"Alan \(in Brussels\)" wrote in message ...

It was assumed that a DLR extension would necessitate the conversion of
he North London Line south of Stratford to DLR operation.*

This "assumption" leaves at least two major questions unanswered:

- what arrangements are envisaged for terminating NLL trains at Stratford
once the present NLL platforms are occupied by DLR services running via West
Ham?

I've read somewhere (possibly elsewhere on the DLR site) that new
platforms for the NLL would be provided on the north side of Stratford
Station - and that the service might also be extended from there to
Tottenham Hale, presumably via the Lee Valley line. Also that the NLL
route south of Canning Town would be abandoned.

- what arrangements are envisaged for terminating DLR trains running to
Stratford via Bow Church in that case?

Presumably they'll stay more or less where they are - on the
'enhancements' page of the DLR site it says that 'DLR has begun work
investigating the realignment and reconstruction of Stratford DLR
Platforms' and this is due to be completed by 2006. This appears to
be a separate project from the extension to Stratford International.

So far as the NLL is concerned, ISTM that the obvious solution would be to
terminate the line in the very-little-used through Platform 12 (after
addition of an adjacent terminal bay platform 13 on the site of the former
siding), with operation at 25 kV through to/from Hackney Wick. These
platforms would provide part of the pedestrian route between Stratford
International and the existing Stratford interchange station.

It occurs to me that another possibility for a pedestrian link to the
International Station could make use of the old subways, locked up &
abandoned for the last few years, leading from the original station
entrance. These tunnels are, AFAIK, still connected to most of the
existing platforms and to the new station entrance. Another subway
served as a staff-access to the loco depots, and is presumably still
partially intact - at least within the existing station site.
Consideration may also need to be given to pedestrian routes (for
non-passengers) linking the current Stratford town-centre to the
proposed 'Stratford City' developments surrounding the international
station.