Wrexham redouble

[merlodlliw]

The new Up Wrexham turnout has been installed over the weekend at Saltney Jn.
The new track extends 50 yards or so on the ballast towards Wrexham.
There is an impressive 50mph TSR over the new layout, which means normal junction speed for the Wrexham line.

There seem to be two more Sundays of engineering work at the junction (6/13 April).
The posters in the windows at Wrexham and Flint say "no trains between Wrexham and Flint".
No mention of Chester...

Thanks for the info,strange Chester, ATWs 2nd busiest managed station is not mentioned,

 

[edwin_m]

It's logical in the sense that excluding a few at the start and end of the day, all the trains through Wrexham also pass through Flint. However someone who travels between Wrexham and Chester and has no reason to go any further may not know that.

 

[Gareth Marston]

It's logical in the sense that excluding a few at the start and end of the day, all the trains through Wrexham also pass through Flint. However someone who travels between Wrexham and Chester and has no reason to go any further may not know that.

It's the north to South Wales line speed improvement project England doesn't exist!

 

[krus_aragon]

There seem to be two more Sundays of engineering work at the junction (6/13 April).
The posters in the windows at Wrexham and Flint say "no trains between Wrexham and Flint".
No mention of Chester...

For the past two weeks Colwyn Bay's had a poster advertising weekend buses between Rhyl and Chester (no mention of Wrexham). There was a different poster this morning (only Sunday replacement) but I couldn't say for certain what places were named.

 

[TDK]

Did you notice this today TDK.


Bob

I noticed this after last weeks works. I will be going over it tomorrow and will post an update
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The posters in the windows at Wrexham and Flint say "no trains between Wrexham and Flint".
No mention of Chester...

Al trains from Wrexham to Flint have to call at Chester so do they need to advertise Chester as well?

 

[merlodlliw]

I noticed this after last weeks works. I will be going over it tomorrow and will post an update
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Al trains from Wrexham to Flint have to call at Chester so do they need to advertise Chester as well?

I agree all trains do,but these are buses plus on Sundays except for two trains from Cardiff all Wrexham trains terminate at Chester. It would be helpful to mention Chester as hundreds use the service & some are not o fey with routes. Also Chester is a major hub for the North West & Crewe

Some pictures of the Weekend work in todays North Wales newsboard.

Saltney relaid, written by Charlie Hume 1st April 2014
much progress was made over the weekend, as this view shows. The new junction, completely relaid, takes the form of a new turnout to a line which briefly runs parallel to the Holyhead route before turning off to become the new 'up' line towards Wrexham, passing the crossover which will be used by trains from Wrexham after briefly joining the 'down' coast line at the former junction site, in the distance in this picture. All tracks have been designed for 50 mph running.

This type of junction layout, which can also be seen in the remodelled layout at Cheadle Hulme where the Manchester to Crewe and Macclesfield lines diverge, makes us of stanadrd parts, and avoids the use of the traditional, but hard-to-maintain, 'diamond crossing' at a double track junction.

link http://nwrail.org.uk/nwnews.htm

 

[LNW-GW Joint]

All trains from Wrexham to Flint have to call at Chester so do they need to advertise Chester as well?

It's only the local major hub, after all.
If on the off-chance you were at Flint and not going through Wrexham you might think the notice did not apply to you.

I have a thing about the railway not getting its "scope" right on service alterations.
All the TOCs are very sloppy about wording changes accurately.
In all the WCRM weekend changes I don't think Virgin produced a single pamphlet that was correct, for all passengers, on all journeys.
Like forgetting they served North Wales.

 

[TDK]

It's only the local major hub, after all.
If on the off-chance you were at Flint and not going through Wrexham you might think the notice did not apply to you.

I have a thing about the railway not getting its "scope" right on service alterations.
All the TOCs are very sloppy about wording changes accurately.
In all the WCRM weekend changes I don't think Virgin produced a single pamphlet that was correct, for all passengers, on all journeys.
Like forgetting they served North Wales.

Why should Virgin advertise busses organised and run by ATW? I am afraid that the railway is just too segmented as are the local councils.

 

[merlodlliw]

The extra Rail Capacity requirements from Wrexham, is being debated in the Senedd this afternoon, plus other North Wales rail requirments.

Short Debate

NDM5483 Aled Roberts (North Wales)

Staying on Track: Maintaining Rail Connectivity for North Wales

The importance of rail connectivity between North Wales and the HS2 hub at Crewe, along with the potential for enhanced capacity from Wrexham and the North Wales Coast to Liverpool and Manchester.

link http://www.senedd.assemblywales.org/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=153&MId=2305&Ver=4

 

[TDK]

I checked last night and Saltney Junction has in fact be remodelled for 2 lines running towards Wrexham

 

[kieron]

It's only the local major hub, after all.
If on the off-chance you were at Flint and not going through Wrexham you might think the notice did not apply to you.

