bluecity
I came across these two cars by Brentford station.
They are electric hire cars from a company called bluecity.
The concept should appeal to many living in London, and I might have been interested, if I still drove.
But I just have no interest these days, as life without a car is much more stress-free.
A Trip To Kingham Station
I visited Kingham station on a trip to have lunch with friends nearby.
The station is not step-free, by any means.
Commuters or shoppers going to London, Reading or Oxford must use the bridge without lifts on the Outward journey, but at least when returning, it’s a level walk to the car park.
All services are run by Class 800/801/802 trains, which as the first picture shows don’t have step-free access between train and platform.
But there are many stations that are worse and more difficult to make step-free.
This Google Map shows Kingham station, with London to the South and Worcester to the North.
If you look at my pictures taken in 2019 and the Google Map, you’ll notice that the stairs on the bridge point the other way and that the bridge is the other side of the station building, which is indicated by the red logo.
This sentence in the Wikipedia entry for the station, indicates what is happening.
In 2015, a car park extension has been added with 100 car spaces, and a new footbridge is being added, with provision for passenger lifts.
This probably means the Google Map was created before 2015 and that lifts can be added on the Worcester side of the new footbridge.
It also gives Network Rail an unusual dilemma.
In Winner Announced In The Network Rail Footbridge Design Ideas Competition, I wrote how the competition was won by this bridge.
A factory-built bridge would be ideal for Kingham station and it could have easily been fitted in the space taken by the new bridge.
But in 2015, when the current bridge was installed, the new style of step-free bridge hadn’t even been designed.
Network Rail have two choices.
- Add traditional lifts to the current bridge.
- Swap the current bridge for one of the new design with lifts.
There may even be a third choice.
Could two lift towers designed for the winning design be erected and linked to the 2015 bridge?
- The lift towers appear to have been designed to be free-standing and be able support the weight of the bridge deck, perhaps with the stairs acting as a structural support.
- The 2015 bridge been designed to accept traditional lifts in brick or steel towers, so why can’t it accept modern steel and glass lifts?
I think it would be possible and at Kingham station, I suspect the lifts could be installed without disrupting the trains or passengers, during a short closure of the line or the station.
I suspect the cost would salso be more affordable.
Other Stations
There are probably several stations with a very serviceable footbridge, that are suitable for lifts to be added.
This picture shows the footbridge at Marks Tey station.
This could be an ideal candidate.
- The bridge appears sound.
- The bridge appears to meet all the regulations concerning electrification.
- The handrails on the stairs could be updated to a modern standard.
- It looks like there is sufficient space for the towers.
I doubt installation of lifts would be a difficult and expensive project.
There are probably several other stations with a similar design of bridge.
Conclusion
Could Network Rail’s new design of step-free bridge be applied to existing bridges in other stations?
The Tide At Greenwich
The Tide At Greenwich is a new walkway ans sculpture park.
It looks like it will be extended.
A Garden Is Being Created Under London Bridge Station
I took these pictures as I walked in one of the tunnels under London Bridge station.
Somebody is doing a bit of garden creation.
The Coaling Jetty, Battersea
This Google Map shows the riverside to the North of Battersea Power Station.
The area is by no means fully developed, but you can see the two Northern chimneys of the power station and their shadows.
On the river there are two structures; the smaller Battersea Power Station Pier for the Thames Clippers and the larger Coaling Jetty, which was originally used to bring coal to the power station.
This summer the Coaling Jetty has been opened as a free public space with bars, chairs, music and entertainment for children.
I can envisage, as more of the riverside opens up, the site will develop further.
The area is certainly worth an explore and there are several places to get food and drink.
A Walk Past Battersea Power Station – 11th August 2019
I took these pictures, as I walked past the Battersea Power station site last Sunday.
It’s certainly coming on!
This Google Map shows the area, where I walked.
I had taken the Thames Ckipper to Battersea Power Station Pier and then walked down the Western side of the Power Station before following the access road to Battersea Park Road, where I caught a bus.
Network Rail Teams Up With Local Council To Bring Happy Street To Battersea
The title of this post, is the same as that of this article on Rail Advent.
This is the first paragraph.
Network Rail has announced it has worked in partnership with Wandsworth Council to spread some joy in the Nine Elms area of Battersea with a stunning makeover of the Thessaly Road railway bridge.
These are some pictures I took last Sunday.
It’s certainly not dull!
Conclusion
We need more happy streets! And bridges!
Will People Look Back At the 14th of August 2019 As A Significant Day in History?
On the 14th of August, Stephanie Frappart refereed the 2019 UEFA Super Cup between Chelsea and Liverpool.
This article on the BBC, is entitled Stephanie Frappart: History-Making Referee Praised For Super Cup Performance.
The tone of the title is typical of the comments in various newspapers and on web sites.
There was some criticism for the penalty award to Chelsea, but then many fans and commentators don’t agree with penalty decisions.
I watched all of the match and she and her two female assistants, certainly did a better job, than some officials, I’ve seen in the top two English divisions.
I look forward to the day, when the gender of the referee is irrelevant and they are judged solely on their competence.
Was Wednesday’s Super Cup a first major step towards that goal?
Conclusion
We mustn’t forget that for most countries in the world, football is the most important sport, so the ramifications of Ms. Frappart’s performance, may be greater than we first think!
The Anonymous Widower 