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Mizter T · January 22nd 07, 09:35 AM posted to uk.transport.london

wrote:

wrote:
From your comments I dont think I can ever see the line going past Epping
again. Would other people agree?

Probably. As things stand at present, there are simply too many
obstacles:-

(snip)

5) Long way from London - Ken is interested in projects in the centre,
and normally for the benefit of deprived areas (ELLX, DLR to Stratford
Int). Serving Essex isn't going to be a priority.

Bear in mind that the remit of the Mayor and TfL is Greater London as
opposed to Essex. Any plan to reopen Epping to Ongar as part of the
Central line would have to be proposed by Essex County Council, in
partnership with LU. The Croxley Rail Link project [1] in Watford,
which is outside Greater London in Hertfordshire, is similarly a
partnership between LU and Hertfordshire County Council, and will be
funded (in part at least) by the DfT (i.e. central government).

Anyway I'd suggest that Epping to Ongar ain't going to be part of the
Central line again. The original reasons for it closing, that of lack
of passengers, almost certainly still apply. Plus any plans to reopen
it would have to be backed by the DfT, and also paid for (in part at
least) by the DfT too. In the big scheme of things other projects are
far more worthy than a recently closed line - a line that was closed
because it never really drew the crowds needed to justify it's
existence.

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[1] http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tube/company/p...ley-rail-link/