In uk.transport.london message , Thu, 12
Jun 2014 21:33:56, MikeS posted:
"Dr J R Stockton" wrote in message
. invalid...
Postulating that Crossrail 2 will connect Kingston and Wimbledon, what
would be likely to be done about Elm Road?
The junction of the Kingston and Surbiton branches is grade-separated;
the actual railway points near New Malden station can presumably, if
needed, be modified for faster traffic; but the Kingston tracks cross
the narrow, congested, and useful Elm Road at a level crossing which is
close to a four-track railway overbridge with just a single-lane hole
under the two central tracks.
If Crossrail 2 means more trains between Wimbledon and Kingston, that
will be popular with local rail users; but not with Elm Road users,
whether on foot or on wheel.
I imagine nothing much would be done. The Richmond line through Mortlake etc
has several level crossings and is probably as busy now as the Kingston loop
will ever be, even with Crossrail2. For example, tomorrow between 9 and 10
am there are 16 trains passing through Mortlake (see
http://www.realtimetrains.co.uk/). I doubt Kingston will ever see a service
with much more than 8 trains per hour in each direction.
But, as far as I can see from there, all of the level crossings on the
Mortlake line have, for road users, relatively unimpeded access and
egress. Elm Road has, under the centre two tracks, a single lane for
motor vehicles and a narrow pavement - see
http://goo.gl/maps/oMiR1 ,
noting the car in the hole and the lowness of the bridge.
I have twice, on foot, found the Kingston line un-crossable there; once
because a northbound driver had failed to stop at the gates, and once
because a Kingston-bound train had fallen asleep beside Raby Road.
--
(c) John Stockton, nr London, UK. For Mail, see Home Page. Turnpike, WinXP.
Web http://www.merlyn.demon.co.uk/ - FAQ-type topics, acronyms, and links.
Command-prompt MiniTrue is useful for viewing/searching/altering files. Free,
DOS/Win/UNIX now 2.0.6; see my http://www.merlyn.demon.co.uk/pc-links.htm.