Have you seen what TfL are going to do at Gants Hill roundabout??? Thats a major junction, 3 dual carriageways (A12 x2, A1400), another major cross route (A123 x2) and they are going to take action to reduce traffic flow.... as if it is not slow enough already (OK, at 8am on a Sunday its usually a delight to drive throug, but not on weekdays) Simon
BTW, the Central and Victoria lines use computer driven trains - although with the Central the staff drive on Sunday mornings, as this keeps their driving licenses valid - unlike car licences with train drivers if they do not drive within a set number of months then they would lapse / require re-certification. Simon
This station is unusual because its also a terminal (end of line) station, but as the trains are computer driven the driver does not need to 'change ends', so when this is coupled with the platforms on both sides the trains can be ready to depart in less than a minute. Sooo, although at first glance whats been done here looks somewhat daft its not quite as restrictive as it first seems. cont...
I agree, but I've been told that there was not enough space for two platforms... Note that because of the train's computerised driving, that the Train Captain does not need to 'change ends', and the use of twin platforms preventing conflict within the passenger flows, so a train can be in and out as quickly as at any other station. Simon
I live in Ilford, although nearer to Gants Hill than the Ilford lane side of town. But I know the road well, and that the original plans were to close the 'ends' of the road to through traffic but as the access to the sort of parallel Barking - SouthWoodford section of the A406 are already heavily congested and there was heavy opposition so the closures have been shelved (but maybe not permamently?). more...
Most trains go to Bank, which is a more popular / better located station, so at normal times there is no need for high capacity. btw, the idea of having platforms on both sides is known as the 'Spanish Solution'. This follows the principle that at busy stations the best way to minimise stop dwell times is for arriving passengers to leave the trains on one side (where the doors open first) and departing passengers to board from the other side. cont...
there is a siding there too, and as the trains are automated / the driver does not need to change ends to reverse the trains so they can be in and out as quickly as if this was a through station... but yet, it does seem bizarre that there is just a single track. The official reason seems to be a lack of space for 2 tracks + platforms... (oh really????) As for Ilford Lane and ELT, its great that there is inward investment, but - see next msg
However, the above comments notwithstanding, there are times when I wonder whether some planners wanted to experiment with the Spanish Solution here in London and this station ended up being chosen. Having visited this location I am not convinced by the official story that there was not enough space for 2 tracks and 2 platforms. Simon
Well maybe people would accept it, but installing the technology is very expensive and anyway, people would still want a member of staff on board, to supervise station departure and 'just in case'. Even the DLR is not unstaffed - its just that the computers drive the trains. Simon
The original plans also looked at trolleybuses as a way to reduce air pollution, but TfL went back on the electric buses and after heavy campaigning made it quite clear to me, in writing, that they do not see trolleybuses as being a solution for London. Which makes my blood boil as they happily gave electric trams to Croydon and wanted similar for West London yet they are fobbing us in the east off with yet more polluting diesels - even hybrids still pollute the streets they use! Simon
I don't know why the Tube isn't run with driverless trains. Surely technology is now at the point whereby it can be done. Also it would get rid of a lot of unionist drivers who think LU owe them an existance, with communters benefitting from lower fares and NO strikes!
Have you seen what TfL are going to do at Gants Hill roundabout???
Thats a major junction, 3 dual carriageways (A12 x2, A1400), another major cross route (A123 x2) and they are going to take action to reduce traffic flow.... as if it is not slow enough already (OK, at 8am on a Sunday its usually a delight to drive throug, but not on weekdays)
Simon
BTW, the Central and Victoria lines use computer driven trains - although with the Central the staff drive on Sunday mornings, as this keeps their driving licenses valid - unlike car licences with train drivers if they do not drive within a set number of months then they would lapse / require re-certification.
Simon
This station is unusual because its also a terminal (end of line) station, but as the trains are computer driven the driver does not need to 'change ends', so when this is coupled with the platforms on both sides the trains can be ready to depart in less than a minute.
Sooo, although at first glance whats been done here looks somewhat daft its not quite as restrictive as it first seems.
cont...
I agree, but I've been told that there was not enough space for two platforms...
Note that because of the train's computerised driving, that the Train Captain does not need to 'change ends', and the use of twin platforms preventing conflict within the passenger flows, so a train can be in and out as quickly as at any other station.
Simon
I live in Ilford, although nearer to Gants Hill than the Ilford lane side of town. But I know the road well, and that the original plans were to close the 'ends' of the road to through traffic but as the access to the sort of parallel Barking - SouthWoodford section of the A406 are already heavily congested and there was heavy opposition so the closures have been shelved (but maybe not permamently?).
more...
Most trains go to Bank, which is a more popular / better located station, so at normal times there is no need for high capacity.
btw, the idea of having platforms on both sides is known as the 'Spanish Solution'.
This follows the principle that at busy stations the best way to minimise stop dwell times is for arriving passengers to leave the trains on one side (where the doors open first) and departing passengers to board from the other side.
cont...
there is a siding there too, and as the trains are automated / the driver does not need to change ends to reverse the trains so they can be in and out as quickly as if this was a through station... but yet, it does seem bizarre that there is just a single track. The official reason seems to be a lack of space for 2 tracks + platforms... (oh really????)
As for Ilford Lane and ELT, its great that there is inward investment, but - see next msg
Thanks!
However, the above comments notwithstanding, there are times when I wonder whether some planners wanted to experiment with the Spanish Solution here in London and this station ended up being chosen.
Having visited this location I am not convinced by the official story that there was not enough space for 2 tracks and 2 platforms.
Simon
Tower Gateway has gone from two tracks to one! I know it is not as busy as befor Bank opened but surely two tracks would have been better?
Mark J but the platform was narrow on the old Tower Gateway station
Well maybe people would accept it, but installing the technology is very expensive and anyway, people would still want a member of staff on board, to supervise station departure and 'just in case'. Even the DLR is not unstaffed - its just that the computers drive the trains.
Simon
first used in Spain, so I understand.
Simon
The original plans also looked at trolleybuses as a way to reduce air pollution, but TfL went back on the electric buses and after heavy campaigning made it quite clear to me, in writing, that they do not see trolleybuses as being a solution for London. Which makes my blood boil as they happily gave electric trams to Croydon and wanted similar for West London yet they are fobbing us in the east off with yet more polluting diesels - even hybrids still pollute the streets they use!
Simon
I don't know why the Tube isn't run with driverless trains. Surely technology is now at the point whereby it can be done. Also it would get rid of a lot of unionist drivers who think LU owe them an existance, with communters benefitting from lower fares and NO strikes!