"Mizter T" wrote:
Amongst a number of points covered in SoS Hammond's announcement this
morning was this one:
Today, I can confirm we will fund and deliver the Thameslink programme in
its entirety, virtually doubling the number of north-south trains running
through central London at peak times. But the original programme for the
rebuilding of London Bridge was always ambitious, with substantial risks
around delivery, and operation of existing services, during construction.
To reduce these risks, we have re-profiled the delivery of the programme to
achieve completion in 2018. This will enable Network Rail to make further
efficiencies to their design and delivery programme.
Source:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speeches...ammond20101125

So, it appears as though the whole shebang will go ahead as originally
envisaged, i.e. including Key Output 2 (of which the extensive Bermondsey
dive-unders on the approaches to London Bridge are a part, for instance).


This is excellent news, and by far the most satisfying part of today's
announcement. The Thameslink project has recently been overshadowed
by its more glamorous relative, Crossrail, yet the economic and
environmental benefits that Thameslink will deliver to London and the
south east are no less significant.

There was real concern worry that the high cost of (1) remodelling
London Bridge to include additional though platforms and (2) the
Bermondsey dive-unders could have caused the project to be curtailed.
However, this budgetary problem has been solved by allowing an
additional two years to complete the project. This spreads the cost
over a greater number of financial years and allows more economic (and
less disruptive) methods of construction to be used at London Bridge.

All praise to the Thameslink project team who have succeeded in
gaining Ministerial approval for the whole of this vital if somewhat
unsexy project.