For that to happen, you would have to not know that trains from Flint go down the coast in one direction, and to everywhere else in the other, or not know which category Wrexham falls into. I would say a basic knowledge of local geography would pretty much cover both issues.

Infrequent rail users would probably ask someone about specific trains beforehand, and those who don't plan ahead that much are unlikely to see the notice in time anyway.

As such, I don't think the risk of confusing anyone at all is high enough to worry about.

I am pleased to see that the closure was only between Wrexham and Flint, though. When I've heard about closures on the North Wales line before for maintenance, they've always seemed to be between Chester and Rhyl, or covering everything west of Rhyl.

I do wonder if they could extend the trains to Shotton during this work, given that there are some points west of Saltney Junction trains could use to turn around and the trains on the direct line between Wrexham and Shotton are unaffected. But then they would have had to have described the closure in different terms.

 

[merlodlliw]

Having watched the live debate on Senedd TV this evening,staying on track in North Wales,the Minister closed the debate in a very positive way saying
"She would have urgent discussions with Network Rail on the Saltney/Wrexham redouble, over areas that have now become known to her"

Aled Roberts AM, received support from all Parties.

 

[kieron]

Do you know if this is available on their web site? The summaries in the schedule aren't that descriptive, and I don't know if there's a transcript available yet to search.

 

[merlodlliw]

Do you know if this is available on their web site? The summaries in the schedule aren't that descriptive, and I don't know if there's a transcript available yet to search.

With it being so important I am putting it up seperate,"Keeping On Track"

Bob

 

[merlodlliw]

A Network Rail(Wales) information drop in event is being held at Rossett next week,the drop in may be of interest to Local Rail UK Forum members.below is the info,

I am emailing to provide you with an overview of the North South Wales Journey Improvements Project, which is due to commence this month and is scheduled for completion in May 2015.



The Welsh Government has commissioned Network Rail to deliver journey improvements between North Wales and Cardiff. The £44m project seeks to reduce journey times over the route via Wrexham, as well as provide capacity improvements, giving the potential to run more trains.



As well as undertaking track work to increase line-speeds at various points, the project will involve “doubling” the track between Wrexham and Chester – specifically between Rossett Junction and Saltney Junction. This will involve moving the existing track across and laying new track alongside it.



As part of the project, we will also be undertaking work to upgrade level crossings, including those at Green Lane, Bladerton, Pulford and Broad-Oak.



For us to complete the above works, a small compound has recently been established at the end of Station Road in Rossett, adjacent to the railway.



We anticipate that the majority of work will be carried out during normal working hours on weekdays and weekends however, evening and night-time work is required. Night-time work will be undertaken on most Saturday nights throughout the project duration, with a number of weeknights also being utilised.



Safety is our number one priority and for this reason, some of the work must be carried out while trains are not running. Under our license conditions we are contractually obliged to work, whenever possible, at times that cause the least disruption to train services. This means carrying out a lot of our improvements during the night.



The equipment we use means some disturbance is unavoidable, but we will make every effort to minimise any unnecessary noise. We use a range of measures to ensure this, including requiring our employees and contractors to behave considerately towards people who live and work near the railway, positioning lighting and generators away from homes and using silenced equipment where possible.



We would be delighted to meet with you in person to discuss the project in detail and invite you to attend an information ‘drop-in’ event for we are holding for residents of Rossett and local stakeholders. The event will take place on Monday 19 May, 3pm – 6pm at the Rossett & Burton Village Hall, Station Road, Rossett, LL12 0HE. Members of the project team will be at the venue during this time to help with any queries or concerns you may have and we welcome you to ‘drop by’ during this time – no appointment is necessary.



We look forward to perhaps seeing you then and please do get in touch if you have any queries in the meantime.











Stakeholder & Communications Manager, Wales

Network Rail

 

[pablo]

Expect, not anticipate. and it's licence not license.

 

[merlodlliw]

Expect, not anticipate. and it's licence not license.

It will be an interesting drop in, some of the residents appear totally against any improvement in the railway,

 

[Gareth Marston]

It will be an interesting drop in, some of the residents appear totally against any improvement in the railway,

Hope SCRUA will be there flying the pro rail flag!

 

[merlodlliw]

Hope SCRUA will be there flying the pro rail flag!

Yes we will be there,with some very deep questions. SCRUA by the way was not invited, I picked up on this drop in from others,the invite list was very selective it appears.
But then do NR Wales Cardiff communications Office know whos a stakeholder in North East Wales.

 

[The Informer]

It will be an interesting drop in, some of the residents appear totally against any improvement in the railway,

Them lot down there are against anything that benefits anyone else. They seem to forget that their campaign for a by-pass caused the single lining in the first place!

