Bridge that Gap: Great Central Railway News

I have been on the web site for bridge that gap on the great central railway. But this hasent been updated since feb 2009, does anyone know anymore about this?? Cheers Gavin

 

Last time we discussed this subject, it was suggested that the bridge over the MML, and wider issues about the whole "corridor" from Leicester to Nottingham was subject to an ongoing external consultants report.

There should however be at least a "holding" update on the Bridging the Gap website.

 

I'm fascinated by the recent and proposed extensions and reinstatements of Network Rail connections (such as Sheringham Level Crossing and the Bluebell East Grinstead extension). Bridging the Gap seems to be the most adventurous proposal and it's a shame that there's no news on the website since February 2009.

Has anyone tried contacting the Great Central to find out what's going on?

 

there are periodic updates in the Main Line magazine.

Last I understand was that the study conducted wasn't as positive as the GCR management would have liked, so the GCR management were questioning some of its assumptions such as the number of Gypsum trains to East Leake.

The gap also goes hand-in-hand slightly with the Workington shed project, which has run into difficulty due to the unsuitability of the tip site for taking shed and locos.

 

I periodically check the Bridging The Gap web site on the off chance that it might have been updated, and guess what? When I checked today, it had!

http://www.bridgingthegap.org.uk/

 

Very interesting reading. They need to update the profile of Tony Sparks at the end of the report. 1956 would mean he was eight or nine when he started work. A keyboard error, no doubt.

 

Links not working for me?

 

With all the talk of government cutbacks you have to wonder if the grant money required is going to be forthcoming.

 

Well, the Audit Commission has just been given a good flaming by Mr Pickles and nothing is beyond serious scrutiny, so I think if the GCR wants to reconnect the north and south parts of this once great railway again then it will have to raise the money itself. Not impossible but extremely unlikely sadly. The folly was to let the original infrastructure be destroyed (as shown in the photos on the link) but hindsight is a wonderful thing and still we do it.

 

I know raising the money wont be easy, so why not do the project in stages. For example - stage 1 raise and restore canal bridge north of the shed.
stage 2 restore the embankment north of canal bridge.
stage 3 alter heights of bridge abut,ents over the MML to prepare for future electification ( if it comes?)
stage 4 place bridge in over MML subject to ok from Network rail.

It wont happen over night i know, but at least it is something. The GCR seems to think that someone will come along with a big cheque book and pay for it and this is not going to happen.

 

...if i remember correctly, that was a strong possibility before the recession came along and the company involved had to pull out.

Chris

 

I've heard that some people want to start on the canal bridge; that means lifting it and repairing it on dry land, but unfortunately management in their infinite wisdom allowed a fibre optic cable to be laid over it and now BT want lots of cash for moving it, even though the contract said that the GCR could move it up to 3 times, the GCR have lost the original contract.

 

Just came across this thread. Has this died a death or is it still a runner? The 'Bridging the gap' website appears to be dead.
Any one any news?

 

Sadly, although I am a GCR supporter I have to air my own view that I think the chances of 'Bridging the Gap' are getting very remote. The current economic situation means that it's very difficult to see where the funds would come from for such a major project.

I have to add that I am not a member of the GCR management, I do not work there, so I am not privy to any inside information and any thoughts here are purely mine.

However, I think that there are lots of business meetings and initiatives going on 'behind the scenes' by the GCR management and, if so, then they are quite correct not to say anything until there is something to report.

Perhaps there may be the odd Russian or Arabian oil billionaire knocking around who realises that he's missed the boat with a premier league football club and may just fancy dishing out untold millions on the Gap project? You never know...

Anyway, good luck to the GCR team - and we can but dream.

 

Well there are two modernish looking long Bridge sections sitting in the old demolished factory site across from Loughborough station. Are these to replace the bridge over the canal on the run up to the gap, or for something else ? Are they even anything to do with the railway ? A statement of intent perhaps ?

 

They will replace the bridge on the GCR(N) over the A60 near Brush Works.

 

I believe I read somewhere (perhaps on this site?) that these 2 bridge sections are to replace other short bridges on the existing GCR heritage line; they are not for the "gap" section. I regret that I must agree that the chance of this gap now being filled are about the same as HS2 being built. That said, rebuilding the whole of the old GCR would indeed be worth it as the route would make an excellent trunk route in the 21st Century!

 

Hmm, im afraid the GCR would be no more 'worth it' now than it ever was, and while 'the gap' is far less certain to be built than HS2 it remains a strong possibility - given the strong hints that financial backing was potentially available before the recession, whose to say that when the economy recovers it wont be again? Here's hoping...

Chris

 

So given that the HS2 has got the "go ahead" I assume this means you think that the gap is highly likely to filled.