"Ben Nunn" wrote in message
...

They should keep the central part of it as planned with all existing
stops,
but use the services to form part of a much bigger plan.

Crossrail services should couple to existing trains either side of the
central area, allowing for fast intercity routes.

[snip details of interesting idea]


NOw what the **** is wrong with that? Basically express intercity
services,
but running /through/ London and stopping within.

Southend to Birmingham.
Cambridge to Plymouth.
Ashford to Windsor.

Why the **** not?


Choice of language aside, I think there are probably three reasons:

1) the relative lack of long distance destinations to the East making it
comparatively unprofitable
2) the greater risk of performance pollution (although, as has been pointed
out, that's not been fully excluded from the existing plan on the Kent and
Surrey branches)
3) the greater passenger catchment of a London-centric plan - two of the
busiest destinations in London (Docklands and the airport) are linked to
City and West End, together with close links to City airport and one of the
busiest overland lines in the area. I'd guess the potential passenger
numbers of the existing service far out number the numbers that want to
travel on the routes you list above. Plus it would be difficult to
incorporate your idea into the existing plan, given that an extra five
minutes wait at STratford or Ealing would cut the benefits for the suburban
passengers.

It's a shame, but I get the impression that because of things like
performance pollution, Crossrail could only have been either a regional
express, or a giant tube line; and the company has chosen the latter as the
more profitable option. Given that London needs more tube lines, I don't
think that's a bad choice.

Jonn