Canterbury West Station

[William Dargan]

My Earthly sources have informed me that a huge number of surveyors have been taking measurements at Canterbury West station, in connection with the rebuilding of the station.

It would seem that early ideas are hampered by the station buildings - the plan is to knock it down completely, however given the historical interest, Network Rail may face opposition. NR are also trying to figure out how best to fit atleast one new platform face for 'southeastern highspeeed' (lowercase deliberate) services, while maintaining the ability to run steam specials.

Previous experience and consultation with living railwaymen/women leads me to believe that a) the scheme will be over budget. b) cause long running disruption and sadly, c) will be a disappointment to everyone.

[Joofy]

Oct 4, 2008 1:25:48 GMT William Dargan said:

My Earthly sources have informed me that a huge number of surveyors have been taking measurements at Canterbury West station, in connection with the rebuilding of the station.

It would seem that early ideas are hampered by the station buildings - the plan is to knock it down completely, however given the historical interest, Network Rail may face opposition. NR are also trying to figure out how best to fit atleast one new platform face for 'southeastern highspeeed' (lowercase deliberate) services, while maintaining the ability to run steam specials.

Previous experience and consultation with living railwaymen/women leads me to believe that a) the scheme will be over budget. b) cause long running disruption and sadly, c) will be a disappointment to everyone.

Were the 3 "e"s deliberate too !

[William Dargan]

"EEE!" is the sound that most people will make at the ticket office window when they ask about the premium surcharge for the High Speed services!

^{I really should slow down when typing!}

;D

[Guest]

Ladies and Gents,

I can confirm through sources that the survey teams were indeed doing a detailed topographical survey for the station.

The survey was part of a wider breif of how to allow high speed ("chuckles") services pass the station whilst accomodating the existing normal speed services which will stop there, as well as the cathedrals express which terminates in the loop.

The simple soloution appears to be to reinstate the two through tracks lifted by BR and realign the S&C to make the platforms on loops effectively.

As to the buildings i couldn't comment, but isn't it very difficult to demolish grade one or two listed buildings??

Also have people seen the picture in the railway press of the high speed stock at faversham??

Regards

[O.V.S.Bulleid]

Dear Friends

Mt understanding of the situation at Canterbury West is almost the same as reported by our guest.

The historic buildings are listed and I would expect that Notwork Rail will not delay any construction by intending to knock them down.

Mr Trevithick isn't the only one of us to have Earthly connections so this is what I understand: -

The "Up" platform - for any non DAAs - going towards Ashford, will have a platform that uses the "Up Through" line removed during the 1990s. This will give trains a clear approach.

The new building work will place some accommodation on the track-side of the existing building and protect it.

The "Down" platform will be on the "Down Through" with a loop for the Victoria services to reverse at (the down platform being less historic as the up side).

What is not clear is why this is taking place at all when parking at Canterbury West isn't plentiful whereas Canterbury East has much more.

The real answer would have been a two level station where the lines cross (a la Tamworth) which would also have provided direct interchange and provided East Kent with a "Hub" station.

I understand that Tonbridge will soon be the next station to have designs produced to provide a "Down Loop".

In the meantime Faversham will be changed as discussed here before.

Yours sincerely

O.V.S.Bulleid

[Richard Trevithick]

My Dear OVS,

Good to hear from you, Old Chap! I was worried you'd been lost in the ether, having not heard from you in such a long time. I trust all is fine and dandy with you?

It's late, and I suspect I'm not fully understanding, or have misread the posts above. My understanding of CW is a new platform is to be constructed on the North side, sharing the same island as the down platform. IIRC, it already exists, but needs a full rebuild. It is many years since I first (and last) heard about these plans.

I'm not quite understanding the comments about Tonbridge. There is no room there to build any other lines. I thought it already effectively had 2 loops, in the form of the 2 centre roads?

Kind regards,

RT

[William Dargan]

I'm wondering if the resulting redesign would look something like this:


^{Canterbury West, 1961}

Although I'm unsure if the diners at the 'Goods Shed' restaurant would appreciate having their meals delivered via wagon....

[jumpedup]

@william Dargan

Yes, and let's reopen the Crab and Winkle line to Whitstable too while we're at it!

Personally, I feel a bit more thought is required at Canterbury and some proposal of a cross-over station would be useful. It would of course require significant building works at one or other location (presumably nearer Canterbury East than West presently), but that could be possible if the right minds were put to it.

[true]

I am led to believe that a 'Canterbury Parkway' station somewhere off the A2 near where the two lines meet was thought about but quickly dropped early on for the usual funding reasons. The comparative lack of parking at Canterbury West seems to be a bit of an elephant in the room.

[O.V.S.Bulleid]

My Dear Mr Trevithick

I am indeed sorry to have been away for a short period of time, religeous issues in another county you understand.

Just to clarify my notes about Canterbury West developments - the station, like most of the City, is Grade II listed. This includes the station building, the Goods Shed and the Signal Box with gantry. My understanding is that the station building will have some sympathetic modern construction placed trackside of the old building (on the left of Mr Dargan's photo), the platform will occupy the Up Loop with new building being on the present platform space and trains will use the Up Main track.

The down side is less certain but my understanding is that, as noted by others, there will be a turn-back facility for terminating services from the Ashford direction.

The Down Main seems to be most likely to be reinstated with the Down Platform being extended over the present Down Loop track. The present down platform used to have the Whitstable Branch Bay at the country end and most likely this will form part of a Down Loop platform with the buildings (which are not listed) being replaced with a construction to match the new building on the up side.

I believe that consideration has been given to extending platforms to 12 cars together with an electrified siding being provided east of the station.

True's note about "big game" is certainly correct and one suspects that Faversham, with direct services to the City and West End will continue to the station of choice for Canterbury residents. It has been discussed on the old BBC Message Board but the greatest advance for Kent's rail services would be competition for GoVex in terms of a fast service from Victoria to Rochester (38mins), Sittingbourne (51mins), Canterbury East (70mins) and a new station at Dover Marine (90mins) to serve the Cruise Terminal and provide better access by road from Deal and Sandwich.

Yours sincerely
O.V.S.Bulleid