Poll: Infrastructure improvements

[whole diary]

[Btline]

Perhaps it would be useful to see which improvements are wanted most. Which are the most beneficial to spend the limited money on.

I have deliberately left off specific line / station re-openings and service enhancements- we all want those!

GWMLs^▸ (Great Western Main Line) = any FGW^▸ (First Great Western) main routes where HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) run.

Line speed upgrade = new tracks, signalling etc.

The West of England Line (Waterloo route) is included because it is in the region, and its services affect FGW's ones.

Apologises if I have missed off one in your area - I don't know them all.

Thanks,

Btline

[gpn01]

It'sa bit difficult, as a passenger, to vote for something that I don't know what the impact would be - am specifically thinking of the electrification options. If the lines were electified what would that mean to me as a commuter - fewer trains able to operate the route, increase in delays due to weather problems, increased congestion into Paddington, etc.  or would there be benefits ?

For infrastructure improvements I'd prefer options such as increased reliability of equipment (e.g. trains, track and signals), improvements to station information displays (and better loudspeakers too), shorter journey times, sufficient seats on trains, reliable ticket barrier systems and extension of undercover areas to protect passengers from the elements.

[miniman]

Personally my top choice would be extending the 4-line running all the way to Bristol, but clearly this is never going to happen not least because of Box Tunnel. I just think that so many of FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) timekeeping and reliability problems are caused by HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) getting caught up behind slow, stopping and / or broken down local trains between Bathampton Junction and Bristol.

[Btline]

It'sa bit difficult, as a passenger, to vote for something that I don't know what the impact would be - am specifically thinking of the electrification options. If the lines were electified what would that mean to me as a commuter - fewer trains able to operate the route, increase in delays due to weather problems, increased congestion into Paddington, etc.  or would there be benefits ?

For infrastructure improvements I'd prefer options such as increased reliability of equipment (e.g. trains, track and signals), improvements to station information displays (and better loudspeakers too), shorter journey times, sufficient seats on trains, reliable ticket barrier systems and extension of undercover areas to protect passengers from the elements.

Hmmmmmmm -  electrification would:

*speed up journey times (acceleration would be better)

*new stock would be ordered (hopefully with more seats)

*enhance capacity (maybe more frequent)

*after Crossrail - there will be fewer trains terminating in Paddington - so congestion is not a problem

There is a "line speed improvement" option for the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line). This means new track, signals etc.

As I said above- I deliberately left out individual stations etc. I am looking at larger projects.

PS You have two votes!  

[Btline]

Personally my top choice would be extending the 4-line running all the way to Bristol, but clearly this is never going to happen not least because of Box Tunnel. I just think that so many of FGWs^▸ (First Great Western) timekeeping and reliability problems are caused by HSTs^▸ (High Speed Train) getting caught up behind slow, stopping and / or broken down local trains between Bathampton Junction and Bristol.

Hmmmmmm -  did not think of quadrupling lines!

But I won't add them - as you say, they won't happen (the other might  ).

[Lee]

Hmmmmmm -  did not think of quadrupling lines!

But I won't add them - as you say, they won't happen (the other might  ).

While I agree about Box Tunnel etc, one quadrupling scheme in the Greater Bristol area that stands a chance in the medium/long term is 4-tracking between Bristol-Filton Abbey Wood. It is a Network Rail strategic aspiration, is supported by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (on performance grounds) and by rail campaigners/stakeholders because of the extra service opportunities that it would open up.

As ever though, the funding is the sticking point.

[TerminalJunkie]

[X] None of the above

[swlines]

Personally, I would most like to see third rail electrification extended along the West of England line as far as Salisbury at least - if not Exeter. This would release 159s for more Paignton and Plymouth services allowing Salisbury stoppers to be operated by 450s (and before you say anything, the journey time is similar to Portsmouth (and would be decreased by electrification)) or 444s - this in turn negates the impact of the Exeter 1tph along the line.

[devon_metro]

I think Reading is the first and only scheme that should be considered. The slightest delay and the whole area is a mess!

[Btline]

Hmmmmmm -  did not think of quadrupling lines!

But I won't add them - as you say, they won't happen (the other might  ).

While I agree about Box Tunnel etc, one quadrupling scheme in the Greater Bristol area that stands a chance in the medium/long term is 4-tracking between Bristol-Filton Abbey Wood. It is a Network Rail strategic aspiration, is supported by FGW^▸ (First Great Western) (on performance grounds) and by rail campaigners/stakeholders because of the extra service opportunities that it would open up.

As ever though, the funding is the sticking point.

I forgot that one. I won't add it now though!

[Btline]

Well, ahead are (not surprisingly) the improvements to the GWMLs^▸ (Great Western Main Line), shortly followed by the Reading to Paddington new track.

Lagging behind, though, are redoubling projects!

Perhaps FGW^▸ (First Great Western)/NR^» (Network Rail - home page) should see this?

[Shazz]

Needs an "other" option

[vacman]

Electrification has got to be number one, but for local services rather than high speed, the Devon metro would be vastly improved by electric traction with far quicker accelaration and stopping, St Ives could have a half hourly service stopping at all stations etc etc, Bristol would be far better off.

[Btline]

Electrification has got to be number one, but for local services rather than high speed, the Devon metro would be vastly improved by electric traction with far quicker accelaration and stopping, St Ives could have a half hourly service stopping at all stations etc etc, Bristol would be far better off.

But an electric 140+ mph GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) would be good as well!

But the St. Ives Line does not warrant electrifying! Other upgrades yes!

[swlines]

Electrification has got to be number one, but for local services rather than high speed, the Devon metro would be vastly improved by electric traction with far quicker accelaration and stopping, St Ives could have a half hourly service stopping at all stations etc etc, Bristol would be far better off.

But an electric 140+ mph GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) would be good as well!

But the St. Ives Line does not warrant electrifying! Other upgrades yes!

Not until in cab signalling comes in - and that's something like 2016 when ERTMS^▸ (European Rail Traffic Management System.) comes in for the GWML I think...