Should we move to 7 day blockades for engineering works?

[matacaster]

The section of line from Ravensthorpe to Leeds via Dewsbury is currently closed mid-week for 6 weeks. This undoubtedly makes the upgrade faster and cheaper than the previous weekend closures. Weekend travel is likely less time-critical for many and for the vast majority of passengers the diversionary route via Wakefield kirkgate is perfectly fine. Wouldn't it be even quicker and cheaper to go for a total 7-day blockade for a shorter period?

 

[The Planner]

The section of line from Ravensthorpe to Leeds via Dewsbury is currently closed mid-week for 6 weeks. This undoubtedly makes the upgrade faster and cheaper than the previous weekend closures. Weekend travel is likely less time-critical for many and for the vast majority of passengers the diversionary route via Wakefield kirkgate is perfectly fine. Wouldn't it be even quicker and cheaper to go for a total 7-day blockade for a shorter period?

Depends on resource and what the TOCs would accept.

 

[Manutd1999]

I agree - surely it's better to conduct these type of upgrades based on continuous 24hr working? Stop-start blockades must create huge inefficiency when it comes to planning and resourcing.

It's the same with some of the other electrification schemes - why take years to do stop-start work over the various bank holiday windows compared to just closing the line for a week or two and getting it done?

Passengers might not like it but home-working has made this easier to manage for a lot of people and the overall length of disruption would be less. GBR could help with this as well, allowing one body to decide what is best voerall rather than fighting against individual TOC interests.

 

[The Planner]

I agree - surely it's better to conduct these type of upgrades based on continuous 24hr working? Stop-start blockades must create huge inefficiency when it comes to planning and resourcing.

It's the same with some of the other electrification schemes - why take years to do stop-start work over the various bank holiday windows compared to just closing the line for a week or two and getting it done?

Passengers might not like it but home-working has made this easier to manage for a lot of people and the overall length of disruption would be less. GBR could help with this as well, allowing one body to decide what is best voerall rather than fighting against individual TOC interests.

You are ignoring freight, they don't want mid-weeks. GBR will not solve that.

 

[miklcct]

The section of line from Ravensthorpe to Leeds via Dewsbury is currently closed mid-week for 6 weeks. This undoubtedly makes the upgrade faster and cheaper than the previous weekend closures. Weekend travel is likely less time-critical for many and for the vast majority of passengers the diversionary route via Wakefield kirkgate is perfectly fine. Wouldn't it be even quicker and cheaper to go for a total 7-day blockade for a shorter period?

Are there enough replacement bus capacity to handle peak time commute during the week?

When TfL closed Colindale station (one single station only) it was chaos because there are no alternatives nearby!

 

[alxndr]

Also depends on the works being done. Sometimes this type of thing ends up with everyone trying to be in the same place at the same time and ending up with everyone getting in each others way.

 

[philosopher]

The section of line from Ravensthorpe to Leeds via Dewsbury is currently closed mid-week for 6 weeks. This undoubtedly makes the upgrade faster and cheaper than the previous weekend closures. Weekend travel is likely less time-critical for many and for the vast majority of passengers the diversionary route via Wakefield kirkgate is perfectly fine. Wouldn't it be even quicker and cheaper to go for a total 7-day blockade for a shorter period?

This week they have closed the Sutton Loop for engineering works, so to some extent this already happens. For commuter lines with little or no freight, it makes a lot of sense to do engineering works during the week in school holidays.

 

[Magdalia]

Long blockades are not a new thing.

Hackney Downs to Clapton Junction was closed for 3 weeks in 1983 for work on the tunnels.

Royston-Shepreth Branch Junction was closed for 9 days in 1999 for various track works to increase line speeds.

Both were done during the school summer holidays.

There is a 12 day closure coming up for Cambridge South station construction with no trains after Christmas Eve until 6 January.

 

[Harpo]

Crewe re-modelling was an early major blockade, helped by the excellent network of independent lines.