great station tours and updates nick!
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Under a s106 agreement, Westfield paid for transport improvements to ensure that they i) received planning permission, and ii) the place didn't grind to a halt because of inadequate capacity. There were plans to build elevator shafts down to the Central line platforms, but these would have cost £100mn, so imagine the cost of a re-aligned escalator tunnel or underground connection to the West London line platforms. It wasn't just the re-building of the Central line station, and new West London line station that were the results of Westfield London. The new Wood Lane station on the Hammersmith & City line, and two new bus hubs were built. There aren't that many shopping centres/malls on the planet that are given as many transport connections. I can't recall where, but there was a list comparing transport fares; London was ranked in the upper half, but was not the most expensive. Don't forget that London operates the 2nd largest heavy rail network on the planet, and (probably) the largest bus network in the developed world. I won't bother discussing the bank bailouts because it is both irrelevant to this thread and also your understanding of why it needed to happen and how it was undertaken is misplaced. |
Well it was a robbery plain and simple, in my view, but this is not really the place to discuss it. I have checked and you are right Westfield did pay for the rebuild. My gripe will remain that the station's air-rights were squandered. I don't know why. 40 or 50 apartments on that site would have probably paid for half the station cost. Regarding wood lane i think it's tremendously exciting that they built that station (on an exisiting line), but a shame they didn't go the extra mile and move the White City platforms for an interchange.
Any idea when the ELL is going to open? I'm really looking forward to that. |
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Wood Lane & White City are indeed close, but I suspect that there would have been little benefit from such an interchange. Remember, Wood Lane is the most convenient station to access the northern entrance to Westfield London and the main BBC HQ building (the station is directly next-door to both). While White City is the most accessible station to serve both sections of the BBC campus (the HQ building to the south, and the media village to the north), as well as QPR's football stadium Loftus Road. The requirement for interchange would be exceptionally limited. As such I doubt the cost could ever justify an interchange bridge which would run alongside Wood Lane which connects both stations (Google Map: http://maps.google.co.uk/?ie=UTF8&ll...9012&t=h&z=18). Moving the station would involve a complex re-working of lines. White City has three platforms for three tracks; the two outside tracks are for the west and eastbound trains. The central track allows for trains to temrinate and enter the White City depot (under Westfield London). The tunnel portals to these are located inbetween Wood Lane and White City, so such a station would be highly complex and disruptive to train operations. Not to mention White City is a nice station with intricate Phase I of the East London Line will open around May next year, with an extension to Highbury & Islington opening a year later. Phase II which involves an extension to Clapham Junction will open before the 2012 Olympics. http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...neRouteMap.png |
All the new train lines look amazing.
However, the "£5m junction" is a joke. I could have done it for them for 20 bucks. Diagonal crossings are very common, all you need is to have all the cars get red and all the pedestrians to get go. Nothing else is needed, people figure out very quickly that they can cross diagonally. |
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South Quay Station
South Quay station is located on the Lewisham branch of the DLR, and due south of Canary Wharf. As part of the system-wide DLR 3-car upgrade, a new station had to be built due to the position of the old station in-between two bends (ie the platforms could not be extended). The new station is now located further to the east providing greater access for areas to the east of the Millwall Dock not adequately served Pics taken by IanVisits at flickr.com http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2579/...6743f4eb_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2517/...51286974_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2583/...2c7aed90_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2706/...bbf71b6e_b.jpg http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3480/...c550e679_b.jpg The new rolling stock - currently only 2-carriages as the rest of the network has yet to be fully upgraded http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2778/...b972d289_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2527/...64fa1128_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/...6db88aaa_b.jpg The old station as viewed from the new station http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/...772fa75b_b.jpg King's Cross St Pancras Tube Station Upgrade King's Cross St Pancras is the biggest rail & underground interchange in London comprising six London Underground lines, the Thameslink cross-London line, and five commuter and inter-city operators, including Eurostar services to Paris and continental Europe. To cope with the expected rise in demand, and the opening of a new concourse at King's Cross, new tunnels and entrances are being built to ease transfers and increase capacity at the station. Works should be completed in 2010. Between FCC St Pancras International Thameslink route platforms and: Piccadilly line: 5 mins 40 secs (currently 8 mins) Victoria line : 7 mins (currently 8 mins) Northern line: 5 mins 50 secs (currently 9 mins 30 secs) Circle, Metropolitan & Hammersmith and City lines: 4 mins (route doesn’t change) In addition, new entrances/exits at the other end of the Piccadilly, Northern and Victoria line platforms will make it easier and quicker (less congested) for passengers to access and leave these platforms. Between FCC King’s Cross platforms 9, 10 & 11 and: Piccadilly line: 4 mins 30 secs (currently 6 mins – or up to 11 mins if station entrance temporarily closed in the morning rush hour) Victoria line: 6 mins (no change – but currently can be up to 11 mins if station entrance temporarily closed in the morning rush hour) Northern line: 4 mins 40 secs (currently 7 mins – or up to 12 mins if station entrance temporarily closed in the morning rush hour) Circle, Metropolitan & Hammersmith and City lines: 6 mins 30 secs (currently 7 mins 30 secs – or up to 12 mins 30 secs if station entrance temporarily closed in the morning rush hour) In addition, new entrances/exits at the other end of the Piccadilly, Northern and Victoria line platforms will make it easier and quicker (less congested) for passengers to access and leave these platforms. http://www.firstcapitalconnect.co.uk...ckethallv5.gif Circle Line Extension From mid-December, the Circle Line which runs oddly enough in a circle around Central London is set to be extended to Hammersmith. The problem with the Circle line is that it piggybacks off of the other sub-surface lines (Metropolitan, Hammersmith & City, and District), and because of its continuous, non-terminus design delays elsewhere on the network affect its performance. By creating a terminus in Hammersmith and at Edgware Road, the circle line can operate more efficiently by removing a conflict and creating a more reliable and defined service. The new route also coincides with a massive signal, track and rolling stock upgrade which will boost capacity by 65%. Pic sourced by DarJoLe at SSC. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2739/...7249ef9d_b.jpg East London Line Extension Some Youtube videos of trains testing the new line - due to open early next year Crossing the approach tracks into Liverpool Street Heading northbound on to the old Broad Street Viaduct Crossing Shoreditch High Street Passing through Haggerston Station Oxford Circus Crossing The new Oxford Circus 'Japanese' crossing has somehow managed to find itself on Japanese National News. On a technical note, some western media outlets appear to refer to the crossing as akin to the Shibuya Crossing, which doesn't have a 'cross'. The Oxford Circus crossing is more like the crossing in Ginza (at the junction of Harumi Dori & Sotobori Dori) |
London Oyster Map
It's taken some time but after 10 years of use on the London Underground, Buses, Tram, DLR and some commuter lines, the Oystercard will now be usable on the remaining heavy rail lines. Eventually it is hoped that the commuter lines that extend outside the borders of London will come under the Oyster umbrella, with a potential nation-wide contactless card making gradual progress. The map is crowded enough as it so it doesn't include u/c lines such as the DLR Stratford International Extension and East London Line Extension. I've included two sizes (the larger one is visible through the thumbnail) to make it more legible. http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/7739/49104714.th.jpg http://img4.imageshack.us/img4/1092/10576326.jpg |
Now THAT'S a rail network! ...slightly off topic does anybody know definitely how many train stations there are in Greater London (Tube, DLR, National Rail)? I've been trying to search everywhere for an answer without actally having to count each one!
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I kinda like the new map. I wonder what it'll look like with Crossrail and ELL open...
The new Oxford Circus is great. Went by there when I was in London a couple of weeks ago, feels way more pedestrian friendly than it did before. Had to try the X-walk, was a bit long to cross, but didn't seem strange to me. The Cicle Line going to Hammersmith... My brother will love that :D Lives just over the Hammersmith bridge and has an office at Marble Arch. This change means more connecting trains :) |
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Crazily, the network continues to expand. Some 4 new stations opened in 2008, one (Imperial Wharf) opened this year, but next year will be busier. Three new stations will open on the Stratford International DLR Extension (an additional 3 stations interchange with other lines), while the East London Line Extension will re-open with four brand new stations, 8 re-built stations (the original East London Line stretch) and 9 stations taken over from the Brighton Main Line. Due to the vast scale of the network, there aren't many places left which lack a station, so many projects such as Crossrail will involve interchanges with current routes to relieve congestion. |
Transport improvements for London 2012 Games on track
http://www.london2012.com/press/medi...s-on-track.php 08 Dec 2009 Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA) publish latest edition of Transport Plan for consultation. The ODA is three quarters of the way through its programme of transport improvements needed for the London 2012 Games, on time and on budget. The ODA made the announcement as the latest edition of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Transport Plan was published today. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/...1d50e4e1_b.jpg The ODA’s transport infrastructure work started in December 2006 at Orient Way with the construction of a new 12-track railway depot. The infrastructure improvements being made for Games and legacy will be completed by the end of 2010 when work is finished at West Ham and Stratford stations to increase capacity. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2777/...fd0e9779_b.jpg The ODA is on track with its programme of improvements that will leave legacy benefits for London long after the Games. Work completed to date includes: - 12 track railway sidings constructed at Orient Way; - Two new platforms for North London Line services to replace the low level platforms previously used by the DLR; - The first of 22 new DLR rail cars co-funded by the ODA are in service; - The construction of a new Eastern Egress bridge at Stratford International Station to shorten the walking distance to Stratford Regional Station; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2751/...2fee1397_b.jpg The DLR’s second crossing under the river to Woolwich Arsenal, opened in February 2009, which will host the Shooting events; Work on the DLR extension to Stratford International is well underway and is on track to open in July 2010; Passengers at Stratford Regional Station are already using three new lifts and wider staircases. A new upper level station entrance and westbound Central Line platform are all on track to be completed by the end of 2010; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2722/...96eebede_b.jpg Work has started on improving cycle routes in east London as a result of the ODA’s £11m investment; Operational planning, including timetabling, is being developed. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/...75c2502c_b.jpg Progress is detailed in the consultation draft of the second edition of the Transport Plan for the London 2012 Games, published today. Feedback to this consultation draft will be incorporated into the second full edition of the Transport Plan which will be published next year, when the ODA move from delivering the final infrastructure to more detailed planning for Games-time operations. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/...75c2502c_b.jpg ODA Chairman John Armitt said: 'Moving hundreds of thousands of spectators and tens of thousands of athletes, media, officials and Games workers in the summer of 2012 is a huge logistical challenge. 'We are on track for completing the transport improvements needed for Games and legacy. We are not complacent and are working hard with our transport delivery partners to ensure that we maintain this good progress as we move into detailed operational planning.' http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2802/...24b83001_b.jpg Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said: 'Reliable and efficient transport will be crucial to the success of London 2012 and we are determined to get it right. This report shows we are on time and on budget to deliver the improvements needed, which will benefit travellers long after the Games have finished. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2543/...ef713f97_b.jpg 'Railway lines, trains and stations are being upgraded to cope with the thousands of athletes, volunteers and spectators who will travel to the Games each day. We want to make sure spectators have a choice of ways to get to the Games, whether it’s by public transport, bicycle or on foot.' http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2550/...ddc56b17_b.jpg The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: 'Work on the capital's transport network ahead of bringing the Games to London is proceeding at a sensational pace. The improvements being made to our stations, track, the DLR, and our cycle routes are happening on time, to the budget that was set and will serve Londoners well for years to come.' http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/...e08cd35e_b.jpg LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe said: 'These transport improvements demonstrate again what is meant by London 2012's vision to use the power of the Games to inspire lasting change. Not only are they essential to ensure a memorable experience for athletes, spectators and the general public during Games-time, but their lasting legacy will deliver benefits for commuters and families for years to come.' http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2508/...c123dfd7_b.jpg Quote:
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^^ Interesting, but I guess no one knows where that planned central station will actually be yet, expect those behind the closed doors.
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Crosstown traffic
Read More: http://www.euinfrastructure.com/arti...stown-traffic/ Quote:
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(includes vid & pdf map) Quote:
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Nerdgasm!!
This has got to be one of the ultimate transportation posts on the web. I knew most of the projects as I am very curious about these things. But even to me there was new ones. And so much information. Will sit down one day and read it all. Thank you very much everyone... |
Frogfisher - Yeah it is a bit mental. There are various other projects going on but it is hard to source pictures or updates on all of them.
East London Line Extension A tour of some of the stations on the ELLE. Pics sourced from londonreconnections.blogspot.com The Train Part of new rolling stock across the sub-surface London Underground network that will encompass walk-through carriages. It also wouldn't be London without padded fabric seats and arm-rests! http://img401.imageshack.us/img401/2...378fourcar.jpg Surrey Quays http://img714.imageshack.us/img714/1...urreyquays.jpg Shadwell Notice the fine Victorian metal and brickwork remains to give the station a unique view. The station now incorporates two exits to allow for easier interchange with the DLR which runs on a viaduct above the station http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/4...wnplatform.jpg http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/1...llarchwork.jpg http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2...llironwork.jpg http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/4...wnplatform.jpg http://img32.imageshack.us/img32/913...cketoffice.jpg http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/2...llrearexit.jpg http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/1...lrearexit2.jpg http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/3551/dlrshadwell.jpg Note: while the platform 1 sign mentions stops at Canonbury & Highbury & Islington these won't open until closer to 2012, the same can be said of the line running to Clapham Junction on the platform 2 sign - these will be covered up closer to opening. http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/7...llsignage1.jpg Shoreditch High Street While built above ground on a viaduct to connect with a disused viaduct which forms the link up to Dalston Junctin, the station is constructed in a giant box to allow for skyscrapers to be built above the station http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/928...hplatform1.jpg http://img404.imageshack.us/img404/9...hplatform3.jpg http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/178...hplatform4.jpg http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/432...hplatform2.jpg http://img192.imageshack.us/img192/7...itchstairs.jpg http://img232.imageshack.us/img232/3...tchoutside.jpg http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/1...ticketoffi.jpg http://img682.imageshack.us/img682/1...ticketoffi.jpg http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/1...ticketoffi.jpg Hoxton