Re-open Great Central Railway petition

[bunnahabhain]

Indeed, exciting times ahead hopefully. On a downer Link 2 might get scuppered by 92 new houses unless we get enough objections to the planning permission. The GCR made a request to all supporters to object in this weeks newsletter, which incidentally I've copied below for anybody wishing to help out.

The planning application has now been formally submitted and a hearing is due to take place on July 29. We are asking if you can spare fifteen minutes to write to Leicester City Council planning department to object.

We have not provided a 'template' letter as multiple copies of the same letter are sometimes counted as a single objection. However, for guidance, the protection of a former transport corridor from development, the denial of future opportunity to provide a public transport route into north Leicester, and the loss of the chance to bring complimentary tourist attractions (the railway, the space centre and the technology museum) closer together creating an economic synergy are all points you might wish to make.

Please clearly state the case number on the top of your letter. It is Planning Application 20072141 - Rally Bank Ltd
The address to send your letter to is,
Mrs. Sue Baker
Planning Management & Delivery
Leicester City Council
New Walk Centre
Welford Place
Leicester LE1 6ZG
The Greater Great Central Development Group.

 

[Metroland]

To be honest I would query whether any of the Inter City main Lines are anywhere near capacity. Even WCML is still only using low capacity 9 car EMUs on major flows like London to Birmingham. In Journey times these are no further way than destinations like Brighton, Southampton and Portsmouth which all have a high frequency 12 car services on much more modest infrastructure.

They are being strengthened to 11 cars, and of course there is the very high frequency timetable starting in January which gives Birmingham and Manchester an extra service and Glasgow an hourly service, after that, it gets tricky. Which is why NR are looking ahead in 10 or more years time at new lines, which may or may not be high speed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6171192.stm

http://www.virgintrains.co.uk/img/aboutus/downloads/WC_2009_Timetable_Commentary.pdf