well.

Good news! That’s what HS2 Phase 2a does.

(Indeed it follows closely the alignment of the proposed Stafford cut-off from WCRM days).

 

[Bald Rick]

Thinking about it, and developing the above, how about a bypass of all the congested parts of the WCML, say around Watford, MK, Rugby, Stafford and Crewe. In fact you could join them up.

 

[Ken H]

Penrith. get rid of the switchbacks north and south of the town. New station to the west of the town, near Rheged.

 

[pdeaves]

As others have already essentially mooted HS2, I will go for bypasses to avoid London. That is properly avoid London, rather than having to travel almost into the city. That way it will be possible to get from one side to the other without having to pay a 'London premium' fare to pass through somewhere you don't want to go.

 

[Taunton]

Always felt it was a lost opportunity when the replacement M4 Severn Bridge was built about 20 years ago that the Patchway to Newport line did not have a substantial diversion built crossing the same bridge. It would avoid the long block section of the Severn Tunnel that saps capacity, as well as allowing abandonment of a continuing expense. Doesn't have to be 4-track, but would have more signals.

 

[The Planner]

Always felt it was a lost opportunity when the replacement M4 Severn Bridge was built about 20 years ago that the Patchway to Newport line did not have a substantial diversion built crossing the same bridge. It would avoid the long block section of the Severn Tunnel that saps capacity, as well as allowing abandonment of a continuing expense. Doesn't have to be 4-track, but would have more signals.

Its a 5 minute headway section, any new bypass would have been a 3 minute headway at best. It is a 4 minute headway from Didcot to pretty much Swansea anyway so it wouldn't give you a lot.

 

[B&I]

Good news! That's what HS2 Phase 2B does.

Except that there's no connection to the WCML between Crewe and Weaver Junction, making it little use for tackling that bottleneck

 

[B&I]

Thinking about it, and developing the above, how about a bypass of all the congested parts of the WCML, say around Watford, MK, Rugby, Stafford and Crewe. In fact you could join them up.

How about reading the OP and noting that it does not refer to new high speed lines ? Particularly ones whose future existence have not yet been confirmed ?

A 'specualtive ideas' sub-forum was created because of the number of complaints about proposals for new lines, services etc on the other sub-forums. Now, it seems, it's not even possible to debate any alternative to The Official Version Of What Is And What Shall Be even on the speculative ideas sub-forum.