London Theme Park HS1 congestion

[BluePenguin]

Stratford International is a trek (or a DLR ride) from the main Stratford station, so not at all convenient for passengers

How could it be any more convenient? It is not that far. The DLR station is literally right opposite the HS1 station. The journey only takes a few minutes.

Alternatively you can turn right and walk the other way up the stairs through Westfield. Neither takes very long at all

Easy to walk off the tube line, walk 10 paces to the DLR, 2 minute journey and then another 20 paces to the HS1 station. Easily done in 6-8 minutes!

There is even a signed passageway in Westfield that takes you to the back entrance of Stratford International, saving you even more time. The walk from Euston to St Pancras is more hassle than this

 

[ashkeba]

What? Look at Alton Towers, it's out in the countryside, the vast majority of theme park enthusiasts will be driving to it.

Only because someone closed its train line i 1965!

 

[Cantab26]

Is the issue on HS1 line or terminal capacity? If the latter (at St Pancras), could the trains terminate at Stratford where there are connections via the Jubilee or National Rail. Or would there be too many conflicting paths when the trains change direction, or is there no suitable pointwork?

Terminal capacity at St Pancras plus stabling.

If you terminate early at Stratford (which the promoter has not put forward), you then have the issue of how people get to and from Stratford which has not been assessed (because the promoter is not proposing it).

 

[Ianno87]

Stratford International is a trek (or a DLR ride) from the main Stratford station, so not at all convenient for passengers

Terminal capacity at St Pancras plus stabling.

If you terminate early at Stratford (which the promoter has not put forward), you then have the issue of how people get to and from Stratford which has not been assessed (because the promoter is not proposing it).

I'd imagine the station itself at Stratford would struggle to cope with a complete 12 car 395 emptying out on a regular basis - there's only 1 up escalator at each entrance!

 

[Mikey C]

I'd imagine the station itself at Stratford would struggle to cope with a complete 12 car 395 emptying out on a regular basis - there's only 1 up escalator at each entrance!

True

Stratford International was flawed as an Olympic shuttle during busy times, due to the slowness in actually getting to the platform. It was frustrating seeing half empty trains leaving the platform when loads of people were still walking down the staircase or queuing outside!

 

[zwk500]

Theoretically yes, the Eurostar platforms at Stratford Intl could be used to terminate at. I was there earlier today and noticed connecting tracks exist between the fast and platform lines. I’ve never seen these used before though.

Video of Class 395 Javelin arriving at Stratford International. The disused Eurostar platform can clearly be seen on the right. Connecting tracks exist making these platform accessible in both directions, although these are largely out of use

No connection exists from the International platforms to the opposite running line at the country end - you'd have to route all through trains into the outer platforms and any terminating trains to the centre island. Far from impossible, but another cost to add on (although it would finally kill the 'international' fantasy).

Live map of St Pancras International to Thames Tunnel

See trains move in real-time on our live map of St Pancras International to Thames Tunnel

www.opentraintimes.com

 

[6Gman]

Safari parks, by their nature, don't tend to be near railway stations!

You just don't get that amount of space near towns

And visiting a safari park by public transport gives you the problem of how to then get round the place!

(A few provided a vehicle to take people through the drive through elements initially but I'm not sure if any still do.)

 

[BluePenguin]

Really? What are the diagonal tracks in middle that are rusty? There is definitely some connectivity down there but I’m not knowledgeable enough to know what it is

 

[zwk500]

Really? What are the diagonal tracks in middle that are rusty? There is definitely some connectivity down there but I’m not knowledgeable enough to know what it is

I'm assuming you're replying to my point re Stratford International.

The international platforms 1 and 4 do not have a connection to the middle tracks. Have a look at the link I've included. You can terminate trains from Ebbsfleet in 2 and 3 and send them back to Kent, but trains using 1 and 4 would need to run wrong road to/from Ripple Lane. A terminating train will need c.10-12 minutes in the platform to turn round, so fitting them in between existing domestic calls will be nigh on impossible. Platforms 1 and 4 are around 30cm lower than platforms 2 and 3 for international compatibility, so to call domestic services at these platforms would require works to the platform (a temporary metal structure was used during the olympics). It's possible to do, but will it be worth the money?

 

[JKF]

If there were 2 stations a mile or so from the front door of Alton Towers, each with 4 trains an hour to a nearby big city, I’m sure lots of people would get the train there.

No doubt people will drive to the London Resort, but plenty will get the train too.

London (which will be the main market for the resort) has a much lower per capita level of car ownership than most of the rest of the country, and more of a train habit. Not the same as the Alton Towers catchment.

 

[deltic]

The issue may become moot as Natural England have just designated part of the area as a Site of Special Scientific Interest which has resulted in London Resort having to make changes to its planning documentation although it states there will be no material alterations. However, this presumably will at least delay the development of the scheme, result in scaling back of the development or a planning refusal. Given the Secretary of State will make the final decision, does the scheme have local political support?