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Title: Weston rail line electrification 'not viable', says DfT Post by: Timmer on June 08, 2011, 16:12:32 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-13695270
Quote The Department for Transport has officially ruled out electrifying the rail line between Bristol and Weston-super-Mare. The government confirmed in March that the rail line between London and Cardiff would be electrified at a cost of ^1bn. The West of England Partnership wrote to the government to query if Weston would be included in the scheme. But the DfT replied saying there was not a "viable business case". Stephen Howe, from the DfT's major network upgrades department, added that bi-mode trains that work on electric and diesel would serve Weston. He went on to tell the West of England Partnership that services did not run often enough to the seaside town to justify the spending. "High frequency of services is needed if the fixed lineside cost are to be offset by the savings in train maintenance. "Unfortunately the frequency of trains between Weston-super-Mare and Bristol is not high enough to offset these costs." Mr Howe added there could be hope in the future saying the Secretary of State said he would keep future electrification "under active review". Title: Re: Weston rail line electrification 'not viable', says DfT Post by: anthony215 on June 08, 2011, 18:04:33 Similar to what they said about not extending the wires to Swansea.
I wonder if the DFT have taken into consideration about the Cardiff/Bristol Parkway - Weston Super Mare - Taunton services Title: Re: Weston rail line electrification 'not viable', says DfT Post by: paul7575 on June 08, 2011, 18:48:38 Similar to what they said about not extending the wires to Swansea. I wonder if the DFT have taken into consideration about the Cardiff/Bristol Parkway - Weston Super Mare - Taunton services They probably account for the fact that they are DMUs and there's no current intention to change that. I'm wondering if the earlier quote actually meant there aren't enough through trains from Paddington to Weston? Paul Title: Re: Weston rail line electrification 'not viable', says DfT Post by: JaminBob on June 09, 2011, 08:03:44 Thats' a real shame. Short sighted. We're talking about 30mi of track which would have a huge benefit for the Bristol area. It may not even need a transistor you could just 'tack it on' to the main line's electrics. It could transform the WSM-CDF and BPW routes allowing for 1/2hr and longer trains.
It may be worth anyone who lives in Liam Fox territory to write to him on the matter. MP's do read their letters. Title: Re: Weston rail line electrification 'not viable', says DfT Post by: Tim on June 09, 2011, 09:50:17 They probably account for the fact that they are DMUs and there's no current intention to change that. Paul There is no current plan to change the DMUs, but DMUs do not last forever. When they need replacing the business case for electrifcation may be completely different. I think we make the mistake as seeing electrification as all about improving services (longer, faster trains). It isn't to the DfT. The question they ask is "will wires plus EMUs be cheaper than replacing the DMUs on this route". Electrication can and will happen but only if it fits with teh rolling stock plan. Title: Re: Weston rail line electrification 'not viable', says DfT Post by: eightf48544 on June 09, 2011, 10:44:51 Electrication can and will happen but only if it fits with teh rolling stock plan. Rolling stock plan! Which back of the envelope are you refering to? This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |