The Anonymous Widower

The Biggest Engineering Event In The UK For Decades

In the 1970s, I was doing a small project management consultancy job at Frederick Snow and Partners.

They had developed a plan to barrage the River Severn and use the tides to generate about ten percent of the UK’s required electricity.

Harold Wilson’s government turned the idea down, as they felt large coal-fired power stations like Drax and Fiddlers Ferry were the future.

I was shown the plan for the River Severn and thought it had merit and still believe that one day it will be built.

Starting at the beginning of October, Liverpool will be showing their plan for the world’s largest tidal barrier.

These are the dates.

  • Museum of Liverpool, Mann Island, Liverpool L3 1DG – Thursday 3 October – 3pm to 7pm
  • Delamere Community Centre, Delamere Avenue, Eastham, Wirral CH62 9ED – Friday 11 October – 2pm to 7pm
  • The Gateway, 85-101 Sankey Street, Warrington WA1 1SR – Saturday 12 October – 10am to 4pm
  • The Lake House, Cambridge Road, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 1RR – Monday 14 October – 2pm to 7pm
  • Floral Pavilion Theatre, Marine Promenade, New Brighton, Wirral CH45 2JS – Thursday 17 October – 2pm to 7pm
  • The Florrie, 377 Mill Street, Dingle, Liverpool L8 4RF – Saturday 19 October – 10am to 4pm
  • Shakespeare North Playhouse, Prospero Place, Prescot L34 3AB – Saturday 26 October – 10am to 4pm
  • Ellesmere Port Civic Hall, Civic Way, Ellesmere Port CH65 0AZ – Monday 4 November – 2pm to 7pm
  • Totally Wicked Stadium, McManus Drive, St Helens WA9 3AL – Tuesday 5 November – 2pm to 7pm
  • Runcorn Masonic Hall, York Street, Runcorn WA7 5BB – 10am to 4pm

I shall post on this page, when I will be in the city to look at the event.

September 23, 2024 Posted by | Design, Energy, World | , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Ashley Down Station Opens On Saturday

Ashley Down station will be Bristol’s latest new station, when it opens this Saturday.

I shall be going, after probably taking the Elizabeth Line to Reading station.

September 23, 2024 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , | Leave a comment

Is A Ride Across South London On Tramlink, The Worst Rail Ride In London?

Last week, I took a ride across South London on the London Tramlink from Beckenham Junction to Wimbledon.

I was in one of the original Bombardier trams and it was very underwhelming.

None Of The Current Trams Have Air-Conditioning

These days, this is expected.

In this article on RailAdvent, which is entitled Potential Tram Builders Announced For New London Trams, this is said.

Transport for London has issued an Invitation to Tender for four manufacturers to design and build a new fleet of trams.

Alstom UK, CAF, Hitachi and Stadler are the four manufacturers who can now proceed to the next stage of the procurement process with Transport for London to design and build the new trams.

The new trams are expected to feature air-conditioning, real time travel info and charging points, along with areas designed for wheelchair users and those with pushchairs and luggage.

It sounds that the new trams will be to a higher standard with more comfort and interior space.

The Current Trams Have Bricks For Seat Padding

In my except from the Rail Advent article, surely this is covered with more comfort.

The Current Trams Lack Interior Space

In my except from the Rail Advent article, surely this is covered with more interior space.

On one journey recently, two mothers were having a friendly discussion about the limited space for their buggies.

The Current Trams Lack Flat Floors

The floors weren’t flat on my cross-London tram ride and it nearly tripped me up.

All trams, buses and trains should have flat floors and no-step entrances and exits.

The Current Trams Lack Details That Passengers Now Expect

In my except from the Rail Advent article, surely this is covered with more real time travel info and charging points.

The Route Of The Tramlink Is Boring

I’ve travelled on trams and light rail systems in other cities and towns, in the UK, in Europe and around the world.

But I feel that unlike say Blackpool Tramway, except for a couple of shopping centres and IKEA, London Tramlink doesn’t take you anywhere.

I expected to find refreshment kiosks at the terminals, but only at Wimbledon and East Croydon did they exist.

Perhaps, Transport for London could add a few kiosks, as they have done on the Overground?

Conclusion

Transport for London should look at all aspects of design of the London Tramlink.

 

September 23, 2024 Posted by | Design, Transport/Travel | , , , , , | Leave a comment