Cotswold Line redoubling: 2008 - 2011

[whole diary]

[gwr2006]

Well, they haven't quite managed to burn their way through ^60m just yet. There's not a lot happening now because... not a lot is meant to be happening now.

Had a bit of a chat with one of the more senior permanent way chaps based down in Worcester today, and he was also saying that the project was already in a bit of trouble both financially and timescale wise. That doesn't surprise me to be honest.

Possession and further work planned for February 2010 has been deferred indefinately.  Most likely it will happen sometime next year but no idea when as revised possession(s) not yet agreed.  Final completion has already slipped back to late-2011 so we may not see any timetable benefit until the May 2012 timetable!

[Btline]

Urgrh

[Mookiemoo]

So is sorta consistent with the unofficialline I got a few weeks ago Ithought was just gossip

[John R]

Maybe after Xmas any of our members who happen to have contacts with the press should be shouting about this. At least shame Network Rail into making a statement, and hopefully put some pressure on them to accelerate the process.

Not that it affected me, but it must be doubly galling to have endured the disruption this year and then not have any clear date as to when there is going to be any benefit.

[eightf48544]

It's also counterproductive, stopping work now will only cost more in the long run.

Some of you will remember the Leeds rebuilding fiasco in the late 50s 60s where it was stop start. Cost far more in the end then was saved short term.

[ChrisB]

Maybe after Xmas any of our members who happen to have contacts with the press should be shouting about this. At least shame Network Rail into making a statement, and hopefully put some pressure on them to accelerate the process.

Willc.....?

[John R]

That may have been who I had in mind. But far be it for me to tell anyone how to do his or her job.....

[Moreton134]

Well, they haven't quite managed to burn their way through ^60m just yet. There's not a lot happening now because... not a lot is meant to be happening now.

Had a bit of a chat with one of the more senior permanent way chaps based down in Worcester today, and he was also saying that the project was already in a bit of trouble both financially and timescale wise. That doesn't surprise me to be honest.

I also heard from a fgw staff member that the project had run out of money, I presumed he was joking as I thought the money had already been allocated to the project.    It may be that the project has seriously been financially underestimated or they have delayed it due to the Thames Valley Signalling Centre not being ready in time.
If none of these are the case then it is very disappointing having lived next to the line most of my life, and knowing the historical uninterest and lack of investment (infrastructure wise) shown by the then British Rail.   It would not surprise me if the next block of work doesn't happen until Summer 2010 and in my own view this doesn't make the project high priority with Network Rail.   
In no relation the Bathgate to Airdre project is going lightspeed compared to the Cotswold Line.
Very frustrating!

[Btline]

This will also have a knock on effect on the Kemble to Swindon redoubling. Presumably, they were planning to start that straight after the Cotswold, while all the equipment and workers were geared up for it. And that redoubling needs to occur BEFORE the GWML^▸ (Great Western Main Line) electrification. Of course, ANY of these 3 projects could be cancelled! Either now, or (more likely) after the election.

But any delay is a disgrace. If the funding has been found and it has been approved, why not save money in the long run by doing it now. If not, at least shove in a passing loop at Pershore so I can be stuck at Evesham for 20 mins less!

[ChrisB]

All Ive heard so far is that the signalling wasnt to be tied back to Didcot.....making more enquiries.

[Oxman]

I have heard that the project is overbudget and costs are to be cut by retaining the local signalboxes - i.e. not putting control into Didcot. Trouble is that this requires a new plan - hence the delay. It should not take too long, but will probably result in a phased implementation in 2011.

[IndustryInsider]

I have heard that the project is overbudget and costs are to be cut by retaining the local signalboxes - i.e. not putting control into Didcot.

That was being mooted several months ago as an option of reducing costs. Of course it's pretty short-sighted as the cost of running the whole show from Didcot would be cheaper over time that continuing to operate the manual boxes. But I guess if that's what it takes to get the project completed, then it will have to do.

[Mookiemoo]

I have heard that the project is overbudget

Which is a bit worrying since they've only just started!

[Don]

I gather that the Didcot signalling centre project plan has the Cotswold line coming under it's control in 2014 just after Oxford.

The options for signaling included:

• putting the line into Didcot early
• building a new temporary signal box at Honeyborne (!!!) until Didcot is ready.
• keeping the existing boxes open with the additional line in use, again only until Didcot is ready, or
• Waiting until 2014

The first option is the most expensive and the last, by far, the cheapest.

The third option is not seen as too difficult or costly as the original boxes were built for a double track line, but this does require some modification to the signaling plan, like a few less signals and will cost more both to install (effectively doing the wiring twice) and in retained signalman staffing costs. Didcot would need less than 1/3 of the current number of signalmen.

There is also a big expectation that new track laying machines and techniques which are soon to be available will be the key to reducing the costs and time taken to replace worn out track and that the Cotswold track relaying is waiting until this technology is ready, and is going to be a test bed for it's use. If true there would be little obvious work in the spring followed by a very busy summer, so that might be what we are seeing now.

The worry is that the 4th option has been quietly chosen, or half chosen,  - the greater the delay, the more new technology will be available that can reduce the cost, and, if one redoubles the line slowly enough then Didcot might be ready by the time the line has been finished and the whole thing might even come in on budget.

[super tm]

And dont forget the reason the project is happening is to reduce the delay impact of late trains coming off the branch and nothing to do with increasing the service.  Over the last couple of years FGW^▸ (First Great Western) performance has improved dramtically so the pressure to bring the project to completion is much reduced.