The Public Transport Thread

[flyingguitar]

There are alternatives, rather than a bus service.

The rail line to Alton could be ran with something like the Very light railway, it is lower cost that a train but much lower capacity, but it could be a good alternative to a BRT especially since a lot of the route is already there.

Work may be happening on this, some people I have talked to near the Stoke - Leek line have said VLR may be looking at reopening that line (very trust worthy I know). However, it has been discussed a few times with government documents such as here:

https://webapps.stoke.gov.uk/uploadedfiles/Transport_Strategy_and_Delivery_Plan_2022_-_2031.pdf

https://www.staffsmoorlands.gov.uk/article/6535/Leek---Stoke-rail-line-bid-submitted-to-Government.com

That is only to Leek, but it isn't that much of a stretch to go to Alton considering the heritage railway has a lot of that line covered. It's then just Oakamoor tunnel which is the biggest hurdle and a few miles to Alton. This is of course based on the heritage railway allowing them to (although they already own the route down to Leek, so they would have to work together).

 

[JAperson]

the idea of using a very light rail connection could be great, if they can make the economics work. If this technology works out well I can see if being a huge player in UK transport, and this is a potential great usage.

 

[Ash]

the idea of using a very light rail connection could be great, if they can make the economics work. If this technology works out well I can see if being a huge player in UK transport, and this is a potential great usage.

I can’t remember the line but there is an electric train now in service with perfect range and recharging requirements that is almost made to do the job in a clean quiet way shuttling to a new platform at Stoke.

 

[JAperson]

I can’t remember the line but there is an electric train now in service with perfect range and recharging requirements that is almost made to do the job in a clean quiet way shuttling to a new platform at Stoke.

Yes GWR has started running this, and it's great for existing railways, and introducing new service on current lines (or extending/changing routes of current lines), however the cost to lay the tracks and get the signalling infrastructure for a mainline railway like this is very expensive, and less compatible with hills I would assume? I imagine even a regular tram is unlikely to be worth the cost, however VLR is considerably cheaper and so I think it has the best shot of being cost effective to actually build. Coventry City council, who are leading the work on this, seem to suggest it's up to 70-80% cheaper to construct than regular systems, which seems remarkable.
CCC's page on the current original and only project in Coventry: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coventr...try Very Light Rail,more land for green space.

 

[Ash]

Yes GWR has started running this, and it's great for existing railways, and introducing new service on current lines (or extending/changing routes of current lines), however the cost to lay the tracks and get the signalling infrastructure for a mainline railway like this is very expensive, and less compatible with hills I would assume? I imagine even a regular tram is unlikely to be worth the cost, however VLR is considerably cheaper and so I think it has the best shot of being cost effective to actually build. Coventry City council, who are leading the work on this, seem to suggest it's up to 70-80% cheaper to construct than regular systems, which seems remarkable.
CCC's page on the current original and only project in Coventry: https://www.coventry.gov.uk/coventr...try Very Light Rail,more land for green space.

Although I agree to an extent, the feasibility study suggested the line would just be deemed feasible enough with an extension to cauldon quarry and freight ran back to the mainline.

Or just under feasible with a tram-train type setup, as it would have to run on a regular line at Leekbrook so VLR would be out of the running I believe as they aren’t and won’t be compatible.

VLR for the rest of north staffs though absolutely!