High Speed Rail Announced

[scouse smurf]

This one is a good site for getting ur tickets

http://www.crosscountrytrains.co.uk/

[Waterways]

I seen this on the news. It's about time we got the real Hi Speed trains as they do in France.

It will be the slowest HSR in Europe.

[Waterways]

Can u imagine how expensive they'll cost to go on. They'll have a premium rate fare and we'll just grin and pay it

The idea is to replace many air flights - centre to centre.

[Waterways]

As for the "high speed" link, the villages,and countryside, that will disappear,just so you can get to Brum' 20 minutes quicker....why?????

Not this propaganda. It will run through open countryside. BTW, only 7.5% of the UK is settled. Most is empty.

[Waterways]

Wow! Book ahead,and it's only £56!

It will cost you that in petrol

[Waterways]

Dunno why it's so dear.

Because we spent 1.5 billion on new Italian tilting trains, when these were invented here, made here and ran here faultlessly for over a year. Thatcher got rid of them.

[Waterways]

There will be GREAT knock-on benefits from High Speed Rail & the electrification
.
What is happening:

1. In preparation the Liverpool-Manchester line is being electrified for the HSR - runs on normal track from Manchester.
2. Electric Trans-Pennine trains are to be run direct from Lime St - To Leeds, Halifax, Newcastle, etc to the east. Currently we have none. Shameful for a major city.
3. The Canada Dock Branch from Edge Hill via Anfield to the docks is being electrified - Better freight throughput and passengers for Liverpool FC and maybe Everton FC.
4. The Merseyrail metro City Line is being electrified - Currently the City Line is slow diesel and can be meshed into the bulk of the electric Merseyrail lines.

We need some tunnelling in Liverpool transforming the above benefits to something that really matters to us:

1. Transforming the Merseyrail metro
2. Releasing platforms to cope with long haul routes at Lime Street

Above: Linking the city centre underground section with Edge Hill using the Wapping Tunnel to the right

• We need some very short Tunnels - Just two short branch sections of tunnel from the Northern Line tunnel to the south of Central station into the Wapping Tunnel is needed.
• Merseyrail Metro opened up - This will open up the Merseyrail metro to the east and south City Line.
• Lime Street for long haul routes only - This opening of the Wapping tunnel will divert all local metro service from Lime St to the central underground section in the centre, releasing platforms for trans-Pennine and HSR trains. The cost of Lime St station expansion can be diverted to reusing the Wapping Tunnel.
• City Line merged into the rest of the Merseyrail metro - The City Line trains entering the city centre underground section via the Wapping Tunnel will transform the metro making it seamlessly meshed in. This is important for people over Merseyside to travel quickly, easily and comfortably around the area.
• New Logical Lines can be created - The metro would need new logical lines, maybe one from New Brighton to Bootle serving LFCs new stadium. West Kirby to St. Helens is possible as one logical line. They could be named the Lennon Line, Harrison Line, etc. This needs looking into of course.
• New Stations will be needed - The metro would increase in popularity and require new stations in parts of the network.
• Central Station would need expanding - Or moving down the line as was proposed.
• The shorts tunnels are the only major expense - Only one The branch tunnelling (started and abandoned in the 1970s) is the only major expenditure needed, as the electrification of the City Line is already being done by HM Government.
• Football stadia served - The Canada Dock Branch Line being electrified can serve Liverpool FC - and Everton FC if they have a stadium on the line. This alleviates traffic problems and nuisance to residents.
• A station for Kings Dock Arena is easily built - A station can be built at the end of the Wapping Tunnel at Kings Dock serving the Arena and conference facilities - another major benefit to the city.
• Fast Metro Line to the Airport Created - The new High Speed Rail will release the West Coast Main Line Spur through Mossley Hill and can be used for fast Merseyrail metro trains, such as an airport express train when a station is eventually built there.
• High throughput for freight to port - The new High Speed Rail will release the West Coast Main Line Spur through Mossley Hill, and a lot of the WCML backbone through the country, which can be used for fast electric freight trains making the port far more competitive, improving the local economy.

Liverpool currently does not even have a direct rail link to North Wales

Appalling when we can see the hills from the city. All it needs is a few hundred yards of track reinstating south of Runcorn - the Halton Curve and trains from Wales and Chester can get to South Parkway (airport) and Lime St. Or if the trains are dual-pickup (wires and 3rd rail) the North Wales trains can enter Liverpool Central station via the Wapping Tunnel, leaving Lime St platforms for long haul. The Halton Curve is a priority, as it is so cheap to do.

Outside of the North West Liverpool currently has only 4 direct rail links

Only London, Norwich, Scarborough and Birmingham are served direct. A disgrace for a major city. How was it to economically grow without proper transport connections? This HSR, trans-Pennine and Halton Curve reinstatement will make matters much better indeed.

We Need The Wapping Tunnel reused ASAP to Create an Expanded Metro

The HSR rail will take time as it is mainly new track, but the other electrification is under way. All it needs is the Edge Hill Spur, re-using the Wapping Tunnel, completed and the city will benefit immediately. If the work is started soon the electrification will coincide with the reuse of the Wapping tunnel. Two short branch tunnels and laying track in an existing tunnel that was used for 142 years is all we need. That is not a lot of money and a pittance to what this tram system was to cost.

If HSR does not come about, then the electrification and trans-Pennine trains is underway in planning and design. The Wapping Tunnel should still be brought on-line to improve the Merseyrail metro and release platform space at Lime Street Station

[pablo42]

Nice one WW.

[Waterways]

Nice one WW.

Pablo, the key is getting the Wapping Tunnel reused and the short branch tunnels cut ASAP. The rest is being done. This tunnel will transform Merseyrail metro, giving it so much more scope. It would then create economic growth. I congratulate Gordon Brown for implementing this electrification during a depression. Local people do not understand the benefits that Liverpool will gain. But we are one key link short to transform matters for Liverpool/Merseyside - the reuse of the Wapping Tunnel, the Edge Hill Spur Scheme. Infrastructure creates economic growth.

[pablo42]

Pablo, the key is getting the Wapping Tunnel reused and the short branch tunnels cut ASAP. The rest is being done. This tunnel will transform Merseyrail metro, giving it so much more scope. It would then create economic growth. I congratulate Gordon Brown for implementing this electrification during a depression. Local people do not understand the benefits that Liverpool will gain. Infrastructure creates economic growth.

Have to agree with you there WW.

[wsteve55]

How far ahead Steve ? As i'm hoping to go down to London at the end of the month ..

It's first come,first served,and the cheapest tickets are £28,single,but go up to over £300,for the same journey!!! I paid £60 going,and £28 coming back,last time,but the £60 ticket was 1st class,so we got a meal,daily paper,and constant drinks....lovely,could quite get used to it!

Have a look at www.trainline.com

[wsteve55]

Not this propaganda. It will run through open countryside. BTW, only 7.5% of the UK is settled. Most is empty.

No it wont/cant, read up! I'd just love to hear the "propaganda" from you,if it was through your village,sqeaky! sqeaky!

[ItsaZappathing]

Because we spent 1.5 billion on new Italian tilting trains, when these were invented here, made here and ran here faultlessly for over a year. Thatcher got rid of them.

Those Italians . See Jacky about that.

[Waterways]

No it wont/cant, read up! I'd just love to hear the "propaganda" from you,if it was through your village,sqeaky! sqeaky!

It is running through open country as straight as can be, not though villages. The NIMBY's are in Bucks. The so-called Home Counties would be the world's 10th largest country in wealth if it they were a country. They enjoy a lifestyle on the backs of the adjacent big city, London. That city needs fast transport communications. It has to run through the Home Counties, as they surround London.

I have no time for them.

[jennie]

Hi Debra, did you find any train tickets cheaper, I always use.. www.thetrainline.co.uk. Click onto gadgets and tools, click onto find best train fares, I think that's what its called and enter the dates you were planning to travel.
I've found some real bargains, I once went to london for £9.00