Council admit election pledge is unworkable Options

[Biker1]

BR was hardly a shining light, with all their strikes.

Yes, blame them.
It was they who designed and built the HST's and "clapped out" trains that we have on our line now!
Come to think of it, it was BR who designed and built the current signalling and delay times at Thatcham level crossing too!

[CharlieF]

All the railway crossings and bridges are set to be replaced when the line is electrified, this is because the plant required will be unable to access the works area without new access routes in - just look at the hideous 'road' built for access to the construction of the tiny little Monkey Bridge.

The new crossings will not be paid for out of local taxes or even Section 106 money, but will 'unlock' local development, like the Market Street / Station development, Bonemill Lane etc, allowing infill to the areas up to the bypass, that have only escaped development so far because of the inaccessibility..

All of which renders any manifesto pledges on the subject a bit silly.

[Biker1]

All the railway crossings and bridges are set to be replaced when the line is electrified,

Bridges only where necessary if they are not high enough to take the wires.
The crossings will still be the same in the same place. (except they will be controlled from Didcot rather than local boxes).

this is because the plant required will be unable to access the works area without new access routes in

The plant required will access the sites, in the main, by rail.

[CharlieF]

Bridges only where necessary if they are not high enough to take the wires.
The crossings will still be the same in the same place. (except they will be controlled from Didcot rather than local boxes).

Over a hundred bridges & tunnels are scheduled for demolition and rebuilding on the Great Western Mainline between Maidenhead and Bristol for the electrification project. And crossings are either to be lowered to accommodate the overheads or for new crossings over to support the overheads to be constructed.

The plant required will access the sites, in the main, by rail.

You're thinking of the installation works of the power lines rather than the facilitation works of the bridges, tunnels and crossings.

That said of course it's all been put on the back burner a bit.

[Biker1]

Over a hundred bridges & tunnels are scheduled for demolition and rebuilding on the Great Western Mainline between Maidenhead and Bristol for the electrification project. And crossings are either to be lowered to accommodate the overheads or for new crossings over to support the overheads to be constructed.


You're thinking of the installation works of the power lines rather than the facilitation works of the bridges, tunnels and crossings.

That said of course it's all been put on the back burner a bit.

Sorry, I thought we were talking about the line from Reading to Newbury?
No crossings need to be lowered and few bridges need replacing.
(Anglers need to be careful when crossing on foot with their carbon rods though!)

[CharlieF]

Sorry, I thought we were talking about the line from Reading to Newbury?
No crossings need to be lowered and few bridges need replacing.
(Anglers need to be careful when crossing on foot with their carbon rods though!)

We are talking about the route though Newbury and they are scheduled.

But the electrification goes a wee bit further. Wales has been axed though.

[spartacus]

We are actually talking (in this thread origin anyway) specifically about the Thatcham level crossing. No tunnel needed there. No 'new bridge' that could be justified as part of the 'electrification project'. Wires will just be strung across the existing crossing point....

What happens east or west of the level crossing may be an entirely different matter.

[NWNREADER]

Whatever......
I suspect many of the bridges will be footbridges in any case, so not always a major feat of Brunellian engineering.....

Could be work for travellers, I suppose?

[CharlieF]

We are actually talking (in this thread origin anyway) specifically about the Thatcham level crossing. No tunnel needed there. No 'new bridge' that could be justified as part of the 'electrification project'. Wires will just be strung across the existing crossing point....

What happens east or west of the level crossing may be an entirely different matter.

If and when the electrification goes ahead it's my understanding that the Thatcham crossing is scheduled for modification involves making good the approachs on both sides and remodelling the station area. And no-one in their right mind would plan any locally generated alterations (like a new crossing or bridge) without dovetailing into the main electrification project for economies of scale and minimising of distruption.

[Richard Garvie]

We are not on the Bristol line, electrication will only take place between Newbury and Reading on our branch. I think four bridges are going to need alterations.