Amongst a number of points covered in SoS Hammond's announcement this
morning was this one:

---quote---
Today, I can confirm we will fund and deliver the Thameslink programme in
its entirety, virtually doubling the number of north-south trains running
through central London at peak times. But the original programme for the
rebuilding of London Bridge was always ambitious, with substantial risks
around delivery, and operation of existing services, during construction.
To reduce these risks, we have re-profiled the delivery of the programme to
achieve completion in 2018. This will enable Network Rail to make further
efficiencies to their design and delivery programme.
---/quote---

Source:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speeches...ammond20101125

So, it appears as though the whole shebang will go ahead as originally
envisaged, i.e. including Key Output 2 (of which the extensive Bermondsey
dive-unders on the approaches to London Bridge are a part, for instance).

On Nov 25, 10:37*am, "Mizter T" wrote:
Amongst a number of points covered in SoS Hammond's announcement this
morning was this one:

---quote---
Today, I can confirm we will fund and deliver the Thameslink programme in
its entirety, virtually doubling the number of north-south trains running
through central London at peak times. But the original programme for the
rebuilding of London Bridge was always ambitious, with substantial risks
around delivery, and operation of existing services, during construction.
To reduce these risks, we have re-profiled the delivery of the programme to
achieve completion in 2018. *This will enable Network Rail to make further
efficiencies to their design and delivery programme.
---/quote---

Source:http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speeches...ts/hammond2010...

So, it appears as though the whole shebang will go ahead as originally
envisaged, i.e. including Key Output 2 (of which the extensive Bermondsey
dive-unders on the approaches to London Bridge are a part, for instance).

Excellent news. And, given the circumstances, surprising. A good day
for railways of the UK's Southeast, and especially London.

"Mizter T" wrote:
Amongst a number of points covered in SoS Hammond's announcement this
morning was this one:
Today, I can confirm we will fund and deliver the Thameslink programme in
its entirety, virtually doubling the number of north-south trains running
through central London at peak times. But the original programme for the
rebuilding of London Bridge was always ambitious, with substantial risks
around delivery, and operation of existing services, during construction.
To reduce these risks, we have re-profiled the delivery of the programme to
achieve completion in 2018. This will enable Network Rail to make further
efficiencies to their design and delivery programme.
Source:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/press/speeches...ammond20101125

So, it appears as though the whole shebang will go ahead as originally
envisaged, i.e. including Key Output 2 (of which the extensive Bermondsey
dive-unders on the approaches to London Bridge are a part, for instance).


This is excellent news, and by far the most satisfying part of today's
announcement. The Thameslink project has recently been overshadowed
by its more glamorous relative, Crossrail, yet the economic and
environmental benefits that Thameslink will deliver to London and the
south east are no less significant.

There was real concern worry that the high cost of (1) remodelling
London Bridge to include additional though platforms and (2) the
Bermondsey dive-unders could have caused the project to be curtailed.
However, this budgetary problem has been solved by allowing an
additional two years to complete the project. This spreads the cost
over a greater number of financial years and allows more economic (and
less disruptive) methods of construction to be used at London Bridge.

All praise to the Thameslink project team who have succeeded in
gaining Ministerial approval for the whole of this vital if somewhat
unsexy project.

In message , at 10:37:20 on
Thu, 25 Nov 2010, Mizter T remarked:
Amongst a number of points covered in SoS Hammond's announcement this
morning was this one:

---quote---
Today, I can confirm we will fund and deliver the Thameslink programme
in its entirety

Does that include the link-up with the GN line to Cambridge, or was that
air-brushed from the scheme long ago?

istr they were supposed to be lengthening platforms at Cambridge to take
12 cars, but I think they may have changed their mind and are doing an
island instead.
--
Roland Perry

In article ,
Roland Perry wrote:
istr they were supposed to be lengthening platforms at Cambridge to take
12 cars, but I think they may have changed their mind and are doing an
island instead.

Cambridge has had 12-car Class 365 services to Kings Cross in the
morning peak for some time now.

-roy

In message , at 16:41:58 on Thu,
25 Nov 2010, Roy Badami remarked:
istr they were supposed to be lengthening platforms at Cambridge to take
12 cars, but I think they may have changed their mind and are doing an
island instead.

Cambridge has had 12-car Class 365 services to Kings Cross in the
morning peak for some time now.

Isn't that being done by some sort of kludge, rather than lengthening
both platforms 1 & 4 so that all trains could be 12-car, as was
originally proposed?
--
Roland Perry

On 25/11/2010 16:51, Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 16:41:58 on Thu,
25 Nov 2010, Roy Badami remarked:
istr they were supposed to be lengthening platforms at Cambridge to take
12 cars, but I think they may have changed their mind and are doing an
island instead.

Cambridge has had 12-car Class 365 services to Kings Cross in the
morning peak for some time now.

Isn't that being done by some sort of kludge, rather than lengthening
both platforms 1 & 4 so that all trains could be 12-car, as was
originally proposed?

The Island Platform at Cambridge is due to be opened in just over a
year. They've possessions booked, and it is needed for the proposed 12
car service to Liverpool St, trains for which are already being produced.

Jim

In message , at 19:10:08 on
Thu, 25 Nov 2010, Jim Chisholm remarked:

istr they were supposed to be lengthening platforms at Cambridge to take
12 cars, but I think they may have changed their mind and are doing an
island instead.

Cambridge has had 12-car Class 365 services to Kings Cross in the
morning peak for some time now.

Isn't that being done by some sort of kludge, rather than lengthening
both platforms 1 & 4 so that all trains could be 12-car, as was
originally proposed?

The Island Platform at Cambridge is due to be opened in just over a
year. They've possessions booked, and it is needed for the proposed 12
car service to Liverpool St, trains for which are already being produced.

If both 1 & 4 were usable by 12-car trains, perhaps they wouldn't need
such a long island. Do you know whether they've changed strategy, or
will 1 & 4 & the island all be capable of 12-car?
--
Roland Perry

In article ,
Roland Perry wrote:
In message , at 16:41:58 on Thu,
Isn't that being done by some sort of kludge, rather than lengthening
both platforms 1 & 4 so that all trains could be 12-car, as was
originally proposed?

What kind of kludge? I thought I read here that some work (not sure
what) was done a while back to allow platform 1 to accommodate the
12-car trains.

I don't think the 12-car trains straddle platforms 1 & 4, if that's
what you mean?

-roy

In message , at 21:17:40 on Thu,
25 Nov 2010, Roy Badami remarked:
Isn't that being done by some sort of kludge, rather than lengthening
both platforms 1 & 4 so that all trains could be 12-car, as was
originally proposed?

What kind of kludge? I thought I read here that some work (not sure
what) was done a while back to allow platform 1 to accommodate the
12-car trains.

I don't think the 12-car trains straddle platforms 1 & 4, if that's
what you mean?

Yes, that's what I meant; but I haven't seen any positive indications
either way (other than perhaps a lack of people commenting how they've
seen a 12-car in Platform 1 that didn't foul the x-over).
--
Roland Perry