|
Post by 8arail on Nov 28, 2020 21:01:00 GMT 1
Let's hope they leave space for a railway line. Indeed, while your doing one ,do both . The governments recent mantra was build build build ! Lets see. A railway line from where, as in connection and where does the rail traffic come from? The Speke Junction - Ditton - Runcorn line only serves traffic from the south, what about the north and east? The original thoughts was always an extension of the Merseyrail 3rd rail system poss conection around the old Cressington Junction, although that would be not without some difficulties. Years ago, they talked about a tram line to the Airport which was the best option but authories choose go to Kirkby instead and we know what happened there! The best hopeful option IS an extension of the 3rd rail line but I don't see it happening now, we missed the boat as such especially in what has happened this year and it is going to take some time to fully recover.
|
|
|
Post by viscount on Nov 28, 2020 21:56:11 GMT 1
The ultimate 'dream' plan goes far beyond extending the Merseyrail electrics or tramways. It would be to bring 'main line' trains through the Airport, diverting the Lime St to Euston (along with every other southbound) trains through the Airport on a loop replacing the current main line. To the south of the Airport would likely follow much the same path as the new road access now under feasibility/costing study stage - which is why the topic has appeared again on NWAN.
|
|
|
Post by 8arail on Nov 29, 2020 0:12:01 GMT 1
As you said a 'dream' and my personal thoughts never going to happen especially hoping for London / Birmingham trains to take a loop. Those same passengers will be flying from airports further south to begin with and for those who insist and want HS2 direct to Liverpool and wont be via the Airport either (the propsed HS2 route was actually further north). Again, best hope is third rail extension. Sorry to disagree.
|
|
|
Post by ronturner on Nov 29, 2020 7:21:44 GMT 1
Paradoxically, the right time to build is now, but its free to dream.
|
|
|
Post by silvercity on Nov 29, 2020 11:22:43 GMT 1
Build now for the future. Provide some job too.
|
|
|
Post by davel on Nov 29, 2020 12:23:25 GMT 1
A spur off the main line with a new road too from end of A5300. The road partly exists as there are new commercial premises expanding in that area.(a road bridge has already been built over the railway).The spur would give access to the south but also through Ditton to the West Coast Main Line in Warrington. Halton Council have already said they want Ditton station reopening and also Widnes south. This line is only used by coal trains for Fiddlers Ferry power station at the moment and as it is to be closed soon, we don't want them ripping up the track. (by the way Manchester Airport line is only a spur off the WCML)
|
|
|
Post by silvercity on Nov 29, 2020 12:28:35 GMT 1
Sounds the way to go. Where was Widnes South Station BTW? Widnes Station always seems quite far from the centre .
|
|
|
Post by davel on Nov 29, 2020 12:59:06 GMT 1
Widnes South was on Waterloo Road across from Widnes Central Station. (Ashley way now part occupies what was a loop off the main line that by-passed the present Widnes station (called Widnes North originally)). Widnes South station on the line to Warrington via Fiddlers Ferry was only demolished recently (what was left of it) and the area landscaped. Probably to make the area look better from the new bridge whose access road passed very near to it. However the area has not been built on so could be reinstated if required.
|
|
|
Post by silvercity on Nov 29, 2020 16:32:00 GMT 1
I was looking at a rail map and I see the line via Fiddlers Ferry end up passing beneath Warrington BQ. Is this track still in operation ? Do is actually reach BankQuay Station. There is also plans for a new road planned I believe from the end of the Knowsley Expressway Way to reach the airport easier from the east
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 29, 2020 17:32:06 GMT 1
The coal for Fiddler's Ferry used to come down from Hunterston port (owned by Peel) in Ayrshire, (having been mined in Colombia and brought by ship!) It then came off the WCML just after Bank Quay and went into Arpley Marshalling Yards, where there is a loop to the line which passes Fiddler's Ferry).
|
|
|
Post by harbourcotter on Nov 29, 2020 17:44:33 GMT 1
I saw a freight train near Sankey Bridges about 18 months or so ago on the track from WBQ to Fiddlers ferry, so the track is still there or was until very recently. I cross the track there very infrequently.
|
|
|
Post by davel on Nov 29, 2020 20:36:25 GMT 1
Yes it does still exist and is, as was said, the connection from the WCML for coal trains. The line originally went through to Manchester via Lymm and Altrincham but the high level bridge over the ship canal was declared unsafe so the line was closed beyond Arpley sidings. It was one of the 3 Liverpool to Manchester lines.
|
|
|
Post by silvercity on Nov 29, 2020 21:13:25 GMT 1
Ah I think you can see these bridges from the A57 heading towards Manchester from Warrington.
|
|
|
Post by davel on Nov 30, 2020 11:19:55 GMT 1
Just another point, I think Peel own a lot of the open land between the A5300 and Hale Road.
|
|
|
Post by silvercity on Nov 30, 2020 15:16:34 GMT 1
Just another point, I think Peel own a lot of the open land between the A5300 and Hale Road. That should hopefully help
|
|