 

[merlodlliw]

Them lot down there are against anything that benefits anyone else. They seem to forget that their campaign for a by-pass caused the single lining in the first place!

You are correct, i've met a few of them at Rossett and surrounding villages,anti everything that will disturb their 24 hour slumber.

 

[IanXC]

I have fixed a number of quotes in the last few posts, can I remind all posters not to amend the contents of the square brackets when using the quote function.

Doing so is resulting in quotes not displaying correctly, not being attributed to the correct user, and can result in posts being attributed to a different user than the one who posted. If you are unsure please send me a PM.

 

[Gareth Marston]

You are correct, i've met a few of them at Rossett and surrounding villages,anti everything that will disturb their 24 hour slumber.

We have a similar situation with Welshpool I know people who complain about the current station and use it as an excuse not to travel by rail but were screaming for the bypass to be built which resulted in the station being moved.

 

[merlodlliw]

Which reminds me, the dual tracking will be a Key subject at the line rail user groups meeting in Wrexham on Tuesday, details below

Shrewsbury - Chester Rail Users Association

A public meeting of the Shrewsbury - Chester Rail Users Association (SCRUA) will be held on Tuesday 20 May 2014 at 19:15 at St Mary's Catholic Club, Wrexham. The Public Meeting will feature a talk by Professor Les Lumsden of the University of Central Lancashire and author of a number of travel books, on the subject of 'Sustainable travel in the Marches' All are welcome.

The Annual General Meeting of SCRUA, which is a members only event, will follow the public meeting.

 

[TDK]

Which reminds me, the dual tracking will be a Key subject at the line rail user groups meeting in Wrexham on Tuesday, details below

I may pop in if I am not working

 

[frodshamfella]

Just need the "Halton Curve" being brought back to fall use now, then direct Wrexham/North Wales to Liverpool trains.

 

[merlodlliw]

I visited the Network Rail "drop in" at Rossett village Hall on Monday afternoon,it was manned by some four NR staff & Colas Rail.

I came away disappointed as did many others,with our worst scenario being confirmed about the £49 millions being spent by Welsh Government on the contract. In brief NR staff told us.

1.The sole reason for the redouble between Rossett & Saltney Junction was to speed up Cardiff/Holyhead trains North/South.

2.No request for extra future capacity on the line was requested.

3.Although NR staff were aware the majority of travel is to Chester & North West,no consideration for Wrexham/Liverpool/Manchester triangle was considered.

4.The old plans & drawings only were on display showing the two miles of redouble between Gresford & Wrexham General,it showed how Welsh Government staff had put the knife at Rossett,therefore no work of any description was to take place between Rossett and Wrexham General,losing two miles of redouble/capacity and speed.

5.Nr staff told me the only extra paths due to the Saltney/Rossett redouble were, it may accommodate one extra service each way every other hour,far less than I expected.

Indeed I came away disappointed,with Welsh Governments decision to take no account of the visitors to the Wrexham super prison to be built, or the thousands of extra houses to be built in the County, An opportunity lost,that in my opinion would never have been allowed in South East Wales.

 

[TDK]

I visited the Network Rail "drop in" at Rossett village Hall on Monday afternoon,it was manned by some four NR staff & Colas Rail.

I came away disappointed as did many others,with our worst scenario being confirmed about the £49 millions being spent by Welsh Government on the contract. In brief NR staff told us.

1.The sole reason for the redouble between Rossett & Saltney Junction was to speed up Cardiff/Holyhead trains North/South.

2.No request for extra future capacity on the line was requested.

3.Although NR staff were aware the majority of travel is to Chester & North West,no consideration for Wrexham/Liverpool/Manchester triangle was considered.

4.The old plans & drawings only were on display showing the two miles of redouble between Gresford & Wrexham General,it showed how Welsh Government staff had put the knife at Rossett,therefore no work of any description was to take place between Rossett and Wrexham General,losing two miles of redouble/capacity and speed.

5.Nr staff told me the only extra paths due to the Saltney/Rossett redouble were, it may accommodate one extra service each way every other hour,far less than I expected.

Indeed I came away disappointed,with Welsh Governments decision to take no account of the visitors to the Wrexham super prison to be built, or the thousands of extra houses to be built in the County, An opportunity lost,that in my opinion would never have been allowed in South East Wales.

So it is a waste of taxpayers money then? One extra service every 2 hours is certainly not worth the money spent.

 

[oglord]

An opportunity lost,that in my opinion would never have been allowed in South East Wales.

For "South East Wales" you should have put "Cardiff". The WAG don't care about anything east of Cardiff. Witness the fiasco in the Monmouthshire western valley with trains running to Cardiff instead of Newport.

 

[Emyr]

Witness the fiasco of the Ebbw Vale branch with trains running to Cardiff instead of Newport.

ftfy, Monmouthshire hasn't been that far west for decades.