Tom Anderson wrote:

On Thu, 2 Sep 2004, Dave Arquati wrote:


"Dave Arquati" wrote in message
...


More pie-in-the-sky, but if such a service were run from Wycombe to
Maidenhead instead of London (relaying the Wycombe - Bourne End line),

The High Wycombe Society has been lobbying for the reinstatement of the
Wycombe to Bourne End rail route using Ultra Light Rail, with through
trams between Wycombe and Maidenhead.

http://www.highwycombesociety.org.uk/hblreport.htm


Interesting scheme. I'd always wondered what that funny little line
through Maidenhead was! Anyway, it seems to me that if it couldn't be
resurrected as heavy rail, then rather than just making High Wycombe -
Bourne End light rail, the whole line down to Maidenhead (and Marlow)
ought to be converted - as it stands, that branch is a joke. The report
doesn't really go into that idea, but i assume that's what they're
thinking - they do say "... the HBL corridor (which could include an
extension to Maidenhead)".

I think the plan is to track-share to Maidenhead. Wycombe to Marlow via
Bourne End would be an unattractive service as it is about double the
length of the direct road route. The service from Marlow to Maidenhead
isn't that much of a joke; with a half-hourly weekday service, it's
well-used in the peaks and there are some direct services from Bourne
End to Paddington, so a full conversion to light rail might provoke
protest from London commuters (as well as those to Slough).

So full conversion to light rail would benefit Wycombe as a centre at
the expense of Slough. Journey times would be a significant factor too.
A good Wycombe - Maidenhead journey time could attract car users between
Wycombe & Maidenhead, Wycombe & Reading and Wycombe & Slough as car
journeys are becoming increasingly delayed, and Reading in particular is
a nightmare by car.

If it were possible to retain the through services from Bourne End to
Paddington (which connect to a Bourne End - Marlow shuttle) with at
least the existing frequency between Marlow & Maidenhead, and a good
frequency between Wycombe and Maidenhead, then the line would have
excellent traffic prospects.

However, achieving all three together seems improbable! It would
certainly require extra infrastructure (passing loops & expensive
signalling for inter-operation); converting the whole lot to light rail
would probably be acceptable if a relatively high frequency were
achieved with good onward connections at Maidenhead.

Perhaps i'll start a campaign to reinstate the Wivenhoe to Brightlingsea
line as light rail ...

tom



--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London