R A I LT R AC K - The Railways Archive

8.4
We have suggested to the Government that a better
integrated and more efficient system would be possible if we
controlled the signalling operation of the surface lines and
were able to make decisions between maintenance and
renewal.In January, the Government commissioned a report,
carried out by the Franchising Director and his consultants,
into the ideas for integration.As a result, we are continuing
to develop these ideas.
East London Line (ELL)
We plan,with London Underground,to link the East London
Line with our network both north and south,offering an
exciting range of new journey opportunities.London
Underground’s existing powers will extend the northern end
of the line from Whitechapel to Dalston Junction with new
intermediate stations at Bishopsgate, Hoxton and
Haggerston.It is proposed that East London Line trains will
run along the North London Line to Highbury and Islington
to provide interchange with both North London and Victoria
Line services.New connections at the southern end of the
line will enable local services to run to Wimbledon via
Streatham and West Croydon via Forest Hill,as well as
opening up the possible use for other new services. Possible
service levels are currently under discussion with both
London Underground and the Franchising Director.
Although the line will be operated by standard network
trains,many issues remain to be resolved,including train
length.Some London Underground stations on the ELL
including the new Canada Water Station,are unable to
accept more than four-vehicle trains,and it is clear that
potential demand in the peak may cause serious
overcrowding problems.
8.4 London airports access
Heathrow
Heathrow Airport remains one of London’s best
opportunities to improve rail-market penetration.At present,
despite the excellence of BAA’s Heathrow Express to
Paddington,Heathrow remains poorly served by rail.It is
BAA’s aim to increase public transport’s share of surface
access to 50%,and we will work with them and other
partners to help achieve that objective.
Developments over the past 12 months
The full four-trains-per-hour Heathrow Express service,
operated by BAA,came into operation in the summer of
1998.
Developments over the next 12 months
A new rail–bus interchange at Feltham Station will open in
summer 1999,providing improved access to all four
Heathrow passenger terminals.The scheme is being jointly
funded by Railtrack, BAA,South West Trains,London
Transport and the London Borough of Hillingdon.
Medium-term developments
We are reviewing existing studies with BAA which seek to
further improve rail access to the airport and,in particular,
those which permit operation of trains between destinations
north and south of the airport.
In the meantime, we are planning an additional direct
service to St Pancras with BAA,calling at Hayes and
Harlington,Ealing Broadway and either West Hampstead
Thameslink or Cricklewood.This will complement BAA’s
Heathrow Express and provide new connections:
• at Hayes and Harlington for passengers from the west
• at Ealing Broadway for passengers from the
Underground and bus networks
• at West Hampstead Thameslink for passengers from
Jubilee, North London and Thameslink services,or
• at Cricklewood for Thameslink services and a new park
and ride.
The proposed new
southern link to
Heathrow would run
from a point near
Staines via the
proposed Heathrow
Terminal 5 to
connect with BAA’s
existing route
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