On Monday, 7 August 2017 14:55:15 UTC+1, Recliner wrote:
On Sun, 6 Aug 2017 15:38:24 -0700 (PDT), Paul Corfield
wrote:

Chris Grayling, SoS for Transport, signed off the Transport and Works Act Order, for the extension of the Barking - Gospel Oak service to Barking Riverside, last week.

http://www.railjournal.com/index.php...tml?channel=00

Decision letter - https://www.gov.uk/government/public...order-decision

Inspector's report - https://www.gov.uk/government/public...pectors-report

Does this mean that construction can now start, or are there more
stages and hurdles to pass?


A few interesting things in the report.

1. Provision to be made for a station, with island platform, to be added at Renwick Road.

2. Lots of argument from one petitioner about the elevated line structure into Riverside preventing a cross Thames tunnel to Abbey Wood. This was dismissed by the Inspector who was content that unlocking the extra housing at Barking Riverside would compensate for any monetary loss if the elevated alignment has to be demolished if a tunnelled link is eventually constructed.

3. Interesting comments from TfL about possibly running a 6 tph passenger service *and* 6 freights an hour on the GOBLIN itself. Not quite sure how that works current signalling.

4. Another interesting possibility of extending planned peak extra trains from Enfield to Seven Sisters onwards to Barking via the S Tott curve. As the trains will be common stock in future this would give 6 tph from S Tott to Barking in the peaks. No timescale given, though, for this possible variant service.

I'll answer Roland's question first. The scheme is fully funded by TfL (circa £90m) and also the body responsible for redeveloping Barking Riverside (circa £170m). This was all signed off before the last Mayoral election. It is worth noting that Barking Riverside can't be developed further without a fixed transport link being provided - it's a key planning condition.

I understand that the plan is that preparatory works start later this year. TfL then have to complete their procurement process to agree the final bidder for the work. There are also a number of standard planning approvals needed - many are set out in the conditions to the TWA order. Given TfL have been working with Barking and Dagenham Council for a long time this should not be hugely problematic. B&D Council want the extension built so I can't see them being hugely argumentative. Substantive works will probably start next year with completion in 2021.

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Paul C
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