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Author Topic: Bridgwater -> Taunton - closed until some time next week?  (Read 19421 times)
grahame
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« on: February 10, 2014, 12:28:23 »

Robin Gisby of Network Rail - interview video at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26115261

"A week or two" before the railway line re-opens over the Somerset Levels
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« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2014, 08:49:16 »

Time to consider an elevated section of track in a viaduct across the levels? All in the name of economic resilience? Isn't there some EU» (European Union - about) fund we could tap into?
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Cynthia
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« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2014, 11:11:24 »

Time to consider an elevated section of track in a viaduct across the levels? All in the name of economic resilience? Isn't there some EU» (European Union - about) fund we could tap into?

Hi, wabbit, if there is an EU fund available, I bet the road transport lobby will snap it up to get the A303 widened, as seen  elsewhere on the forum, they're already jumping up and down, thinking the disruption caused by the flooding is as good excuse as any to bag any available money for road improvements!  Sorry Mods, slightly off-topic there, and not ONE JOT cynical!
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« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2014, 16:56:07 »

Whose going to remind Graham?  Only one 'e' in Bridgwater!  Grin
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bobm
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« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2014, 17:09:26 »

All sorted and the extra superfluous "e" has been sent floating off down the River Parrett.
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trainer
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« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2014, 17:36:47 »

All sorted and the extra superfluous "e" has been sent floating off down the River Parrett.

 Grin Grin
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chuffed
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« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2014, 18:40:15 »

Perhaps trainer could put the superfluous 'e' where it belongs ....on the end of Mr Ellis' Christian name for instance ?? Shocked Roll Eyes Grin
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JayMac
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« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2014, 22:17:49 »

Are there any estimates of when the line from Bridgwater to Taunton might re-open?

Robin Gisby of Network Rail - interview video at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-26115261

"A week or two" before the railway line re-opens over the Somerset Levels

Can't speak about estimates, but I can give an idea of the current state of the line. This aerial photo was taken by a former schoolteacher of mine earlier today, 18th February 2014, showing the flooded railway line near Fordgate between Bridgwater (to the north) and Taunton:


Picture credit: Peter Kirk posted here with permission

Should that water level drop within the next few days and the line and signalling isn't too badly damaged then Network Rail's estimate on reopening, made on the 10th of February, may just about be right. Fingers crossed.

EDIT: To add. I'm told by my erstwhile Physics teacher that's he's spoken with Network Rail's helicopter crew, who've been flying out of Exeter Airport, and they've said, for that particular embankment to flood, the water level is around 20 feet above the surrounding land.

Also, to ask those with knowledge of the signalling in this area. Will there be any issues with operating longer block sections if the line can reopen while the signalling is still being repaired? I ask because this location is right on the boundary between the signalling areas controlled by Bristol and Exeter.
« Last Edit: February 20, 2014, 00:41:06 by bignosemac » Logged

"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #8 on: February 19, 2014, 00:28:27 »

Perhaps trainer could put the superfluous 'e' where it belongs ....on the end of Mr Ellis' Christian name for instance ?? Shocked Roll Eyes Grin

Erm ... actually, Graham Ellis has adopted the username 'grahame' here - it's not his real first-name.  Tongue
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
grahame
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« Reply #9 on: February 19, 2014, 01:10:05 »

Perhaps trainer could put the superfluous 'e' where it belongs ....on the end of Mr Ellis' Christian name for instance ?? Shocked Roll Eyes Grin

Erm ... actually, Graham Ellis has adopted the username 'grahame' here - it's not his real first-name.  Tongue

I took pity on an "e" that had fallen out of "Bridgewater" and needed a rescue home  Grin

No - really - on another forum, "graham" was already taken so I added the "e" of "Ellis" and it became a standard user name.
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« Reply #10 on: February 19, 2014, 07:51:37 »

Cynthia, I share your pessimism! However, there are some of the right noises coming out of central and local govt. The word "resilience" even got a mention!
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bobm
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« Reply #11 on: February 19, 2014, 09:27:53 »

From JourneyCheck

Quote
An estimate for opening of this line has been currently given by Network Rail as March 2014.
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JayMac
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« Reply #12 on: February 19, 2014, 11:20:07 »

Misplaced optimism from NR» (Network Rail - home page) on the 10th February it would seem.
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"Good news for regular users of Euston Station in London! One day they will die. Then they won't have to go to Euston Station ever again." - David Mitchell
Chris from Nailsea
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« Reply #13 on: February 19, 2014, 18:04:32 »

EDIT: To add. I'm told by my erstwhile Physics teacher that's he's spoken with Network Rail's helicopter crew, who've been flying out of Exeter Airport, and they've said, for that particular embankment to flood, the water level is around 20 feet above the surrounding land.

Hmm ... that's one heck of a lot of water to shift out of the area, by whatever means (pumping, dredging or even natural drainage / evaporation, on a good day!).  Roll Eyes
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William Huskisson MP (Member of Parliament, or Mile Post - a method of measuring the railway in miles and chains from a starting point - usually London, depending on context) was the first person to be killed by a train while crossing the tracks, in 1830.  Many more have died in the same way since then.  Don't take a chance: Stop, Look, Listen.

"Level crossings are safe, unless they are used in an unsafe manner."  Discuss.
bobm
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« Reply #14 on: February 19, 2014, 21:20:58 »

I get very confused when the news reports talk of removing "tonnes" of water.  To me water comes (or goes) in gallons or litres....
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