Latest Rail News

01.09.16

Gospel Oak to Barking railway set for six-month upgrade closure

The Gospel Oak to Barking Line will close completely for six months from 24 September to allow for an ambitious programme of upgrades.

The upgrades will mean that the fleet of two-car diesel trains currently used on the route will be replaced by four-car electric trains, built by Bombardier, from January 2018.

The South Tottenham to Barking line has been closed since 4 June to allow for the upgrades, which include lowering four major sections of track, installing structures to carry the overhead wires and rebuilding four bridges. It is due to reopen on 25 September.

Network Rail’s route managing director, Richard Schofield, said: “This upgrade will have huge benefits to passengers and neighbours. It will enable longer, quieter and cleaner trains to run.

“However, to achieve this we need more space under bridges to fit electrification equipment. In some locations this requires us to lower the track. The nature of this work is noisy and I would like to thank those living near the railway for their continued patience.”

Replacement bus services will be provided, and customers travelling between South Tottenham and Walthamstow Queen’s Road stations can use the Victoria Line.

Regular pay as you go users of the Gospel Oak to Barking Line will be automatically refunded the additional cost of travel via Zone 1 by Tube or rail.

Transport for London staff will hold drop-in sessions at stations along the route from next week in order to answer passengers’ questions.

Mike Stubbs, TfL’s director of London Overground, said: “We, along with Network Rail, will be holding drop-in sessions at stations along the route to ensure that customers are well informed and can plan their alternative journeys.

“We would like to thank our customers for their patience while this essential work takes place. The work being carried out by Network Rail will enable us to run new longer walk-through trains on the line from January 2018, which will double capacity on the route.”

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Comments

Andrew Gwilt   02/09/2016 at 12:30

With the LO Class 172's to be replaced by the new Class 710's. Some of the LO Class 172's could be used on West Ealing-Greenford branch line if London Overground takes over that branch line in West London. Plus the extension of the Barking-Barking Riverside could happen in 2018-2019 or in 2020's.

Geoff Louis Armand Demprunt   04/09/2016 at 03:51

The isolation of this line was because of the lack of compatibility, surely it's time to integrate this section and create a Metro Service on all the lines A new route(s) Blackhorse Road - Old Oak and or Brent Cross Thames Link would open up the once isolated Goblin branch line post Electrification. Both of those schemes are huge commercial ventures that could fund schemes that provide access to their enterprises and broaden the catchment area. The social benefits are self-evident. Both Developers should be given the opportunity to fund these schemes. A new 4 platform station at Junction Road to link with Tufnell Park, especially as Camden Town is being redeveloped and or the reinstatement of services to link to Thameslink at Kentish Town is an immediate necessity. The government recently relished extra funds for new Stations The scope to improve capacity at Central London stations like Euston is over and blue sky / Victorian thinking is needed. The capacity and cost benefits of curtailing expansion of the West Coast Mainline at Old Oak are obvious ; utilising all the Underground and Overground lines in the area and linking to Heathrow is the better solution A third reversing platform is essential on the Barking to Gospel Oak Line and South Tottenham is inappropriate as it is in the heavily congested area that will encompass Crossrail 2. This line is " a victim of it's own success" and is continually reacting to demographic changes. A new entrance and proper access for all is long overdue. A line to Clapham Junction was first mooted in 1974. An immediate rethink on the signalling on this line, freight movements and the congested sector between Gospel Oak and Willesden Junction is needed. Cross Rail 2, Thameslink and even HS2 , if built will increase interchange. Barking Riverside will heavily increase capacity at the eastern end and you face the problem of full trains from Leyton Midland onwards. It's a lot cheaper than tunnelling !

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