The Leigh Guided Busway construction project

[Xenophon PCDGS]

No, but I studied the feasability documentation at the outset for the scheme as I have discribed. I also handle civil and electrical projects on a weekly basis, you get pretty good at estimating costs.

One question one might ask, noting your reference to TfGM project funding mentioned in an earlier posting, is worth asking of you and this is why the project was never one of the TfGM Manchester Metrolink forward projects....or was there any Governmental pressure applied to TfGM to go ahead with a Guided Busway as in the case of the one at Cambridge.
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Who said Network Rail would have to pay for it, if TfGM can stump up the cash for a busway, they could do the same for a rail project, it just appears that they don't want to.

What was, if any, a reopened rail project that was funded by either TfGM or its predessor, GMPTE, rather than any part of a Network Rail funding scheme ?

What detailed TfGM/GMPTE planning records are you basing this assumption upon, where you feel that they are reticent to do ask you state ?

Are you aware how funding monies enter into the coffers of TfGM ?

 

[WatcherZero]

Impressive new construction technique apparently.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com/2014/04/11/balfour-set-to-win-cambridge-busway-extension/

Balfour Beatty is being lined-up to build an extension to Cambridge’s guided busway network which has been dogged with construction problems.

The original project was built by Bam Nuttall and resulted in the contractor paying Cambridgeshire County Council £33m in an out-of-court settlement following a dispute over cost overruns.

The council now wants to extend the route to a planned new rail station at Cambridge Science Park which is set to open in 2016.

Balfour is being lined-up as contractor for the extension.

Balfour is a framework contractor with the council and has impressed officials with its work on a similar busway scheme in Manchester.

The extension will be built using different construction techniques following problems on the original scheme.

A council report said: “One of our framework contractors is also the main contractor for the Leigh-Salford Guided Busway, which is currently under construction.

“Discussions are taking place regarding using the same construction technique that has been developed for the Leigh-Salford Busway.

“This form of construction is different from that used for the existing Busway, and involves pouring and shaping the concrete on site using specially developed equipment rather than installing pre-cast beams as used on the existing Busway.”

The report said slipforming has the potential to offer “significant cost and programme savings compared to pre-casting, and based on preliminary work should be broadly comparable in price to conventional road construction.”

It added: “Construction of this section as a guideway is therefore dependent on agreeing an acceptable price and programme with the contractor.

“Should this not prove possible then it is proposed to substitute a conventional road construction with access controlled by short lengths of guided busway at the entry and exit points.”

 

[jopsuk]

I know this isn't a Cambridge thread, but the extension makes sense as it is a short way from the current guideway end to the new station site- much needed link

 

[Y961 XBU]

According to the BUSES Mag First are the Preferred Bidder but Arriva are still trying to win this project.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Has anything new to report come about in the last two months on this project ?

 

[WatcherZero]

http://www.tfgm.com/buspriority/pages/website/news.html

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

http://www.tfgm.com/buspriority/pages/website/news.html

Many thanks for this link.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

To show that matters are continuing, there was a brief mention made about this project on the BBC North-West News this morning.

 

[Scania3379man]

Hi all,

i wonder what kind of bus will they go on leigh guide busway? I image like Cambridge bus Biofuel or Hybrid single decker or double decker?

Is stagecoach or first will plan get Hybrid or something else? i know first will get old silver bus hybrid use that Leigh guide busway or maybe possibly put the guide wheel front of the wheel?

Thank you,

Martyn

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

How are construction matters proceeding on the line of the former rail route ?

 

[telstarbox]

No info lately but people in Salford are fuming re: the traffic congestion on the East Lancs Road.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/2000-back-call-end-east-7974504

Hi all,
Is stagecoach or first will plan get Hybrid or something else?

The operator will presumably announce this closer to the opening date.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

No info lately but people in Salford are fuming re: the traffic congestion on the East Lancs Road.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/2000-back-call-end-east-7974504

I note that the way that this report reads appears to shown that the Labour councillor Roger Jones who is on the TfGM committee decries any adverse comments about the project from fellow councillors and takes the view that TfGM obtaining future project funding is far more important that the roadworks fiasco that currently occurs.

A case of political dogma espousement overcoming real life reality?

 

[radamfi]

People always complain about roadworks, no matter what the reason. There are heavy delays on the M23 north of Gatwick because a viaduct is being repaired, but people are complaining about that. It is very unusual for a transport scheme to be built without disruption to someone.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I see that Balfour Beatty, the nominated project contractors have announced a further time extension of the lorry access to the East Bond Street park and ride site up to the end of January 2015. They state that two or three deliveries daily will be accessing that site. Letters have been sent to the local residents who will be affected by this time extension stating that deliveries will be made during the normal working hours of 0800-1800 Monday to Friday and from 0800-1300 Saturday.

 

[radamfi]

First win busway contract:

http://www.tfgm.com/Corporate/media_centre/Pages/News.aspx?articleId=613

What I don't understand is why there was even a contract to award, although it appears to be fully commercial. I thought that operators would register services on the busway just like on any other bus route. Are competing operators allowed on the busway? The Cambridge to St Ives busway has two competing operators on it. The Luton to Dunstable busway has three.

 

[telstarbox]

Do the operators have to pay some sort of access charge?

 

[WatcherZero]

Quality contracts specify required standard in return for access, may well have been a structured access payment but told what won it for First was they bid a zero subsidy to operate the 8 services an hour. Stagecoach on the other hand bought the Wigan depot from First and their bid apparently revolved around integrating the busway into a wider network of Wigan based services.

Cambridge the operators gained exclusive usage for five years in return for operating the tendered timetable, may well be similar time limited non-compete clause in Leigh.