http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/6073/ellhoxton1.jpg Haggerston http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/8...aggerston2.jpg Dalston Junction The station consists of four platforms: the two central platforms allow for terminating services, while the two outer platforms will allow trains to carry on to Higbury & Islington. http://img510.imageshack.us/img510/4...njunction3.jpg http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/594...njunction2.jpg ELLE Train Depot http://img214.imageshack.us/img214/6...operations.jpg http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/8...potsignals.jpg http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/2...signalsdia.jpg http://img62.imageshack.us/img62/134...wheellathe.jpg http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/1...depot378s2.jpg Brunel Tunnel Due to the nature of the East London Line Extension re-using old rail assets, there are some interesting architectural wonders to be seen on the route. One such is the Brunel Tunnel (also known as Thames Tunnel) which allows the ELLE to connect north and south London; and most would think is just a normal tunnel. Yet this is quite possibly one of the most important tunnels known to man: - Firstly it was the first tunnel in the world to be built under a river, something thought to be impossible, and - Secondly it was the first tunnel in the world to use Sir Marc Isambard Brunel and Isambard Kingdom Brunels' tunneling shield technology - this is the same technology and method used in TBM's to this day The tunnel opened in 1843 (twenty years prior to the opening of the London Underground) originally as a pedestrian tunnel, but eventually found use as part of the railway network. It has been closed for the past three years to allow for construction of the ELLE and modernisation of the network but will form part of the critical central section of the line when it opens in a few weeks time. The tunnel is now 167 years old and still working. Some lucky people including AmyDeal at Flickr managed to get a tour of the tunnel prior to its re-opening, here are the pics: http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/...8662e3e4_b.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4072/...ed884eba_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2761/...00b7952d_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2692/...416fcd35_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/...c6ac8a63_b.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/...1cb96c17_b.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4028/...e80cf5d3_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2737/...8a0ff0ea_b.jpg http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2555/...5b65bc55_b.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4043/...5240a79e_b.jpg And to get in the mood of the historic tunnel some Victorians were genetically recreated (much like dinosaurs were in the film: Jurassic Park) for the event..... ;) http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4047/...090f04dd_b.jpg London Gateway I suppose this is transport related as it will involve new road and rail links along the Thames Gateway. DP World has begun work on the 7.3 km2 London Gateway which will be capable of handling the largest modern container ships and greatly expand container capacity in the UK (the result of which will allow for ships to avoid calling at Rotterdam). Roads and rail links will be expanded to allow for up to 60 freight trains a day to serve the site. The attached distribution park will also be the largest in the UK; in total 12,000 direct jobs will be created helping to distribute goods more efficiently to the London market. http://www.londongateway.com/portal/...s/1/218353.JPG Crossrail A cofferdam has been erected along a portion of the West India Dock at Canary Wharf to allow for water to be extracted and allow for construction to begin on the 4 tunnel portals and station foundations. Water has been removed and this is what you are left with once a dock has been drained; http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2776/...3e640c8c_b.jpg http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4034/...a74d84b0_b.jpg Pics sourced by gegloma01 at SSC, taken by Finkl on flickr. Light Parade at SSC also managed to get some pics taken of the sites at Tottenham Court Road that will allow for roads to be diverted so that the new ticket hall and entrances can be constructed. http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/IMG_3351.jpg http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/IMG_3352.jpg http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/IMG_3368.jpg http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/IMG_3372.jpg Unfortunately the following buildings are going to be demolished to make way for the Dean Street entrance which is due east of Tottenham Court Road (ie closer to Oxford Circus) http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/IMG_3374.jpg http://i701.photobucket.com/albums/w...0/IMG_3375.jpg |
The latest rail maps for London and its metro area have now been released.
A few notes: - For some unknown reason only a portion of the East London Line is shown despite it opening in a few weeks time; the southern route to Crystal Palace and East Croydon is not shown - The Stratford International DLR Extension is also not shown on the map (this would run parallel to the Jubilee Line between Canning Town and Stratford, but carry on to Stratford International) - The new station for Southend Airport due to open in the summer is shown on the map London Urban http://img42.imageshack.us/img42/205/90485823.jpg London Metro http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/5222/46416955.jpg |
East London Line
The ELL is now open for preview services (0700 - 2000 Mon-Friday) between Dalston Junction and New Cross/New Cross Gate. The full line down to West Croydon and Crystal Palace will open on the 23rd May. Further extension northwards to Highbury & Islington and westwards to Clapham Junction will open by 2012. Pictures of the stations will follow suit, but this is how the line (orange running top-bottom) is currently shown (until the 23rd May when new maps illustrating the aforementioned extensions are unveiled). http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/9131/map1b.jpg |
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