On Thu, 02 Nov 2006 11:15:55 -0600, "Tristán White"
wrote:

Just had another look at what is without a doubt my favourite London
transport map:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/downloads/...eases/putting-
transport-onthemap.pdf

It's how the network SHOULD look in 2016. I love the map.

However, when it was drawn up, Shoreditch is still there as a branch
coming off the new ELLx.

This isn't because the map is of "how the network looks on 31 August
2004 (when it was released) PLUS the new lines, because they've erased
for example the Silverlink between Stratford and Woolwich.

So is leaving Shoreditch in an oversight/mistake, or was the intention
then to give Shoreditch the Mill Hill East treatment.

I think it is a mistake. I have never heard of any option for ELLX that
retains the existing Shoreditch. It is in the way of the new alignment
and has to be demolished / lose its ability to have a platform as the
line will be on a rising alignment.

On a similar note, Waterloo is still listed with a Eurostar logo. I
assume that's another mistake, correct?

Maybe not - I think there was this still the option when the map was put
together that Eurostar might run some trips into Waterloo.

There are other errors such as showing Thameslink 2000 (hah!) but still
showing a service to Moorgate. The Moorgate to Finsbury Park line is
missing and yet the link out of Kings Cross from Thameslink is shown -
eh?

Some other questions:

I'm delighted that Aldwych's name may come back (albeit as a tram
station) - funny how things go in circles. I assume though that it won't
use the old station, as the plan is for the tram to cross Waterloo
Bridge, not go under the river.

The tram stop will be on the surface at Aldwych and I can't see the old
tube station or tram subway featuring at all.

Are all these trams going to share the road like in the old days, and
like you have in most of Europe eg Prague, or are they going to be in a
sort of raised lane just for the trams?

I would expect that where segregation was feasible that they would
provide it - this is one way of trying to provide a reliable service.

If this is the case, I assume (again if that picture is anything to go
by) that they will be using overhead wires to power it? If they are
using the same roads etc, how the hell are the tall trucks and the
double-decker buses etc going to avoid the wires (and electrocuting the
passengers! ouch!)

I can't see it myself. All those cables will cause havoc, and then
you'll have people complaining about cables being attached to the side
of their properties.... it'll all end in tears. So what else? An under-
the-road conduit system? No wires at all... and the trams to run on
hydrogen or something? (after all, we are talking 2016 here). It's going
to have to be a "green" system of some kind...

Err Metrolink trams seem to deal with double decker buses and lorries
perfectly well in Manchester as do trams in Nottingham, Croydon,
Birmingham and Blackpool. This is not an issue with overhead wiring. I
agree that there might be pressure to adopt an alternative form of
traction supply but there are risks associated with doing this. One
advantage of trams is that the basic technology and operational issues
are very well understood as there is worldwide experience to draw from.
If I was TfL Trams I would much prefer to go for conventional but up to
date technology that provided excellent performance and reliability but
was captured the benefits from technological advances such as lighter
weight, easy to maintain systems, intelligent diagnostics, good
passenger access and comfort.

What about all the other trams, crossrail, etc etc. How on course are
they to actually having that map look accurate by 2016?

Most of the tramlink proposals won't happen except the Crystal Palace
line as that seems favoured.

Crossrail won't run to Kingston not beyond Abbey Wood. I doubt it will
be built by 2016. At my most cynical I don't think construction will
have started by then because the Olympics will so heavily skew
construction costs that you don't stand a chance of demonstrating value
for money and lots of schemes will be "paused" during the Olympics which
will mean there will be a backlog of transport schemes "restarting" post
2012 using up other resources that would be needed by Crossrail.

Overground is out to tender now and probably will be in place but I am
utterly confused as to what is going to run where and with what service
level and train configuration. A letter in Modern Railways this month
creates yet more confusion over phasing of the services from ELL to the
NLL.

Thameslink might have started construction and might be finished by 2016
but it has the same cost risks as Crossrail. I also have no idea what
will happen with rolling stock for FCC and I think that is also a big
risk.

DLR will get everything built - they are a proven success story so will
be favoured for investment. Most of the extensions are approved anyway
and Dagenham Dock line planning and consultation prior to the TWA
application is underway or will start soon.

West London Tram - who knows? It's embroiled in nasty local politics
and could take years to progress although I think the financial issue
for TfL is what will ultimately kill it.

Croxley link - no idea.

East London / Waterfront Transit - they are glorified bus services so
something will turn up at some point but it will be far short of the
original concept.

--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!